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5 Blue Jays pitchers hold Rays to 3 hits in 2-1 win

5 Blue Jays pitchers hold Rays to 3 hits in 2-1 win

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Joe Biagini and four relievers combined on a three-hitter, Darwin Barney hit a tiebreaking homer in the eighth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Tampa Bay Rays 2-1 on Sunday.

The Blue Jays took two of three from the Rays to win a road series for the first time this season (1-4-1). It also was just the fifth time in 31 tries since 2007 that Toronto won a series at Tropicana Field (5-23-3).

Biagini allowed an unearned run, two hits and struck out four over four innings in his first major league start. The right-hander was inserted into the Toronto rotation after 74 career relief appearances due to injuries to Aaron Sanchez and J.A. Happ, and Mat Latos being designated for assignment.

Aaron Loup, Ryan Tepera (2-1), Joe Smith and Roberto Osuna combined to hold Tampa Bay to one hit over five innings.

Osuna walked Steven Souza Jr. and gave up a single to Colby Rasmus with two outs in the ninth before striking out Daniel Robertson to get his fourth save.

Barney put the Blue Jays up 2-1 with his first homer of the year. He connected off Alex Cobb (2-3), who gave up two runs and four hits in eight innings.

The lone run off Biagini came in the third when Kevin Kiermaier reached on second baseman Devon Travis' fielding error and scored on Corey Dickerson's two-out single.

The Blue Jays tied it in the sixth when Kevin Pillar doubled for his second hit of the game and came home on Russell Martin's single with two outs.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Blue Jays: Sanchez (split fingernail) felt no pain and was "very encouraged" following a 33-pitch bullpen session. He is scheduled to pitch Tuesday at extended spring training and could rejoin the rotation after that. ... Happ (left elbow) is throwing from 90 feet on flat ground.

Rays: SS Matt Duffy (Achilles tendon surgery) continues running the bases and could be nearing a minor league rehab assignment.

UP NEXT

Blue Jays: RHP Marcus Stroman (2-2) is scheduled to start Monday night against Cleveland RHP Trevor Bauer (2-3). Stroman was pulled after three innings, his shortest start in three years, during the Blue Jays' 8-6 loss to the New York Yankees on Wednesday night because of tightness in his right armpit.

Rays: LHP Blake Snell (0-2) will face Kansas City RHP Nate Karns (1-2) on Monday night. Snell has gone five innings or fewer in five straight starts, and nine of his last 10.

Mark Didtler, The Associated Press