By Matthew T.F. Harrington

Canadian Press photo: Oakland A’s pitcher Sonny Gray delivers to the Toronto Blue Jays in the third inning of Friday’s game at the Sky Dome in Toronto

The Oakland Athletics hit parade thumped the Blue Jays and starter Aaron Sanchez to a 8-5 victory North of the Border Friday night. Sonny Gray pitched seven innings of 3-run ball and Chris Coghlan picked up three RBIs.

Stephen Vogt doubled home Chris Coghlan in the first to give the A’s a 1-0 lead, then Coghlan hit his third homer of the season with a pair of runners on in the top of the second. Darwin Barney’s solo homer in the bottom of the third made the game 4-1.
Jed Lowrie scampered home on a Sanchez wild pitch in the top of the fifth, then Jose Bautsita knocked in a run for a 6-2 oakland lead in the bottom of the sixth. Gray would give up an RBI single to Barney in the seventh to finish his night.

The A’s ace pitched seven innings, allowing three earned runs with six strikeouts. Ryan Dull would surrender two more runs but Sean Doolittle would pick up his second hold of the season. Ryan Madson pitched a perfect 1-2-3 inning for his seventh save of the season. Game two of the series opens Saturday with Chris Bassitt facing off against J.A. Happ.