TORONTO – Steve Pearce, Tim Beckham, Curt Casali and Desmond Jennings all hit home runs as the Tampa Bay Rays crushed the Toronto Blue Jays 13-2 on Monday night.
Kevin Kiermaier and Steven Souza Jr. also had RBIs as Tampa Bay (17-19) scored in each of the first four innings to build an early 11-0 lead.
The Rays offence dominated all night, outhitting the Blue Jays 17-8.
Drew Smyly (2-4) struck out six and gave up four hits and an earned run over five innings for the win. Steve Geltz, Ryan Webb, Dana Eveland and Enny Romero allowed only one run over four innings of relief.
J.A. Happ (5-1) suffered his first loss of the season and was pulled after two innings. He gave up seven hits and eight earned runs as Toronto (19-21) lost its third straight. Dustin Antolin, Joe Biagini, Drew Storen, Chad Girodo and Jesse Chavez came in from the bullpen as the Blue Jays continued to leak runs.
Pearce established Tampa’s lead early, putting the first pitch he saw clear over the left-field wall, driving in Taylor Motter for a 2-0 lead. It was Motter’s major league debut.