Crawford, Navarro Deliver Punch In 13th As Rays Turn Back Blue Jays

Toronto, Canada (AHN) - Carl Crawford drove in the go-ahead run in the 13th inning and Dioner Navarro capped the assault with a bases-loaded homer as Tampa Bay outplayed Toronto 8-3 Thursday night at Rogers Centre.

Crawford, who went 2-for-5 with his ninth stolen base of the season, sent home Jason Bartlett with a sac fly off losing reliever Shawn Camp. Then with the bases loaded following B.J. Upton's single and an intentional walk to Carlos Pena, Navarro paid the Blue Jays dearly by sending one to deep right center.

It was just the second career grand slam for the catcher, who went 3-for-6. The Rays, who improved to 18-16 for second place in the AL East, took the best-of-three series 2-1.

The Rays were in control through most parts of the game, leading 2-0 when Gabe Gross hit a two-run homer in the fifth before Pena added a solo shot for a 3-0 cushion.

But Rays closer Troy Percival blew his first save opportunity of the season when he allowed Toronto to tie it in the ninth. Vernon Wells delivered a two-run homer and Aaron Hill drove in an RBI single to send the game to extra innings.

The Rays wasted a near-perfect outing from starter Edwin Jackson, who didn't allow a run in eight innings. He yielded six hits and walked just one batter. J.P. Howell, instead, took the victory after a scoreless three-inning performance on the mound.

Blue Jays starter Jesse Litch surrendered three runs and five hits in seven innings before the next five Toronto relievers held it together for five innings.

Scott Rolen finished with three hits for Toronto, which dropped to 17-19 entering a four-game series with Cleveland on Friday.

The Rays host the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim beginning Friday for a three-game set.