Toronto Blue Jays annihilated by Oakland Athletics 2-7 – MLB Update
Toronto Blue Jays were annihilated by the Oakland Athletics 2-7 at Rogers Centre in Toronto, Ontario on Tuesday, July 24 in the opening game of their three match series of the 2012 Major League Baseball regular season.
Credit should be given to the Athletics for raising their game significantly after the All Star Break. With just one loss and nine wins in their last ten games, it seems the A’s have found the perfect formula to win games on a regular basis.
The fact the Athletics swept the American League East Division Leaders New York Yankees in their previous series gives an idea of the comfort level they are feeling right now. It will be interesting to see of the can continue their incredible winning run
to replace the AL West leaders, Texas Rangers.
"We're on a roll," Oakland’s starter Travis Blackley said. "We're enjoying the game and we expect to be able to come up big in certain situations and we're doing it over and over again."
Blue Jays’ starting pitcher Brett Cecil gave up five hits and two runs in six innings to take his third loss of the season.
"Brett used his changeup, his curveball and his cutter in to right-handers and had a number of batters off-balance," Blue Jays’ manager John Farrell said.
Derek Norris provided Oakland with the perfect start as he homered to left in the second inning and Brandon Inge scored to make the score 2-0 in his team’s favour.
Toronto’s left fielder Travis Snider homered to right in the third to reduce the lead to 2-1 but the A’s were determined to put a big total on the board.
Jemile Weeks and Coco Crisp made the most of available opportunities in the seventh and Yoenis Cespedes drove in a three run single to take the lead beyond Blue Jays’ reach.
"Just winning in itself is contagious," infielder Jemile Weeks said. "Once you get the belief that you can win, it's easier to come about finding that W."
Blue Jays’ J.P. Arencibia homered in closing stages of the game but Oakland held on to their lead comfortably to take 1-0 lead in the series.
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