Lukes powers Blue Jays to 4-2 win over Rays

Nathan Lukes hit a two-run homer and George Springer scored twice as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 on Friday night.

TORONTO – Nathan Lukes hit a two-run homer and George Springer scored twice as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 4-2 on Friday night.

Blue Jays starter Shane Bieber (4-2) was effective over five innings as Toronto (92-68) trimmed its magic number to clinch the American League East Division title to two.

With Springer aboard in the fifth inning, Lukes hit a tiebreaking blast off Adrian Houser (8-5) for his 12th homer of the season.

The Rays had runners in scoring position in the ninth inning but Jeff Hoffman got Yandy Diaz on a groundout to end the game for his 33rd save in 40 opportunities.

Toronto entered play tied with New York atop the division standings. The Yankees were home to the Baltimore Orioles on Friday night.

Any combination of Toronto victories or New York losses that adds up to two will give the Blue Jays the East crown.

The Blue Jays hold the tiebreaker if the teams finish the regular season on Sunday with the same record. The East champion will get a bye to the division series while the second-place team will play in the wild-card series.

Junior Caminero and Jonathan Aranda hit back-to-back solo shots off Bieber in the second inning. He allowed five hits, two walks and had three strikeouts.