Rays' Alexander loses perfect game in 8th inning

Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Tyler Alexander was putting together the greatest start of his MLB career against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Friday before things went awry in the eighth inning.

Alexander was throwing a perfect game into the eighth and had gotten Justin Turner out on a fly ball before giving up three consecutive hits to end his night. One of those hits was a two-run home run from Davis Schneider.

"I was very aware of what I was doing," Alexander said, according to Ian Harrison of The Associated Press. "I was just trying not to over-try, I guess. Just trying to stay within myself."

The 29-year-old Alexander finished his start tossing 7 1/3 frames while allowing three earned runs on three hits with four strikeouts.

Alexander entered the outing with a 5.45 ERA across 39 2/3 innings. He allowed six earned runs and three homers in his previous outing before Friday. Catcher Ben Rortvedt sensed Alexander would be better against the Blue Jays before the game got underway.

"In the bullpen, I could tell he was feeling it," Rortvedt said. "He was throwing all his pitches to all quadrants of the zone."

The Rays held on to defeat the Blue Jays 4-3 after Alexander exited.

The two sides continue their three-game series Saturday, with right-hander Kevin Gausman taking the hill against Rays righty Zach Eflin.