Oakland 2, Toronto 0

Rich Harden matched his career high with 11 strikeouts as the host Oakland Athletics blanked the visiting Toronto Blue Jays 2-0 on Friday.

Josh Willingham hit a two-run homer off Brett Cecil in the first inning as Oakland won for the third time in four games.

Harden (4-2) allowed just two hits over seven shutout innings and helped halt Toronto’s streak of homering in 12 consecutive games.

Grant Balfour worked the eighth and Andrew Bailey retired Aaron Hill on a double-play grounder to finish up his 16th save.

The loss was just the second in seven games for Toronto, which had scored 46 runs over the previous six contests.

Jemile Weeks drew a leadoff walk prior to Willingham hitting his team-high 21st homer of the season.

Cecil (4-6) allowed two runs and four hits in seven innings.

Harden didn’t allow a hit until J.P. Arencibia’s fifth-inning single to left. Jose Bautista had the other hit off Harden. Rookie Brett Lawrie singled off Bailey in the ninth.

• Oakland will play their next game at home against Toronto. The Athletics have a W/L % of .436 after a win and .457 after a loss.
• Toronto will play their next game on the road against Oakland. The Blue Jays have a W/L % of .484 after a win and .541 after a loss.