Baltimore, MD – Manny Machado's two-run single in the second proved to be the difference as the Baltimore Orioles took a 4-3 win over the Toronto Blue Jays in the second of three games.
Matt Wieters and Nolan Reimold each drove in a run to back a six-inning performance from Miguel Gonzalez (2-1), who gave up three runs on five hits to get the win for the Orioles, who have won five of six.
Edwin Encarnacion's three-run home run accounted for all the runs for the Blue Jays, who have lost six of their last eight games. R.A. Dickey (2-3) was dealt the loss after giving up four runs on six hits with five walks over six innings.
"We had some chances late but just couldn't get that big hit," said Toronto manager John Gibbons said. "Dickey battled all night long. You wish you could take away that one inning, but you can't in this business."
The Orioles got all their offense in the second inning and Adam Jones led off the frame with a single. Chris Davis followed with a base hit and Wieters drove home the first run with a single to left. After J.J. Hardy popped out, Ryan Flaherty walked to load the bases and Reimold brought home another run with a sacrifice fly.
Nate McLouth was able to keep the inning alive with a walk and Machado singled to center to score two more for a 4-0 advantage.
Toronto had a man on first and third with one out in the third, but Munenori Kawasaki hit into a double play to end the frame.
In the sixth, Adam Lind and Jose Bautista worked two-out walks and Encarnacion cut the deficit to one with his third homer of the year, a shot over the left field wall.
After a 1-2-3 inning by Brian Matusz in the Toronto seventh, the Blue Jays got a leadoff walk from Mark DeRosa to start the eighth.
Pedro Strop then took the mound and a sac bunt and groundout moved DeRosa to third. Encarnacion then walked to put the go-ahead run on first, but Melky Cabrera looked at strike three to end the frame.
Jim Johnson worked around a two-out single in the ninth inning to pick up his eighth save of the season.
"Our bullpen hasn't failed us yet," said Machado. "They do a good job in holding the lead. And once the ninth inning comes in, Jimmy comes out, and you know it's lights out, because you know he's going to shut the door for us."
Game Notes
The Blue Jays claimed pitcher Aaron Laffey off waivers from the New York Mets on Tuesday. To make room for Laffey on the 40-man roster, the Blue Jays transferred injured shortstop Jose Reyes to the 60-day disabled list ... Gonzalez improved to 2-1 in four games (3 starts) against the Blue Jays ... Dickey fell to 2-3 in eight games (5 starts) against the Orioles.
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