Oakland A’s vs. Toronto Blue Jays

Thursday, May 11th 2006 12:37 PM ET
Rogers Centre

The Oakland A’s suffered a big loss against the Indians 14-3, after having a three game winning streak that came to an end when they faced the Indians. Dan Haren pitched 5.2 innings allowing 11 hits and 5 runs.

"Games like this happen every once in a while," Haren said. "It happened on opening day and we bounced back. I fell behind in the count a few too many times and I paid the price. ... Top to bottom that's one of the best lineups in the American League Championship. They don't strike out too much and they work the count. I got into too many hitters’ counts."

The Oakland A’s need to bounce back from that loss and keep the rhythm they had before the Indians loss; Oakland has great starter and an impressive lineup that can be up for great things this year.

This week they start an important series against Toronto that can be the perfect opportunity to get back on track. The sports betting industry will put the A’s as slight favorites to win; so do your homework and try to beat the industry in this series.

Lineup
1. Mark Kotsay, CF. 2. Nick Swisher, LF. 3. Eric Chavez, 3rd B. 4. Frank Thomas, DH. 5. Bobby Crosby, SS. 6. Dan Johnson, 1st B. 7. Bobby Kielty, RF. 8. Jason Kendall, C. 9. Mark Ellis, 2nd B.

The Blue Jays beat Boston Red Sox on the road in a very important victory that helped the Blue Jays to improve the record and cut some road in the American League approaching to Boston and NY Yankees.

Toronto led 4-3, trailed 5-4 and then took a 6-5 lead in the seventh before Boston tied it again in the eighth. But with Papelbon pitching in the ninth, Lyle Overbay led off with his fourth hit of the night. Gregg Zaun singled one out later and Adams doubled down the right-field line to stop a 0-for-14 slump.

"When you're down a run or two, we know we can come back," said designated hitter Shea Hillenbrand, who homered for Toronto. "Tonight, it was Russ. He hadn't been swinging the bat well, and he came through."

Toronto can be a headache to any team in the American League; they prove it against Boston and they will go with everything against Oakland. This is a series you can miss as two of the best in the American League match up.

Lineup
1. Alexis Rios, RF. 2. Frank Catalanotto, LF. 3. Vernon Wells CF. 4. Troy Glaus 3rd, B. 5. Lyle Overbay, 1st B. 6. Shea Hillenbrand, DH. 7. Gregg Zaun, C. 8. Russ Adams, SS. 9. Aaron Hill, 2nd B.