ATLANTA (AP) — Vladimir Guerrero homered and drove in three runs and the Toronto Blue Jays took advantage of Atlanta's indecisive fielding in the eighth inning, rallying past the Braves 5-3 Tuesday night.
Guerrero had three hits, including a tying single in a three-run eighth.
Ronald Acuña Jr. hit his major league-leading 11th homer for Atlanta. Marcell Ozuna also connected.
Toronto trailed 3-2 when Jonathan Davis led off the eighth with a double. Marcus Semien followed with a weak grounder to reliever A.J. Minter (1-1), who turned, hesitated and then threw too late to try to catch Davis returning to second base. A replay appeal by the Braves confirmed Davis slid back safely.
A single by Bo Bichette loaded the bases before Guerrero’s single made it 3-all.
With the bases still loaded, Teoscar Hernández hit a grounder to first baseman Freddie Freeman, who was off the bag. Freeman looked to the plate, paused and had no play with no fielder covering first. The play was ruled a run-scoring infield single for Hernández for a 4-3 lead. Jacob Webb’s walk to Cavan Biggio forced in another run.
Trent Thornton (1-0) pitched a scoreless seventh.
Jordan Romano survived a stressful ninth to earn his first save. Romano gave up a single to Austin Riley with one out before walking pinch-hitter Pablo Sandoval with two outs. Ehire Adrianza’s flyball to left field ended the game.
Guerrero's two-run homer off Bryse Wilson tied it at 2 in the sixth. Guerrero put his forefinger to his lips as he jogged around the bases, encouraging silence from the crowd of 21,688.
Minutes later, Braves fans cheered when Ozuna's homer off Robbie Ray in the sixth gave Atlanta a 3-2 lead.
The teams opened the three-game interleague series less than two weeks after the Blue Jays swept three games from the Braves in Dunedin, Florida.
Wilson was recalled from Triple-A Gwinnett for the start as manager Brian Snitker created extra rest for his normal five starters. The right-hander allowed two runs in six innings.
Ray set a season high with 10 strikeouts while giving up three runs on five hits, including two homers, in six innings.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Blue Jays: OF George Springer (right quad strain) could begin running on Thursday. He has been taking batting practice. ... RHP Anthony Castro (right forearm strain) is eligible to come off the 10-day IL but probably won't during the Atlanta series, according to manager Charlie Montoyo. ... The team is awaiting MRI results given RHP David Phelps (right lat strain). ... RHP Nate Pearson was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo and RHP Jeremy Beasley was recalled and active for the game.
Braves: RHP Chris Martin (right shoulder inflammation) was to be evaluated after making his third rehab appearance for Triple-A Gwinnett on Tuesday night. ... RHP Tanner Roark, 34, signed a minor league contract. Roark was designated for assignment by the Blue Jays on April 30 with a 6.43 ERA in one start and two relief appearances. Roark is 76-68 with a 3.85 ERA in nine seasons, including six with Washington. ... RHP Jay Flaa was claimed on waivers from the Baltimore Orioles and optioned to Gwinnett.
UP NEXT
LHP Hyun Jin Ryu (2-2, 3.31) will face Braves LHP Max Fried (1-1, 8.44) in Wednesday night's second game of the series. It will be the 10th day of the Blue Jays' 11-day, 10-game road trip.
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Charles Odum, The Associated Press