Blue Jays forge WC tie, remain 2 out in East

ANAHEIM — When the Blue Jays needed J.A. Happ the most, the veteran left-hander found a way to deliver.

Happ allowed two runs over six-plus innings to pick up his 19th victory in the Blue Jays’ 7-2 win over the Angels on Thursday night at Angel Stadium. Toronto kept pace with first-place Boston while also moving into a tie with Baltimore for the first American League Wild Card spot.

The Blue Jays remained two games back in the AL East after the Red Sox picked up a dramatic 7-5 walk-off victory over the Yankees. The Orioles came up just short in their ninth-inning rally in a 7-6 loss to the Rays. The Tigers fell two games back of the Wild Card with a 5-1 loss to the Twins.

The 33-year-old Happ limited Los Angeles to three hits and three walks while striking out three in his 19th quality start. He also became the first Toronto pitcher to win 19 games since Roy Halladay had 19 in 2008. Happ is one away from tying David Wells’ record for most wins by a Blue Jays left-hander, set in 2000.

Russell Martin led the way on offense with a gamebreaking three-run homer that made it 5-0. Designated hitter Josh Donaldson went 3-for-3 with a pair of doubles, two walks and a pair of runs scored in his return from a hip injury, which caused him to miss this week’s three-game series against Tampa Bay.

Angels right-hander David Wright was the hard-luck loser. Wright limited the Blue Jays to a pair of runs through the first five …

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