By ,
Published November 20, 2014
Henderson Alvarez tossed Toronto's second consecutive shutout and Jose Bautista added a two-run homer as the Blue Jays downed the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 4-0, in the second test of a three- game set.
Alvarez (2-2) allowed six hits and walked one while fanning three in his first career shutout. Brandon Morrow fanned eight in his second career shutout against Los Angeles on Thursday.
"My sinker was working with me tonight. The defense did a great job and we're always in the right position," Alvarez said. "This is the best game I have ever pitched."
Toronto, which has won six of its last seven, last recorded back-to-back shutouts by a starting pitcher since Jack Morris and Al Leiter did it in 1993.
Albert Pujols, who was booed during his final two plate appearances, has now gone 108 at-bats without a home run this year, the longest single-season drought of his career. After an 0-for-4 night, his averaged dipped to .194.
Ervin Santana (0-6) struck out 10 while giving up three runs on three hits and two walks for the Angels, who haven't tallied a run in their last 22 innings. Los Angeles has been shut out in Santana's last five starts.
"My location was good, my fastball was good. My slider was good. I made one bad pitch to Bautista," Santana said.
Toronto plated three in the third and added an insurance run in the ninth for the game's only runs.
In the third, Jeff Mathis worked a one-out walk and after Kelly Johnson grounded out, Yunel Escobar singled to center field. Bautista stepped up next and cracked a three-run shot into the rocks in left-center field.
Adam Lind led off the ninth with a single and Edwin Encarnacion grounded into a fielder's choice. Following Eric Thames' single, Brett Lawrie's groundout brought home Encarnacion.
Game Notes
Toronto was 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position while Los Angeles finished 0-for-7...Bautista's homer was his fifth of the season...This is the first time in franchise history that Toronto starting pitchers have recorded back-to-back shutouts on the road.
https://www.foxnews.com/sports/blue-jays-alvarez-shuts-out-angels