Blue Jays 9, Angels 2
ANAHEIM, Calif. -- David Price gave up two runs on six hits in eight innings, leading the Toronto Blue Jays to a 9-2 win over the Los Angeles Angels on Friday night at Angel Stadium.
The game was over almost from the start, when the Blue Jays scored three runs in the first inning against Angels starter Hector Santiago (7-7). Price didn't allow a hit until the fifth, when the Angels scored their first run on an RBI double by catcher Chris Iannetta. Right fielder Kole Calhoun homered in the eighth inning for Los Angeles' other run, but by then, it was far too little, too late.
Price improved to 12-4 this season, including 3-0 in four starts since joining the Blue Jays in a July 30 trade with Detroit. He struck out nine, including center fielder Mike Trout twice, and walked only one.
Toronto had only 11 hits, but took advantage of Santiago's early wildness -- he walked four in the first inning -- and some shoddy play by the Angels defense.
The Angels made three errors, and that doesn't count the pop fly that fell untouched in shallow right field among first baseman C.J. Cron, second baseman Ryan Jackson and the right fielder Calhoun and was scored a hit.
Toronto's offense was led by left fielder Ben Revere (four hits), third baseman Josh Donaldson (two doubles, three RBIs) and first baseman Justin Smoak (two-run homer).
With the win, the Blue Jays moved to within one-half game of the first-place Yankees in the American League East, and maintained their hold on the top wild-card spot.
The Angels still hold the No. 2 wild-card spot, but their lead is just a half-game over both Baltimore and Texas. They also fell 3 1/2 games behind first-place Houston in the AL West.
Angels starter Hector Santiago couldn't find the strike zone in the first inning. After striking out Blue Jays shortstop Troy Tulowitzki to open the game, Santiago walked third baseman Josh Donaldson, right fielder Jose Bautista and designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion consecutively to load the bases.
It appeared Santiago might escape after getting first baseman Justin Smoak on a pop out to shortstop, but he walked catcher Russell Martin to force in a run.
Center fielder Justin Pillar followed a sinking liner to left field, where Shane Victorino made a sliding attempt. Victorino got his glove on the ball but dropped it. The play was ruled an error as two runs scored for a 3-0 Blue Jays lead.
Santiago made 48 pitches in the first inning alone, signaling he was in for a short night.
He made into the fourth inning, but a two-out RBI double by Donaldson gave Toronto a 4-0 lead and spelled the end for Santiago.
The Angels got their first hit on first baseman C.J. Cron's leadoff double in the fifth. One out later, catcher Chris Iannetta doubled home Cron to cut Toronto's lead to 4-1.
NOTES: Angels 2B Johnny Giavotella left the ballpark before the game because he was feeling sick. INF Ryan Jackson started in Giavotella's place. ... Angels 3B David Freese, out since July 22 with a broken right index finger, will begin a rehab assignment Sunday for Triple-A Salt Lake. ... Blue Jays SS Troy Tulowitzki began the night hitting .219 (16-for-73) since coming to the club in a trade from the Rockies July 28. Despite Tulowitzki's struggles with the club, Toronto had won 16 of 20 since acquiring him.