Kirk’s three-run homer powers Blue Jays past Rays

Alejandro Kirk's three-run blast powered the Toronto Blue Jays past the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 on Wednesday.

TORONTO – Alejandro Kirk’s three-run blast powered the Toronto Blue Jays past the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 on Wednesday.

Kirk’s third home run of the season broke open the game after Toronto (21-21) trailed by a run for two innings.

Chris Bassitt struck out six and limited the Rays to just one run over 5 2/3 innings, despite giving up seven hits and two walks.

Relievers Brendon Little (2-0), Yariel Rodriguez and Yimi Garcia preserved the win, with Garcia earning his third save of the season.

Kameron Misner’s RBI single in the third gave Tampa Bay (19-23) its only lead of the game.

Ryan Pepiot (2-5) gave up three runs over six innings of work, striking out seven but giving up six hits and a walk. Eric Orze pitched two innings of scoreless relief.

Takeaways

Rays: Pepiot was superb until the sixth inning when he walked Vladimir Guerrero Jr. — his first bases on balls of the game — and then gave up a single to Daulton Varsho, setting up Kirk’s three-run homer and Tampa’s loss.