Rays defeat the slumping Blue Jays

Rookie David Price outpitched Roy Halladay, and Carlos Pena broke a fifth-inning tie with a two-run double that helped the Tampa Bay Rays beat the slumping Toronto Blue Jays, 3-2, Thursday for a three-game sweep.

Price (3-3) gave up one run in six innings. The Blue Jays have fallen below .500 for the first time this season.

Halladay (10-3) pitched for the first time since Toronto General Manager J.P. Ricciardi said he was willing to listen to trade offers. Halladay said it wasn’t a distraction during the game.

“I addressed that once, and that’s all I’m going to do until I have to,” Halladay said. “It’s nothing that I can control, and I’m not going to worry about it.”