Jays aim to build on blowout, keep Athletics reeling

The Blue Jays' struggling hitters feasted on the visiting Athletics' pitching in the opener of a four-game series, and Toronto will aim to continue the trend on Friday night.

The Blue Jays slammed four home runs and produced an eight-run second inning en route to a 12-0 victory on Thursday.

Ernie Clement led the way with five RBIs -- all in the second inning -- in the opener of a seven-game homestand. It was the second straight win and third in four games for the Blue Jays, who scored only six runs on their just-concluded 2-4 road trip.

The Athletics have lost the first three games of a six-game road trip and have dropped 14 of 15 overall.

Clement had a three-run homer and a two-run double in the second to equal a franchise mark for RBIs in one inning. Edwin Encarnacion had five RBIs in the seventh inning on July 26, 2013, against the Houston Astros.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a two-run home run to extend his career-best on-base streak to 29 games. Jonatan Clase went 2-for-4 to stretch his hitting streak to six games (8-for-16).

"It's just awesome to see our offense clicking," said Clement, who finished 3-for-5. "We put some runs on the board for our pitchers. They've been busting their tails lately."

Blue Jays manager John Schneider added, "It's a little bit contagious. What I really liked is not taking your foot off the gas after you score eight."

Almost overlooked because of the hitting, Toronto got a sparkling six innings from Jose Berrios, who allowed two hits and two walks while matching his season best with nine strikeouts.

The win lifted the Blue Jays back to .500.

"It's nice to take a deep breath and not be fighting in a 0-0 game like we were the last week or so," Clement said. "We have to use this as momentum and keep doing it."

The Blue Jays have posted two consecutive shutouts after beating the Texas Rangers 2-0 on Wednesday.

Toronto would like to get more of the same pitching from right-hander Chris Bassitt (4-3, 3.38 ERA) on Friday. He is 2-1 with 3.69 ERA in six career starts against the Athletics. Facing them twice last season, he went 0-1 with 6.00 ERA.

Left-hander Jeffrey Springs (5-3, 3.97 ERA) is expected to get the nod for the Athletics. He is 2-0 with a 2.81 ERA in 10 career games (three starts) against the Blue Jays, but he has not faced them since 2022.

Toronto scored seven runs against Jacob Lopez on Thursday and added four against Anthony Maldonado. Sean Newcomb finally settled things with 3 1/3 shutout innings.

"I thought Newcomb did a great job," A's manager Mark Kotsay said. "He was able to save the bullpen, and that really helped us tonight."

Kotsay further preserved his relief corps by using reserve catcher Willie MacIver to pitch the eighth inning. The 28-year-old rookie allowed three singles but no runs.

One Athletic had something to appreciate Thursday. Promoted to the majors last week, Toronto native Denzel Clarke took over in center field late in the game and heard fans chanting his name.

"I'm sure it was some people I knew, which was really cool," Clarke said. "I spoke to them after the game and they said they were super excited."

--Field Level Media