Blue Jays fend off late charge from Orioles to keep playoff hopes alive

Toronto Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo's surprise move inserting Cavan Biggio at first base Friday was one of the reasons his club kept its playoff hopes alive with two games to play in the regular season.

In his first game for the Blue Jays in two months, Biggio belted out three hits, knocked in a run and also scored in a four-run sixth inning of Toronto's 6-4 victory over the Baltimore Orioles.

The win kept the Blue Jays (89-71) one game behind Boston Red Sox in the tussle for the American League's second wild-card slot.

In a summer full of hand, neck and elbow ailments, Biggio left the Blue Jays on Aug. 2 with a back injury and was sent to triple-A Buffalo to get healthy.

Biggio was called up this week and drew into the lineup for Friday's series-opener on the regular season's final weekend.

"I don't want to get emotional or anything, but this was special," Biggio said.

Montoyo wanted to give Vladimir Guerrero Jr. a day off from fielding his position and used him as a designated hitter Friday.