they hope that good enough pitching can keep them in games

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. Patrick McCaw Jersey . Rodgers was ruled out on Friday by Packers head coach Mike McCarthy. Matt Flynn will make his second consecutive start for the Packers. Lucas Nogueira Jersey . Anor had not scored since getting his first two goals of the season vs. Philadelphia on March 22 but struck with laser precision from distance in the 56th and 75th minutes. Montreal (3-10-5) lost its third straight and Impact coach Frank Klopas said it literally was a case of his players not stepping up. https://www.raptorsrookiesshop.com/Kyle-Lowry-City-Edition-Jersey/ . Rajne Soderberg, the director of the Stockholm Diamond League event, said in an email Friday that the ban still holds. Euromeetings, the organization representing Europes top track events, "will continue to recommend that members do not invite athletes who we believe cause disrepute to our meetings and our sport. Marc Gasol Jersey . The shortstop still grieves, but it will be nights like the one Segura had in a 5-2 victory Monday over the Cincinnati Reds that will provide some distraction. Cameron Payne Jersey . Now he has a complete game. Scherzer tossed a three-hitter in his 179th career start for his first complete game and Victor Martinez hit his 16th homer to lead the Detroit Tigers a 4-0 win over the Chicago White Sox.SANTA CLARA, Calif. - Jim Harbaugh welcomes a sit-down with 49ers CEO Jed York and general manager Trent Baalke to discuss the future — his future — after a season that will end in two weeks without a playoff berth for the first time during his four-year tenure.Harbaugh said Monday no meeting is scheduled and wouldnt say whether he should be the one to initiate it.Im always available to talk to the owner and general manager, of course, Harbaugh said a day after the Niners were eliminated from playoff contention with a 17-7 loss at Seattle. Everybodys been head down, everybodys been focused on the season — players, coaches, front office. Thats been our approach.Theres an uncomfortable vibe around team headquarters given the uncertain future of Harbaugh, who has one season remaining on the $25 million, five-year contract he signed in January 2011. Especially with two remaining home games at Levis Stadium, where the 49ers (7-7) have hardly established much of a home-field advantage.Harbaugh acknowledged how much his unsettled position might be taking the focus off of his players.I would rather talk about how proud I am of them. Theres been a lot taken away from them and the way theyve been playing, he said. I hate to keep contributing to that.Now, Harbaugh wants to end this disappointing year on a positive note. San Francisco hosts San Diego on Saturday night then finishes the season at home against NFC West-leading Arizona on Dec. 28.We have a lot to play for. Play these next two games like our lives depend on it, Harbaugh said. So, playing for a winning season, playing for each other, playing for the team, playing for the honour of the game.Several big-name 49ers also might be playing their final games in a San Francisco uniform, including franchise all-time leading rusher Frank Gore, wide receiver Michael Crabtree, linebacker Ahmad Brooks and defensive lineman Justin Smith if he decides to retire.Gore sustained a concussion Sunday but Harbaugh said he reported to the teams facility Monday doing well.Frank is in today. They said hes feeling good, as good as can be expected, Harbaugh said.Never one to offer an excuse for why things went wrong, Harbaugh nevertheless has dealt with key injury losses. That list includes linebackeer NaVorro Bowman, who was unable to return from the devastating left knee injury from last Januarys NFC championship game at Seattle that required surgery.dddddddddddd San Francisco also missed linebacker Patrick Willis down the stretch, nose tackles Glenn Dorsey and Ian Williams and centre Daniel Kilgore, among others.Im sure they factor in. How much I dont have a specific answer, Harbaugh said.Given the injuries and disappointment of a lost season, there will be questions about key positions on both sides of the ball and few jobs necessarily safe.The character of this team has always been there, no matter what people think, we dont really care, right guard Alex Boone said. It doesnt matter, there are no excuses —we need to execute better. Proud of the way guys fought, we will watch the film and it is what it is. We will continue to fight though, we cant give up.Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, Harbaughs longtime coaching rival in the NFL and college game, said on his radio show Monday morning that the embattled Harbaugh seemed to appreciate his counterparts support leading up to Sunday given the constant speculation on Harbaughs job status.I talked to him before the game and he came up and said something just about the week and comments that were made during the week and he was grateful somebody took a stand for him, I think, Carroll said.Safety Antoine Bethea hopes to see the team stick together for the home stretch.Finish the season strong and go into the off-season with our heads held high. No quit, he said. We are eliminated from the playoffs, but we will see who will come to work these next two weeks and give it all for each other.NOTES: Harbaugh didnt rule out RT Anthony Davis, who has missed the last four games with a concussion, returning Saturday against the Chargers. ... Brooks (dislocated thumb) could have a tough time playing if he cant use his hand and push people to do his job, Harbaugh said. He is another player who might not be back in 2015. ... Two key rookies, RB Carlos Hyde and LB Chris Borland, were scheduled for MRI exams on their injured ankles.___AP Sports Writer Tim Booth in Seattle contributed to this report.___AP NFL websites: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '