Jays sting Rays 6-3 with a four-run eighth inning

TORONTO – Back-to-back RBI singles pinch 2 retired from Justin Turner and Daulton Varsho were capable to spark a four-run eighth inning and push nan Toronto Blue Jays to a 6-3 triumph against nan Tampa Bay Rays connected Wednesday.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. accounted for nan first 2 Toronto runs pinch a azygous and a homer arsenic nan triumph squared nan three-game bid pinch Tampa Bay (51-51) astatine a triumph apiece.

The Blue Jays (46-55) enjoyed their 2nd triumph successful 5 games since nan MLB All-Star break earlier 32,276 astatine Rogers Centre.

After Turner knocked successful George Springer and Varsho brought location Guerrero to threat a 2-2 tie, reliever Jason Adam’s (4-2) chaotic transportation accrued nan Blue Jays lead to three.

Tampa shortstop Taylor Walls past allowed Alejandro Kirk’s pop-up successful shallow near section to glimpse disconnected his mitt for nan 4th run.

A Ben Rortvedt double brought successful nan last tally successful nan ninth inning for nan Rays.

Toronto starter Yariel Rodriguez group down nan first 12 Rays successful order. Randy Arozarena collapsed up nan no-hit bid pinch a leadoff double down nan right-field statement successful nan 5th inning.

He scored connected a azygous from Josh Lowe that snuck nether nan mitt of a diving Guerrero.

Rodriguez, a 27-year-old rookie, went 5 2/3 innings pinch six strikeouts, giving up a tally connected 2 hits and a walk. That locomotion to Richie Palacios scored nan tying tally successful nan sixth inning.

Lefty reliever Brendon Little besides walked Brandon Lowe pinch 2 out. Arozarena cashed successful Palacios pinch a hard-hit azygous to left.

The Blue Jays jumped retired to a lead successful nan first inning. Spencer Horwitz smacked a one-out double to left-centre and scored connected Guerrero’s azygous to near field.

Guerrero made it 2-0 successful nan 3rd inning pinch a changeable into nan left-field seats pinch 2 out.

The solo changeable was his team-leading 18th and 5th successful his past six outings.

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Blue Jays reliever Genesis Cabrera (3-2) registered nan triumph for his two-strikeout eighth inning.

Rays starter Zach Eflin besides went 5 2/3 innings, allowing 2 runs connected six hits pinch 4 strikeouts.

KIERMAIER’S CONFESSION

Kevin Kiermaier told nan Tampa Bay Times earlier nan crippled that he would discontinue aft nan season. Toronto placed nan 34-year-old four-time golden mitt victor connected waivers earlier this month.

“This is it, 2024 is it for me,” nan erstwhile Rays outfielder said. “This adjacent week will beryllium very absorbing (regarding a imaginable trade). But this will beryllium my past twelvemonth playing.

“I’m going to springiness it my each nan remainder of nan twelvemonth sloppy of what business I’m in. But my assemblage is talking to maine now much than ever.”

ON DECK

Chris Bassitt (8-8) will commencement for nan Blue Jays successful nan finale of nan three-game group against Tampa connected Thursday afternoon. The Rays will antagonistic pinch righty Taj Bradley (5-4).

This study by The Canadian Press was first published July 24, 2024.