Jays Grab Win Over M’s In 14-Inning Marathon

It may have taken 14 innings, but the Blue Jays were just happy to win their first game after the all-star break Saturday.

Bengie Molina singled home the winning run in the 14 ^th, as Toronto escaped dropping their second straight to the Seattle Mariners with a 7-6 win.

The victory makes Toronto 4-0 this season in extra-inning games, but getting it done this time didn’t come easy.

The Jays needed to use nine pitchers, including Scott Downs (3-0) who got the win after throwing one inning of scoreless relief.

On the flipside, Emiliano Fruto (0-1) was tagged with the loss for the Mariners, who have dropped seven of their past 10.

Normally when Roy Halladay starts for the Blue Birds a win is expected, but it wasn’t so simple this time. Halladay was on pace for his fifth straight win until reliever Brandon League gave up two solo homers in the eighth to the only two hitters he faced, tying the game at 6-6.

Halladay allowed four runs on eight hits over six innings while walking two and striking out three.

As for Seattle’s starter, 43-year-old Jamie Moyer allowed six runs on 12 hits over 6 1-3 innings. He walked one and struck out four.

Both teams had several opportunities to put the game on ice in extra innings, including a bases loaded situation for the visitors in the 13 ^th.

By that point, most of the 36,069 on hand at the Rogers Centre were long gone, but the ones that stayed wouldn’t be disappointed as Jose Lopez grounded out to end the inning, setting up a Jays victory in the following frame.

Earlier in the game, Toronto looked sharp, as Troy Glaus equaled his home run derby total by slapping one out in the fifth.

Molina and shortstop John McDonald also added homers, while Raul Ibanez cranked a two-run blast that accounted for half of his season high four RBI.

Toronto will try and earn another series victory with a win in Sunday’s finale when they send A.J. Burnett (1-3) to the hill against Seattle’s Felix Hernandez (8-8).