Jonny DeLuca hit a go-ahead home run in the eighth inning, helping the Tampa Bay Rays overcome a four-run deficit to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 on Saturday. This win marks their fourth straight victory and 11th in 15 games.
“Today was a huge win,” said Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash. “To come back right there, we should be feeling pretty good about ourselves.”
Yandy Díaz reached base five times, and Amed Rosario hit a two-run single for the Rays, who have won four of their last five series. “We’re playing really good baseball right now and making sure we pick the next guy up,” said Rays right-hander Zach Eflin.
Erasmo Ramírez (3-0) pitched one inning for the win, Jason Adam handled the eighth, and Garrett Cleavinger finished for his third save in three chances.
Four of Tampa Bay’s past six games have been decided by a single run, with the others being two-run games. “It always feels better to win those close ones,” said DeLuca. “Those are big.”
Isaac Paredes singled off right-hander Nate Pearson (0-1) to start the eighth inning with Tampa Bay trailing 4-3. DeLuca then hit a first-pitch drive that bounced off the top of the wall in left field and went out for his second home run.
DeLuca initially thought about bunting pinch runner Richie Palacios into scoring position but decided to change his strategy.
“They didn’t put anything on,” DeLuca said of the bunt. “I was thinking about doing it myself and then I was like, ‘First pitch, I’m going to sit heater.’ I ended up getting it and putting a good swing on it.”
Rosario singled, and José Caballero walked before Pearson was replaced by right-hander Trevor Richards, who escaped the jam without allowing another run.
Toronto (19-25) has lost four of five and is winless in eight series. Before the game, Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins expressed urgency about the team’s performance.
“We believe in this talent, there is time left, but there is a massive sense of urgency, and we need to get it turned around soon,” Atkins said.
