Jays edged by Rays, 3-2, in extra innings

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Toronto newcomer Casey Lawrence took the longest walk of all.

Lawrence became the first Blue Jays reliever to wind up as the losing pitcher in his major league debut, issuing a basesloaded walk to Brad Miller with two outs in the 11th inning that sent the Tampa Bay Rays to a 3-2 victory on Saturday.

Mallex Smith opened the 11th with a double, the fifth straight time he reached base. He moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and after a pair of intentional walks, Lawrence (0-1) struck out Evan Longoria.

Then Lawrence walked Miller, and headed to the dugout.

“I put myself in a hole giving up the double. It’s a situation where you’re trying to get out of a jam,” Lawrence said.

Erasmo Ramirez (1-0) got the win, pitching 1 2/3 shutout innings.

Smith singled early and walked three straight times before his leadoff double, the only extra-base hit of the game.

Josh Donaldson’s single with two outs in the eighth off Chris Archer gave the Blue Jays a 2-1 lead.

Steven Souza Jr. tied it in the bottom half with a two-out single off reliever Joe Biagini.

Troy Tulowitzki singled home Donaldson in the seventh. Archer was perfect with six strikeouts through four innings before Kendrys Morales led off the fifth with a sharp single.

Aaron Sanchez gave up one run on four hits in seven innings in his first start of the season for Toronto. He was the AL’s ERA leader last year.