Led by Hyun Jin Ryu, the Toronto Blue Jays beat the New York Mets 7-3 and have won 19 out of their last 28 games.
Pitching on an extra day’s rest, Ryu allowed one run and eight hits in six innings, struck out seven and walked none to win his fourth straight decision.
"The extra day helped," Ryu said through a translator. "I felt fresh. Today I felt good on the mound."
The left-hander pitcher retired his final eight batters, and has not lost since July 30 against Washington, his second start of the season.
"He’s (Ryu) an ace," Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said. "Early on, phew, they were on to him, and then he made an adjustment and did a great job."
Thomas Hatch pitched a nice seventh inning but struggled in the eighth, as he gave up 3 straight singles to start the inning. A.J. Cole took over and got a run-scoring ground out. Rafael Dolis pitched the ninth, giving up a couple of walks, but getting through it without a run scoring.
The veteran reliever from NY, Brad Brach, entered with the Blue Jays ahead 2-1 and proceeded to walk the bases loaded before he was removed. Jared Hughes walked Jonathan Villar to force in a run before Santiago Espinal delivered the knockout punch with a three-run double.
Toronto, who is still the second best team in the AL East, will finish the season playing on the road at the Yankee Stadium and Citizens Bank Park, prior to closing out two series at home against the Yankees and Orioles.