TORONTO – Pinch-hitter Ezequiel Carrera hit a tiebreaking solo home run in the eighth inning and Roberto Osuna earned an eventful save as the Toronto Blue Jays topped the Tampa Bay Rays 3-2 on Monday.
Carrera turned on a first-pitch fastball from Brad Boxberger (3-1) and sent it over the left-field wall. It was the first pinch-hit homer for any Blue Jay since Carrera did it last July 25 in a game in Seattle.
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Osuna earned his 32nd save, but benches and bullpens cleared briefly after the final out – a deep fly-ball to centre field. Things quieted quickly as both teams walked back to their respective locker-rooms.
Jason Grilli (6-5) got the win and Jose Bautista hit a two-run shot for the Blue Jays (79-64), who have had a rough go of things this month.
Toronto came into the game having lost three consecutive series for the first time this season, a slide that began with two-of-three losses at Tampa Bay to open September.
The Blue Jays had occupied sole possession of first place in the AL East as recently as Sept. 5 but were two games back of Boston before Monday’s game.
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