Jays rally back to beat Mariners

Toronto’s bats come to life after getting no-hit

TORONTO (CP) — Josh Donaldson, Yangervis Solarte and Justin Smoak hit three consecutive doubles in a four-run eighth inning as the Toronto Blue Jays rallied for a 5-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday evening.

Teoscar Hernandez hit a solo homer in the fourth inning before Toronto (20-17) broke the game open in the eighth.

Jaime Garcia (2-2) struck out three and gave up two runs — one earned — in five innings of work. Seunghwan Oh, John Axford and Ryan Tepera all pitched a scoreless inning, with the latter earning the win as the pitcher of record when the Blue Jays’ bats came alive.

Tyler Clippard earned his first save of the season, striking out two of the four batters he faced in the ninth inning.

Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin started at third base, making a rare appearance as All-Star third baseman Josh Donaldson was the designated hitter in an effort to rest his throwing arm.

Also, shortstops Aledmys Diaz (left ankle) and Troy Tulowitzki (right ankle) are both on the disabled list, and struggling second baseman Devon Travis is in triple-A while he tries to get his groove back.

Wade LeBlanc (0-0) struck out three and gave up one run in five innings of work for Seattle (20-15). He was followed by Chasen Bradford and Nick Vincent out of the bullpen before reliever Juan Nicasio blew the save and gave up five hits and four runs in one third of an inning.

Through the first seven innings of the game Toronto struggled to bring home runners in scoring position. Hernandez and catcher Luke Maile were both stranded at third, while Kevin Pillar was left at second, preserving Seattle’s 2-1 lead.

Jean Segura doubled to plate Dee Gordon in the first inning, then scored Seattle’s second run in the third.