TORONTO

Luke Scott hits grand slam as Jays fall to Rays, 12-2

The Canadian Press Published Wednesday, April 18, 2012 10:31PM EDT

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Brandon Morrow (right) talks with catcher Jeff Mathis and pitching coach Bruce Walton (left) on the mound during fourth inning AL action against the Tampa Bay Rays in Toronto on Wednesday April 18, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Text:

TORONTO - Luke Scott hit a grand slam in the ninth inning to complete the Tampa Bay Rays' 12-2 rout of the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre on Wednesday.

Scott's third career grand slam came in the Rays' six-run ninth against reliever Carlos Villanueva.

Rays left-fielder Matt Joyce had two doubles and one of the three home runs allowed by Toronto starter Brandon Morrow (0-1) who took his first loss of the season after two no-decision starts.

Morrow allowed eight hits, three walks and six runs while striking out two in six innings.

Ben Zobrist, with one on, and Sean Rodriguez also hit home runs for the Rays (6-6).

Blue Jays shortstop Yunel Escobar equalled his career-best with four hits, all singles.

Catcher Jeff Mathis homered for the Blue Jays (6-5) against left-hander David Price (2-1), who allowed eight hits, two walks and two runs with three strikeouts in 5 2/3 innings to earn the victory.

The teams play the rubber match of the three-game series on Thursday.

Rays manager Joe Maddon moved Zobrist to the second spot in his lineup ahead of Carlos Pena and Evan Longoria for the game because of his ability to get on base. Despite a .216 batting average entering Wednesday, Zobrist had a .370 on-base percentage.

The move looked good in the first inning as Zobrist put the Rays into a 2-0 lead when his second homer of the season followed Desmond Jennings' leadoff single.

The Blue Jays countered with a run in the home half of the first, as Jose Bautista's single scored Escobar.

A double by Joyce and a sacrifice fly by Rodriguez restored Tampa Bay's two-run lead, but only until Mathis hit his first homer as a Blue Jay with two out and the bases empty in the bottom of the second.

Joyce doubled for the second time of the game with two out in the fourth and scored on a single by former Blue Jays catcher Jose Molina. After giving up two walks to load the bases, Morrow retired Zobrist on a grounder to end the inning.

Morrow's night ended after the sixth inning in which he allowed solo home runs to Joyce, his third of the season, and Rodriguez, his first.

Villanueva allowed six runs in the ninth that started when he hit Molina with a pitch. An error by third baseman Brett Lawrie added to the problems. Carlos Pena walked to force in a run, Evan Longoria singled in a run and Scott finished things with his slam.