Springer, Stripling lead Jays over Orioles

In his return from a two-week absence because of a right hip strain, starter Ross Stripling provided a near-perfect outing to steady the struggling Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday afternoon.

TORONTO – In his return from a two-week absence because of a right hip strain, starter Ross Stripling provided a near-perfect outing to steady the struggling Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday afternoon.

Stripling was perfect through six innings but wound up with a one-hitter in 6 1/3 innings and seven strikeouts in a 6-1 win against the Baltimore Orioles.

While the 32-year-old Texas resident was in the Blue Jays clubhouse icing down his right shoulder, George Springer ignited a six-run seventh inning with an RBI pinch-hit single to end a three-game losing streak.

“It was exactly what our team needed and more,” Springer said of Stripling’s performance.

The Blue Jays (62-54) have only three wins in 11 outings. The Orioles (61-56) have won 10 of 15 in August to creep too close for comfort to Toronto in the battle for the American League’s third and final wild-card spot. They left town 1 ½ games behind the Blue Jays.

“(Stripling) was a shot in the arm coming back from the IL,” interim Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “He was dialed in. He’s been a stabilizing force.”

The Blue Jays now have won Stripling’s last four starts with three no-decisions.

He enjoyed a 67-pitch, five-inning rehab start for triple-A Buffalo last Friday after last pitching on July 30 against the Detroit Tigers.