The better J.A. Happ pitches for the Toronto Blue Jays
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the better the chance he finishes the season with another team.
Happ pitched a season-high 8 1/3 innings to win his fifth straight decision, Kendrys Morales hit a two-run home run and the Blue Jays beat the Atlanta Braves
5-4 Wednesday for Toronto’s seventh win in eight home games.
Happ (9-3) allowed four runs and six hits, walked none and struck out eight. The veteran left-hander is the first big league pitcher to record four starts
this season with at least eight strikeouts and no walks.
”He’s got good life on his fastball,” Atlanta’s Nick Markakis said. ”He’s always been a thorn in the side.”
With Toronto well behind in both the AL East and the wild card standings, Happ could be a candidate for a midseason trade to a contender.
”I know he’s in demand and I can see why,” Toronto manager John Gibbons said. ”If we were on the other end of it, I’d want him, too.”
Happ is in the final season of a three-year, $36 million contract.
”I signed to play here and try to help this team get to the playoffs,” Happ said. ”I know there may be rumors out there, but I like it here and my focus is
here.”
Happ improved 4-0 with a 2.72 ERA in nine career starts against the Braves.
”We knew going in it was going to be a tough ride,” Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said.
Happ had retired 18 of 19 before Freddie Freeman and Markakis hit back-to-back singles with one out in the ninth.
Ryan Tepera came on and gave up an RBI single to Kurt Suzuki, struck out Charlie Culberson, then allowed an RBI single to Ender Inciarte, putting the
tying run at second. Tepera finished it by getting Johan Camargo to fly
out
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earning his fifth save in eight opportunities
Morales, who turned 35 Wednesday, went 2 for 3 and scored twice. He homered in the first, walked and scored in the fourth, singled in the fifth, and flied
out in the eighth.
Suzuki and Peter Bourjos hit solo home runs for the Braves, who lost for the second time in eight games. Atlanta began the day with an NL-best record of
43-29.
Braves right-hander Anibal Sanchez (3-1) allowed four runs and five hits in five innings.
”It wasn’t bad, wasn’t great,” Snitker said. ”He kept us in the game, gave us a chance.”
Sanchez is 0-2 with a 9.19 ERA in his past three starts against the Blue Jays.
After Morales hit a two-out drive off Sanchez, his sixth homer of the season, Suzuki connected in the second, his eighth, and Bourjos tied it in the third
with his first homer of the season.
Toronto broke the deadlock in the fourth when Randal Grichuk hit an RBI double and Aledmys Diaz followed with a sacrifice fly.
Blue Jays infielder Yangervis Solarte made it 5-2 with a two-out RBI single off A.J. Minter in the seventh.
WALK THIS WAY
Blue Jays C Russell Martin has walked at least once in eight straight games, matching a career-long stretch.
Martin
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2013.
BIRTHDAY BLASTS
Morales has four home runs and eight RBIs in eight career games on his birthday.
THRIVING WITH FIVE
Toronto is 28-1 when scoring five or more runs.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Braves: Markakis started at designated hitter, the first time this season he hasn’t played one of the corner outfield spots.
Blue Jays: RHP Marcus Stroman (shoulder) will be activated off the disabled list to start at the Angels on Saturday, Gibbons said. Stroman is 0-5 with a
7.71 ERA in seven starts. … 3B Josh Donaldson (left calf) left the team
Wednesday and will continue working out at Toronto’s spring training facility in
Florida. Donaldson will not begin a rehab assignment until he is able to run the
bases at full speed.
UP NEXT
Braves: Atlanta is off Thursday before opening a three-game home series against Baltimore on Friday. LHP Sean Newcomb (8-2, 2.70 ERA) starts for the
Braves. Newcomb has won eight of his past nine decisions. The Orioles have not
named a starter.
Blue Jays: RHP Aaron Sanchez (3-5, 4.35) starts the opener of a four-game series against the Angels. Sanchez is 1-0 with a 2.95 ERA in three June starts.
LHP Tyler Skaggs (6-4, 2.81) starts for Los Angeles.
—
OAKLAND RAIDERS (6-10)
New faces: Coach Jon Gruden, defensive coordinator Paul Guenther, WR Jordy Nelson, RB Doug Martin, CB Rashaan Melvin, CB Daryl Worley, CB Dominique
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DL Tank Carradine, QB AJ McCarron, OL Kolton Miller, DT Maurice Hurst, DE Arden
Key, DT P.J. Hall.
Key losses: Coach Jack Del Rio, DE Khalil Mack, WR Michael Crabtree, RT Marshall Newhouse, LB NaVorro Bowman, CB TJ Carrie, CB Sean
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Mario Edwards Jr., QB E.J. Manuel.
Strengths: Few teams invested more in interior of offensive line than Raiders with center Rodney Hudson, guards Kelechi Osemele and Gabe Jackson. Gruden seeks
power-running offense with Marshawn Lynch behind trio. Successful run game could
open up play-action passing game for QB Derek Carr. Carr seeks bounce back from
down season plagued by back injury, unimaginative offense.
Weaknesses: Secondary full of questions for coordinator Guenther. CB Gareon Conley struggled to stay healthy since being drafted in first round in 2017.
Melvin had strong season with Indianapolis last year but only got one-year,
prove-it contract. Safeties have mix of unproven young players and aging ones.
2016 first-round pick Karl Joseph yet to develop into playmaker. Reggie Nelson
brought back at age 34 but seemed to be step slow last year. Marcus Gilchrist
provides versatility with ability to cover slot.
Fantasy Players To Watch: WR Amari Cooper. Considered top receiver heading into last year. Cooper had career lows with 48 catches for 680 yards in 2017.
Raiders believe he can get back to 1,000-yard level from first two seasons.
Red-zone favorite Crabtree let go this offseason, possibly creating more TD
chances for Cooper.
Vegas Says: Super Bowl 35-1. Over/under wins 8.
Expectations: Return of Gruden brings optimism to Raiders fans who have had just two winning seasons since he left following 2001 and seeking success before
move to Las Vegas in 2020. That changed when team traded best player in Mack
before start of season following contract holdout. Questions remain about how
Gruden will fare after nine seasons away from sideline. He seeks return to power
football and old-school styles successful in first stint. Gruden likely adding
new modern wrinkles to offense as well. Best move might be hiring of Guenther,
which gives Raiders first proven DC in years. Defense needs better schemes with
Mack gone following trade to Chicago. Pressure on rookies Hurst, Hall, Key to
make up for pass rush missing with Mack’s
trade.
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