Sonny Gray vs Marco Estrada
Toronto wins 6-2
WP: Marco Estrada (1-0)
LP: Sonny Gray (0-1)
SV: None
HR: Ben Zobrist (1), Edwin Encarnacion (1)
MVP: Edwin Encarnacion (1-3, 1 HR, 4 RBI)
As is often times the case in big games and big series, one play can often be the turning point for momentum and set the tone for all the games. The play in this one was an odd one in the 5th inning of the opener with the game tied 1-1. Kevin Pillar (3-5, 2 RBI) led off the inning with a single and then advanced to 2nd on a failed pick off attempt by Sonny Gray. The next batter, Ben Revere, grounded an easy roller to Ben Zobrist at 2nd, but for some reason Zobrist attempted to nail the speedy Pillar going to 3rd instead of getting the sure out at first. Pillar beat the throw and the Jays had runners on the corners for the big bats of their lineup. Josh Donaldson (2-3, 1 run, 1 RBI) followed with an RBI single and Edwin Encarnacion cleared the bases with a 3 run bomb deep into the left field bleachers. Marco Estrada (6 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 6 K) and 3 Blue Jay relievers made sure that those runs would be enough by limiting the A's to just 5 hits. Zobrist, the defensive goat, was the lone bright spot on the A's side with 2 hits including a home run.
Scott Kazmir vs Mark Buehrle
Toronto wins 4-0
WP: Mark Buehrle (1-0)
LP: Scott Kazmir (0-1)
SV: None
HR: None
MVP: Mark Buehrle ( 9 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 3 K)
Mark Buehrle showed why manager John Gibbons chose him in game 2 over mid season acquisition David Price. Buehrle was dominant and never in trouble in this one allowing just an infield single to Danny Valencia in the 2nd inning. The crazy thing was Valencia was originally called out but A's manager Bob Melvin called fo a review and Valencia was called safe. Buerhle was not rattled and retired 21 of the next 22 batters to finish off the gem. Scott Kazmir seemed unprepared to start this game for Oakland as the Jays jumped all over the lefty for 3 runs in the first. Kevin Pillar walked to lead off followed by a single by Trot Tulowitzki. The A's veteran lefty then lst all control walking Donaldson, Encarnacion and Jose Bautista consecutively to force home 2 runs. A Chris Colabello sacrifice fly added the 3rd run and the Jays never looked back. The Jays didn't need much offense but they did get multi hit games from Pillar, Donaldson and Colabello.
GAME 3 @ O.co Coliseum in OaklandR.A. Dickey vs Jesse Hahn
Toronto wins 6-4
WP: Ryan Tepera (1-0)
LP: Tyler Clippard (0-1)
SV: Roberto Osuna (1)
HR: Jose Bautista (1), Danny Valencia (1)
MVP: Jose Bautista (3-4, 1 HR, 1 run, 2 RBI)
Toronto, looking to close out the best of 5 series, jumped out to an early 3 run lead thanks to Jose Bautista. Joey Bats hit a solo homer to lead off the 2nd and then drove in the 3rd run in the 3rd with a single that scored Josh Donaldson. The A's would not go quietly though as Danny Valencia hit a lead off homer in the 5th and a wild 6th inning saw the Blue Jays score 2 to tie the game at 3. Jake Smolinski led off the 6th by getting drilled in the ribs by a rare R.A. Dickey fastball. Marcus Semien followed with a single with both he and Smolinski advancing an extra base on an outfield bobble. Brett Lawrie followed with a walk and then a Billy Burns fielders choice plated Smolinski. Another walk to Stephen Vogt loaded the bases back up and then a Dickey wild pitch tied the game at 3 when Semien scurried home. Dickey got Valencia to line to 3rd and then walked Billy Butler to load the bases with 2 outs. Brett Cecil was called in to face Josh Reddick with the A's hoping to push across some big runs, but Cecil induced an inning ending grounder to end the threat and keep the game locked at 3. The game would stay that way until the bottom of the 8th when Oakland struck for a go ahead run. After a Stephen Vogt 1 out triple, Ryan Tepera was brought in to try and work out of the jam. Tepera walked Valencia intentionally and then hit Billy Butler to load the bases with 1 out. Reddick was once again in the pressure spot and this time he delivered with a sac fly deep enough to score Vogt with the go ahead run. Tyler Clippard was brought in to close out the game and extend the series for the A's. The Jays bats did not show Clippard much respect, with Bautista greeting him with a inning starting double down the left field line. Clippard retired Colabello, but then walked the next 2 batters to load the bases. Drew Pomeranz was brought in to work out of the jam but pinch hitter Troy Tulowitzki had other ideas with a single to right center scoring pinch runner Dalton Pompey and Devon Travis to give the Jays a 1 run lead. A Kevin Pillar grounder knocked in an insurance run sending the Jays back out to the field with a 6-4 lead and 3 outs to record. Closer Roberto Osuna was brought in for the first time in the series but showed no ill effects from the layoff as he struck out all 3 Athletics batters to end the game and the series.
SERIES LEADERS
Josh Donaldson (TOR) - 6-10, 3 runs, 2 RBI, 2 great plays @ 3B
Kevin Pillar (TOR) - 5-14, 3 runs, 1 RBI, 1 great play in CF
Jose Bautista (TOR) - 3-10, 1 run, 3 RBI
Edwin Encarnacion (TOR) - 2-10, 1 HR, 6 RBI
Mark Buehrle (TOR) - 9 IP, 1 H, 3 K, 1 Win
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