Toronto Blue Jays pitcher and Long County native Dustin McGowan posted solid outings in three recent Major League Baseball games.  
Thursday in Toronto, McGowan entered in the top of the ninth inning against Detroit. He struck out all three batters — Tori Hunter, reigning American League MVP Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder. McGowan threw 18 pitches in the inning, with 11 going for strikes.
The Tigers won, 6-2.      
Saturday in Toronto, McGowan again saw action in the top of the ninth, this time with his team holding on to a four-run lead over the Minnesota Twins. McGowan again retired the side, getting Trevor Plouffe to pop out, Oswaldo Arcia to fly out and Chris Parmelee to ground out to secure the 4-0 win. McGowan threw 14 pitches, with nine going for strikes.  
In Sunday’s series finale, according to ESPN.com, McGowan had another stellar outing. He pitched the top of the seventh, allowed no hits or walks and recorded two strikeouts. Ten of his 14 pitches were strikes.
Heading into Tuesday’s action, according to baseball-reference.com, McGowan had a 1.93 earned-run average and 12 strikeouts in 9 1/3 innings since coming off the disabled list in June.
The Blue Jays were 43-45, 9 1/2 games behind the AL East-leading Boston Red Sox.
Toronto is seventh in the AL Wild Card race.