SMOAK WINS IT
Toronto also gets homers from Tellez, Gurriel and Jansen
TORONTO — Justin Smoak hit a solo blast to cap off a seven-run ninth inning as the Toronto Blue Jays rallied from a six-run deficit to stun the Tampa Bay Rays, 9-8, in American League baseball action Thursday night.
Blue Jays prospect Rowdy Tellez had a two-run homer in the second inning and started Toronto’s ninth-inning comeback with an RBI double to cut Tampa’s lead to 8-3.
Catcher Danny Jansen followed with a three-run blast to bring the Blue Jays (70-83) to within two runs.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr., then had a two-run shot to tie the game with two outs bringing Smoak to the plate.
Sam Gaviglio earned a no decision after pitching five innings for the Jays, giving up two runs on four hits, striking out four.
Jose Fernandez, Jake Petricka, Tim Mayza, Mark Leiter Jr., Joe Biagini and David Paulino all came out of Toronto’s bullpen, with Paulino picking up his first win of the season. Leiter allowed four runs and Biagini gave up one.
Tommy Pham had three hits, including a triple, with two runs batted in as the Rays (85-67) had a five-game winning streak snapped. CJ Cron had a threerun single as part of a five-run seventh inning.
Ryan Stanek started for Tampa Bay, but pitched one-plus inning as part of the Rays’ ongoing starter-by-committee approach this season. He allowed two runs.
Yonny Chirinos allowed one run and struck out five over 4 2/3 innings pitched. Adam Kolarek, Hunter Wood, Jaime Schultz all pitched scoreless innings of relief. Sergio Romo (3-4) lost.
Tellez opened the scoring in the second with a 401-foot homer to right-centre, driving in Randal Grichuk for a 2-0 lead. Pham struck back for Tampa Bay in the fourth, when his line drive bounced off the outfield wall and into Kevin Pillar, who accidentally kicked it away. The hit was ruled a triple driving in Matt Duffy.