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Blue Jays beat up Braves to take series

Marco Estrada keeps showing he belongs in Toronto’s post-season rotation.That’s quite an accomplishment for a pitcher who began the season in the bullpen.Estrada combined with Roberto Osuna on a three-hitter, Cliff Pennington, Edwin Encarnacion and Josh Donaldson hit home runs, and the Blue Jays beat the Atlanta Braves 5-0 on Thursday night to extend their lead in the AL East.
Ryan Goins, Freddie Freeman
Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Ryan Goins (17) avoids Atlanta Braves' Freddie Freeman (5) as he turns a double play on an A.J. Pierzynski ground ball during the fourth inning of a baseball game Thursday

ATLANTA — Marco Estrada keeps showing he belongs in Toronto’s post-season rotation.

That’s quite an accomplishment for a pitcher who began the season in the bullpen.

Estrada combined with Roberto Osuna on a three-hitter, Cliff Pennington, Edwin Encarnacion and Josh Donaldson hit home runs, and the Blue Jays beat the Atlanta Braves 5-0 on Thursday night to extend their lead in the AL East.

The Blue Jays lead the New York Yankees, who did not play Thursday, by 3 1/2 games. Toronto won two of three games for their first series win over the Braves since 2008.

Estrada (13-8) allowed three hits with four strikeouts and two walks in eight innings. He did not allow a baserunner to reach second base.

“He shut them down he’s been doing it all year,” Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said.

Estrada lowered his ERA to 3.14 with his third start of the season with at least eight scoreless innings. His .206 opponents’ batting average leads the American League.

It’s quite a season considering his first six appearances came in relief.

“I just want to help the team any way possible,” Estrada said when asked to reflect on his move from the bullpen.

Estrada faced 27 batters and threw 28 balls among his 99 total pitches.

Adding to his memorable night was his single in Toronto’s four-run fourth.

“I got lucky,” he said.

Encarnacion led off the fourth with his 33rd homer, off Matt Wisler (5-8) and into the fifth row of the seats in left field. Pennington hit a three-run shot later in the inning.

Donaldson added a ninth-inning homer off Sugar Ray Marimon. The three homers boosted Toronto’s season total to 207, most in the majors.

Osuna pitched a perfect ninth.

Wisler allowed four runs and nine hits in six innings.

Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said it was important for Wisler to make it through six innings.

“That was a big goal,” Gonzalez said. “And we pushed him a little bit. We wanted him to go back out there. We gave him that challenge.”