OAKLAND, Calif. _ All the good vibes coming from the news that designated hitter Khris Davis would remain with the Oakland Athletics at least two more seasons weren't enough to prevent a 5-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays Friday night at the Coliseum.
Toronto right-hander Marcus Stroman (1-3) gave up just six hits in eight innings and retired Davis four times, once on a grounder to first and three times in strikeouts. He gave up a double to Kendrys Morales to open the ninth, with Ken Giles coming on to finish off the A's before a crowd of 15,128.
Toronto improved to 9-12, while the A's, who have just four runs in the three games on this homestand, fell to 11-11.
Toronto made it 5-1 against A's starter Aaron Brooks (2-2) in the fourth inning when Brandon Drury hit his first home run of the season, a line drive over the left field fence. Brooks made it through the fifth, and after six scoreless innings in his first start, the right-hander has given up 13 runs in 16 innings in his last three starts.
Brooks' undoing was in a four-run second inning. It began with a double over the head of right-fielder Stephen Piscotty, followed by a walk to Teoscar Hernandez. Billy McKinney singled to load the bases and after Drury popped to second, third baseman Socrates Brito snapped an 0-for-23 slump dating back to last season with a single to tie the game 1-1.
Catcher Danny Jansen, the No. 9 hitter, was next, and he poked a double right field to drive in two runs. Former A's infielder Eric Sogard then singled in the fourth run of the inning.
The A's struck quickly in the bottom of the first against Stroman, with Marcus Semien hitting a single to center and Matt Chapman hitting a double to center to drive him home.
The series continues Saturday with Mike Fiers (2-1, 7.06) facing Toronto's Matt Shoemaker (3-0, 1.75).
