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Brandon Morrow, Blue Jays Shutout Mets 2-0

TORONTO (AP) — Brandon Morrow pitched his second shutout in four starts, blanking the Mets on three hits and leading the Toronto Blue Jays over New York 2-0 on Saturday.

Morrow (5-2) struck out eight and walked one to win for the fifth time in six outings. He has three career shutouts, including a victory over the Los Angeles Angels on May 3.

Toronto matched its season high by winning its fourth in a row overall.

Morrow also benefited from a close call in the ninth. Pinch-hitter Scott Hairston led off with a walk and went to third on Mike Baxter's one-out single. Baxter tried to stretch his hit into a double but was thrown out at second base by Jose Bautista.

Baxter and Mets manager Terry Collins argued with umpire Brian Knight that shortstop Yunel Escobar had failed to tag Baxter. Replays confirmed that Baxter should have been safe.

Instead, Morrow ended the game by getting Daniel Murphy to line out to shortstop.

New York lost for the sixth time in nine games and saw starter Miguel Batista leave with a sore lower back after two scoreless innings.

The right-hander warmed up for the third but had to be replaced by righty Jeremy Hefner, who was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo before the game.

Hefner (0-1) held the Blue Jays in check until the fifth, when ninth-place hitter Jeff Mathis singled with two outs. Kelly Johnson doubled to center and the ball got past Andres Torres for an error, allowing Mathis to score the opening run and sending Johnson to third. Escobar followed with an RBI single to right.

Mets third baseman David Wright, whose .409 batting average is highest in the majors, was held out of the lineup. Collins said Wright is still slowed by an illness and could be kept out of Sunday's series finale.

Escobar and Johnson each doubled and singled.

Morrow set down the first seven batters he faced before Ronny Cedeno singled through the right side in the third. Unfazed, Morrow retired the next 13 Mets batters in order, a streak that ended with Lucas Duda's two-out double to right in the seventh. Morrow promptly ended the inning by striking out Ike Davis.

NOTES: Mets INF Jordany Valdespin was optioned to Triple-A to make room for Hefner. ... Mets OF Jason Bay (fractured rib) hit off a tee Saturday and remains on track to resume full batting practice Monday in Pittsburgh. ... Blue Jays LHP Evan Crawford (back spasms) was not available. ... Toronto's Vladimir Guerrero went 0 for 4 Friday in his first game action at extended spring training, splitting time between the outfield and DH.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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