Rays rally to edge Blue Jays on Jonny DeLuca’s HR

Field Level Media|published: Sat 18th May, 18:17 2024

May 18, 2024; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Jonny DeLuca (21) gets on first base on a fielders choice during the fourth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

Jonny DeLuca hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the eighth inning and the visiting Tampa Bay Rays rallied to defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 Saturday afternoon.

The Rays, who trailed 4-0, have won the first two of the three-game series.

Yandy Diaz had three hits and two walks for the Rays, who have won four in a row.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had three hits and an RBI for the Blue Jays. Starter Kevin Gausman allowed three runs, eight hits and one walk with six strikeouts in six innings.

Rays right-hander Zach Eflin allowed four runs and nine hits with three strikeouts in six innings.

Tampa Bay's Isaac Paredes extended his career-best on-base streak to 17 games when he doubled with one out in the fourth.

Toronto opened the scoring in the bottom of the fourth. Guerrero doubled to left, took third on a groundout and scored on George Springer's two-out single.

The Jays added three more in the fifth.

Kevin Kiermaier opened with a single and took third on Davis Schneider's single. Center fielder Jose Siri's errant throw allowed Schneider to reach second. Daulton Varsho hit a two-run double to center. Guerrero stroked an RBI hit to right and was out trying for a double.

Tampa Bay scored three in the sixth. Diaz and Randy Arozarena singled and DeLuca walked to load the bases. Amed Rosario hit a two-out, two-run single and Jose Caballero had an RBI single.

Erasmo Ramirez (3-0) pitched a perfect seventh for Tampa Bay.

Paredes singled to lead off the eighth against Nate Pearson (0-1). DeLuca followed by lining the first pitch to left for his second homer of the season to give Tampa Bay a 5-4 lead. Pearson gave up a single and a walk before being replaced by Trevor Richards, who allowed a walk before escaping the inning.

Tampa Bay's Jason Adam survived a single and a hit batter in the home eighth.

Garrett Cleavinger pitched a perfect ninth for the Rays to earn his third save.

Tampa Bay acquired left-handed reliever Richard Lovelady from the Chicago Cubs on Saturday for minor league left-hander Jeff Belge.

--Field Level Media

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