ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) –
Jonathan Aranda homered for the second consecutive game, helping Taj Bradley and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays 3-2 on Saturday.
Aranda connected for a two-run shot in the third inning against Yariel Rodríguez (1-7), giving Tampa Bay a 3-0 lead. He also went deep in a 1-0 victory over Toronto on Friday night. Five of Aranda’s nine career homers have come against the Blue Jays.
“I get excited about him, man,” Bradley said, “When I played with him in triple-A, you give him enough playing time he’s going to go on a run. He’s doing it now.”
Bradley (7-11) pitched five innings of one-run ball in his first win since July 25. The right-hander, who struck out four and walked two, was 0-7 with a 7.88 ERA in his previous nine starts.
“I was really proud that he got through the fifth inning,” Rays manager Kevin …