Donaldson homer lifts Jays to another victory
TORONTO — Josh Donaldson wasn’t sure if his first-inning home run had enough pop to clear the right-field fence.
It did. And it ended up being the deciding factor in the game.
Donaldson provided the only offence starter Nick Tepesch needed as the Toronto Blue Jays held on for a 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday in the opener of a four-game series between the division rivals.
The two-run shot — Donaldson’s 17th homer of the season and ninth to come in the first inning — followed a Jose Bautista leadoff walk and came on a 3-2 fastball from Rays starter Jake Odorizzi.
“He left a pitch out over the plate and I was able to barely get it over the fence — I’ll take it,” said Donaldson, who now has eight homers in his last 16 games.
Tepesch (1-2) collected his first win in a Toronto uniform, allowing one run on four hits, three walks and two hit batsmen in his longest outing in nearly three years and closer Roberto Osuna pitched 1 1/3 scoreless innings to record a four-out save for the Blue Jays (57-61), who opened play four games back of a wild-card spot.
Tepesch had allowed five earned runs on eight hits over 4 1/3 innings against the New York Yankees in his first start for Toronto last week. He was acquired from Minnesota in July for cash considerations.
Marco Estrada (5-7, 4.85 ERA) will start tonight for Toronto, while the Rays counter with Blake Snell (0-6, 4.69 ERA).