(Toronto) The Oakland Athletics beat the Toronto Blue Jays 5-4 on Friday thanks to a home run by Shea Langeliers in the ninth inning, ending an eight-game losing streak.
JJ Bleday homered for two runs in the first inning and a sacrifice fly in the fifth for the Athletics (20-58). Langeliers also hit a single for an RBI in the first inning.
“It’s a great win,” said Athletics manager Mark Kotsay. We have lost a lot of games by just one point. We talked about it with the group before tonight’s game. Tonight is a bit of a reflection of the care taken over the details of the match. »
James Kapriellan allowed four runs, six hits and a walk, but threw eight strikeouts in his six innings. Sam Moll, Lucas Erceg (2-0) and Trevor May pitched for the Athletics.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a three-run homer for the Blue Jays (41-36) and Kevin Kiermaier hit a run-producing 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 inflating the score, but Jordan Romano (3-3) conceded the defeat after suffering the game-winning Langeliers homer.
“From there, I focused on a shot that I could handle and I got on it well,” Langeliers said.
The Athletics entered the game with a .247 winning percentage, the worst in baseball. The struggling franchise also saw supporters protest the team’s potential move to Las Vegas.
Blue Jays manager 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, it doesn’t matter where we play. It’s time to show who we are in a consistent way.
“It’s just about mentally focusing on the nine innings of each game. »