Blue Jays lock up first division title since 1993

The Toronto Blue Jays clinched their first division title in 22 years by clobbering the Baltimore Orioles 15-2 behind a career high five-hit performance from shortstop Ryan Goins.

The Jays fittingly captured the American League East Division with a blowout victory as they lead the league in that category, having scored 10 or more runs 26 times this season.

Edwin Encarnacion, Jose Bautista and Justin Smoak each hit home runs for the Jays in the first game of a doubleheader against the Orioles at Camden Yards. Bautista's solo homer in a five-run ninth inning was his 40th of the season.

The Blue Jays last claimed a division title in 1993 when they captured the World Series. That also was their last Major League Baseball playoff berth.

Toronto has won six straight and are now setting their sights on finishing with the best record in the American League, which would give them home-field advantage throughout the AL playoffs.

Goins went five-for-five and had a walk and two runs as Toronto finished with 18 hits.

Starting pitcher Marcus Stroman gave up just one run in eight solid innings. He surrendered five hits, striking out eight and walking two as he rarely got into trouble.

The right-hander has won all four starts since returning from a torn ACL in his left knee suffered during spring training. He has allowed five runs in 27 innings overall, only giving up a solo homer to Baltimore left fielder Steve Pearce in the seventh inning on Wednesday.

Veteran right-hander LaTroy Hawkins, who is retiring after the season, came on in the ninth to ice the victory.

Designated hitter Encarnacion hit a two-run homer in the seventh and first baseman Smoak both added a solo home run in the ninth.

The struggling Orioles have lost five consecutive contests and won't finish with a winning record for the first time since 2011.

Baltimore won the East Division last year -- clinching against Toronto at home.
Source: AFP