Blue Jays walk in the walk-off, lose in extras to Giants

Ryan Tepera walked in the game-winning run with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 13th as the Blue Jays fell 5-4 to the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday at AT&T Park.

Michael Saunders launched a solo home run to straight-away centre to lead off the top of the ninth inning, tying the game at four. Josh Donaldson had four hits on the day including a double and a stolen base.

Blue Jays starter Marcus Stroman allowed all four Giants runs to cross, two of which were earned, on eight hits in six innings. Along with ten more ground ball outs, Stroman struck out five.

An eighth-inning rally from the Blue Jays with the bases loaded brought them within one run. Russell Martin scored Donaldson on a sacrifice fly before Justin Smoak hit a pinch-hit RBI single.

Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner allowed just one run over six and two-thirds innings on three hits, but did walk four batters. Santiago Casilla was saddled with the blown save.

Chad Girodo followed Stroman out of the bullpen and was quickly followed by Joe Biagini as the two combined for one scoreless inning. Biagini grew up a short drive from the stadium and was originally a member of the Giants organization before joining the Blue Jays in the recent Rule 5 Draft.

Jesse Chavez handled the eighth inning for Toronto, allowing a walk and single to keep the game within reach. He followed with another two base runners in the ninth, but again, kept the Blue Jays alive.

Drew Storen took the bottom of the 10th and came awfully close to surrendering the walk-off win. With the bases loaded after a very uncharacteristic Troy Tulowitzki error, however, he forced Denard Span to ground out on a 2-0 count. Gavin Floyd followed Storen with two scoreless innings of his own.

With Michael Saunders out of the starting lineup against the left-handed Bumgarner, Kevin Pillar slid back into the leadoff spot for the Blue Jays. Ezequiel Carrera started for Saunders in left while Darwin Barney filled in his half of the platoon at second base and started over Ryan Goins. By the end of the game, though, the roster section of the score sheet was a Jackson Pollock.

R.A. Dickey made a surprise appearance in the 10th inning, pinch-hitting for Chavez but bunting foul for strike three.

The Blue Jays have the day off on Thursday before opening a three-game set in Texas against the Rangers. Dickey is scheduled to pitch in the opener against Martin Perez.