Martin, Dickey lead Blue Jays to win over A's
OAKLAND -- Russell Martin homered and drove in three runs, R.A. Dickey allowed two runs in a sharp 8 1/3-inning effort and the Blue Jays beat the A's 5-2 on Thursday afternoon at the Coliseum.
Hours after Scott Kazmir was dealt to the Astros, Drew Pomeranz filled in as the A's starter, but only lasted 1 2/3 innings. The A's used four pitchers in total and surrendered two home runs to Toronto, including one to former A's third baseman Josh Donaldson in the fifth.
"It was kind of a rush job on Pomeranz and our bullpen had to carry a heavy load today," A's right fielder Josh Reddick said, "so it was definitely tough to deal with all around."
Chris Colabello doubled home Martin in the fourth for the go-ahead run, as the Jays went on to win their second-straight series. The A's lost their first series since dropping two of three to the Yankees from July 7-9.
Video: TOR@OAK: Colabello doubles to take a one-run lead
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
Dickey fills in admirably: With Drew Hutchison unable to make the start due to the flu, Dickey was asked to step in and he did so with a start the was reminiscent of his Cy Young season of 2012. Dickey pitched into the ninth inning, allowing two runs on five hits with one walk and six strikeouts. It was Dickey's first win on the road this season and his first overall since June 18 against his former team, the Mets. More >
Video: TOR@OAK: Dickey limits two runs, fans six over 8 1/3
Martin caps impressive series: Martin's prolonged slump at the plate is officially over after a breakout series vs. the A's. He provided an early spark on Thursday afternoon with a two-run homer in the second and he later doubled before scoring in the fourth. Martin finished the series 7-for-10 with two homers, a double and seven RBIs over three games. Prior to his series, Martin's average had dropped to .247, which was his lowest mark since May 4.
"I kind of backed off the plate and when I get off the plate it kind of gets me locked into staying on the ball better," Martin said of his opposite-field homer. "Hitting the ball the other way has always been kind of the way my swing works. I'm able to hit balls that are inside, I can still handle them and hit them to the right side."
Video: TOR@OAK: Martin lifts a sacrifice fly to add to lead
Donaldson's dinger: Donaldson continued his triumphant return to Oakland with a solo homer in the top of the fifth inning. According to Statcast™, Donaldson's 23rd of the season was projected to land 392 feet from home plate and the ball left his bat at 102 mph. Donaldson also had a pair of hits in each of the series' first two games in his first trip to the Bay Area since the blockbuster offseason trade.
"This wasn't just a normal series for me," Donaldson said. "There were definitely some emotions there but that being said I'm glad I was able to have some success this series and help my team win."
Video: TOR@OAK: Donaldson lifts solo homer, adds to lead
One to the next: Before the game, A's manager Bob Melvin said the A's would "need some length in the bullpen" on Thursday, and they certainly did. Pomeranz, filling in for Kazmir, lasted just 1 2/3 innings. The left-hander threw 44 pitches and gave up a two-run blast to Martin in the second before Dan Otero replaced him. Otero surrendered two runs of his own in three innings, Arnold Leon pitched 3 1/3 innings and Eric O'Flaherty tossed a clean ninth.
"It's going to be a progression to get him there," Melvin said of Pomeranz. "Forty-five pitches was what we were looking for today. It's not an easy thing to do."
Pomeranz found out around 10 a.m. PT that he would start a mere two and a half hours later.
"If I had found out in advance maybe I would do a few things a little different," Pomeranz said, "but finding out today there's really not much you can do." More >
Video: TOR@OAK: Pomeranz hits Reyes on pickoff attempt
QUOTABLE
"It's a very transient business, and guys move out of not just our clubhouse but any clubhouse. You'll have those friendships for life and personal and professional relationships, but it's your job as a professional to move on and deal with the group we have here right now." -- Melvin, on Kazmir being traded
Video: TOR@OAK: Melvin on Kazmir's departure, moving on
SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS
The Blue Jays have homered in six consecutive games and have 11 over that same span. Dating back to 2010, no team in baseball has hit more home runs in July than Toronto's 185. Baltimore is second with 171.
Billy Burns recorded his 29th multi-hit game, tops among Major League rookies and all A's players.
Video: TOR@OAK: Burns singles to put A's on the board
REYES LEAVES GAME
Jose Reyes was forced to leave the game in the bottom of the eighth inning after he was struck in the face by the ball. Reyes was getting ready to receive a throw from right fielder Jose Bautista as Burns slid into second. The ball ricocheted off Burns' body and then kicked up and hit Reyes in the face but the injury is not considered serious and he's expected to play Friday night in Seattle. More >
Video: TOR@OAK: Reyes exits after getting hit in the face
UPON FURTHER REVIEW
Brett Lawrie hit a dribbler to Dickey with one out in the second. Dickey fielded it cleanly and threw toward first. Lawrie was called safe initially, but after a quick review the call was overturned and the A's didn't score the rest of the frame.
Video: TOR@OAK: Lawrie out after review in the 2nd inning
WHAT'S NEXT
Blue Jays: Right-hander Drew Hutchison is expected to start when the Blue Jays open a three-game series against the Mariners on Friday at 10:10 p.m. ET at Safeco Field. Hutchison originally was supposed to start Thursday afternoon in Oakland, but he was scratched from that outing because of flu-like symptoms. If Hutchison isn't ready to go on Friday, the start instead will go to right-hander Marco Estrada.
Athletics: Jesse Chavez pitches for the A's on Friday in a 7:15 p.m. PT start at San Francisco. Chavez tossed six shutout innings on Sunday in a 14-1 win over the Twins. He yielded an average of four earned runs in his previous four starts, but the performance against Minnesota was one of his best of the season.