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Donaldson, Smoak homer as Jays beat Rays 6-2

Jul 18, 2015 - 3:08 AM TORONTO (AP) Big innings have been a big asset to the Toronto Blue Jays this season.

Josh Donaldson and Justin Smoak both homered in a five-run fifth inning and the Blue Jays beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-2 on Friday night.

It's the 19th time this season Toronto has scored at least five runs in a single inning. No other major league team has done it more than 12 times.

''That's what it's about,'' Donaldson said. ''With this offense, we feel it's just a matter of time before we start bunching some runs together.''

Donaldson's homer was a two-run shot, his team-leading 22nd. He raised his RBI total to 62, tying him with New York's Mark Teixeira for the AL lead.

Three batters later, Smoak made it 6-1 with a three-run drive.

''The fifth inning sped up quick,'' Rays manager Kevin Cash said. ''Those guys got some good looks, good swings and kind of did what they do: They hit the ball out the ballpark.''

The Blue Jays, who lead baseball with 492 runs, have scored six or more in three straight.

Outfielder Jose Bautista, who sat out Tuesday's All-Star Game to get treatment on his sore right shoulder, returned to right field. Bautista, who went 0 for 3 with a walk, was the DH in Toronto's final game before the break.

Drew Hutchison (9-2) allowed two runs and two hits in six innings, improving to 7-1 with a 2.21 ERA in nine home starts. He's 2-1 with an 8.81 ERA in 10 road starts.

''He was really good tonight,'' Toronto manager John Gibbons said.

The Blue Jays won for the first time in five meetings with Rays right-hander Jake Odorizzi (5-6), who came in 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA against Toronto. He allowed six runs and six hits in 4 1-3 innings, losing for the first time in four starts. He matched a career high with five walks.

''Just one of those days,'' Odorizzi said. ''I hadn't really had one of these all season. Just one of those days where you're fighting yourself.''

Grady Sizemore homered for the Rays, who had won three straight heading into the All-Star break.

Four of Tampa Bay's five hits came in the fifth and sixth, but the Rays scored just once in those innings.

''It didn't seem like we were timed up very well,'' Cash said.

Sizemore opened the scoring with a two-out homer in the third, snapping a 0-for-20 slump. Toronto tied it in the fourth on Chris Colabello's sacrifice fly.

The Blue Jays chased Odorizzi in the fifth. Devon Travis singled, went to second on a sacrifice and scored on Donaldson's homer.

Bautista walked and Edwin Encarnacion doubled before Smoak drilled a first-pitch homer, an opposite field shot into the left field bullpen.

''I was bad and they hit some mistakes in the last inning,'' Odorizzi said.

FIRST TASTE OF THE ACTION

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the 16-year-old son of nine-time All-Star and 2004 AL MVP Vladimir Guerrero, took batting practice with the Blue Jays before the game. Guerrero Jr. signed with Toronto earlier this month. His father and uncle Wilton, also a former major leaguer, were on hand to watch the teenager take his cuts.

CATCH OF THE DAY

Rays OF Kevin Kiermaier made a leaping catch at the wall in right-center to retire Donaldson in the seventh.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Rays: OF Steven Souza Jr. (right finger) worked out with Class-A Charlotte Friday and could DH Saturday.

Blue Jays: RHP Aaron Sanchez (strained back muscle) allowed two runs and five hits in 3 1-3 innings in a rehab start with Triple-A Buffalo Thursday. Manager John Gibbons said Sanchez will need at least one more rehab start before he is activated. Sanchez hasn't pitched for the Blue Jays since June 5.

UP NEXT

Rays: RHP Erasmo Ramirez (8-3, 3.63 ERA) allowed season highs of nine runs and nine hits in 3 1-3 innings of an April 15 loss at Toronto, but has gone 8-2 since. Ramirez has allowed two runs or fewer in each of his past eight starts, the third longest streak in Rays history.

Blue Jays: RHP R.A. Dickey (3-10, 4.87 ERA) has lost four straight decisions and hasn't won since beating the Mets on June 18. The knuckleballer is 0-3 with a 6.11 ERA in three starts against the Rays this season.