ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Tampa Bay Rays rallied with three runs in the eighth inning for a 4-2 victrory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday night before 19,772 at Tropicana Field.
Blue Jays reliever Roberto Osuna struck out the first two batters he faced to begin the eighth before allowing a bloop single to right by Rays third baseman Evan Longoria. Brett Cecil replaced Osuna and surrendered a single to David DeJesus.
Blue Jays manager John Gibbons turned to reliever Miguel Castro, who gave up a double to right by James Loney that tied the score. Castro then served up a fastball to Tim Beckham on a 3-0 pitch that the Rays designated hitter hit to the top of the wall in left and bounced back into the field while two runs scored.
Rays reliever Brad Boxberger pitched a perfect ninth inning to cap the comeback win.
Longoria went 4-for-4 with a double and four singles. The four hits tied a career high that he has achieved five times.
Blue Jays ace Derek Norris entered the game having given up nine runs in 13 1/3 innings in three starts, but the left-hander looked sharp throughout the game, allowing one run and finishing with seven strikeouts.
His outing was exactly what the Blue Jays were looking for after R.A. Dickey lasted just 4 2/3 innings in a 12-3 loss on Friday.
The Blue Jays took a 1-0 lead in their first at-bat when second baseman Devon Travis doubled and came around to score on a single to left center by third baseman Josh Donaldson.
In the bottom of the first, the Rays scored when Longoria — with right fielder Steven Souza on first and two outs — hit a blooper to short right that dropped in between first baseman Justin Smoak, Travis and right fielder Michael Saunders. The ball hit the chalk and bounded away, allowing Souza to score from first.
Catcher Russell Martin gave the Jays a 2-1 lead in the seventh when he blasted a 3-1 offering from Rays reliever Steve Geltz over the wall in right center.
The Rays received stellar pitching from right-handed starter Erasmo Ramirez, who entered Saturday’s game with a 21.32 ERA in two starts and one relief appearance. Ramirez lasted four innings, allowing four hits and one walk while striking out two.
NOTES: The Rays optioned right-handed pitcher Jose Dominguez, who recorded his first Major League victory on Friday, to Triple-A Durham after Friday night’s game. In return, they called up left-hander Everett Teaford before Saturday’s game and designated first baseman Allan Dykstra for assignment. …The Rays are in the midst of a 22 consecutive game stretch against AL East teams. …The Blue Jays’ Devon Travis had two hits in his first three at-bats on Saturday night and extended his hitting streak to 11 games. … RHP R.A. Dickey’s outing of 4 2/3 innings in Friday night’s loss was the first time he had not gone at least five innings in 34 starts.
