Springer homers Jays beat Rays 7-2 for d

Springer homers, Jays beat Rays 7-2 for doubleheader split September 13 sharefacebooktwitterredditlink TORONTO (AP) Pinch-hitter Whit Merrifield drove in two runs with a seventh-inning double, George Springer added a two-run homer and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-2 Tuesday night to gain a doubleheader split betwen AL wild card contenders.Toronto (80-62) remained a half-game ahead of the Rays (79-62) in a race for the three AL wild cards that also includes Seattle (79-61), which played later Tuesday.Toronto trailed 2-1 before rallying with Portland Trail Blazers Hoodie a four-run seventh against left-hander Colin Poche (4-2). Pinch-hitter Santiago Espinal walked and advanced to third on two wild pitches. Pinch-hitter Danny Jansen drew a one-out walk and was replaced by pinch- runner Bradley Zimmer. Merrifield followed with a double down the third-base line,Springer homered to reach 20 for the seventh time.Teoscar Hernndez hit an RBI double off Kevin Herget in the eighth and scored on Matt Chapmans sacrifice fly.Anthony Ba s (4-3) got one out for the win. Adam Cimber retired two batters in the eighth and Jordan Romano got pinch-hitter Yandy Daz to ground into a forceout with runners at the corners.Once Toronto stretched its lead to five, Zach Pop wrapped Robert Covington Jersey it up in the ninth.Poche allowed four runs and two hits in one-third of an inning.After being scratched from the opener because of a stomach illne s, Alek Manoah allowed two runs and five hits over 6 2/3 innings in the nightcap. He struck out five and walked two, leaving to a standing ovation.Ji-Man Choi opened the scoring with a leadoff home run in the third inning, his 10th. Chois second-deck drive snapped Tampa Bays six-game homerle s streak.Toronto tied it in the sixth when Vladimir Guerrero Jr. doubled and scored on Alejandro Kirks swinging bunt.Aranda restored Tampa Bays lead when he connected on an 0-1 pitch from Manoah to begin the seventh.Rays right-hander Yonny Chirinos was added as the 29th man for the doubleheader and started the second game allowing three hits in four-plus shutout innings. Chirinos left after hitting Matt Chapman with a pitch starting the fifth.In the opener, Tampa Bay left-hander Jeffrey Springs (8-4) pitched six shutout innings to win for the fifth time in six decisions, Randy Arozarena drove in two runs Hassan Whiteside Jersey and Daz had three hits and scored twice as the Rays won 4-2 to snap a three-game losing streak.With Manoah unavailable, the Blue Jays opened Game 1 with right-hander Julian Merryweather (0-3) before turning to right-hander Mitch White.TRAINERS ROOMRays: 2B Brandon Lowe (back) was held out of the lineup in both games. RHP Tyler Gasnow (elbow surgery) allowed one run and one hit in 1 1/3 innings in his second rehab start with Triple-A Durham. Glasnow struck out two and walked two.ROSTER MOVESRays: Tampa Bay returned RHP Cooper Criswell to Bill Walton Jersey Triple-A Durham and recalled LHP Josh Fleming from the taxi squad.WIPE OUTBefore Chirinos threw his first pitch, home plate umpire Dan Merzel brought him a towel from the dugout and asked Chirinos to wipe his left forearm.UP NEXTRHP Ro s Stripling (7-4, 3.03) starts for Toronto Wednesday night. RHP Drew Rasmu sen (10-4, 2.57) goes for the Rays.___More AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/MLB and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports in this topic Toronto Blue Jays American League Major League Baseball George Springer Colin Poche Jeffrey Springs Ro s Stripling Brandon Lowe Josh Fleming Julian Merryweather Mitch White Randy Arozarena Jordan Romano Matt Chapman Adam Cimber Drew Rasmu sen Santiago Espinal Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Alejandro Kirk Yonny Chirinos George Springer Alek Manoah Danny Jansen Tampa Bay Rays Toronto Blue Jays share Ronaldo looks to shine like Mbapp and Me si at World Cup Cristiano Ronaldo has been overshadowed by the brilliance of Lionel Me si and Kylian Mbapp so far at the World Cup 26 MINS AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS Ottawa hosts Los Angeles after Giroux's 2-goal game The Ottawa Senators host the Los Angeles Kings after Claude Giroux's two-goal game against the San Jose Sharks in the Senators' 5-2 win 1 HOUR AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS Penguins host the Blue Jackets following Kapanen's hat trick The Pittsburgh Penguins host the Columbus Blue Jackets after Kasperi Kapanen's hat trick against the St. Louis Blues in the Penguins' 6-2 win 1 HOUR AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS Ducks bring losing streak into game against the Hurricanes The Anaheim Seth Curry Jersey Ducks aim to end their six-game losing streak when they play the Carolina Hurricanes 1 HOUR AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS Blackhawks face the Metropolitan Division-leading Devils The Chicago Blackhawks face the top-ranked team in the Metropolitan Division, the New Jersey Devils 1 HOUR AGO ASSOCIATED PRESS