TORONTO (AP) – Scott Downs combined with three relievers on a five-hitter to lead the Toronto Blue Jays to a 2-1 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Saturday.

Cleveland, which had won eight of its previous nine, managed just an unearned run and dropped one game back in the AL wild-card race. The Indians are a major league-best 18-7 since July 31.

Downs (2-3) allowed a run on a throwing error by first baseman Eric Hinske. The 29-year-old left-hander, who has 1.75 ERA in his last four starts, gave up three hits, struck out six and walked two in six-plus innings.

Jason Frasor pitched the seventh, Scott Schoeneweis got an out in the eighth and Miguel Batista finished for his 24th save in 29 chances. Cleveland had runners on first and second with two outs in the eighth, but Batista struck out Victor Martinez.

Kevin Millwood (7-11) pitched a six-hitter for his first complete game since Aug. 7, 2003, for Philadelphia at Colorado. Millwood, who allowed run-scoring singles to Frank Catalanotto and Russ Adams, has a 3.18 ERA but the Indians have averaged only 3.25 runs in his starts.

Cleveland’s Casey Blake doubled in the third and scored on Hinske’s throwing error to third. After recording an out at first on Grady Sizemore’s grounder to second, Hinske tried to get Blake at third but his throw sailed into foul territory.

Toronto (65-64) won for just the second time in nine games and avoided falling under .500 for the first time since July 19.

Hudson singled in the third, stole second and scored on Catalanotto’s single. Hinske and Hudson singled in fourth before Adams singled for a 2-1 lead.

Notes: Downs has yielded three earned runs or fewer in five of his last six outings.

AP-ES-08-27-05 1901EDT


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