Athletics’ big bats help spoil Estrada’s return
OAKLAND, California — Edwin Jackson pitched scoreless ball into the sixth for his 100th career victory and the Oakland Athletics rediscovered their offence to thump the Toronto Blue Jays 10-1 on Monday night.
Jonathan Lucroy drove in three as the A’s used their signature power to clear the fences and get back on track after being swept in a three-game weekend series at Colorado, scoring four total runs at Coors Field following a seasonbest six-game winning streak.
Mark Canha hit a solo homer in the second to give Jackson (2-2) the lead on the way to the righthander’s first victory in exactly a month — since June 30 against Cleveland. Jackson struck out five, gave up three hits and walked three in 5 ⁄ innings.
Stephen Piscotty homered leading off the eighth and Lucroy followed his early sacrifice fly with a two-run double in the inning. Jed Lowrie had a two-run double of his own three batters later.
Nick Martini added an RBI double while Khris Davis also hit a sacrifice fly. Davis added a run-scoring single in the six-run eighth.
Aledmys Diaz homered to start the ninth for Toronto.
Oakland stayed perfect against the Blue Jays in 2018 after sweeping a four-game series at Toronto in May.
Jackson escaped trouble in the first after walking Curtis Granderson and Russell Martin to start the game.
Blue Jays right-hander Marco Estrada (4-8) came off the disabled list from a left glute strain and allowed four runs over four innings in his first start since July 3.
EXTRA BASES: Third baseman Josh Donaldson was transferred to the 60-day disabled list with left calf tightness to clear room on the 40-man roster. He is doing plyometric jumping exercises and running with sprinting work to come this week . ... Rookie 2B Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (left knee/sprained ankle) had an MRI exam a day after getting hurt on an awkward slide attempt trying to stretch a single into a double at the White Sox. The results were being reviewed by a foot and ankle specialist . ... CF Kevin Pillar, who has a sternoclavicular joint sprain from a diving catch, began taking batting practice on the field. He is turning and running without restriction and could do diving and sliding work this week, the team said . ... RHP Aaron Sanchez (bruised right index finger) is scheduled for a second bullpen session today. SEATTLE — James Paxton excelled in his return from the disabled list, Nelson Cruz had a two-run double in the sixth inning and the Seattle Mariners beat the Houston Astros 2-0 on Monday night.
Astros starter Gerrit Cole (10-3) carried a no-hitter into the sixth, but Jean Segura ended it with a two-out infield single. Two batters later, Cruz lined his double down the left-field line.
Cole was perfect through four innings while locked in a duel with Paxton (9-4), who was making his first start since leaving a July 12 game in Anaheim because of lower back inflammation.
Cole retired the first 12 batters he faced, striking out six, until he hit Cruz with a pitch leading off the fifth. After Segura’s single, Denard Span hit a clean single to right-centre, and Cruz hit a firstpitch slider inside third base. Segura scored easily, and the ball caromed off the protruding side wall, allowing Span to narrowly beat catcher Max Stassi’s tag after a strong throw by left fielder Marwin Gonzalez.
Paxton was brilliant for Seattle, scattering three hits — two of them infield singles — over seven innings. He struck out eight, did not walk a batter, and threw 59 of his 82 pitches for strikes.