ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Alex Cobb went five solid innings during his first start in two years, Logan Morrison hit a go-ahead two-run homer, and the Tampa Bay Rays beat the AL East-leading Toronto Blue Jays 8-3 on Friday night.

Cobb, coming back from Tommy John surgery last year, allowed two runs and four hits in his first appearance since Sept 28, 2014, at Cleveland. He struck out seven — six looking — walked one and retired his final 10 batters.

Morrison put the Rays up 4-2 in sixth on his 12th homer off Marcus Stroman (9-6).

Luke Maile hit a solo homer and Kevin Kiermaier had an RBI triple off Francisco Liriano before Brad Miller added a two-run shot against Ryan Tepera in a four-run seventh that made it 8-2.

All three batters Liriano faced in his first relief appearances with Toronto after four starts scored.

Danny Farquhar (1-0) worked a scoreless sixth for the win.

Edwin Encarnacion had an RBI double and Russell Martin picked up his 22nd RBI in his last 16 games on an infield single as the Blue Jays went up 2-0 in the first.

Eddie Gamboa, a 31-year old knuckleballer, made his major league debut and loaded the bases on a single and two walks in the eighth before departing with one out. The Blue Jays were able to score just once on Troy Tulowitzki's grounder off Brad Boxberger.

MOVING DAY

Blue Jays: 2B Devon Travis, optioned to Bluefield on Thursday to make room for the signing of C Josh Thole, was recalled from the Appalachian League club. ... Tepera, RHP Danny Barnes, and OFs Darrell Ceciliani and Dalton Pompey were recalled from Triple-A Buffalo. ... LHP Matt Dermody had his contract purchased from Buffalo and INF Matt Dominguez was designated for assignment. ... OF Quintin Berry signed a minor league contract and might be called up next week.

Rays: Manager Kevin Cash said RHP Chase Whitley (Tommy John surgery) should be recalled next week and used in "more of a scripted relief role where he'll know when he's pitching.

BULLPEN DUTY

Toronto manager John Gibbons said "there's a good chance you'll probably see" Liriano start again a couple times this month,

UP NEXT

Blue Jays RHP Marco Estrada (8-6) starts Saturday night against Rays rookie LHP Blake Snell (4-7), who left Sunday's game at Houston with a bruised lower left leg.