Blue Jays beat Rays 5-3

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Russell Martin hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the eighth inning to help Toronto overcome a poor start by 17-game winner J.A. Happ and avoid a three-game sweep against Tampa Bay.

The Blue Jays moved a game ahead of Boston atop the AL East.

Martin hit his 17th home run on a 3-0 pitch from Kevin Jepsen (2-6). The catcher has nine homers and 24 RBIs over his last 18 games.

Joaquin Benoit (3-1) struck out three in a scoreless seventh. Roberto Osuna got his 30th save.

Toronto manager John Gibbons was ejected from the dugout by plate umpire Pat Hoberg after Martin struck out in the fourth.

The Blue Jays tied it at 3 in the seventh on Devon Travis' two-run single off Brad Boxberger, costing 17-game loser Chris Archer a shot at his ninth win. Archer struck out nine, running his AL-best total to 211.