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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
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GAME LOG
TORONTO (AP) -- Frank Castillo made a triumphant return to the
mound.
Castillo, who hadn't pitched since July 9 because of elbow
tendinitis, allowed just one run in 5 2/3 innings as the Toronto
Blue Jays defeated the Baltimore Orioles 4-1 Sunday.
|  | | Tony Batista, who hit his 31st homer for the Blue Jays on Sunday, is the AL's most unlikely challenger for the home run title. |
"It had been two weeks since I pitched, so it was good to get
out there again," Castillo said. "My elbow was a little tight at
first, but once I got it loose it was fine."
Castillo (7-5) won his sixth straight decision. The 31-year-old
right-hander has limited the opposition to two earned runs or less
in nine of his 18 starts.
He allowed four hits while striking out six and walking three.
His only blemish came in the fourth when he walked Harold Baines
with the bases loaded. The Orioles had their three-game winning
streak stopped.
"Hopefully I won't have to worry about my elbow again,"
Castillo said.
Castillo, Pedro Borbon, Paul Quantrill, Lance Painter and Billy
Koch combined for a six-hitter.
Koch pitched two scoreless innings for his 24th save in 28
opportunities.
"It was a big win," Toronto manager Jim Fregosi said. "You
lose the first two games to Baltimore, and then you face Mike
Mussina, who you know is not going to give up many runs."
Tony Batista hit his 31st homer for the Blue Jays, who have
homered in a club-record 22 straight home games. The AL record is
23.
Batista said he doesn't try to hit homers.
"I always try to hit the fence," said Batista, who matched a
club record set by Kelly Gruber and Ed Sprague for homers by a
third baseman. "My target is the fence. If I don't hit in the
fence, I want to hit it over the fence."
Batista has 57 homers since being acquired from Arizona on June
12, 1999, for left-hander Dan Plesac.
Batista wasn't a full-time player with Diamondbacks because
manager Buck Showalter preferred Andy Fox at shortstop.
"I think Showalter has a headache now," Toronto catcher
Alberto Castillo said.
Mussina (6-10) lost his third straight start. In his fourth
complete game of the year and 43rd of his career, he gave up eight
hits, including four doubles.
Baltimore has scored three runs or less in 14 of Mussina's
starts.
"When I'm pitching, and I give up two or three runs, that's
pretty damaging," said Mussina, who was asked about the lack of
run support.
"That's the way my season's been. After every single time I
pitch someone asks me about that. I'm just sick of answering that
question. I just don't want to talk about it anymore."
Consecutive doubles by Shannon Stewart and Homer Bush gave
Toronto a 1-0 lead in the first.
Batista and Carlos Delgado hit back-to-back doubles to give
Toronto a 3-0 lead in the third.
Game
notes
Toronto RF Raul Mondesi missed his second straight game
with a sore right elbow. ... Mussina is 9-7 in his career against
Toronto. ... Castillo has limited opponents to a .230 average.
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ALSO SEE
Baseball Scoreboard
Baltimore Clubhouse
Toronto Clubhouse
RECAPS
Boston 1
Chi. White Sox 0
Detroit 12
Kansas City 9
NY Yankees 5
Tampa Bay 1
Toronto 4
Baltimore 1
Cleveland 8
Minnesota 3
Oakland 5
Anaheim 0
Texas 3
Seattle 2
Cincinnati 5
Arizona 3
Philadelphia 4
Pittsburgh 1
Chicago Cubs 5
Milwaukee 4
San Diego 6
Colorado 4
Houston 15
St. Louis 7
Montreal 7
Florida 6
Atlanta 1
NY Mets 0
Los Angeles 5
San Francisco 0
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