TAMPA, Fla. — It's been a rough and unfulfilling season for the Tampa Bay Rays, and these past two weeks have been especially difficult. But on Wednesday night we got another glimpse of what the Rays have done best through the years — dominate with pitching.

Rookie left-hander Ian Seymour started, and pitched seven strong innings, allowing just one unearned run and four hits. Edwin Uceta threw a perfect eighth, and Pete Fairbanks got his 27th save with three straight outs as the Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 2-1 at Steinbrenner Field.

Seymour, who threw a career-high 100 pitches, was the first Rays rookie to throw seven or more innings without allowing an earned run since Alex Colome in 2015. It snapped a five-game home losing streak and ended a seven-game losing streak to AL East foes.

“It was just an adjustment of taking what the hitters were giving me,” said Seymour, who raised his record to 4-2 and lowered his ERA to 2.54. “So instead of trying to put people away and limit contact, it's was just, if they were going to swing early, let them put balls in play and rely on the defense.”

The biggest defensive play came from fellow rookie Chandler Simpson, who robbed Toronto's Alejandro Kirk of a three-run homer in the fourth inning. Simpson has spent more time in left field than center because of his defensive liabilities, but he's been putting in the work and made this play perfectly. He drifted back to the wall and went up, bringing back a sure home run — and game decider.

“I've seen him do it plenty of times,” Seymour told reporters after the game. “That’s a big, game-changing play, and I couldn't be more grateful that it happened.”

The Jays scored their only run on the play, as John Schneider, who was on third after an error by Rays shortstop Carson Williams, came home.

Simpson and Williams combined to put the Rays ahead late. Simpson, who had three hits on the night and scored in the first inning with a double and Yandy Diaz single, had the game-winner in the seventh inning.

Williams had doubled, and Simpson came up with two outs. He laced a single to get the Rays a win. It was just their third win in 12 games and raised their record to 74-78. They haven't been eliminated from the playoffs quite yet with 10 games to go, but that could happen any day now.

The two teams close out the series on Thursday afternoon in the final day game at Steinbrenner Field. The Rays close out their run outdoors run in Tampa with three night games against the Boston Red Sox this weekend.

Shane Baz (9-12, 5.15 ERA) will start Thursday's game for the Rays. Right-hander Chris Bassett (11-8, 3.90 ERA) gets the call for Toronto. The Jays (89-63) are four games up on the New York Yankees in the American League East race.

SILVERMAN, AULD LEAVING RAYS: Tampa Bay Rays presidents Matt Silverman and Brian Auld will be stepping down when new owners take over the team next month, the team announced on Wednesday. Here is the full statement from the team. CLICK HERE 

PEPIOT ROUGHED UP EARLY: Tampa Bay starter Ryan Pepiot returned to the rotation on Tuesday but struggled with command. He didn't make it out of the second inning and the Rays lost 6-5 to the Toronto Blue Jays. Here's the game story. CLICK HERE

PETE FAIRBANKS HONORED: The Rays have nominated closer Pete Fairbanks for the Roberto Clemente Award, which is given to players who demonstrate excellence in character, community involvement, philanthropy and more. It is considered the most prestigious individual honor in Major League Baseball. CLICK HERE