Blue Jays pull away from Rays with four in eighth

Field Level Media|published: Wed 24th July, 21:52 2024

Jul 24, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays left fielder Daulton Varsho (25) catches a fly ball against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fifth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Turner drove in the go-ahead run with a single in a four-run eighth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the visiting Tampa Bay Rays 6-3 on Wednesday.

Turner had three hits as Toronto bounced back after losing the series opener on Tuesday.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went 2-for-3 with a solo home run, two RBIs and a walk for the Blue Jays, who improved to 2-3 on their nine-game homestand.

Tampa Bay is 3-3 on a seven-game road trip.

Toronto right-hander Yariel Rodriguez allowed two runs, two hits and one walk while striking out six in 5 2/3 innings.

Rays right-hander Zach Eflin gave up two runs and six hits while striking out four and walking none in 5 2/3 innings.

Toronto's Genesis Cabrera (3-2) pitched around a walk in the top of the eighth of a 2-2 game.

Tampa Bay's Jason Adam (4-2) walked George Springer with one out in the bottom of the eighth, and Springer stole second.

Guerrero was intentionally walked with two outs before Turner singled to left to drive in Springer. Daulton Varsho followed with an RBI single to right.

A passed ball scored another run, and shortstop Taylor Walls dropped Alejandro Kirk's pop fly to bring in the four run of the frame.

Yimi Garcia pitched the ninth for Toronto, allowing a walk, a stolen base and Ben Rortvedt's RBI single.

Toronto opened the scoring in the first. Spencer Horwitz doubled to center with one out and came home on Guerrero's single to left.

Guerrero hit his 18th home run of the season -- and his fifth in six games -- with two outs in the third. His drive to left-center came on a 2-2 hanging sweeper.

Rodriguez retired the first 12 batters he faced before Randy Arozarena led off the fifth with a double to right. Josh Lowe followed by grounding an RBI single to right. Varsho prevented further damage in the inning with a leaping catch at the wall on Jose Caballero's smash to left.

The Rays tied the game 2-2 in the sixth. Richie Palcios walked with one out, and Brendon Little replaced Rodriguez with two outs. Palacios stole second, Brandon Lowe walked, and Arozarena stroked an RBI single to left.

--Field Level Media

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