ST Petersburg, Fla. (AP) — Josh Lowe hit a three-run homer and capped a two-run ninth inning with a single to lead the Tampa Bay Rays to a 7-6 win over the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday.
On a day when they introduced Junior Caminero, who was 20 years and 80 days old, the Rays won despite squandering a five-run lead.
The Dominican went 1 for 4 with a walk. He managed to reach base on a grounder that represented a double play in the ninth inning. At first, first base umpire Alex Dosi called it out, but the decision was reversed after watching the video.
Lowe then singled down the left field line by Jordan Romano (5-6), who blew a save opportunity for the fourth time in 40 such situations.
Cuban Yandy Diaz added four hits. Along with Lowe and Panamanian Christian Bethancourt, he homered for the Rays (95-61), who clinched at least the first wild-card berth to the playoffs in the American League. They opened a day and a half behind American League East leader Baltimore.
For the Blue Jays, Dominicans Vladimir Guerrero went 3-2 with a run scored and an RBI, while Santiago Espinal was 1-1. Mexico’s Alejandro Kirk is 1-0.
For the Rays, Cuban Diaz went 4-for-4 with one run and one RBI. Dominicans Raimel Tapia without an official turn but scored a goal, Caminero 4-1 with a goal, Manuel Margot 4-0. Colombian Harold Ramirez went 2-for-4 with two runs scored. Mexico’s Isaac Paredes 4-0, Jonathan Aranda 1-0. Panama Betancourt was 3-1 with one run and one RBI.
