Ageless Colon clips Blue Jays’ wings

TORONTO — Whatever is written across the jersey Bartolo Colon wears, it always comes with the same letter: W.

Less than a month shy of his 45th birthday, Colon pitched seven efficient innings to earn his first win with the Rangers, helping them beat the Blue Jays 7-4 on Saturday.

Colon has posted victories with 11 different teams in the majors, including the Expos. He is the fourth pitcher to win with 11 clubs, joining LaTroy Hawkins, Mike Morgan and Ron Villone — no one won with more.

“It’s incredible what he’s been able to accomplish in his 40 years pitching in the big leagues,” teammate Delino DeShields joked.

This was Colon’s 241st career victory — two short of tying Juan Marichal’s mark for pitchers born in the Dominican Republic and four away from matching Dennis Martinez’s record for most among Latin-born players.

“He’s closing in on a pretty historic mark,” Rangers manager Jeff Banister said. “You’re knocking down names that some of these younger guys probably have to go into the Baseball Encyclopedia to look up.”

Asked about his climb up baseball’s all-time leaderboards, Colon displayed his trademark nonchalance.

“If I keep passing guys, that’s good,” he said through a translator.

Colon gave up three runs and six hits, walking none and striking out two. He retired the first nine batters in his sixth game for the Rangers, including four starts, and he left with a 2.87 ERA.

“He’s not the power guy he used to be, but he’s a master at what he does,” Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. “He picks the plate apart.”