Orioles beat Blue Jays in 11 innings to avoid series sweep

BUFFALO, N.Y. — Jose Iglesias and Bryan Holaday had RBI doubles in the 11th inning for Baltimore, and Iglesias threw out the potential tying run at home plate as the Orioles salvaged a 4-3 win against the Toronto Blue Jays to break a five-game losing streak on Monday.

Iglesias’ leadoff hit, to deep left-centre field, scored Anthony Santander, who started the inning at second base. Holaday then doubled to right field to drive in Iglesias. Both hits came off Toronto reliever Anthony Bass (2-2).

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had an RBI single in the 11th to draw Toronto closer but was thrown out at the plate trying to score on a Rowdy Tellez hit. Right fielder Santander missed the cutoff man, but Iglesias ranged over from his shortstop position to deliver the relay from near the right field line.

"It was a very natural play," Iglesias said. "I was able to read it. I was able to be connected with the play the whole way and not give up, and I was able to get a big out at the plate."

Orioles manager Brandon Hyde marveled at the timing.

"Incredible, instinctive, veteran type play," Hyde said. "He recognized that we weren’t quite in the right spot, sprinted over there and made a heck of a catch, roll and throw to the plate. Just a great play by a really great defensive player."

Iglesias and Santander each had two hits for Baltimore, and Cesar Valdez (1-0) worked two innings to earn the win.

Toronto’s Teoscar Hernandez threw out Mason Williams at home plate in the 10th inning to complete a double play, but the Blue Jays couldn’t capitalize in their half of the frame.

Gurriel had three hits for Toronto, which had its four-game winning streak snapped.

Toronto scored twice in the fifth inning when Baltimore’s Hanser Alberto threw wildly on a grounder to take a 2-1 lead. Baltimore tied it in the sixth on an RBI double by Santander.

Gurriel was thrown out by Alberto at home in the sixth while trying to score on a grounder. Gurriel had stolen third, somehow avoiding the tag of Rio Ruiz even though the throw beat him by several feet.

Toronto starter Chase Anderson recorded eight strikeouts in five innings.

Baltimore’s Keegan Akin struck out six batters over 4 1/3 innings in his first career start.

PLAYOFF PUSH

The Blue Jays, looking to qualify for the expanded post-season, made three deals at the trading deadline, obtaining LHP Robbie Ray from Arizona, INF Jonathan Villar from Miami, and RHP Ross Stripling from the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Ray is 1-4 this season with a 7.84 ERA, and has a career record of 48-50 with a 4.25 ERA. He is expected to shore up a rotation which has hasn’t had a starter go into the seventh inning since last August, a span of 65 games. Toronto also receives cash in exchange for LHP Travis Bergen.

Villar, a switch-hitter, is batting .272 this season with two homers. He hit a career-high 24 homers last year with Baltimore and was picked up for a player to be named later.

Stripling, 3-1 in seven starts this season, was acquired for two players to be named.

"Our front office did a great job," Toronto manager Charlie Montoyo said. "You can never have enough pitching, and we picked up two pretty good pitchers. And Villar always seemed to play great against us, and he can give us some good versatility."

The Orioles, meanwhile, acquired minor league RHP Kevin Smith for RHP Miguel Castro, who led Baltimore with 16 appearances out of the bullpen.

CHANGING OF THE GUARD

Cole Sulser, who lost twice over the weekend to Toronto on come-from behind, walk-off hits, will be given a break from his role as Baltimore’s closer.

"We talked today about giving him a couple of breather outings, with a little bit lower intensity, try to get his confidence back," Hyde said. "I still believe in the stuff, the maturity and his makeup. It’s good to give him a little bit of a reset."

Sulser, who leads Baltimore with five saves, surrendered a game-ending homer on Friday, then issued three walks and a two-run single on Sunday.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Orioles: No updates were given regarding the three players on the 10-day injury list: RHP Shawn Armstrong (left SI joint inflammation), INF Chris Davis (left knee patellar tendinitis), and OF Austin Hays (non-displaced rib fracture).

Blue Jays: SS Bo Bichette (sprained knee) was limited to working out after resuming baseball activities over the weekend. … RHP Ken Giles (forearm strain) is scheduled to pitch live batting practice on Tuesday. … RHP Nate Pearson (elbow tightness) took a day off from playing catch. … RHP Matt Shoemaker (shoulder inflammation) played catch … RHP Trent Thornton (elbow inflammation) was to visit with Dr. James Andrews on Monday. … RHP Jordan Romano (sprained middle finger) will go to Toronto’s training site in Rochester, N.Y. while the Blue Jays go on the road.

UP NEXT

Orioles: RHP Asher Wojciechowski (1-3, 5.13 ERA) will start Tuesday’s first game of a two-game series against the Mets.

Blue Jays: While no starter has been confirmed for Tuesday’s opener at Miami, Julian Merryweather (0-0, 0.00 ERA) is considered a possibility. Ray hasn’t pitched since Tuesday and Montoyo said he could start if available.

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