Advertisement

MLB: Toronto 3, Tampa Bay 2

TORONTO, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- Marco Scutaro scored the winning run on a wild pitch by J.P. Howell with two out in the ninth inning Wednesday, giving Toronto a 3-2 victory over Tampa Bay.

The Blue Jays scored twice in the ninth to pull out a win in a strange game in which three umpires worked behind home plate.

Advertisement

Jerry Crawford started the game at the plate, but was hit in the mask by a foul ball and left after the second inning. Tom Hallion moved from second base to call balls and strikes, but he was hit in the chest by a pitch thrown in the sixth inning by Tampa Bay starter Scott Kazmir.

Hallion slumped to the ground and remained there for several minutes before he was able to walk off the field.

The game was delayed 21 minutes, but Hallion returned to work at third base for the rest of the game. Brian O'Nora, who began as the first base umpire, then went behind the plate.

Howell (6-4) retired the final batter in the eighth and came out for the ninth. After getting the lead-off man, however, Howell gave up a game-tying homer to Rod Barajas.

Advertisement

Three of the next four batters drew walks to load the bases with two out, and Howell then uncorked a wild pitch on a 1-2 count to Randy Ruiz.

The win went to Brandon League (2-5), who worked the top of the ninth.

Tampa Bay, which had won its two previous games, fell four games behind Boston for the lead in the American League wild-card race.

Latest Headlines