By Daniel Dullum
Sports Radio Service
Thursday, July 3, 2014

Sonny Gray scattered four hits over seven innings for Oakland Thursday, as the Athletics defeated Toronto 4-1 Thursday night at the Coliseum.

With the loss, the Blue Jays gave up sole possession of first place in the AL East for the first time since May 21. Toronto dropped into a first-place tie with Baltimore. The Athletics, meanwhile, continue to lead the AL West.

Gray (8-3) walked three and struck out five, while the A’s defense turned three double plays.

Dan Otero held the lead in the eighth and Sean Doolittle pitched the ninth, picking up his 12th save.

Gray might have had a shutout if it weren’t for a disputed play in the second inning that went to replay.

After the Blue Jays loaded the bases with one out, Anthony Gose hit a grounder to first baseman Nate Freiman, who appeared to tag Munenori Kawasaki as he ran to second base. Umpire Vic Carapazza ruled that Freiman missed the tag, and Kawasaki was safe.

Freiman then threw home to catcher Stephen Vogt, who stepped on home plate for a force out on runner Edwin Encarnacion. Toronto manager John Gibbons requested the video review, claiming that Kawasaki was out and Encarnacion should have been allowed to score because the force at home should have been nullified.

After 4 minutes and 27 seconds the call was overturned, and Toronto was awarded a 1-0 lead. The A’s played the game under protest, but that became a moot point.

In the bottom of the second, Freiman drove in Brandon Moss with a double, and Vogt scored on a passed ball, giving Oakland a 2-1 lead.

Six innings later, Oakland extended its lead to 4-1. Craig Gentry singled off losing pitcher R.A. Dickey (6-8) and scored on a double by John Jaso. The fourth A’s run came on a sacrifice fly by Alberto Callaspo.

The four-game series continues Friday, when Oakland left-hander Tommy Milone (6-3) faces Blue Jays right-hander Marcus Stroman (4-2).

A’S ACORNS: Oakland OF Yoenis Cespedes went 0-for-4, snapping a 15-game hitting streak. … The Athletics activated LHP Eric O’Flaherty from the 60-day disabled list and designated LHP Jeff Francis for assignment. O’Flaherty was recovering from Tommy John surgery and hadn’t pitched in the majors since May 17 of last year. Francis was 0-1 with one save and a 6.08 ERA after he was picked up on waivers from Cincinnati. … The Athletics made their 10-year lease extension at the Coliseum official. As part of the agreement, the A’s will pay $10 million for upgrades that include two new video scoreboards. The Coliseum Authority will pay for any necessary structural work.