TORONTO (AP) — JJ Bleday and Zack Gelof each hit six home runs in the primary inning, JP Sears pitched seven innings to win his third straight start, and the Oakland Athletics beat the Toronto Blue Jays 8-4 on Sunday for his or her fiftieth win and matching their total from last season.
Lawrence Butler had three hits, including two in the primary inning, and scored a run, helping Oakland improve its record to 20-13 since July 2, the third-best record in baseball during that span.
The Athletics are 13-8 for the reason that All-Star break.
“It all comes down to confidence, and confidence is contagious,” Sears said.
Oakland (50-69) lost 112 games last season and 102 the 12 months before.
In 2023, the Athletics won their fiftieth victory on September 30, the penultimate day of the regular season.
“Last year was brutal at times,” Gelof said. “This year it's the same group. We have a few new people. I feel like we're all on the same wavelength and pulling in the same direction. It's just great to be a part of it. I feel like everyone is doing their job and we're having fun doing it.”
Bleday reached base 4 times, Gelof had three hits and Brent Rooker added two hits and an RBI. The Athletics have won six of their last eight series.
“They have confidence in this room,” manager Mark Kotsay said. “This group realizes they can win baseball games and be competitive and even win series. It's really nice to watch their success.”
Toronto hitter Vladimir Guerrero Jr. went 0-for-4, ending his hitting streak at 22 games. Guerrero's streak reached a profession high, which he first reached in 2022.
Guerrero hit a 110 mph grounder to shortstop in the primary inning, but was thrown out in the underside of the inning. He flew out to right within the fourth, and grounded into double plays within the seventh and eighth innings.
“I thought his swing was a little too big today,” manager John Schneider said. “It just wasn't his day.”
Sears (10-8) allowed three runs and three hits, reaching double-digit wins for the primary time. He also walked three and struck out 4 times.
“It's great to play behind him,” Gelof said. “He always fills the zone.”
The left-hander struck out the primary ten batters in a row before Daulton Varsho hit a house run within the fourth inning.
Varsho's home run was his 14th. It was Toronto's first hit for the reason that second inning of Saturday's 1-0 loss and its first run for the reason that eighth inning of Friday's 3-1 victory.
Sears was replaced after walking the primary two batters on base within the eighth inning. Michel Otañez got here on and allowed an RBI double by Luis De Los Santos and a two-run single by George Springer. Otañez hit Varsho with a pitch but escaped further damage when Guerrero hit a ground ball right into a double play on the primary pitch.
Oakland's Mason Miller finished 1-2-3 and tied for ninth place.
The first 4 batters of the sport reached third safely against Blue Jays right-hander Chris Bassitt (Sept. 11). Butler doubled and scored on a fielding error before Bleday hit a two-run homer, his 14th. Three batters later, Gelof hit a two-run shot, his fifteenth. Daz Cameron doubled before Butler capped the inning with an RBI single.
In his sixth start against his former team, Bassitt reached his season low by allowing seven runs in 4 innings.
Originally published:
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