Happ, Blue Jays shut out Giants
SAN FRANCISCO -- Left-hander J.A. Happ scattered six hits over 8 2/3 innings to remain unbeaten in 2016 as the Toronto Blue Jays made it two straight over the San Francisco Giants in interleague play, prevailing 4-0 Tuesday night.
Troy Tulowitzki had a hand in all four Toronto runs. He hit a solo home run, added an RBI double, after which he scored on a Russell Martin single, and lofted a sacrifice fly.
The win was the Blue Jays' 14th in their last 21 games against National League competition, and it evened the all-time series with the Giants at 9-9.
Happ (5-0) gave up three singles to Giants shortstop Kelby Tomlinson, including one in the eighth inning when San Francisco put the potential tying run on base with just one out.
Happ then struck out pinch hitter Trevor Brown and got Denard Span to fly to left field, stranding runners at first and third.
The first-year Blue Jay got within one out of a complete game, but he was pulled after giving up a two-out single to Hunter Pence and a walk to Brandon Belt in the ninth.
Happ walked three and struck out five in his 111-pitch effort.
Toronto closer Roberto Osuna struck out Jarrett Parker with the bases loaded after walking Matt Duffy to earn his eighth save and second in two nights.
The Blue Jays opened the three-game series with a 3-1 win Monday night.
The combined shutout was Happ's first since June 26, 2014, a game in which he went the first 7 2/3 innings in a 7-0 win over the Chicago White Sox.
The 33-year-old has now allowed three or fewer runs in 17 consecutive starts, the second-longest active streak in the majors to the Chicago Cubs' Jake Arrieta's 27.
Tulowitzki's homer opened the scoring in the second inning. It was his sixth of the season, and also his career sixth against Giants starter Matt Cain.
Toronto increased its lead to 2-0 in the seventh after a one-out triple by Michael Saunders. He raced home on Tulowitzki's sacrifice fly to center.
Cain (0-5) was pulled after eight innings, having allowed two runs on six hits. He struck out seven and did not walk a batter.
Despite the quality start, Cain dropped to 0-5 for the first time in his career and walked off the mound winless for a 14th consecutive start. He is 0-8 in those outings.
It was the fourth time in Cain's seven starts this season that the Giants have supported him with one run or fewer while he was on the mound.
The Blue Jays added two insurance runs in the ninth off Giants reliever Derek Law.
Tulowitzki doubled home Saunders, who had singled, to make it 3-0. Martin then followed with his run-scoring hit, scoring Tulowitzki.
Saunders finished with three of Toronto's nine hits. He and Tulowitzki each scored twice.
The Giants, who have lost three in a row, have scored just three runs in their last four games, and they haven't scored at all in the first nine innings of their past three outings.
NOTES: Only one of Toronto's Tuesday starters ever hit a home run off Giants RHP Matt Cain. Blue Jays SS Troy Tulowitzki began the night with five career homers off Cain, the most the pitcher has surrendered to anyone, and Tulowitzki added to that total in the second inning. ... The Blue Jays scored all three of their runs in Monday's series-opening win in the first three innings. That was consistent with their season trends. Through Monday's games, they had scored the third-most runs in the majors in the first four innings (78), but the eighth fewest after the fourth (57). ... The Giants ares the only team in the majors without a first-inning home run. ... The Blue Jays learned earlier in the day that their second-round pick in 2013, RHP Clinton Hollon, was suspended 50 games for violation of Major League Baseball's drug policy. It was the second positive test of Hollon's fledgling career.