the helm as the Blue Jackets finished with a franchise-best 43-3

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- The starter throws seven shutout innings. The defence makes a few big plays. One swing of the bat provides all the offence needed. Not a very flashy way to win, but its working for the Tampa Bay Rays. Alex Cobb went seven innings on Saturday, extending Tampa Bays run of solid starting pitching, and James Loney homered for a 1-0 victory over the slumping Cincinnati Reds. The Rays came into the interleague series with a 1-8 mark against Cincinnati. Theyve taken the first two games with their simple formula. "We hit some balls well, they hit some balls well, their defence played great also," Rays manager Joe Maddon said. "So just one of those days, man. We hit a homer and we win." Cobb (1-1) pitched seven shutout inning against Texas on Sunday but got a no-decision. He kept the scoreless streak going Saturday, limiting Cincinnatis struggling lineup to four hits without walking a batter. Hes now gone 15 1-3 innings without allowing a run. Grant Balfour, who fanned Brayan Pena with the bases loaded to end Friday nights game, got three outs for his fourth save in as many chances, finishing off the four-hitter. Cincinnati stranded a pair at third base and had runners thrown out at third and home, extending its run of wasteful offence. The Reds have lost all four of their series this season, falling to 3-8 for the first time since 1995, when they won the NL Central. They had a brief team meeting after the game. "It was just a friendly reminder of what weve got here and who we are as a team," Pena said. "It was a very positive meeting. The skipper (Bryan Price) got involved." Loney led off the second inning with his first homer against Alfredo Simon (1-1), who matched his career high with eight innings and allowed only five hits. The Rays opened the series with a 2-1 win Friday night, when David Price took a shutout into the ninth before Joey Votto homered with one out. Rays starters have thrown at least seven shutout innings four times in the last six games. It was Tampa Bays second shutout of the season, and the second time the Reds have been shut out. The Reds also were blanked 1-0 by the Cardinals on opening day. Both managers changed their lineups, looking for some runs. The Rays have scored only nine in their last six games, but managed to win three of them because of the impressive pitching. The Reds have scored 28 runs all season, second-fewest in the National League. Maddon stocked his lineup with left-handers against Simon. Price moved Votto from third to second in the batting order, the first time hed batted second since 2008. Neither move made much of a difference. Nice defence by both teams also kept it close. Votto led off the fourth with a ground-rule double. Kevin Kiermaier threw out Votto at the plate as he tried to score on Brandon Phillips single to centre. Phillips went to second on the play and was thrown out trying to steal third. "Kiermaiers throw today was the play of the game, the play of the season so far," Maddon said. "Hes an exceptional outfielder. Hes among the best major league outfielders today and hes only played one game here in the regular season." Kiermaier was optioned back to Triple-A Durham after the game, as expected. His throw home in the fourth was a good way to leave. "I wanted to come up here and contribute any way I could," said Kiermaier, who was called up Friday and told hed be in the majors for only a couple of days. "For me to throw Votto out at home, especially in a 1-0 game, just made it that much better. It was a pivotal time in the game." The Reds wasted another chance in the sixth, when Zack Cozart was hit by a pitch and advanced on a wild pitch and a sacrifice. Billy Hamilton hit a shallow fly and Votto grounded out. NOTES: LHP Erik Bedard was added to the Rays roster following the game. ... LHP Cesar Ramos moves from the bullpen to the rotation on Sunday, taking the place of injured Matt Moore. Ramos will make his fourth career start. Reds LHP Tony Cingrani makes his first career appearance against the Rays. ... Reds RHP Mat Latos had an MRI on his pitching forearm. It bothered him during a throwing session the previous day. Latos is trying to recover from surgery to repair torn knee cartilage on Feb. 14. Jae Crowder Jersey . - The first sign that Kansas Speedway was going to be a heartbreaker for Hendrick Motorsports should have come during qualifying when Jimmie Johnson inexplicably spun and earned one of his worst starting spots since 2005. Grayson Allen Jersey . Both of Padakins goals came in the second period while Zane Jones added a single in the first period for Calgary (13-6-4). Hitmen goaltender Chris Driedger finished with 30 saves for the shutout. http://www.jazzauthentic.com/kids-jonas-jerebko-jazz-jersey/ . While Minnesota takes aim at its eighth win of November, the Canadiens will try to post just their third victory in nine games this month. Tony Bradley Jersey . The midfielder had an operation on Saturday, and is set to miss seven Premier League games, the third round of the FA Cup and the semifinals of the League Cup. Derrick Favors Jersey . The 18-year-old Januzaj has made his breakthrough at United this season, including scoring twice in a 2-1 win over Sunderland before the recent international break. His performances have sparked a debate about where his international future lies.The Columbus Blue Jackets signed head coach Todd Richards to a two-years contract extension through the 2016-2017 season. The Blue Jackets announced the move in a press release on Tuesday. Richards was at the helm as the Blue Jackets finished with a franchise-best 43-32-7 record this season. The Blue Jackets qualified for the playoffs as a wild card team and were defeated in six games in the first round by the Pittsburgh Penguins. Overall, Richards has a record of 85-70-16 with the Blue Jackets in 171 games as head coach. Richards was named head coach on May 12, 2012 after serving a brief stint as interim coach of the team. "Todd has done an outstanding job forr the Columbus Blue Jackets and were pleased that he will continue to lead our team," General Manager Jarmo Kekalainen said in a statement.dddddddddddd "We believe he is one of the top young coaches in the NHL because of his knowledge of the game, work ethic and ability to communicate well and bring out the best in our players. Hes played a significant role in our recent success and we look forward to having him continue to be a big part of our franchise moving forward." "Im looking forward to continuing to help this club grow and achieve its ultimate goal of winning a Stanley Cup championship," Richards said in a press release. Cheap Buffalo Sabres Gear Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche Jerseys Montreal Canadiens Outlet Store Wholesale New Jersey Devils Jerseys Adidas Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Adidas Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Chicago Blackhawks Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Dallas Stars Shop Free Shipping Cheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings Jerseys Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China Wholesale Edmonton Oilers Jerseys Florida Panthers Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Minnesota Wild Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Nashville Predators Jerseys Cheap Adidas New York Islanders Jerseys New York Rangers Winter Classic Jerseys Cheap Adidas Ottawa Senators Jerseys Cheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys Wholesale Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys Cheap Adidas San Jose Sharks Jerseys St. Louis Blues Winter Classic Jerseys Wholesale Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys Toronto Maple Leafs Outlet Store Vancouver Canucks Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Adidas Washington Capitals Jerseys Cheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '