Junior Caminero’s early blast sparks Rays over Jays

Junior Caminero belted a three-run homer and Shane Baz tossed 5 2/3 solid innings to fuel the host Tampa Bay Rays to a 3-1 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday.

Caminero’s homer in the first inning was his ninth of the season, pulling him into a tie with Brandon Lowe for the team lead. It also was his second in two weeks against the Blue Jays, as his grand slam in the ninth inning on May 13 propelled Tampa Bay to an 11-9 win over Toronto.

Saturday’s early power surge proved to be enough for Baz (4-3), who allowed one run on four hits. He also fanned four and walked three before exiting after 82 pitches.

The performance was a welcome one for Baz, who entered the game with a 0-3 record and 9.61 ERA in four May starts — having allowed 21 earned runs on 30 hits in 19 2/3 innings.

Garrett Cleavinger relieved Baz and joined Manuel Rodriguez in bridging the gap to Pete Fairbanks, who retired the side in the ninth inning to secure his 10th save of the season.

The Rays, who mustered just three hits, have won four in a row — including the first two contests of this three-game series.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. homered to lead off the sixth inning for the Blue Jays.

Tampa Bay got off to a fast start as Josh Lowe worked a one-out walk in the first inning and advanced to third on Brandon Lowe’s double. They both trotted home after Caminero deposited a 2-1 pitch from Jose Berrios (1-2) over the left-center field wall.

Guerrero chipped into his team’s deficit by sending an 0-1 changeup from Baz over the wall in left-center field. The homer was Guerrero’s seventh of the season and second in the last five games.

Berrios’ winless stretch extended to eight starts despite permitting just three runs on three hits in six innings. He struck out three and walked one.

–Field Level Media