PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – Colby Rasmus hit a grand slam that capped a six-run rally in the eighth inning off Kirby Yates and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 6-1 Wednesday.
Jeff Niemann, still uncertain whether he will be in Tampa Bay's rotation to open the season, made a final statement in his favor, pitching six scoreless innings of two-hit, no-walk ball. Niemann struck out three and improved his spring ERA to 2.92.
Yunel Escobar hit an RBI triple for Tampa Bay.
Toronto starter J.A. Happ, who appears likely to have earned the fifth spot in the Blue Jays' rotation with Tuesday's demotion of Ricky Romero, gave up one earned run, four hits and four walks in 4 2-3 innings.
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