SANCHEZ HIT HARD AS BLUE JAYS SUFFER THIRD STRAIGHT LOSS

TORONTO — Unable to find the power switch when the starting pitching has been strong this season, the Toronto Blue Jays’ offence remained benign while starter Aaron Sanchez struggled on Friday night.

Uncharacteristic of his strong efforts on the mound this season, Sanchez was knocked around early and often in the Jays’ 8- 5 loss to the Oakland Athletics.

And even though the offence showed some life late at the Rogers Centre, it wasn’t enough to avoid a third consecutive loss.

Now with a record of 8-10, the vaunted Jays offence has topped five runs just twice this season, not enough to overcome the early hole they slipped into on Friday.

It was a disappointing outing for Sanchez, who was making just his 15th career start but had yielded an impressive 1.35 ERA in three appearances with the Jays this season.

The A’s got on the right- hander early, dinging him for 10 hits and six earned runs in four- and- onethird innings.