TORONTO - Brandon Morrow gave up just three hits Saturday in tossing his second complete game shutout of the season as the Toronto Blue Jays defeated the New York Mets 2-0 in interleague play.

The right-hander struck out eight while walking just one as the Jays recorded their fourth straight victory.

Toronto (23-18) scored twice with three two-out hits in the fifth inning to send the Mets (21-19) to their sixth loss in the past nine games.

New York made it interesting in the top of the ninth. After Scott Hairston walked to start the inning, Mike Baxter singled with one out in the ninth.

Hairston advanced to third but Toronto right-fielder Jose Bautista threw out Baxter as he tried for a double. Baxter and Mets manager Terry Collins protested the call as replays showed Yunel Escobar's tag at second missed the New York baserunner.

Daniel Murphy then lined out to Escobar to end the game.

Morrow's other shutout this season was a three-hitter against the Los Angeles Angels on May 3.

Mets starter Miguel Batista left the game after two innings with discomfort in his lower back. The 41-year-old former Blue Jay was replaced by right-hander Jeremy Hefner who was called up from triple-A Buffalo.

Batista allowed one hit and one walk, both in the second. Edwin Encarnacion's team leading 10th double of the season led off the second and Eric Thames took a walk with one out but Batista ended the inning with a strikeout and a line drive to centre.

Hefner pitched five innings and allowed four hits and two runs.

The Blue Jays took a 2-0 in the fifth. Jeff Mathis singled with two out to start the rally and scored on a double by Kelly Johnson. Johnson advanced to third on an error by Mets centre-fielder Andres Torres and scored on Escobar's single.

Morrow did not allow a baserunner until Ronny Cedeno singled to right with one out in the third inning.

Bautista made a fine running catch going out toward the right-field fence on a line drive by Torres for the third out of the sixth inning.

The Mets' only other hit was a double to right by Lucas Duda with two out in the seventh. But Morrow ended the inning by striking out Ike Davis.

Notes: Attendance at Rogers Centre was 34,962. ... Mets infielder Jordany Valdespin was demoted to make room for Hefner. ... Blue Jays catcher J.P. Arencibia and outfielder Rajai Davis were back in the Blue Jays' lineup after each hit two homers in Friday's 14-5 win. Arencibia was the designated hitter, with Mathis behind. Davis started in centre field. ... Mets third baseman David Wright, who leads the majors with a .409 batting average, had cold symptoms including a sore throat and did not start on Saturday. ... Toronto's Henderson Alvarez (3-3, 2.62 earned-run average) will start Sunday against New York's Dillon Gee (2-3, 5.65 ERA).