The Oakland Athletics snapped their two-game losing skid with a 5-2 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Wednesday, thanks to a pair of home runs from Carlos Pérez and Kevin Smith. Pérez, who had been in a slump, hit a two-run shot off Hyun Jin Ryu in the fourth inning, while Smith, who was called up from the minors before the game, added a three-run blast off Trevor Richards in the sixth inning.
Pérez breaks out of slump with timely homer
Pérez, the A’s catcher, had been struggling at the plate, going 5-for-27 in his previous eight games. He came through with a clutch hit in the fourth inning, when he drove a 2-2 fastball from Ryu into the left field stands for his sixth home run of the season. The two-run shot gave the A’s a 2-1 lead and ended Pérez’s homerless drought of 19 games.
“I was just trying to put the ball in play and get a good pitch to hit,” Pérez said. “I was happy to help the team and get out of this slump.”
Smith makes an impact in his return to the majors
Smith, the A’s third baseman, was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas before the game, as Matt Chapman was placed on the injured list with a left hip strain. Smith wasted no time making an impression in his third stint with the big league club this season, as he hit a three-run homer off Richards in the sixth inning to extend the A’s lead to 5-1. It was Smith’s fifth home run of the season, and his first since June 11.
“It feels great,” Smith said. “Especially when you come up, you want to try to make as early of a contribution that you can. Obviously, I haven’t as well as I’ve wanted to when I’m up here. You have to make some contributions or you’re going to find yourself back down.”
Ryu suffers first loss since August
Ryu, the Blue Jays’ ace, had been unbeaten in his previous five starts, going 3-0 with a 2.08 ERA. He pitched well for most of the game, retiring nine of the first 10 batters he faced and striking out five with one walk. However, he made two costly mistakes that resulted in home runs for Pérez and Smith. Ryu allowed five hits and four runs in six innings and took his first loss since Aug. 1, when he made his season debut after recovering from Tommy John surgery.
“He’s been pitching a long time for a reason,” Smith said of Ryu. “He’s going to get you out, he’s going to throw his good pitches. He has some funky stuff, just the way that his change-up moves. He’s not going to overpower you, but he’s going to throw it where he wants. If he’s spotting up, it’s going to be a hard day.”
Sears earns first win since July
Sears, the A’s starter, had been winless in his last seven starts, going 0-5 with a 6.75 ERA. He pitched five uneven innings on Wednesday, working around four walks and allowing four hits and one run. He also hit two batters, increasing his major league-leading total to 21. Sears struck out three and earned his first win since July 28.
“I don’t know if he had his best stuff today, but that’s the competitor that we talked about,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said. “Really not his best command probably, but really managed the game and walked off the mound with a 2-1 lead.”
Miller returns from injury with two scoreless innings
Miller, the A’s top pitching prospect, made his first appearance since May 14, when he suffered a right forearm strain that sidelined him for 105 games. Miller pitched two scoreless innings in relief of Sears, striking out three and throwing 27 pitches. Miller showed off his electric fastball that can reach triple digits and his sharp slider that can generate swings and misses.
“It felt great to be back out there,” Miller said. “I’ve been working hard to get healthy and help this team win. I felt good today and I’m ready for whatever they need me to do.”
Schneider homers for Blue Jays
Schneider, the Blue Jays’ catcher, provided the only offense for his team with a solo home run off Dany Jimenez in the eighth inning. It was Schneider’s second home run of the season and his first since Aug. 15.
The Blue Jays had other opportunities to score, but they left nine runners on base and went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.
“We didn’t get the big hit today,” Blue Jays manager Charlie Montoyo said. “We had some chances, but we couldn’t cash in.”
A’s gain ground in wild-card race
The A’s improved to 77-66 with the win and gained a game on the Rangers, who lost to the Angels 7-4. The A’s are now three games behind the Rangers for the third AL wild-card spot, with 19 games remaining.
The Blue Jays dropped to 78-65 with the loss and remained a half-game ahead of the Rangers for the second AL wild-card spot. The Blue Jays have 19 games left as well.
The A’s and the Blue Jays will both head to Seattle for their next series, as they will face the Mariners, who are also in the wild-card hunt. The A’s will play a four-game set against the Mariners, starting on Thursday, while the Blue Jays will play a three-game series, starting on Friday.
