‘Ottawa’ Blue Jays Rally Against Rays Bullpen to Maintain AL East Lead
It had been about two-and-a-half months since the Blue Jays lost three games in a row but for six innings Sunday it appeared that’s where they were headed.
After losing the first two games of this three-game series at Tropicana Field, the Jays were being mowed down by Tampa ace Chris Archer. Beyond that, Toronto’s 17-game winner, J.A. Happ, was having a lousy day, unable to get out of the third inning.
Down 3-1 heading to the seventh inning, the Jays were able to get Archer out of the game and then made short work of reliever Brad Boxberger to tie the game on a clutch two-run single by Devon Travis.
That set the stage for Russell Martin’s heroics. With Kevin Jepsen on the mound for Tampa Bay, Dioner Navarro walked on five pitches. Dalton Pompey came on to run and stole second base on the first pitch to Martin. Two pitches later, Martin had the green light on a 3-0 count and didn’t miss it. It landed about 10 rows deep in left field for his 17th homer of the year to make it 5-3 and that’s the way it stayed.