The Tampa Bay Rays evened the series and got back to its winning ways with a 7-6 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays at Tropicana Field on Wednesday night. 

It was certainly a back-and-forth battle early in the contest, but the strength of the Rays' bullpen solidified the victory for Kevin Cash and company. The team moves to 76-50 and still holds a 5-game lead over the New York Yankees in the American League East standings. 

Here is what you need to know from the contest. 

And thanks to the Rays bats, he didn't have to be. 

Rays all-star pitcher Drew Rasmussen picked up his 13th win of the season after allowing 5 earned runs, a home run, and 7 hits across 5 innings of work. Most of the damage came in the fifth inning, when he allowed four runs, including a run by Toronto that began after a few singles and a hit-by-pitch. 

He escaped the inning heavily taxed and, after 86 pitches, Cash decided to pull him after five full frames. 

The bullpen took over the rest of the game and was near perfect. Cam Booser, who immediately took over the reins from Rasmusen, was the only one who allowed an earned run. The trio of Kevin Kelly, Tyler Wells, and Bryan Baker all went scoreless, shortening the game for Tampa Bay, something Erik Neander and the Rays' front office certainly have dreamed about since adding Wells to the back end of the bullpen. They hope the same scenarios as Wednesday's game occur deep in the postseason. 

Baker picked up his 36th save of the season, continues to lead MLB, and is now only 12 away from the franchise saves record. 

The Rays will take it any way they can, as they did in the bottom of the fourth inning, picking up five runs and truly giving a cushion on Wednesday's victory. The team started their rally with a Richie Palacios double, followed by a Taylor Walls sacrifice bunt, a second bunt by Chandler Simpson, and then an RBI from Junior Caminero. 

The all-around effort of ensuring runs scored by any means necessary has truly been an identity for Tampa Bay this season. 

And one that should be successful come October. 

The team finished the contest recording 8 hits, striking out 5 times, walking 3, and was 3 for 10 with runners in scoring position. 

After a shaky start to begin the homestand at Tropicana Field, the Rays are starting to get back to their winning ways. These victories are more important than ever, as the New York Yankees, who trail the club by 5 games for the division lead, are currently on a 3-game winning streak. 

Teams inside the division have certainly had their streaks during the year, with the Rays not being excluded from that conversation. It's paramount that the Rays continue to win the majority of their games through the rest of the season and hold this lead through September. 

Tampa Bay will look for the series win against the Toronto Blue Jays on Thursday afternoon, as Ian Seymour will take the mound for the Rays. He will face right-handed pitcher Shane Bieber, who will be looking for his fifth win of the season. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 pm Eastern.