Springer, Bieber lift Blue Jays past Rays 3-1 to snap four-game losing streak

By: Kaitlyn McGrath, The Canadian Press Posted: 4:30 PM CDT Thursday, Jul. 23, 2026

TORONTO - George Springer had two hits, including an RBI single in the third inning, and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 on Thursday at the Rogers Centre to snap a four-game losing streak.

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TORONTO – George Springer had two hits, including an RBI single in the third inning, and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 on Thursday at the Rogers Centre to snap a four-game losing streak.

Springer’s single bounced through the left side of the infield, scoring Yohenrick Piñango to retake a 2-1 lead for Toronto (47-56) after the Rays (59-43) tied it in the top of the third on a Yandy Diaz line-drive single.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. drove in Myles Straw in the seventh for a valuable insurance run.

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Shane Bieber pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays during first inning MLB baseball action in Toronto on Thursday, July 23, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Toronto starter Shane Bieber (2-1) held the American League East-leading Rays to one earned run on three hits over seven innings with three strikeouts.

Right-handed reliever Tyler Rogers threw a clean eighth inning. Closer Louis Varland recorded his 21st save of the season with a scoreless ninth.

Alejandro Kirk’s infield single scored Ernie Clement for a 1-0 lead in the first

Takeaways

Rays: Tampa Bay made a late pitching change, using an opener, right-hander Casey Legumina, for two innings before the original scheduled starter, Ian Seymour, came into the game in the third. The left-hander pitched six innings, giving up two earned runs on five hits with seven strikeouts and a walk.

Blue Jays: Toronto avoided being swept in a four-game series for a second time this season. The Jays were previously swept by the Texas Rangers (51-51) over four games at home in June.

Key moment

In the seventh inning, Bieber retired the side on only 11 pitches to keep the Blue Jays in front and complete his longest start of the season.

Key stat

The Blue Jays improved their record to 28-16 when they score first.

Up next

Right-hander Trey Yesavage (4-5) starts on Friday as the Blue Jays begin a three-game series against the Red Sox in Boston. Left-hander Patrick Sandoval (0-0) will start for the Red Sox.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 23, 2026.