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Tampa Rays shortstop Yunel Escobar, left, and first baseman James Loney celebrate after turning a seventh inning-ending double play during a baseball game against the Toropnto Blue Jays, Sunday Sept. 29, 2013 in Toronto. The Canadian Press, Frank Gunn, Associated Press
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Toronto Blue Jays starter Todd Redmond is relieved by manager John Gibbons, right, during the first inning of a baseball game in against Tampa Bay in Toronto, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2013. The Canadian Press, Frank Gunn, Associated Press
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Tampa Bay Rays' Evan Longoria is congratulated by teammates after scoring a run on a hit by teammate Delmon Young during the first inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2013. The Canadian Press, Frank Gunn, Associated Press
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Tampa Rays starter Matt Moore pitches to the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2013. The Canadian Press, Frank Gunn, Associated Press
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Tampa Bay Rays' Matt Joyce, left, and Demon Young celebrate after scoring on a double by teammate Jose Lobaton during the first inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays in Toronto, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2013. The Canadian Press, Frank Gunn, Associated Press
By Associated Press

TORONTO — Evan Longoria and the Tampa Bay Rays assured themselves of at least a tie for an AL wild-card berth, scoring six runs in the first inning and then holding off the Toronto Blue Jays 7-6 Sunday.

The Rays began the final day of the regular season tied with Texas for the second wild-card slot. Both teams trailed Cleveland by one game for the top spot.

Cleveland played at Minnesota and the Rangers hosted the Los Angeles Angels.

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The Rays used their highest-scoring first inning since 2010 to take control early. Tampa Bay led 7-0 going into the sixth before Toronto rallied. The Blue Jays put the go-ahead run at the plate in the eighth and ninth innings.

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