The Tampa Bay Rays scored seven times in the eighth inning to break open a tight game and defeat the Toronto Blue Jays 9-3 on Saturday.

Rookie John Jaso hit his first major league home run and drove in three and Jason Bartlett and Ben Zobrist each had two RBIs as the Rays remained a half-game ahead of the New York Yankees for first place in the AL East.

Blue Jays starter Ricky Romero, who allowed six hits and two runs, left after seven innings with a 3-2 lead but the bullpen imploded.

Three Toronto relievers combined to allow five hits, two walks and a hit a batter in the eighth. Scott Downs (0-2) didn’t retire a batter and was charged with the loss.

The Blue Jays got home runs from Adam Lind and Lyle Overbay. It was Overbay’s first of the year. Lind’s homer gave Toronto a 3-2 lead in the sixth inning.

Dan Wheeler (1-0) picked up the win after facing just one batter and recording the final out in the top of the eighth.