Rays clobber Blue Jays 12-3
Tampa Bay uses long ball to disarm Dickey; Kiermaier scores on four-base error
ST. PETERSBURG, FLA. — James Loney, Rene Rivera and Tim Beckham each hit a two-run homer, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 12-3 Friday night.
Kevin Kiermaier also circled the bases on a four-base error as Tampa Bay earned its third consecutive victory. Jose Dominguez (1-0) pitched 11/3 innings for his first major league win and Matt Andriese pitched the final three innings for his first career save.
The home runs by Loney and Rivera came in a four-run fourth inning off R.A. Dickey (0-2).
Returning from the disabled list after missing 15 games with a strained right oblique, Loney went deep for the first time since Sept. 9. Rivera’s homer was his first for the Rays.
Beckham hit his third homer of the season off Jeff Francis in the seventh.
Evan Longoria drove in his first run in 12 games with a sacrifice fly in Tampa Bay’s five-run fifth. Kiermaier completed that outburst with a fly ball that went off the glove of left fielder Steve Tolleson for a four-base error.
Devon Travis’ fifth home run was the first of four straight Toronto hits off Drew Smyly in the fourth, giving the Blue Jays a 2-0 lead. They did not score again until Justin Smoak’s home run in the ninth.
Smyly, making his first start of the season after being hampered by tendinitis in spring training, gave up four hits and struck out five in 4 2/3 innings.
Dickey gave up seven earned runs and nine hits in 4 2/3 innings. Both of his losses have come against the Rays. TRAINER’S ROOM Blue Jays: Out fielder Jose Bautista missed a third straight game with a sore shoulder. Manager John Gibbons said Bautista will not go on the disabled list and is likely to DH a game or two before turning to the outfield.
Rays: Rightie Alex Cobb said he felt great after throwing 22 fastballs in his first bullpen session since being sidelined during spring training by forearm tendinitis. ... Closer Jake McGee (back stiffness) is scheduled to throw off a mound Saturday. UP NEXT Blue Jays: Outfielder Michael Saunders, who has yet to play this season — after injuring his knee in spring training — might be activated as early as Saturday night.
Rays: Right fielder Steven Souza Jr. will be back in the starting lineup Saturday after being rested Friday, which was his 26th birthday.