GAME THREAD: GAME THREAD: AL: TORONTO (40-42) at OAKLAND (42-40)

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    AL: TORONTO at OAKLAND

    <div class="pre">AL AT OAKLAND - PITCHING CHANGE
    TOR: BRIAN WOLFE (2-0, 2.35) STARTING THE 8TH
    CURRENT SCORE: TORONTO 1, OAKLAND 2

    DUE UP FOR OAKLAND: J CUST (.276, 0-FOR-3)</div>
     
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    AL: TORONTO at OAKLAND

    <div class="pre">AL AT OAKLAND - MID INNING UPDATE
    PLAY: B Wolfe relieved J Litsch.
    SITUATION: 0 RUNS IN, NONE ON, 0 OUTS
    CURRENT SCORE: TORONTO 1
    OAKLAND 2 BOTTOM, 8TH

    DUE UP FOR OAKLAND: J Cust (.276, 0-FOR-3)</div>
     
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    AL: TORONTO at OAKLAND

    <div class="pre">AL AT OAKLAND - SCORING UPDATE
    SOLO HOME RUN BY JACK CUST (15) TO LEFT CENTER WITH 0 OUT
    IN THE 8TH OFF BRIAN WOLFE.
    CURRENT SCORE: TORONTO 1, OAKLAND 3

    DUE UP FOR OAKLAND: E CHAVEZ (.249, 1-FOR-2, BB)</div>
     
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    AL: TORONTO at OAKLAND

    <div class="pre">AL
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
    - - - - - - - - - - - -
    TORONTO 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 2
    OAKLAND 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 8 1 (TOP 9)

    CURRENT PITCHERS: TOR - BRIAN WOLFE
    OAK - JOE BLANTON

    DUE UP FOR TORONTO: V WELLS (.253, 0-FOR-3)
    G ZAUN (.225, 1-FOR-3)
    A RIOS (.292, 2-FOR-3, RBI)</div>
     
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    AL: TORONTO at OAKLAND

    <div class="pre">TORONTO (1) VS OAKLAND (3) - END 8TH - IN PROGRESS

    TORONTO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
    V Wells cf 3 0 0 0 0 1 0 .253
    G Zaun c 3 1 1 0 0 0 0 .225
    A Rios rf 3 0 2 1 0 0 0 .292
    T Glaus 3b 3 0 1 0 0 0 2 .279
    F Thomas dh 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 .247
    M Stairs 1b 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .293
    A Hill 2b 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .269
    A Lind lf 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 .231
    J McDonald ss 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .290
    a-H Clark ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .290
    R Clayton ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .231

    Totals 27 1 4 1 0 3 6

    a-lined out to shortstop for J Mcdonald in the 8th.

    BATTING: 2B - G Zaun (7, J Blanton). RBI - A Rios (47). Runners left in scoring
    position, 2 out - F Thomas 1, M Stairs 1. Team LOB - 2.

    BASERUNNING: SB - A Rios (9, 2nd base off J Blanton/J Kendall).

    FIELDING: E - G Zaun (2, throw); T Glaus (4, throw). DP: 2 (J McDonald-M
    Stairs, M Stairs-J McDonald-M Stairs-A Hill).


    OAKLAND ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
    S Stewart lf 4 1 2 0 0 0 2 .307
    M Kotsay cf 4 0 1 2 0 0 2 .241
    N Swisher rf 2 0 0 0 2 0 2 .267
    J Cust dh 4 1 1 1 0 3 4 .280
    E Chavez 3b 3 0 1 0 1 1 0 .248
    D Johnson 1b 4 0 0 0 0 1 3 .269
    M Ellis 2b 4 0 1 0 0 1 0 .273
    B Crosby ss 3 1 1 0 0 0 1 .232
    J Kendall c 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 .226

    Totals 31 3 8 3 3 6 15

    BATTING: 2B - J Kendall (9, J Litsch). HR - J Cust (15, 8th inning off B Wolfe
    0 on, 0 Out). RBI - M Kotsay 2 (12), J Cust (39). 2-out RBI - M Kotsay. Runners
    left in scoring position, 2 out - J Cust 2, D Johnson 1, N Swisher 1. GIDP - D
    Johnson, N Swisher. Team LOB - 7.

    BASERUNNING: SB - S Stewart (8, 2nd base off J Litsch/G Zaun), N Swisher (2,
    2nd base off J Litsch/G Zaun).

    FIELDING: E - M Kotsay (1, throw). Outfield assists - M Kotsay (T Glaus at
    2nd base). DP: 1 (M Kotsay-M Ellis).


