(Toronto) The Oakland Athletics beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 on Friday courtesy of a ninth-inning home run by Shea Langeliers, ending an eight-game losing streak.
JJ Bleday scored two runs in the first innings and a sacrifice fly in the fifth for the Athletics (20-58). Langeliers also hit a single for an RBI in the first inning.
James Kapriellan allowed four runs, six hits and one walk, but threw eight strikeouts in his six innings. Sam Moll, Lucas Erceg (2-0) and Trevor May pitched for Athletics.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a three-run homer for the Blue Jays (41-36) and Kevin Kiermaier hit a run-production double.
Starting pitcher Chris Bassitt allowed four runs on five hits and two walks in five innings. He struck out four batters.
Relievers Trevor Richards, Tim Mayza and Erik Swanson prevented the Athletics from taking a lead, but Jordan Romano (3-3) suffered defeat after conceding Langeliers’ game-winning home run.
The Athletics entered the game with a . 247 winning percentage, the worst in baseball. The struggling franchise also saw fans protest the team’s possible move to Las Vegas.
Blue Jays head coach John Schneider said the three-game home series against the Athletics could be a real opportunity for his team.
“It’s time to show who we are,” Schneider said in his office before the game. It doesn’t matter who we play with, it doesn’t matter where we play. It’s time to consistently show who we are.
“It’s just mentally focusing on the nine innings of each game. »
