Brandon Lowe hit a two-run home run, helping the Tampa Bay Rays win their third game in four outings with a 4-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday night.
Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. also homered, his 17th of the season, and outfielder Daulton Varsho made a spectacular leaping catch for the second consecutive game. However, the Blue Jays suffered their fifth loss in seven games.
Lowe, serving as the designated hitter, hit his seventh home run in 18 games as the Rays moved their record above .500 to 51-50.
“He’s swinging the bat really well right now,” said Rays manager Kevin Cash of Lowe. “Even his outs were hit hard. He hit three balls really well today.”
Right-hander Shawn Armstrong started the game for the Rays in place of Ryan Pepiot, who was hospitalized due to a knee infection. Armstrong pitched two scoreless innings and struck out four before being replaced.
Left-hander Tyler Alexander (3-3) took over and struck out four batters over three shutout innings.
“This is the second time he’s pitched extremely well in this ballpark,” Cash said of Alexander, who had previously taken a perfect game into the eighth inning against the Blue Jays on May 17 in Toronto.
“I always seem to pitch well here,” Alexander joked.
Alexander was called up from Triple-A Durham before the game and hadn’t pitched for the Rays since May 30.
“Credit to Tyler,” Brandon Lowe said. “It’s never easy to join a team after traveling.”
Guerrero hit a leadoff homer off right-hander Manuel Rodríguez in the sixth inning, his fourth home run in five games. Justin Turner followed with another home run, marking the first back-to-back homers for the Blue Jays this season.
The Rays added an insurance run in the seventh inning against Nate Pearson. Taylor Walls walked, stole second base, advanced on an infield single, and scored on a double-play groundout.
