SAN DIEGO — Mark DeRosa doesn’t have much power in this stage of his career. He didn’t hit any homers the past two years, and had just three this season entering play Sunday night.
His fourth provided a pick-me-up to a beaten-down team.
DeRosa’s blast broke a longstanding tie in the top of the 11th inning and helped the Toronto Blue Jays earn a 7-4 victory over the San Diego Padres.
The homer traveled 428 feet into the second deck in left field, keeping the second extra-inning game in the three-game series much shorter than Friday’s 17-inning affair.
The Blue Jays lost that one in heartbreaking fashion, then fell Saturday while facing a rookie spot starter. After a disappointing start to the season and a frustrating series, Toronto was hungry to change its fortunes.
“It was a nice moment for everyone in our clubhouse,” DeRosa said. “We really, really needed this win. It was nice to contribute and help us finish this one off. It was a tough series, and the win certainly makes for a happier flight.”
Brad Boxberger, called up earlier Sunday from Triple-A Tucson, took the loss. Before recording an out, Boxberger (0-1) gave up five straight hits, including an RBI double by Jose Bautista and DeRosa’s home run.
Casey Janssen (1-0) pitched a scoreless 10th, and Aaron Loup recorded his second save in three opportunities. The Toronto bullpen allowed just two hits in nine shutout innings.
The Blue Jays, who salvaged a game in their first-ever series in San Diego, are 2-3 on a seven-game road trip.
However, even a win can’t take away the sting of losing a clubhouse favorite.
Blue Jays starter Ramon Ortiz left the game with no outs in the third inning after injuring his right elbow. A day after being outrighted to the minor leagues, the 40-year-old veteran was promoted Saturday from Triple-A Buffalo to start Sunday in place of Brandon Morrow (forearm).
Ortiz, who allowed four runs in two-plus innings, appeared to get hurt while delivering a pitch. Ortiz’s left knee buckled when it planted, but he immediately grabbed his right elbow and threw his glove down in frustration.
Ortiz will have an MRI in Florida this week to identify the extent of the damage.
“We’ll have a better idea of exactly what’s going on after the MRI,” Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. “You obviously feel for the guy. Ramon’s pitched very well for a long time, and it’s tough when you get hurt like that. We all are hoping it’s not too bad.”
DeRosa agreed with that sentiment.
“It was a somber game after what happened to Ramon,” DeRosa said. “We saw him reflect on his career, and hopefully he hasn’t thrown his last pitch.”
Padres starter Edinson Volquez allowed four runs and six hits in five innings as he struggled with the location of pitches. He walked three, threw a wild pitch and struck out seven.
His best moment came at the plate, against Ortiz. The lifetime .090 hitter connected on the first career home run of his major league career in the second inning, a three-run shot that gave the Padres a 4-1 lead.
“The home run was just luck, and the pitching performance was a bit disappointing,” Volquez said. “I made too many mistakes over the plate, and they took advantage of them. There were a lot of pitches I’d like to have back.”
The Blue Jays made it 4-4 in the fifth on Adam Lind’s two-run double off the center field wall.
The Padres scored four runs off Ortiz in the second, an inning highlighted by Volquez’s homer. Ortiz walked Will Venable to face the Padres pitcher, who hit an elevated offering into the seats beyond left field.
That gave the Padres a 4-1 advantage. Earlier in the second inning, Jedd Gyorko hit an RBI double to left-center.
The Padres couldn’t get to the Blue Jays’ bullpen Sunday or in the series. San Diego scored one run in 22 2/3 innings of Toronto relief.
“We weren’t able to figure them out,” Padres manager Bud Black said. “We had Ortiz figured out early on, but our swings weren’t as good, and we weren’t as patient in our approach. We never got anything going against them tonight. More than anything else, that cost us the game.”
NOTES: The Padres recalled Boxgerber and optioned LHP Robbie Erlin to Triple-A. Erlin was promoted for a spot start Saturday, which he won by allowing two runs in 6 2/3 innings. … Blue Jays LF Melky Cabrera balked at the idea of a rough return to San Francisco when the Blue Jays play there Tuesday. Cabrera was suspended 50 games last season, while with the Giants, for violating the league’s policy on performance-enhancing drugs. He was not added to the team’s postseason roster despite being eligible. … RHP Josh Johnson (triceps) will come off the 15-day disabled list just prior to Tuesday’s game at San Francisco and is scheduled to start that night. … Padres RHP Joe Wieland, on the disabled list since having Tommy John surgery in July 2012, threw live batting practice for the first time since his operation. … LHP Eric Stults starts Monday for the Padres at Dodger Stadium, likely against RHP Stephen Fife.