Bauers hits first home run in Rays’ 8-4 win over Blue Jays

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) – Jake Bauers hit his first career home run to put Tampa Bay ahead in the fourth inning and the Rays went on to an 8-4 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday night.

Bauers’ two-run homer off Sam Gaviglia after Matt Duffy’s single erased a 4-3 Toronto lead.

Tampa Bay tacked on three runs in the seventh with the help of a bases-loaded throwing error by reliever John Axford.

Left-hander Ryan Yarbrough, who leads the major leagues with 44 relief innings, started and pitched six innings for the Rays. Yarbrough (5-2) gave up four runs on seven hits while striking out three in his first start since May 14.

Bauers, playing in his fifth major league game, got on base his first four times and scored three runs. Rookie Willy Adames, recalled earlier Monday from the minor leagues, also drove in two runs for the Rays, who won for only the second time in 11 games.

Gaviglia (2-2) gave up five runs on seven hits and two walks in 3 1/3 innings

Teoscar Hernandez hit his 11th homer for the Blue Jays, who had won four straight.

KIERMAIER’S COMING

Rays Gold Glove CF Kevin Kiermaier (right thumb torn ligament) is hopeful of returning June 22 for a series against the New York Yankees. He faced two minor leaguers in a simulated game and will join Class A Charlotte on Tuesday.

GUERRERO SHOWS UP

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. attended the game while in the process of rehabbing the strained patellar tendon in his left knee. “I’m not frustrated at all. Stuff happens that you can’t control,” said Toronto’s 19-year-old 3B prospect, who has driven in 55 runs in 53 games for Double-A New Hampshire. He is expected to miss at least four weeks.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Blue Jays: 2B Devon Travis (right knee) was back in the lineup after sitting out two games. . 3B Josh Donaldson (left calf) took live batting practice but is not yet running the bases at 100 percent. . RHP Marcus Stroman (shoulder) will start for Class A Dunedin Wednesday night.

Rays: RHP Chris Archer (left abdominal strain) had a Tuesday simulated game postponed after feeling discomfort one day after a 22-pitch bullpen session. … Adeiny Hechavarria (strained right hamstring) went 0 for 3 in his first rehab game for Class A Port Charlotte.

UP NEXT

LHP Jaime Garcia (2-4, 5.57 ERA) will pitch Tuesday night’s game for Toronto in a “bullpen day” for the Rays.

Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Mallex Smith crashes into the wall chasing a double by Toronto Blue Jays’ Kendrys Morales during the fourth inning of a baseball game Monday, June 11, 2018, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

Tampa Bay Rays’ Wilson Ramos (40) scores under the tag by Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher John Axford (77) on a fielder’s choice by Joey Wendle during the seventh inning of a baseball game Monday, June 11, 2018, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

Tampa Bay Rays’ Jake Bauers (9) slides in safely under Toronto Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin on a fielder’s choice by Joey Wendle during the seventh inning of a baseball game Monday, June 11, 2018, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

Tampa Bay Rays’ Willy Adames, right, celebrates with first base coach Ozzie Timmons after his RBI single off Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Sam Gaviglio during the third inning of a baseball game Monday, June 11, 2018, in St. Petersburg, Fla. Rays’ Jake Bauers scored. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)