Cody Ross hits grand slam, Roy Halladay leaves with sore groin as Marlins beat Blue Jays 7-3

Ross hits grand slam as Marlins beat Blue Jays 7-3

TORONTO — Cody Ross hit a tiebreaking grand slam, Chris Coghlan had a career-high four hits and the Florida Marlins beat the Toronto Blue Jays 7-3 Friday night.

Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez returned to the starting lineup after missing one game with a sore groin and went 3 for 4 with three RBIs.

Ross’ third grand slam of the season and fifth of his career came off Blue Jays right-hander Brandon League (1-3).

Florida reliever Dan Meyer (1-0) pitched one inning for his first major league victory as the Marlins won their sixth straight in Toronto. The Marlins are 15-2 against the Blue Jays, including 8-2 in Toronto.

Kiko Calero worked the eighth and Cristhian Martinez allowed a run-scoring grounder in the ninth.

Toronto right-hander Roy Halladay left after three innings because of a sore groin. Halladay, who leads the major leagues with 10 wins and 103 innings, has won seven straight decisions and entered having thrown back-to-back complete games.

Ramirez hit a sacrifice fly off Halladay in the first but Toronto went ahead in the fifth with RBI singles from Joe Inglett and Aaron Hill.

Florida tied it on a two-out, bloop single by Ramirez off League in the seventh, then blew it open in the eighth. Jeremy Hermida doubled, Dan Uggla walked and catcher John Baker was hit by a pitch before Ross homered to center.

Two outs later, Ross Gload doubled and scored on a base hit by Ramirez.

Marlins right-hander Ricky Nolasco allowed two runs and five hits in six innings, his second straight solid start since being recalled from the minor leagues. He walked one and struck out a season-high nine.

Florida’s opening day starter, Nolasco was demoted to Triple-A New Orleans on May 23 after going 2-5 with a 9.07 ERA. He returned June 7 and allowed three runs, two earned, over seven innings in a 3-2 loss to San Francisco.

Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston changed up his batting order, moving Vernon Wells from fourth to third and dropping Alex Rios from third to sixth. Adam Lind moved up from fifth to replace Wells in the cleanup spot. Wells entered in a 4 for 33 slump, while Rios was 6 for 36.

The move didn’t help Wells, who went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts. Rios finished 2 for 4 with a double.

Notes: Florida’s Jorge Cantu, who left Wednesday’s game because of dizziness, started as the DH. … Baker returned to the starting lineup after missing two games with a cut over his left eye. He switched to a hockey-style mask for increased protection. … Blue Jays RHP Jesse Litsch had ligament replacement surgery on Friday and will not return this season. … Buffalo Bills draft picks Aaron Maybin and Andy Levitre attended the game, touring the Blue Jays clubhouse beforehand. The Bills play the New York Jets at Rogers Centre on Dec. 3.