Links » irit 7-3 on Wednesday to take a 3-1 lead in th

TORONTO -- Bludgeoned by injuries that seem to be piling up by the day, the Toronto Blue Jays dont have the offensive firepower they would like in the middle of a pennant race. Still, they hope that good enough pitching can keep them in games. J.A. Happ held up his end of the bargain Thursday night, but his stellar performance wasnt enough as the Blue Jays lost to the Baltimore Orioles 2-1 to fall five games back of the American League East leaders. "These are big games, theyre right behind us," said Orioles catcher Caleb Joseph, whose two-run shot was his fourth home run in the past four games. "We knew we had to come in and try to take care of business." Happ (8-6) was brilliant in striking out a career-high 12 batters in eight innings, and the lefty limited the damage on five hits allowed except for Josephs home run. Even after Happ and Drew Hutchison each tossed a gem in this vital series, Toronto lost two of three. "If we pitch like we have the last couple nights, we at least give ourselves a good shot," manager John Gibbons said. "Thats a game you normally think youre going to win." With a full lineup, perhaps the Blue Jays (61-55) couldve done more against starter Miguel Gonzalez (6-6) and the Baltimore bullpen. But the what-if game doesnt mean much with Adam Lind and Edwin Encarnacion still out but close to returning and third baseman Brett Lawrie gone until early September with an oblique strain. When Melky Cabrera got plunked in the right elbow in the first inning and had to leave the game because he couldnt swing, it was another blow. Nolan Reimold went 0 for 3, and the Blue Jays managed just five hits total on a night Anthony Gose hit his first home run of the season for the only run. "Our lineup is what it is right now," Gibbons said. "Some nights youre going to get that big hit, some nights youre not." That big hit never came as Happ became the first pitcher in franchise history to lose a home game when allowing two or fewer earned runs and striking out 12 or more. Happ threw 89 of his 125 pitches for strikes and worked out of a few jams with precision. "I just tried to relax and tried to make pitches and tried to execute and not put quite as much pressure on myself," Happ said. "Once I let go, its up in the air, whats going to happen is going happen." Happ gave up a few doubles, but the Orioles (65-49) didnt make him pay until the fifth, when Joseph hit a towering blast to left. On a night he didnt make many mistakes, Happ served one up on a 2-0 fastball in Josephs sweet spot down and in. "Just a bad pitch, and he didnt miss it," Happ said. "I kind of gave up the big hit, and that was the difference." It was only the difference because the Blue Jays didnt give Happ much support. Theyve scored two or fewer runs in four of their past six games and are 1-5 in that time. "Lets be realistic, were missing the home-run ball," Gibbons said. "Thats a big part of what we are, you know?" This loss dropped the Blue Jays into a second-place tie with the New York Yankees. Theyre also tied with the Yankees and Kansas City Royals for the ALs second wild-card spot. General manager Alex Anthopoulos said earlier Thursday that he hoped Lind could be back as early as Monday and Encarnacion later next week. X-rays on Cabreras elbow were negative, but Gibbons wasnt sure when hed be able to play. "Hes got a nice welt and seam marks on his arm," Gibbons said. "I dont think its a big deal, but like Ive said a hundred times, Ive said that before." Considering the Blue Jays face upcoming tests against the Detroit Tigers and pitchers Max Scherzer and David Price and then Seattle Mariners ace Felix Hernandez, they hope this run of strong pitching continues. "Wed love to get on a roll," Happ said. "Especially the teams we got coming up, I think were going to need it." But Happ and the rest of the starters dont want to put too much pressure on themselves. And Thursday night the Orioles showed them how to win these kinds of games. "You just never know whos going to be the guy -- they got so many good hitters up and down their lineup, you might not guess that Joseph was going to be the guy, but he was," Happ said. "Hopefully we have some of that, too." Notes -- Left-handed reliever Rob Rasmussen was returned to triple-A Buffalo so infielder Steve Tolleson could be reinstated from the paternity list for Fridays game against Detroit. Rasmussen had been recalled when Lawrie was placed on the 15-day disabled list. ... Joseph became just the third catcher in Orioles history to hit four home runs in four games, joining Gus Triandos in 1959 and Ramon Hernandez in 2006. ... Zach Britton picked up his 24th save of the season for Baltimore. Asics Baratas Chinas . The Major League Soccer teams were scheduled to play on Saturday night, but their game was rescheduled after Stu Tudor was hit during a pregame storm. The 54-year-old lieutenant in the Columbus Fire Department is in critical condition in the intensive care unit of the Ohio State Medical Center. Zapatillas Asics Baratas .S. Basketball Writers Association. McDermott, who finished his career at Creighton as college basketballs fifth-leading scorer, accepted the honour from Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson at AT&T Stadium, site of the Final Four. http://www.baratasasics.es/ . Following the Ford Womens World Curling Championship gold medal match that attracted record-breaking audiences to TSN, the networks exclusive live coverage of the tournament begins Saturday at 7am et/4am pt with Canadas opening draw against Denmark. Asics Baratas España ." The tournament was set to be held Sept. 15-21 and would have been the first ATP tournament held in Israel since 1996. But amid Israels military campaign against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, ATP President Chris Kermode said "we do not feel we can proceed as planned given the situation in the region. Asics Baratas Chinas Online . 1 Pete Sampras. Speaking ahead of an exhibition match against Andre Agassi in London on March 3, Sampras said on a conference call Wednesday that he is impressed by Federers longevity.SAGINAW, Mich. -- Dane Fox had a hat trick and added an assist as the Erie Otters rolled past the Saginaw Spirit 7-3 on Wednesday to take a 3-1 lead in the Ontario Hockey League playoff series. Toronto Maple Leafs prospect Connor Brown scored and had three assists for Erie, while Connor McDavid scored and added two assists. Andre Burakovsky and Brendan Gaunce had goals as well. Dylan Sadowy, Cody Payne and Blake Clarke supplied the offence for Saginaw. Devin Williams made 29 saves for the win, while Jake Paterson stopped 29 shots. --- GREYHOUNDS 2 ATTACK 0 OWEN SOUND, Ont. -- Matt Murray turned aside all 24 shots he faced as Sault Ste. Marie shut out the Attack to take a 3-1 series lead. Jorgen Karterud and Patrick Watling both scored for the Greyhounds.dddddddddddd Jack Flinn made 31 saves for Owen Sound. --- STORM 7 WHALERS 2 PLYMOUTH, Mich. -- Jason Dickinson had a pair of goals and added an assist as Guelph crushed the Whalers. Zack Mitchell scored and set up three other goals for the Storm, who lead the best-of-seven series 3-1. Pius Suter, Justin Auger, Tyler Bertuzzi and Nick Ebert found the back of the net as well. Justin Nichols made 40 saves for the win. Connor Chatham and Bryce Yetman scored for Plymouth. Alex Nedeljkovic started in the Whalers net, stopping 40 of 46 shots in 47:50 of work. Zack Bowman turned aside five of six shots in relief. ' ' '