TORONTO – Friday was a special night for R.A. Dickey.

Not only did he earn career win No. 100 on the fourth attempt in the Toronto Blue Jays' 5-3 win over the Tampa Bay Rays, it came at an important time.

The win gave the Blue Jays a four-game lead in the American League East over the New York Yankees, who lost 5-2 to the Chicago White Sox.

"It's really special," said 40-year-old Dickey. "I think I had 28 wins before I was 35 and 72 after. It's been a tough year for me, losing my dad and things like that. So to be able to celebrate this at home, in my 100th start for the Blue Jays, is really poetic."

Designated hitter Josh Donaldson, center fielder Kevin Pillar and right fielder Jose Bautista hit solo homers for the Blue Jays (88-65).

"It's no secret, we know that they have the ability to hit the ball out of the ballpark," Rays manager Kevin Cash said. "The good thing is, when they do it, if you can keep them solo, it keeps you in the ballgame. That's what allowed us to stay in the ballgame."

Catcher J.P. Arencibia homered in the eighth for the Rays (75-79), who entered the night five games out of a wild-card spot.

Dickey (11-11), a right-handed knuckleballer, allowed four hits, no walks and two runs while striking out two in seven innings. He retired the final 11 batters he faced.

Right-hander Roberto Osuna pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 18th save of the season as the Blue Jays appear headed to the postseason for the first time since 1993.

"That's what's first and foremost to me is keeping the gas pedal down," Dickey said. "I don't know what's happening in the Yankee game. I know if we take care of business, it doesn't matter what happens in the Yankee game. To me to be a part of that and keep us winning, that momentum, there's a great feeling here and we're playing well. That's what I care about, and it was a great night for that."

Rays right-hander Jake Odorizzi (8-9) allowed two home runs among seven hits that he allowed in five innings. He gave up three walks and four runs and struck out four.

"I really had to work tonight," Odorizzi said. "I feel thankful that I only gave up four runs. I made a lot of good pitches to get out of jams, which it seemed like I was in all night. I just really had to fight and claw my way through it."

The Rays scored twice in the first. Left fielder Grady Sizemore doubled with one out, third baseman Evan Longoria singled and second baseman Logan Forsythe was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

A wild pitch scored Sizemore, and shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera hit a sacrifice fly to center.

"He struggled a little bit early on," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said of Dickey. "Then he kicked it in gear like he does every time."

Consecutive two-out doubles by Pillar and third baseman Cliff Pennington gave Toronto a second-inning run.

Donaldson tied the game with his 40th home run of the season, hitting a 2-2 cutter to center with one out in the third. Gibbons gave Donaldson a rest from third base by using him as DH.

"He's having a huge year, an MVP year," Gibbons said. "He was in a little bit of rut. It's been a pleasure to watch him."

"It just stayed up and Donaldson put a good swing on it," Arencibia said. "That's what these guys do. You can't really make many mistakes."

Toronto took a 4-2 lead in the fourth.

Pillar led off the fourth by taking a 1-1 fastball to center for his 12th homer of the season.

Pennington followed with a double, was sacrificed to third by second baseman Darwin Barney and scored on left fielder Ben Revere's single.

Bautista led off the seventh with his 37th homer of the season on a 1-2 curveball from right-hander Kirby Yates, the second Rays reliever, to increase Toronto's lead to 5-2.

Arencibia, a former Blue Jay, led off the eighth with his sixth homer of the season on a first-pitch fastball from right-hander Mark Lowe.

NOTES: Rays LHP Jake McGee (torn left meniscus) will be activated from the disabled list Saturday. He has been on the disabled list since Aug. 20. ... Blue Jays SS Troy Tulowitzki (left collarbone fracture) continues to feel improvement as he works out and took swings off a tee on Thursday's off day. There is no date for a return. He was injured Sept. 12. ... 2B Devon Travis (left shoulder) had a cyst drained in his shoulder but no structural damage was detected from the exploratory procedure performed Wednesday. He will be ready for spring training. He went on the 15-day DL July 29 for the second time this season and was later moved to the 60-day DL. ... Former Tampa Bay teammates will oppose each other on the mound Saturday with LHP David Price (17-5, 2.34 ERA) starting for the Blue Jays against Rays RHP Chris Archer (12-12, 2.92 ERA.)