(Sports Network) - Toronto has had little luck offensively when facing Tampa Bay's Matt Garza this year. The Blue Jays will try to plate some runs against the Rays young gun tonight in the middle portion of three-game series at Tropicana Field.

Garza has allowed just one earned run in 23 1/3 innings versus the Blue Jays this year, though he is 2-1 against them. He tossed a shutout versus Toronto on July 29, the first of his career, and also threw 7 2/3 scoreless innings in a victory versus the Blue Jays on July 19. The loss came on May 7 in Toronto, when he allowed just a run over 6 2/3 innings of a 6-2 setback.

The 24-year-old righty hurled his second career shutout versus Texas on August 15, but then got a no-decision on Wednesday versus the Angels after allowing four runs on seven hits over 6 2/3 innings. On the season, Garza is 10-7 with a 3.71 earned run average.

He has been better at home, going 6-2 with a 2.72 ERA in 12 starts.

Garza will try to halt Tampa Bay's two-game skid tonight, as the Rays dropped the opener of this set, 6-2, on Tuesday. Vernon Wells homered and drove in three runs for the Blue Jays, giving him four homers and nine RBI over his last three games.

Roy Halladay defeated Tampa Bay for the first time this year thanks to six strong innings, while Lyle Overbay added two RBI in Toronto's ninth win in its last 13 games. The Blue Jays are eight back of Boston for the American League wild card.

Toronto got a little healthier prior to the game, activating third baseman Scott Rolen from the 15-day disabled list. Rolen, who had been struggling with a left shoulder injury, did not play in last night's win and is unlikely to start tonight as well.

Tampa Bay, meanwhile, saw starting catcher Dioner Navarro leave yesterday's game due to cramping in his hamstrings. He is day-to-day and his status for tonight's game is unknown. The Rays are already without star outfielder Carl Crawford (finger surgery), rookie Evan Longoria (wrist) and closer Troy Percival (knee) due to injury.

Eric Hinske drove in both runs last night for Tampa Bay, which saw its lead over Boston in the AL East shrink to 3 1/2 games. The setback was also just the Rays' third in their last 11 home games.

Tampa Bay takes its swings tonight against rookie David Purcey for the first time in his career. The lefty is 2-3 with a 5.33 ERA in five starts since returning from the minors, losing to the Yankees on Wednesday. Purcey allowed five runs on seven hits over just four innings in what was the seventh start of his career.

Tampa Bay has won nine of 13 versus Toronto this year, winning two of three at home in mid-July. The Rays also swept a three-game set in Orlando from April 22-24.