Oakland A’s starter James Kaprielian was dealing but was lifted in the top of the sixth inning after giving up a run and five hits against the Toronto Blue Jays at the Oakland Coliseum (@Athletics photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

OAKLAND–The Toronto Blue Jays (45-38), losers of the first two games of the three-game series, beat the Oakland A’s (28-56) 2-1 on Wednesday afternoon at the Oakland Coliseum. 

Both starters were on the top of their game. A’s starter, James Kaprielian, went six innings and allowed five hits and one run. His only mistake was a gopher ball to his good friend and former teammate, Matt Chapman. Kaprielian was able to use all of his pitches effectively.

His fastball topped out at 95 miles per hour. His changeup came in at 84 miles per hour. Toronto’s starter Jose Berrios was slightly better.

Berrios worked six innings and allowed four hits and one run. The one mistake was an 0-2 pitch that Ramon Laureno jumped on and sent into the left-field seats. The A’s offense did not get a hit after the sixth inning. The game summary follows below.

Kaprielian worked his way out of a jam at the top of the sixth. He walked Jays’ shortstop Bo Bichette to start the inning. Vladimir Guerroro, Jr. singled to send Bichette to second. Kaprielian got the rookie catcher Alejandro Kirk to ground into a double play.

Teoscar Hernandez walked to put men on at first and third with two out. Kaprielian retired Lourdes Guriel for the third out. The A’s put the first run of the game on the board in their half of the inning. Ramon Laureano, as the A’s DH, sent Jose Berrios’ 0-2 pitch into the left-field seats. It was Laureano’s sixth home run of the year. The A’s lead 1-0 after six.

The lead didn’t last long. Kaprielian’s good friend and former teammate, Matt Chapman, tied the game with his 13th homer run. Mark Kotsay brought in lefty Sam Moll to pitch. Moll Retired the next three hitters. The game is tied 1-1 midway through the seventh.

The Blue Jays Bo Bichette led off the top of the eighth with his 13th dinger. Domingo Acevedo was on the hill for the A’s. The Jays lead 2-1 with the A’s coming to the plate in the bottom of the eighth.

The A’s failed to score in the eighth and went down 1-2-3 in the ninth. The Blue Jays win 2-1.

Game Notes: With the loss, the A’s are now 28-55. Toronto’s record improved to 45-38. The Jays are in fourth place in the AL East and are in a tough race with the Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox for second place.

The line score for Oakland was one run, four hits, and no errors. Toronto’s line was two runs, eight hits, and no errors. All the runs in the game were the result of a homer. Matt Chapman and Bo Bichette homered for Toronto. Ramon Laureano hit the big fly for the A’s. 

Toronto’s Adam Cimber was the winning pitcher. Jays’ closer Jordan Romano earned his 18th save. Domingo Acevedo took the loss for Oakland.

The A’s are off on Thursday. They host Houston for a three-game series starting Friday night at the Coliseum starters for Friday night have not been announced.

The time of the game was a crisp 2:39. 6,330 fans were on hand to see the A’s lose their 55th game.