Jonathan Aranda hit a grand slam and had six RBIs as the visiting Tampa Bay Rays defeated the Toronto Blue Jays 12-8 Sunday afternoon.
It was the first career grand slam for Aranda, who also had an RBI single and an RBI double.
Manuel Margot and Junior Caminero added solo homers for the Rays (99-63) in the rubber match of the three-game series that ended the regular season. Both teams had clinched wild-card spots before Sunday.
Tyler Heineman had three RBIs for the Blue Jays (89-73) and Brandon Belt had a solo homer.
Toronto right-hander Wes Parsons (0-1), whose contract was selected for the game, allowed nine runs and 10 hits in four innings.
Rays left-hander Jacob Lopez (1-0), also promoted for the game, allowed six runs (five earned) and eight hits in 5 1/3 innings.
The Rays scored once in the first when Harold Ramirez singled, Isaac Paredes walked and Aranda singled home Ramirez, all with two outs.
Tampa Bay added seven runs in the second. After two singles and a stolen base, Caminero stroked an RBI single, Josh Lowe hit an RBI double and Caminero scored on a wild pitch. A hit batter and a walk loaded the bases before Aranda hit his second homer of the season.
Toronto scored three in the bottom of the second, two on Heineman’s triple and another on a wild pitch.
Margot hit his fourth homer of the season in the fourth. Caminero hit his first career homer against Tim Mayza in the fifth.
Paredes and Aranda had doubles in the sixth against Trevor Richards to increase the lead to 11-3.
Toronto scored three in the bottom of the sixth. Cavan Biggio, Daulton Varsho and Heineman each had RBI singles.
Ramirez had an RBI double for the Rays in the seventh against Genesis Cabrera. Varsho answered with an RBI single against Kevin Kelly in the home seventh.
Belt hit his 19th homer of the season against Taj Bradley in the eighth to trim the margin to 12-8.
Cam Eden singled for the Blue Jays in the second for his first career major league hit.
–Field Level Media