Toronto Blue Jays' Marco Estrada pitches a gem

The Toronto Blue Jays opened up a 3.5-game lead in their MLB division after shutting out the Atlanta Braves 5-0.

Pitcher Marco Estrada allowed just three hits and walked two in eight scoreless innings on the mound, earning his 13th win of the season and pushing the Blue Jays closer to the American League (AL) East division title.

Josh Donaldson and Cliff Pennington both homered for the Blue Jays, who now have only divisional rivals ahead of them in their run to the play-offs.

The Blue Jays host the Boston Red Sox, the New York Yankees - their only threat to the East title - and the Tampa Bay Rays in three-game series, before a three-game stint at the Baltimore Orioles to complete the regular season.

Significantly closer to division glory are the Kansas City Royals, who were 8-4 winners over the Cleveland Indians.

The AL Central pacesetters' magic number (the combined number of Royals wins and their closest rivals' losses) is six after the Minnesota Twins fell to an 11-8 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.

A four-run eighth saw the Orioles end the Rays' shutout bid and claim a 4-3 victory.

Justin Bour and Martin Prado both struck multi-run homers - the former's worth three - in the Miami Marlins' 6-4 triumph over the Washington Nationals.

The Oakland Athletics pinched victory over the Chicago White Sox 4-2 courtesy of Billy Butler's ninth-inning three-run homer.

A six-run fifth saw the Chicago Cubs - wildcard holders in the National League - down the Pittsburgh Pirates 9-6.