Athletics 14, Blue Jays 6
Josh Reddick became the first Oakland player in nearly nine years to hit three home runs in a game and Jed Lowrie slugged a three-run homer as part of a 4-for-4 night as the visiting Athletics crushed Toronto in the opener of a four-game series.
Reddick hit solo homers in the third and fifth and went deep with two on in the sixth to make it 12-3. Lowrie and Yoenis Cespedes went deep in a four-run first as Oakland snapped a three-game skid to remain even with Texas in the race for first place in the American League West.
Coco Crisp was 3-for-5 with an RBI single and Seth Smith had two hits and scored twice as part of a 17-hit attack for the Athletics. Jarrod Parker (8-6) was the beneficiary of the support in winning his second straight start after six straight no-decisions, allowing three runs in six frames.
Lowrie's homer came three batters into the game and Cespedes followed with his 18th of the season to make it 4-0 before Blue Jays starter Esmil Rogers (3-7) recorded an out. Reddick's first homer gave Oakland a 7-3 lead and his second made it a five-run margin.
Brett Lawrie and Jose Reyes had RBI doubles and Colby Rasmus clubbed a two-run homer for Toronto. Rogers was charged with seven runs in three innings.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The last Oakland hitter to hit three home runs in a game was Erubiel Durazo on Aug. 18, 2004. ... Blue Jays C J.P. Arencibia sat again with right knee soreness. He is considered day-to-day. ... Oakland will recall rookie RHP Sonny Gray to start Saturday opposite Toronto LHP Mark Buehrle.