MLB: Tampa Bay 12, Toronto 7

TORONTO, Aug. 24 (UPI) -- Carlos Pena put Tampa Bay in front with a two-run homer in the fifth Monday and the Rays went on to down Toronto 12-7.

Tampa Bay overcame an early three-run deficit with a 15-hit attack, most of it coming against Toronto ace Roy Halladay (13-7) -- who had his worst outing of the season, giving up eight runs and 12 hits with eight strikeouts over six innings. The 12 hits tied his career record high.

Rod Barajas hit a grand slam homer during Toronto's five-run second inning and the Blue Jays opened a 6-3 advantage through three.

Tampa Bay then broke loose against Halladay to win for the seventh time in nine games.

Jason Bartlett had a two-run single during a three-run fourth that tied things up and Pena hit his homer one inning later. Ben Zobrist, who scored four times, added a solo homer in the seventh and the Rays scored three more runs in the ninth, two of them coming on a single by Gregg Zaun.

Despite a shaky start, Jeff Niemann (12-5) lasted long enough to get the victory. He gave up six runs on eight hits in 6 1/3 innings.