Blue Jays stun A's with HRs in ninth
The Sports Xchange
Jul 26, 2017
TORONTO -- Justin Smoak hit a two-run homer and Kendrys Morales followed with a solo blast as the Toronto Blue Jays rallied for three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat the Oakland Athletics 3-2 on Wednesday night.
The rally spoiled a solid effort from Oakland starter Paul Blackburn, who held the Blue Jays to two hits and three walks while striking out three in seven scoreless innings in his fifth career major league start.
Santiago Casilla (2-5) entered in the ninth and issued a leadoff walk to Josh Donaldson. Smoak followed with his 28th homer of the season to tie the score and Morales followed with his 18th.
Marcus Semien hit a two-run homer for Oakland.
The Blue Jays (47-54) have won the first three games of the four-game series and the Athletics (44-57) have lost 11 of their past 12 games at the Rogers Center.
Toronto starter Marco Estrada did not factor in the decision as he failed to pick up his first win since May 27, a span of 10 starts, after allowing two runs, three hits and four walks in five innings. The right-hander struck out four.
Left-hander Matt Dermody replaced Estrada in the sixth inning and struck out his only batter, Yonder Alonso, before being replaced by Dominic Leone, who retired the final two batters of the inning.
Blackburn, meanwhile, retired nine straight batters after walking Jose Bautista in the third. Donaldson ended that string when he doubled with two outs in the sixth, the Blue Jays' second hit of the game.
Joe Biagini (3-8) got the final two outs in the ninth inning, working around a walk to post the victory.
Estrada escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first inning after he allowed two walks and an infield single.
A two-out walk to Matt Joyce in the fifth proved costly when Semien followed with his third homer of the season.
NOTES: Oakland C Josh Phegley (left oblique tightness) was a late scratch from the lineup and C Bruce Maxwell replaced him behind the plate and in the No. 8 spot in batting order. ... Athletics RHP Chris Bassitt (Tommy John surgery) was reinstated from the disabled list and optioned to Triple-A Nashville and RHP Bobby Wahl (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day DL. ... Toronto RHP Marcus Stroman (9-5, 2.98 ERA) faces Oakland LHP Sean Manaea (8-5, 3.82) in Thursday afternoon's series finale.
Jul 26, 2017
TORONTO -- Justin Smoak hit a two-run homer and Kendrys Morales followed with a solo blast as the Toronto Blue Jays rallied for three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning to defeat the Oakland Athletics 3-2 on Wednesday night.
The rally spoiled a solid effort from Oakland starter Paul Blackburn, who held the Blue Jays to two hits and three walks while striking out three in seven scoreless innings in his fifth career major league start.
Santiago Casilla (2-5) entered in the ninth and issued a leadoff walk to Josh Donaldson. Smoak followed with his 28th homer of the season to tie the score and Morales followed with his 18th.
Marcus Semien hit a two-run homer for Oakland.
The Blue Jays (47-54) have won the first three games of the four-game series and the Athletics (44-57) have lost 11 of their past 12 games at the Rogers Center.
Toronto starter Marco Estrada did not factor in the decision as he failed to pick up his first win since May 27, a span of 10 starts, after allowing two runs, three hits and four walks in five innings. The right-hander struck out four.
Left-hander Matt Dermody replaced Estrada in the sixth inning and struck out his only batter, Yonder Alonso, before being replaced by Dominic Leone, who retired the final two batters of the inning.
Blackburn, meanwhile, retired nine straight batters after walking Jose Bautista in the third. Donaldson ended that string when he doubled with two outs in the sixth, the Blue Jays' second hit of the game.
Joe Biagini (3-8) got the final two outs in the ninth inning, working around a walk to post the victory.
Estrada escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first inning after he allowed two walks and an infield single.
A two-out walk to Matt Joyce in the fifth proved costly when Semien followed with his third homer of the season.
NOTES: Oakland C Josh Phegley (left oblique tightness) was a late scratch from the lineup and C Bruce Maxwell replaced him behind the plate and in the No. 8 spot in batting order. ... Athletics RHP Chris Bassitt (Tommy John surgery) was reinstated from the disabled list and optioned to Triple-A Nashville and RHP Bobby Wahl (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day DL. ... Toronto RHP Marcus Stroman (9-5, 2.98 ERA) faces Oakland LHP Sean Manaea (8-5, 3.82) in Thursday afternoon's series finale.