    ----------------------------------------------------
    TORONTO - 100 000 00 -- 1
    OAKLAND - 110 000 01 -- 3
    ----------------------------------------------------

    TORONTO ip h r er bb so hr era
    J Litsch 7 7 2 0 3 5 0 4.74
    B Wolfe 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 3.12

    OAKLAND ip h r er bb so hr era
    J Blanton 8 4 1 1 0 3 0 3.11

    WP - J Litsch. Pitches-strikes: J Litsch 106-65; B Wolfe 17-10; J Blanton
    99-67. Ground balls-fly balls: J Litsch 10-6; B Wolfe 1-1; J Blanton 9-11.
    Batters faced: J Litsch 30; B Wolfe 4; J Blanton 27.

    UMPIRES: HP--Charlie Reliford. 1B--Larry Vanover. 2B--Greg Gibson. 3B--Tony
    Randazzo.

    Weather: 70 degrees, clear. Wind: 16 mph, out to right.</div>
     
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    AL: TORONTO at OAKLAND

    <div class="pre">AL FINAL
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
    - - - - - - - - - - - -
    TORONTO 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 2
    OAKLAND 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 x 3 8 1 (FINAL)

    BATTERIES: TOR - JESSE LITSCH, BRIAN WOLFE (8TH) AND GREGG ZAUN

    OAK - JOE BLANTON AND JASON KENDALL

    HOME RUNS: TOR - NONE

    OAK - JACK CUST (15) OFF BRIAN WOLFE IN THE 8TH, 0 ON</div>
     
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    AL: TORONTO at OAKLAND

    <div class="pre">AL FINAL
    1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E
    - - - - - - - - - - - -
    TORONTO 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 4 2
    OAKLAND 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 x 3 8 1 (FINAL)

    BATTERIES: TOR - JESSE LITSCH, BRIAN WOLFE (8TH) AND GREGG ZAUN

    OAK - JOE BLANTON AND JASON KENDALL


    WP - JOE BLANTON (8-4)
    LP - JESSE LITSCH (1-3)
    SAVE - NONE

    HOME RUNS: TOR - NONE

    OAK - JACK CUST (15) OFF BRIAN WOLFE IN THE 8TH, 0 ON


    TIME: 2:08 ATT: 35,077

    PROBABLES: TOR - DUSTIN MCGOWAN (4-4, 5.15)
    OAK - JOE KENNEDY (2-6, 3.91)</div>
     
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    AL: TORONTO at OAKLAND

    <div class="pre">TORONTO (1) VS OAKLAND (3) - FINAL

    TORONTO ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
    V Wells cf 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 .252
    G Zaun c 4 1 1 0 0 1 0 .223
    A Rios rf 3 0 2 1 1 0 0 .292
    T Glaus 3b 4 0 1 0 0 0 3 .278
    F Thomas dh 3 0 0 0 0 0 3 .247
    M Stairs 1b 3 0 0 0 0 0 1 .293
    A Hill 2b 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 .269
    A Lind lf 3 0 0 0 0 2 0 .231
    J McDonald ss 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 .290
    a-H Clark ph 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 .290
    R Clayton ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .231

    Totals 30 1 4 1 1 4 7

    a-lined out to shortstop for J Mcdonald in the 8th.

    BATTING: 2B - G Zaun (7, J Blanton). RBI - A Rios (47). Runners left in scoring
    position, 2 out - F Thomas 1, M Stairs 1, T Glaus 1. Team LOB - 3.

    BASERUNNING: SB - A Rios (9, 2nd base off J Blanton/J Kendall).

    FIELDING: E - G Zaun (2, throw); T Glaus (4, throw). DP: 2 (J McDonald-M
    Stairs, M Stairs-J McDonald-M Stairs-A Hill).


    OAKLAND ab r h rbi bb so lob avg
    S Stewart lf 4 1 2 0 0 0 2 .307
    M Kotsay cf 4 0 1 2 0 0 2 .241
    N Swisher rf 2 0 0 0 2 0 2 .267
    J Cust dh 4 1 1 1 0 3 4 .280
    E Chavez 3b 3 0 1 0 1 1 0 .248
    D Johnson 1b 4 0 0 0 0 1 3 .269
    M Ellis 2b 4 0 1 0 0 1 0 .273
    B Crosby ss 3 1 1 0 0 0 1 .232
    J Kendall c 3 0 1 0 0 0 1 .226

    Totals 31 3 8 3 3 6 15

    BATTING: 2B - J Kendall (9, J Litsch). HR - J Cust (15, 8th inning off B Wolfe
    0 on, 0 Out). RBI - M Kotsay 2 (12), J Cust (39). 2-out RBI - M Kotsay. Runners
    left in scoring position, 2 out - J Cust 2, D Johnson 1, N Swisher 1. GIDP - D
    Johnson, N Swisher. Team LOB - 7.

