Martin rakes and Blue Jays split with Rays

Russell Martin’s battery mate was denied a milestone on Wednesday in Toronto.

Martin ensured the Toronto Blue Jays gained a split in the two-game series against the Tampa Bay Rays in what should have been starter Francisco Liriano’s 100th win in the majors.

Martin led off the bottom of the eighth with a solo homer off Rays reliever Jose Alvarado, giving Toronto a 7-6 victory before a crowd of 37,734. The home run to centre field was Martin’s sixth of the season.

Liriano was sharp, but remained stuck on 99 wins. Still, the Jays have recorded a victory in six consecutive Liriano starts.

Liriano went seven innings, his longest outing of 2017, and struck out nine Rays. When the 33-yearold was finished through seven, he had thrown 100 pitches and the Jays had a 6-3 lead.

The margin was gone nearly in an instant in the eighth. Reliever Joe Smith (3-0), otherwise solid this season, gave up a single to Evan Longoria, then Logan Morrison went to the opposite field for his 19th home run of the season.

The lead disappeared completely when a Derek Norris sacrifice fly scored Steven Souza Jr., who had walked after the Morrison homer and made it to third.

After Martin’s homer, Roberto Osuna recorded his 17th save.

Toronto had scored four runs in the fifth inning to take a 5-3 lead.

Kendrys Morales’ three-run home run to the second deck in right ended the night for Rays starter Jake Odorizzi. Morales’ 13th homer of the year, coming on a 3-1 pitch, scored Kevin Pillar and Jose Bautista.

Earlier in the inning a Bautista single brought home Ryan Goins, who led off with a single.