Anaheim, CA – Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion each hit RBI singles in the ninth inning as the Toronto Blue Jays rallied past the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 6-5, to avoid a four-game sweep.
Holding a 5-4 lead, the Angels sent Ernesto Frieri (0-4), who recorded the final out in the eighth, back to the mound in the ninth. Brett Lawrie singled and J.P. Arencibia was hit by a pitch. With Jose Reyes batting, Lawrie got caught in a rundown between second and third. Lawrie appeared to be tagged out while sliding back into second base, but was called safe.
After Reyes flied out, Dane De La Rosa came in from the bullpen. Rajai Davis hit a grounder to shortstop Erick Aybar, who threw to third for the force out. Bautista followed with an RBI single to left to tie the game. Davis stole third and raced home on Encarnacion's single to left.
"We took advantage of some things today," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "We never felt out of it but it took a late-inning rally to win it."
Bautista and Encarnacion ended with two RBI apiece for the Blue Jays. Davis went 3-for-5 with an RBI and three runs scored.
Mark Buehrle got the start for Toronto and gave up five runs on seven hits over six innings. Brett Cecil (5-1) recorded the final two outs in the eighth to pick up the win. Casey Janssen registered his 19th save of the year.
Mark Trumbo hit a three-run homer for the Angels, who got a solo shot from Mike Trout. Chris Iannetta had an RBI.
Los Angeles starter C.J. Wilson allowed four runs -- three earned -- on eight hits while striking out seven over 7 1/3 innings.
"We didn't get it done," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "C.J. pitched a great game. It's tough because we couldn't hold a lead."
Trailing 5-2, Toronto started its comeback with a two-run eighth inning. With one out, Davis and Bautista singled. J.C. Gutierrez came in from the bullpen and watched Davis steal third. Encarnacion hit a grounder to third baseman Chris Nelson, whose throw to second base sailed into right field. A run scored on the play.
Nick Maronde was called in from the bullpen to face Adam Lind, who grounded into a fielder's choice. Michael Kohn then took over on the mound and pinch- hitter Maicer Izturis greeted him with an RBI infield single. Frieri got the final out of the inning before running into trouble in the ninth.
The Angels jumped out to a 1-0 lead on Trout's homer in the first.
Toronto scored a pair of runs in the third to take the lead. With two outs, Reyes reached on an infield single and advanced to second on Nelson's throwing error. Reyes scored on Davis' single to right. Davis stole second and moved to third on Trumbo's throwing error. Bautista's RBI single to center made it a 2-1 game.
Los Angeles switched the momentum with a four-run fourth. Trout walked and Howie Kendrick singled before Trumbo's blast over the wall in left. Aybar hit a one-out double and raced home on Iannetta's double down the left-field line, making it 5-2.
Game Notes
Toronto placed pitcher Steve Delabar on the 15-day disabled list prior to the game ... The Angels signed veteran left-hander Dontrelle Willis to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Salt Lake ... The Angels committed three errors in the game.
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