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Russell Martin’s 2-run homer helps Toronto Blue Jays beat Tampa Bay Rays 5-3

Toronto Blue Jays' Russell Martin, right, celebrates with Dalton Pompey after hitting a two-run home run off Tampa Bay Rays relief pitcher Kevin Jepsen during the eighth inning of a baseball game Sunday in St. Petersburg, Fla. Rays catcher Bobby Wilson, left, looks on. Chris O'Meara / AP Photo / The Canadian Press

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – Russell Martin hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the eighth inning to help the Toronto Blue Jays overcome a poor start by 17-game winner J.A. Happ and avoid a three-game sweep by beating the Tampa Bay Rays 5-3 on Sunday.

Martin hit his 17th homer on a 3-0 pitch from Kevin Jepsen (2-6). He has gone deep nine times and driven in 24 runs over his last 18 games.

Happ was up to 85 pitches when he was pulled by manager John Gibbons after Corey Dickerson’s RBI single put the Rays up 3-1 with two outs in the third.

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