    BASERUNNING: SB - S Stewart (8, 2nd base off J Litsch/G Zaun), N Swisher (2,
    2nd base off J Litsch/G Zaun).

    FIELDING: E - M Kotsay (1, throw). Outfield assists - M Kotsay (T Glaus at
    2nd base). DP: 1 (M Kotsay-M Ellis).


    ----------------------------------------------------
    TORONTO - 100 000 000 -- 1
    OAKLAND - 110 000 01x -- 3
    ----------------------------------------------------

    TORONTO ip h r er bb so hr era
    J Litsch (L, 1-3) 7 7 2 0 3 5 0 4.74
    B Wolfe 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 3.12

    OAKLAND ip h r er bb so hr era
    J Blanton (W, 8-4) 9 4 1 1 1 4 0 3.09

    WP - J Litsch. Pitches-strikes: J Litsch 106-65; B Wolfe 17-10; J Blanton
    122-79. Ground balls-fly balls: J Litsch 10-6; B Wolfe 1-1; J Blanton 11-11.
    Batters faced: J Litsch 30; B Wolfe 4; J Blanton 31.

    UMPIRES: HP--Charlie Reliford. 1B--Larry Vanover. 2B--Greg Gibson. 3B--Tony
    Randazzo.

    T--2:08. Att--35,077.
    Weather: 70 degrees, clear. Wind: 16 mph, out to
    right.</div>
     
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    AL: TORONTO at OAKLAND

    <div class="pre">** CONFIRMED **
    AL
    TORONTO 1
    OAKLAND 3 FINAL</div>
     
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    AL: TORONTO at OAKLAND

    <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    TORONTO (1) AT OAKLAND (3) - HOW THEY SCORED
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    TORONTO 1ST: V Wells struck out looking. G Zaun doubled to deep right
    center. A Rios singled to center, G Zaun scored, A Rios to third on throwing
    error by center fielder M Kotsay. T Glaus lined out to right. F Thomas fouled
    out to first. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 1 Error) TORONTO 1, OAKLAND 0.

    OAKLAND 1ST: S Stewart singled to right center. S Stewart stole second,
    S Stewart safe at third on throwing error by catcher G Zaun. M Kotsay grounded
    out to second, S Stewart scored. N Swisher walked. J Cust struck out
    swinging, N Swisher stole second. E Chavez walked. D Johnson flied out to
    left. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 1 Error) TORONTO 1, OAKLAND 1.

    OAKLAND 2ND: M Ellis grounded out to shortstop. B Crosby singled to
    center. J Kendall flied out to right. S Stewart safe at first on throwing
    error by third baseman T Glaus, B Crosby to third. M Kotsay singled to right,
    B Crosby scored, S Stewart to second. S Stewart to third, M Kotsay to second
    on wild pitch by J Litsch. N Swisher walked. J Cust struck out swinging.
    (1 Run, 2 Hits, 1 Error) TORONTO 1, OAKLAND 2.

    OAKLAND 8TH: R Clayton at shortstop. B Wolfe relieved J Litsch. J Cust
    homered to left center. E Chavez struck out swinging. D Johnson grounded out
    to first. M Ellis flied out to center. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1,
    OAKLAND 3.</div>
     
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    AL: TORONTO at OAKLAND

    <div class="pre">~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
    TORONTO (1) AT OAKLAND (3) - EVENT LOG
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Toronto Starting Lineups -- V Wells CF, G Zaun C, A Rios RF, T Glaus 3B,
    F Thomas DH, M Stairs 1B, A Hill 2B, A Lind LF, J McDonald SS, J Litsch RHP.

    Oakland Starting Lineups -- S Stewart LF, M Kotsay CF, N Swisher RF, J Cust DH,
    E Chavez 3B, D Johnson 1B, M Ellis 2B, B Crosby SS, J Kendall C, J Blanton RHP.

    Umpires -- Charlie Reliford (HP), Larry Vanover (1B), Greg Gibson (2B),
    Tony Randazzo (3B).

    Gametime Weather: 70 degrees, Clear, wind out to right at 16 mph.


    TORONTO 1ST: V Wells struck out looking. G Zaun doubled to deep right
    center. A Rios singled to center, G Zaun scored, A Rios to third on throwing
    error by center fielder M Kotsay. T Glaus lined out to right. F Thomas fouled
    out to first. (1 Run, 2 Hits, 1 Error) TORONTO 1, OAKLAND 0.

