Ray tosses 8 1/3 shutout innings at Triple-A

Left-hander Robbie Ray, the Tigers' No. 2 prospect and No. 95 overall, according to MLB.com, threw 8 1/3 scoreless innings Wednesday night as Triple-A Toledo defeated Indianapolis, 2-0.

Ray, who was acquired from the Nationals in an offseason trade for Doug Fister, entered the ninth with a chance to complete his second career shutout. But a 12-pitch at-bat by Adalberto Santos that ended in a strikeout to lead off the inning upped Ray's pitch count to 107 and prompted manager Larry Parrish to go to his bullpen.

Ray finished his night with seven strikeouts. He walked one batter and allowed four hits. He silenced a lineup that included several players with big league experience, as well as the red-hot Gregory Polanco, the Pirates' top prospect.

Catcher James McCann and third baseman Mike Hessman both hit solo home runs to give Ray all the offense he needed. It was the fifth homer of the season for McCann, the Tigers' No. 9 prospect.

With the victory, Ray improved to 2-2 as a member of the Tigers organization. He has a 1.93 ERA and a 16-to-5 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 23 1/3 innings.