Blue Jays 5, Indians 1
TORONTO -- R.A. Dickey pitched a complete game, Josh Donaldson had three RBIs and the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the Cleveland Indians 5-1 on Wednesday night.
Dickey (10-10) allowed four hits, no walks and one run to win his seventh straight decision in the rubber match of a three-game series. He struck out six in his second complete game of the season.
The Indians had three of their hits against Dickey in the fourth inning. They did not have another runner until second baseman Jason Kipnis singled with one out in the ninth, but that was erased when shortstop Francisco Lindor grounded into a game-ending double play.
Donaldson had three hits, including an RBI single in the first inning and a two-run double in the second. He also scored a run after tagging up on a popout to second base in the second.
Indians right-hander Trevor Bauer (9-10) allowed six hits, one walk and five runs and had two strikeouts in 1 1/3 innings.
The Indians (64-68) used seven pitchers in the game.
The Blue Jays (76-57) maintained a 1 1/2-game lead over the second-place New York Yankees in the American League East. The Blue Jays and Yankees play a four-game series at Yankee Stadium next week.
Blue Jays second baseman Ryan Goins, who won the game Tuesday with a two-run homer in the 10th, singled in the eighth to extend his career-best hitting streak to 12 games.
The Blue Jays scored twice in the first inning. Left fielder Ben Revere led off with a single, stole second and scored on a single by Donaldson. Right fielder Jose Bautista walked and shortstop Troy Tulowitzki singled to score Donaldson.
The Blue Jays added three runs in the second. Catcher Josh Thole and Revere singled with one out and scored on a double to left by Donaldson. Right-hander Jeff Manship replaced Bauer and walked Bautista and DH Edwin Encarnacion. Donaldson scored from third with a spectacular slide to avoid the tag to turn Tulowitzki's pop to second into a sacrifice fly and give Toronto a 5-0 lead.
Dickey was perfect through three innings but allowed three hits and one run in the fourth.
Kipnis and Lindor led off with singles, left fielder Michael Brantley hit into a double play and DH Carlos Santana hit an RBI single.
NOTES: The Blue Jays recalled C Josh Thole from Bluefield of the rookie league, where he was optioned last Friday, and he caught knuckleballer RHP R.A. Dickey on Wednesday. Bluefield's season ended Tuesday. ... Indians INF Chris Johnson, who was activated from the 15-day disabled list Tuesday when major-league rosters expanded, started at third base Wednesday. He grounded out as a pinch hitter in the 5-3, 10-inning loss to Toronto on Tuesday. ... Indians manager Terry Francona said the team will recall two more players Friday. ... Both teams have Thursday off. ... The Indians will start RHP Corey Kluber (8-13, 3.41 ERA) in the opener of a three-game series Friday at Detroit. The Tigers had not announced a starter. ... The Jays will start RHP Drew Hutchison (13-2, 4.87) Friday in the opener of a three-game home series against the Baltimore Orioles, who will start RHP Ubaldo Jimenez (9-9, 4.34).