Toronto, ON (SportsNetwork.com) - Chris Archer recorded 11 strikeouts and Tim Beckham had a pinch-hit, two-run homer as the Tampa Bay Rays topped the Toronto Blue Jays 4-2 on Thursday.
Archer (2-1) limited the Blue Jays to a pair of singles over seven scoreless innings. He issued two walks and hit two batters, which led to Toronto to seemingly retaliate.
"He's one of the best young pitchers in the game," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said of Archer. "We've seen that over the last couple of years."
Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria was drilled on the left hip by Marco Estrada in the eighth and had to leave the game.
"I think there was some intent there," said Rays manager Kevin Cash, who added that Longoria will be evaluated and is considered day-to-day.
Things got real interesting in the bottom of the inning, as the Blue Jays mounted a rally.
Steve Geltz relieved Archer and gave up a single and a walk before throwing high and tight to Josh Donaldson.
Home plate umpire Laz Diaz said the 2-2 pitch hit Donaldson. Cash asked for a review, but the call stood. Cash came back out of the dugout following the review and was ejected. It appeared Donaldson was clipped on the finger by the pitch that knocked him down.
Kevin Jepsen replaced Geltz and inherited a bases-loaded situation with Toronto's 3-4 hitters due up. Jose Bautista hit a shallow fly ball to right field and Edwin Encarnacion followed with a fly ball to center that scored a run.
Jepsen then retired pinch-hitter Dioner Navarro on a grounder to short to end the inning.
Brad Boxberger gave up an RBI double to Devon Travis in the ninth but was able to get the final three outs for his fourth save of the season.
Kevin Kiermaier had two hits and scored two runs for the Rays, who took three of four from the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre this week.
Toronto's Aaron Sanchez (0-2) was tagged for three runs on five hits over 5 1/3 innings. The 22-year-old right-hander struck out four and walked three in the second start of his major league career.
Trouble brewed for Sanchez in the third inning when the Rays loaded the bases with no outs. A run scored on a fielder's choice, but the Tampa Bay threat ended as Asdrubal Cabrera struck out and Steven Souza Jr. was thrown out trying to steal second base.
Kiermaier led off the fifth with a ground-rule double and scored on a one-out blooper by David DeJesus. The ball dropped in front of Kevin Pillar and skipped past the Toronto left fielder for a double.
Longoria doubled to begin the sixth and advanced to third base on a groundout. When Aaron Loup entered from the bullpen, Beckham pinch-hit for Allan Dykstra and launched a line-drive shot down the left-field line.
Game Notes
Archer has allowed three earned runs or fewer in 15 consecutive road starts, a new franchise record ... Longoria hit his 230th career double, moving past Ben Zobrist for the most in team history ... Toronto shortstop Jose Reyes left after the first inning with soreness in his left rib area ... The Rays signed catcher J.P. Arencibia to a minor league contract on Thursday.
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