Blue Jays 4, Orioles 0
Aaron Laffey worked 5 2/3 strong innings and Yan Gomes recorded a pair of hits and an RBI as visiting Toronto seized a second straight game from Baltimore.
Joe Saunders (8-13) was reached for four runs (three earned) on 11 hits in 6 1/3 innings for the Orioles, who remained 1 1/2 games behind the New York Yankees in the American League East.
Laffey (4-6) had not made it through five innings in any of his last three starts but limited Baltimore to five hits en route to his first win since Aug. 5. Adeiny Hechavarria, Colby Rasmus and Edwin Encarnacion each added an RBI for the Blue Jays, who took the nightcap of a doubleheader on Monday.
Brett Lawrie led off the game with a single and came in on Gomes’ single to left in the top of the first to give Toronto a quick lead. Hechavarria added a two-out RBI double in the fourth and Rasmus and Encarnacion delivered back-to-back run-scoring singles in the seventh to widen the gap.
Laffey was lifted after just 64 pitches but the bullpen was strong. Baltimore loaded the bases on an error and two walks in the ninth but Casey Janssen retired Ryan Flaherty to preserve the shutout.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Orioles OF Lew Ford (groin) missed his second straight day. … Baltimore RHP Jason Hammel (knee) threw a bullpen session before the game and is still hoping to pitch before the end of the regular season. He will be re-evaluated on Wednesday. … Toronto C J.P. Arencibia went 2-for 3 and is 5-for-6 over his last two games. He had totaled two hits in his previous 10 contests.