The Toronto Blue Jays (80-62) defeated the Tampa Bay Rays (79-62) 7-2 to earn a split of the doubleheader on Tuesday. The Blue Jays maintain a half game lead over the Rays in the AL Wild Card race, with two games remaining in the series.
Ji-Man Choi homered in the third to give the Rays an early lead. After the Jays tied the game in the sixth, Jonathan Aranda hit h is first home run of the year to give the Rays a 2-1 lead. The Blue Jays erupted for a four-run seventh inning and two-run eighth to take control of the game and secure the victory.
The game came hours after the Rays beat the Blue Jays 4-2 in the opener earlier Tuesday afternoon.
Yonny Chirinos started the game and pitched four shutout innings, allowing three hits while striking out two and walking none. Colin Poche (4-2, 3.31) took the loss out of the bullpen, allowing four earned runs while getting just one out in the seventh inning.
The Rays and Blue Jays now meet in the fourth game of the five game series on Wednesday night. First pitch Wednesday is scheduled for 7:07 PM - pregame coverage begins with Jay Recher hosting the Inside PItch at 6:00 PM on 95.3 WDAE & AM 620.
PHOTO COURTESY GETTY IMAGES