TORONTO - The better J.A. Happ pitches for the Toronto Blue Jays, the better the chance he finishes the season with another team.
Happ pitched a season-high 8 1/3 innings to win his fifth straight decision, and Kendrys Morales hit a two-run home run as the Blue Jays beat the Atlanta Braves 5-4 Wednesday for their seventh win in eight home games.
Happ (9-3) allowed four runs and six hits, struck out eight batters and walked none. The veteran left-hander is the first MLB pitcher this season to record four starts with at least eight strikeouts and no walks.
"He's got good life on his fastball. He's always been a thorn in the side," said Atlanta's Nick Markakis, who started at designated hitter, the first time this season he hasn't played one of the corner outfield spots.
With Toronto well behind in both the AL East and the wild-card standings, Happ could be a candidate for a midseason trade to a contender.
"I know he's in demand, and I can see why," Toronto manager John Gibbons said. "If we were on the other end of it, I'd want him, too."
Happ is in the final season of a three-year, $36 million contract.
"I signed to play here and try to help this team get to the playoffs," Happ said. "I know there may be rumors out there, but I like it here and my focus is here."
Happ improved 4-0 with a 2.72 ERA in nine career starts against the Braves.
"We knew going in it was going to be a tough ride," Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said.
Happ had retired 18 of 19 batters before Freddie Freeman and Markakis hit back-to-back singles with one out in the ninth inning.
Ryan Tepera came on and gave up an RBI single to Kurt Suzuki, struck out Charlie Culberson, then allowed an RBI single to Ender Inciarte, putting the tying run at second. Tepera finished it by getting Johan Camargo to fly out, earning his fifth save in eight opportunities this year.
Morales, who turned 35 Wednesday, went 2-for-3 and scored twice. He homered in the first inning - it was his sixth of the season - walked and scored in the fourth, singled in the fifth and flied out in the eighth.
Suzuki and Peter Bourjos hit solo home runs for the Braves, who lost for the second time in eight games. Atlanta began the day with an NL-best record of 43-29.
Braves right-hander Anibal Sanchez (3-1) allowed four runs and five hits in five innings.
"It wasn't bad, wasn't great," Snitker said. "He kept us in the game, gave us a chance."
Sanchez is 0-2 with a 9.19 ERA in his past three starts against the Blue Jays.
Suzuki connected in the second inning for his eighth homer this season, and Bourjos tied it in the third with his first homer of the season.
Toronto broke the deadlock in the fourth inning, when Randal Grichuk hit an RBI double and Aledmys Diaz followed with a sacrifice fly. Blue Jays infielder Yangervis Solarte made it 5-2 with a two-out RBI single off A.J. Minter in the seventh inning.
Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin has walked at least once in eight straight games, matching a career-long stretch. Martin, who walked twice Wednesday, also walked in eight straight in 2013.
Toronto is 28-1 this year when scoring five or more runs.
Atlanta is off Thursday before opening a three-game home series against Baltimore on Friday. Left-handed pitcher Sean Newcomb (8-2, 2.70 ERA), who has won eight of his past nine decisions, is scheduled to start for the Braves. The Orioles have not named a starter.