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Estrada flirts with no-no as Blue Jays edge Mariners
- Updated: September 20, 2016
SEATTLE — Marco Estrada allowed one hit over seven-plus innings and Edwin Encarnacion supplied the punch with a two-run homer as the Blue Jays opened a critical three-game series at Safeco Field with a 3-2 victory over the Mariners on Monday night.
The win pulled the Blue Jays back into a tie with the Orioles for the two American League Wild Card spots, with both teams 82-68 after Baltimore lost to Boston, 5-2. Seattle fell three games back at 79-71, tied with Houston a half-game behind idle Detroit, with 12 games remaining.
With a largely pro-Blue Jays crowd making the two-hour trek down from British Columbia to supply a playoff-type atmosphere, Estrada had a no-hitter for six innings before Robinson Cano’s leadoff single in the seventh. The 33-year-old Estrada walked three and struck out eight while evening his record at 9-9 with a 3.62 ERA.
The Mariners narrowed the gap in the ninth with a two-out, two-run homer by Leonys Martin off closer Roberto Osuna before Osuna struck out Ben Gamel for his 34th save.
Mariners right-hander Taijuan Walker, who threw a three-hit shutout against the Angels in his last start, gave up five hits and three runs in 5 1/3 innings as he fell to 6-11 with a 4.32 ERA.
MOMENTS THAT MATTEREDEarly wake-up call: Walker struck out the first two Blue Jays batters in the first inning before Encarnacion scorched a line drive up the middle that glanced off his pitching hand and ended up in right-center field for a base hit. The ball had an exit velocity of 103 mph, according to Statcast™, and Walker was fortunate to escape serious damage. After a quick visit from manager Scott Servais and trainer Rob Nodine, Walker stayed in and …
