Shaun Marcum took a shutout two outs into the ninth inning yesterday, but had to settle for a 6-2 for Toronto over Tampa Bay.

Marcum had only given up one hit and one walk in the first eight innings, striking out nine along the way, and had two Rays batters out when leadoff hitter Akinori Iwamura hit a single, Carl Crawford followed with a single of his own, and B.J. Upton scored both with a double to deep center. Scott Downs then relieved Marcum to strike out Carlos Peña for the final out of the game.

Marcum improved to 4-2 with a 2.59 ERA and 0.90 WHIP. His strikeout rate thus far is a powerful 8.14/9, higher than any rate he’s posted in the majors, and it’s paired with a 2.96 BB/9 to give him the highest K/BB ratio he’s ever seen as a major league pitcher. To put his numbers in perspective to the inexorable force of regression, Marcum is benefiting from a .198 BABIP.