(My Sportsbook) - The Tampa Bay Devil Rays try to avoid finishing with the worst record in baseball for the second straight year, as they open a season- ending three-game series with the Toronto Blue Jays tonight at Rogers Centre.

Tampa, which lost 101 games a year ago, is 65-94 and has three fewer wins than Baltimore, Kansas City and Pittsburgh, all of whom have three games remaining as well. The Devil Rays, though, have already ensured themselves of finishing at least tied for last place in the AL East with the Orioles.

They did not help their cause on Thursday, dropping a 3-1 decision the New York Yankees at Tropicana Field. Carlos Pena hit a home run for Tampa, which after winning the first contest dropped the last two of the three-game set.

Pena's home run was his 11th in September, tying the team record for home runs in a month set by Jonny Gomes in April 2006.

Scott Kazmir gave up just one run on three hits to go along with 10 strikeouts and no walks in six innings. Jon Switzer (0-2) ruined Kazmir's strong outing after allowing two runs in just one-third of an inning in the seventh.

Getting the call for Tampa tonight will be righty Andy Sonnanstine, who has won his last four decisions. Sonnanstine, who has not received a decision in his two starts against the Blue Jays, is 6-9 on the year with a 5.80 earned run average.

Toronto will counter with right-hander Dustin McGowan, who is 11-10 with a 4.07 ERA. McGowan lost for the second time in three starts on Sunday against New York, as he allowed six runs and six hits in 4 1/3 frames.

McGowan is 1-0 in his young career against the Devil Rays with a 3.32 ERA in four games, three of which were starts.

Toronto had its three-game winning streak stopped on Thursday, as it fell 8-5 to the Orioles. John-Ford Griffin knocked in two runs and scored twice, while Aaron Hill went 2-for-4 with a double for the Blue Jays, who have still won seven of their last 10 overall, and eight of their last 11 at home.

Tampa has won eight of its 15 matchups with the Blue Jays this season, including six of the last eight matchups.