Smoak and Morales go back-to-back in 9th, Jays beat A's 3-2
TORONTO (AP) - Justin Smoak hit a game-tying two-run homer in the ninth inning and Kendrys Morales followed with a game-winning blast as the Toronto Blue Jays rallied to beat the struggling Oakland Athletics 3-2 on Wednesday night.
It was the sixth time this season the Blue Jays have hit consecutive home runs. Smoak and Morales have been involved in each of the past three occasions.
Both homers came off A's closer Santiago Casilla (2-5).
Joe Biagini (3-8) worked 2/3 of an inning for the win.
Casilla's meltdown spoiled a strong performance by Athletics rookie Paul Blackburn, who allowed two hits in seven shutout innings. It also kept Oakland manager Bob Melvin stuck on 999 career wins.
Blackburn lowered his ERA through five starts to 2.25. He issued three walks, two of which were erased by double plays.
Jose Bautista hit a leadoff double against Blackburn in the first but the right-hander didn't allow another hit until Josh Donaldson's two-out double in the sixth. Smoak followed with a soft liner to shortstop.
The Athletics have lost 11 of 12 in Toronto. They have lost seven of nine overall.
Struggling Blue Jays right-hander Marco Estrada allowed two runs in five innings. Estrada is winless in 10 starts since a May 27 victory over Texas, posting an 8.87 ERA over his ugly stretch.
Estrada escaped a bases-loaded jam in the first when Ryon Healy fouled out. That was the first of eight straight outs, a streak that ended with Yonder Alonso's double in the fourth. Estrada replied by striking out Healy and Matt Chapman.
After Matt Joyce drew a two-out walk in the fifth, Marcus Semien connected on a 3-1 pitch and launched it into the left field bullpen, his third home run of the season and second in four games.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Athletics: C Josh Phegley (left oblique) was scratched from the lineup and replaced by Bruce Maxwell. ... Jaycob Brugman, scratched Tuesday with a stiff neck, came on as a defensive replacement in the ninth.
Blue Jays: C Russell Martin got the day off but is expected to return for Thursday afternoon's series finale.
UP NEXT
Athletics: LHP Sean Manea (8-5, 3.82 ERA) is 7-2 with a 3.17 ERA in his past 12 starts. Manea pitched six innings for the win in his first career start against Toronto on June 5.
Blue Jays: RHP Marcus Stroman (9-5, 2.98 ERA) is winless in his past two outings despite allowing one earned run in 14 1/3 innings. Stroman has a 1.37 ERA in four July starts.
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