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Recap: A’s 5, Blue Jays 4; Dickey Done In By Davis’ Dual Dingers

After the bullpen couldn’t hold on for the win last night, the Blue Jays looked to rebound in an afternoon contest where Sonny Gray took the mound against R.A Dickey. Gray has struggled this year, coming in to today’s game with an ERA of 5.17, which is the highest in the American League. Josh Thole had started the afternoon with a bang, hitting his first double of the season, and sending Troy Tulowitzki and Darwin Barney across the plate. R.A Dickey looked good in the first inning, but got himself into trouble in the second inning giving up a lead off home run to Khris Davis. Stephen Vogt then singled, and Dickey walked Marcus Semien. With one out, Ryon Healy got his first major league hit in grand fashion, crushing a 3-run home run to put the A’s in front of the Jays 4-2. Despite going just 1 for 11 against Gray coming in to this afternoon’s ball game, Edwin Encarnacion hit his 23rd homerun of the season, giving up a league leading 80th RBI. Dickey gave up a second home run to Davis in the 6th which put the A’s ahead 5-3. Dickey went 6 innings plus one batter, who he walked, before handing the ball to Drew Storen. Storen then hit Smolinski putting runners at first and second with nobody out. Ryon Healy came to the plate and singled through the left side and Marcus Semien was safe at the plate on the initial call, but after review the call was overturned, giving Saunders an outfield assist, and closing the book on Dickey’s afternoon. Aaron Loup came in to close out the 7th, despite hitting Alonso to load the bases. In the top of the 9th, Justin Smoak drilled a solo homerun to right center field off Ryan Madson to put the Jays within one of the A’s, but the Blue Jays rally couldn’t come through, as the Jays lost their second in a row to the A’s for the first time since 2014.

Top Play of the Game by WPA

In just his second big league game, Ryon Healy was still searching for his first hit as a Major Leaguer. He got it in the bottom of the second inning, whacking a three-run homerun off Dickey, putting the A’s in front 4-2. (.269)

Bottom Play of the Game by WPA

With one out in the 6th and Darwin Barney on first after a walk, Josh Thole grounded into an inning ending double play (-.083).

Smoak Another One… Or Two

Before the start of the ball game today, news broke that Justin Smoak had signed a 2 year deal with the Jays worth $8.25 million. The deal also includes a $6 million club option in 2019. Smoak said he was happy to get the deal signed, but that he didn’t want to make a big deal of it; he just wants to continue to play and win games with the Jays. He celebrated his day by hitting a home run in the ninth inning.

Trend to Watch

Kevin Pillar reached safely in 8 consecutive games coming into the game this afternoon. Over his last 8 games, Pillar is hitting .414, slugging .483, and has an OBP of .452. He’s got 6 RBIs over the 8 game stretch.

Up Next

J.A. Happ will take the mound tomorrow afternoon at 4:05 pm against Rich Hill in the final game of the series. Happ is coming into this game sporting a 3.36 ERA, going 6-1 over his last 7 starts.

Lead Photo: Neville E. Guard-USA Today Sports

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