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Power surge leads Blue Jays past Twins

Sep 3, 2008 - 4:05 AM TORONTO (Ticker) -- Trailing by four after four innings of play, the Toronto Blue Jays turned to something they have not used often this year - the long ball.

Alex Rios and Jose Bautista each had four hits - including a home run - and the Blue Jays overcame a four-run deficit to record a 7-5 triumph over the Minnesota Twins on Tuesday.

Toronto entered the game ranked 26th in the majors with 99 home runs, but hit three on the night after Minnesota jumped out to a 5-1 lead against rookie lefthander David Purcey.

Justin Morneau and Delmon Young.had run-scoring singles in the third inning for Minnesota (77-61), which remained in a first-place tie with the Chicago White Sox (77-61) atop the American League Central Division. The White Sox dropped a 9-3 decision to the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday.

"Every game is important," Twins center fielder Denard Span said. "Anytime you lose is tough, especially as we had the lead. They have a good bullpen and shut us down."

After the Blue Jays got on the board on an RBI single by Vernon Wells, Purcey allowed a pair of runs in the fourth inning, extending the Twins' lead to 5-1. Span had an RBI single and came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Morneau.

Purcey allowed seven hits, five runs and two walks in three innings, matching the shortest outing of his young career.

The Toronto bats awoke in the fifth against Twins starter Glen Perkins. Marco Scutaro led off the frame with a walk and scored on a two-run blast by Bautista. Rios followed with his 11th home run of the season to cut the lead to 5-4.

Perkins did not earn a win for the first time in five starts, allowing four runs, 10 hits, one walk and striking out one in five innings of work.

"It was frustrating all around," Perkins said. "It was one of those nights when I didn't have anything. Having a 5-1 lead is a game we should win."

Boof Bonser (3-7) came on in relief and quickly relinquished what was left of Minnesota's lead. After issuing a leadoff walk to Scott Rolen walked, Lyle Overbay hit a go-ahead homer to right field off Bonser, giving the Blue Jays the lead.

"I took a bad swing on the first pitch," Overbay said. "I got the barrel on it and got enough to get it out of there."

Brian Tallet, Jesse Carlson (5-1) and Scott Downs pitched five innings of scoreless relief, bridging the gap to B.J. Ryan, who pitched the ninth to record his 26th save.

"Came from behind which is always nice to do," Carlson said. "We got into the bullpen and did a great job throwing strikes. It was a good win for the team."