Rays erase 8-run deficit in big rally

TORONTO – Jason Bartlett’s RBI double in the 12th inning capped the biggest comeback in Tampa Bay history as the Rays erased an eight-run deficit to beat the Toronto Blue Jays, 10-9, in the American League on Saturday.

Down 8-0 after four, Tampa Bay cut it to 9-7 heading into the ninth against closer Scott Downs. The defending AL champions tied it on solo homers by Carlos Peña and Willy Aybar. Peña went 2 for 6 with four RBIs.

It’s the first time in their 12-year history that the Rays have overcome an eight-run deficit. It matched the largest lead the Blue Jays have squandered, done three times previously.

Toronto loaded the bases with one out in the 12th but Joe Nelson struck out Aaron Hill looking and got Adam Lind on a grounder.

Hill hit two home runs for Toronto, while Alex Rios and Jose Bautista also went deep.

At New York, Gio Gonzalez struck out six in a career-high 6 2-3 innings and Oakland scored all of its runs in the seventh inning to end New York’s eight-game winning streak, 6-4.

Landon Powell and Orlando Cabrera each drove in a pair of runs for the A’s, who also ended an eight-game losing streak to the Yankees that dated to last season.

Derek Jeter tried to rally New York with a two-run homer in the eighth, and Mark Teixeira followed with a long shot to right but All-Star closer Andrew Bailey got four tough outs with some help from his defense. Andy Pettitte (8-6) took the loss.

At Anaheim, California, Chone Figgins and Maicer Izturis homered during a nine-run fourth inning for Los Angeles to extend its winning streak to a season-high eight games, giving Minnesota its fourth straight loss, 11-5.

Matt Palmer (8-1) allowed two runs and four hits in five innings, striking out three and walking three. The Angels have averaged 7.33 runs in the 30-year-old rookie’s 12 starts.

Nick Blackburn (8-5) was charged with six runs and six hits over 3 2-3 innings in his shortest outing of 2009. (AP)