Springer 2 homers, Blue Jays beat Rays 7-1 for 4-game split

By MARK DIDTLER
Associated Press

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — The Tampa Bay Rays two-year reign as AL East champions is over, but they still appear playoff bound. George Springer homered twice, Alejandro Kirk and Teoscar Hernández also went deep, and the AL top wild-card leading Toronto Blue Jays rebounded to spilt a key four-game series by beating the Tampa Bay Rays 7-1. Toronto allowed 20 runs in losing the first two games, but limited Tampa Bay to a total of two runs in winning the final two. The Blue Jays hold a two-game advantage over the Rays. Both teams have nine games remaining. Rays All-Star Shane McClanahan, who was pulled in the fifth inning of his start Tuesday night due to neck tightness, gave up four runs and six hits, including a career-high three homers, over five innings.