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Grichuk drives in 5, Jays beat A's 10-4 for series split

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Randal Grichuk homered, doubled and drove in five runs to lead the Toronto Blue Jays to a 10-4 victory over the Oakland Athletics on Thursday.

Toronto earned a split of the four-game series after dropping the first two games against the AL West leader.

Marcus Semien homered among his four hits, Danny Jansen and Teoscar Hernández each drove in two runs and Bo Bichette and Cavan Biggio had three hits apiece for the Blue Jays, who have won five of their past eight road games.

'œA four-hit game with a home run? That's a pretty good game," A's manager Bob Melvin said of Semien. 'œHe's a good hitter like a lot of their guys.'ť

Mark Canha hit his first career leadoff homer, Sean Murphy drove in two and Matt Olsen added an RBI ground-rule double for the A's, who have still won 10 of their last 14 at home.

Hyun Jin Ryu (2-2) came off the injured list to start for Toronto. He lasted five innings, allowing four runs on six hits. He walked one and struck out six.

'œThere was nothing wrong with me,'ť Ryu said through an interpreter. 'œI didn't have to worry about anything physically, so I am pleased. I felt better later in the game.'ť

Mike Fiers (0-2), in his second start of the season, went 3 1/3 innings, giving up five runs on nine hits. He walked two and struck out two.

'œThe biggest thing is for me to make pitches with runners on,'ť Fiers said. 'œI missed over the plate.'ť

Grichuk's three-run blast over the left-field fence was the first Toronto home run of the series. Jansen added his first of the season and Semien hit a solo shot in the seventh.

'œI got to play in front of my mom, dad and grandparents and that's important to me,'ť said Semien, who played at Cal before beginning his professional career with the A's. 'œI had that support system when I was here. We only come out here once a year now but maybe we'll be back for playoffs.'ť

Two batters before Grichuk's homer, the A's recorded a double play in which Fiers struck out Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Murphy picked off Bichette at first base.

ABOUT PUJOLS

Both managers weighed in on the Angels' decision to designate Albert Pujols for assignment on Thursday. 'œHe's the ultimate professional,'ť Toronto manager Charlie Montoyo said. 'œHopefully it is not the end but if it is, he's a Hall of Famer. It was always fun to talk to him about baseball." Melvin didn't have time to process the information. 'œFirst-ballot Hall of Famer is the first thing that comes to mind,'ť he said. 'œThis is all just coming in. He's a class act and a fantastic player. He's given me a lot of pain.'ť

TRAINER'S ROOM

Blue Jays: RHP David Phelps went on the IL when Ryu was activated to make the start. ... OF George Springer (right quad strain) will remain with the team when it travels to Houston. 'œHe can still hit in batting practice,'ť Montoyo said.

Athletics: There's still no timetable for when RHP J.B. Wendelken (strained left oblique) will take the mound again. 'œObliques are tough,'ť Melvin said. 'œHe's just getting treatment.'ť

UP NEXT

The Blue Jays open a series in Houston on Friday with RHP Ross Stripling (0-1, 6.39 ERA) taking the mound.

The Athletics welcome Tampa Bay for a three-game series with LHP Sean Manaea (3-1, 3.48) getting the start on Friday.

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Toronto Blue Jays' Teoscar Hernandez (37) hits a single to drive in two runs against the Oakland Athletics during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar) The Associated Press
Toronto Blue Jays relief pitcher Joel Payamps throws to an Oakland Athletics batter during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, May 6, 2021. Toronto won 10-4. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar) The Associated Press
Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Reymin Guduan (61) stands on the edge of the mound as Toronto Blue Jays' Marcus Semien, right, runs the bases after hitting a solo home run during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Wednesday, May 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar) The Associated Press
Oakland Athletics center fielder Ramon Laureano (22) chases down a ball hit by Toronto Blue Jays' Randal Grichuk (15) for a triple during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar) The Associated Press
Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (27) hits a single to load the bases during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar) The Associated Press
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