Birthday gem: Stroman shuts down Rays

ST. PETERSBURG — Marcus Stroman had a career-high nine strikeouts over eight dominant innings, while Darwin Barney had a key pinch-hit double in a four-run ninth inning as the Blue Jays survived with a 5-1 victory over the Rays on Sunday afternoon at Tropicana Field.

Stroman, who was celebrating his 25th birthday, enjoyed his best start of the year despite pitching with no margin for error during most of the outing. He scattered three hits and walked just two, with his only mistake coming in the sixth on a solo homer by Evan Longoria.

Tampa Bay and Toronto were locked into a 1-1 tie going into the ninth when Barney led off the frame with a double to the corner in left field off left-hander Xavier Cedeno. Tampa Bay then proceeded to load the bases before the Blue Jays scored the go-ahead run on a grounder by Edwin Encarnacion. Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki then put the game on ice with a three-run shot over the wall in left for his fifth homer.

Rays right-hander Jake Odorizzi did not factor into the decision but he enjoyed one of his best starts of the season. His lone blemish came in the fourth when he surrendered a solo home run to Josh Donaldson. Odorizzi allowed just the one earned run while scattering two hits and striking out six over seven strong innings.

MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDBetter late than never: Toronto entered the ninth with a grand total of 11 hits in the series, but the bats finally came to life. Barney sparked the rally with his leadoff double, and it was Tulowitzki who broke the game wide …

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