    OAKLAND 1ST: S Stewart singled to right center. S Stewart stole second,
    S Stewart safe at third on throwing error by catcher G Zaun. M Kotsay grounded
    out to second, S Stewart scored. N Swisher walked. J Cust struck out
    swinging, N Swisher stole second. E Chavez walked. D Johnson flied out to
    left. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 1 Error) TORONTO 1, OAKLAND 1.

    TORONTO 2ND: M Stairs grounded out to second. A Hill flied out to center.
    A Lind struck out looking. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1, OAKLAND 1.

    OAKLAND 2ND: M Ellis grounded out to shortstop. B Crosby singled to
    center. J Kendall flied out to right. S Stewart safe at first on throwing
    error by third baseman T Glaus, B Crosby to third. M Kotsay singled to right,
    B Crosby scored, S Stewart to second. S Stewart to third, M Kotsay to second
    on wild pitch by J Litsch. N Swisher walked. J Cust struck out swinging.
    (1 Run, 2 Hits, 1 Error) TORONTO 1, OAKLAND 2.

    TORONTO 3RD: J McDonald flied out to center. V Wells flied out to left.
    G Zaun grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1, OAKLAND 2.

    OAKLAND 3RD: E Chavez singled to right. D Johnson grounded into double
    play, shortstop to first, E Chavez out at second. M Ellis singled to center.
    B Crosby fouled out to catcher. (0 Runs, 2 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1, OAKLAND 2.

    TORONTO 4TH: A Rios reached on infield single to third. A Rios stole
    second. T Glaus flied out to right. F Thomas grounded out to third. M Stairs
    flied out to center. (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1, OAKLAND 2.

    OAKLAND 4TH: J Kendall doubled to left. S Stewart grounded out to
    shortstop. M Kotsay flied out to left. N Swisher lined out to center.
    (0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1, OAKLAND 2.

    TORONTO 5TH: A Hill grounded out to third. A Lind grounded out to second.
    J McDonald lined out to pitcher. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1, OAKLAND 2.

    OAKLAND 5TH: J Cust struck out swinging. E Chavez grounded out to first.
    D Johnson struck out swinging. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1, OAKLAND 2.

    TORONTO 6TH: V Wells flied out to left. G Zaun grounded out to first.
    A Rios grounded out to third. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1, OAKLAND 2.

    OAKLAND 6TH: M Ellis struck out swinging. B Crosby grounded out to third.
    J Kendall grounded out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1,
    OAKLAND 2.

    TORONTO 7TH: T Glaus singled to left. F Thomas flied out to center,
    T Glaus thrown out at second. M Stairs grounded out to second. (0 Runs, 1 Hit,
    0 Errors) TORONTO 1, OAKLAND 2.

    OAKLAND 7TH: S Stewart singled to center. M Kotsay flied out to center.
    N Swisher grounded into double play, first to shortstop to first to second,
    S Stewart out at second.(0 Runs, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1, OAKLAND 2.

    TORONTO 8TH: A Hill grounded out to shortstop. A Lind struck out swinging.
    H Clark hit for J McDonald. H Clark lined out to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits,
    0 Errors) TORONTO 1, OAKLAND 2.

    OAKLAND 8TH: R Clayton at shortstop. B Wolfe relieved J Litsch. J Cust
    homered to left center. E Chavez struck out swinging. D Johnson grounded out
    to first. M Ellis flied out to center. (1 Run, 1 Hit, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1,
    OAKLAND 3.

    TORONTO 9TH: V Wells grounded out to third. G Zaun struck out looking.
    A Rios walked. A Rios to second on fielder's indifference. T Glaus grounded out
    to shortstop. (0 Runs, 0 Hits, 0 Errors) TORONTO 1, OAKLAND 3.</div>
     
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    Blanton hurls complete game, Athletics defeat Blue Jays

    <h3>OAKLAND 3, TORONTO 1</h3>OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- Joe Blanton and OaklandAthletics made sure the Toronto Blue Jays paid for theirmistakes.

    Blanton pitched his third complete game of the season as theAthletics were able to take advantage of two Blue Jay errors enroute to a 3-1 victory on Tuesday.

    Blanton (8-4), who finished June with a 3-1 record and led allAmerican league starters with a 1.58 ERA, began his first startin July on a good note as well.

    The righthander yielded just a run and four hits while strikingout three. It was Blanton's sixth start of eight-plus inningsand his three complete games tie him with Derek Lowe and MattMorris for the most in the majors.

    Trailing, 1-0, in the first inning, Shannon Stewart led off witha single to right field before stealing second and advanced tothird on an errant throw into the outfield by catcher GreggZaun. He then scored on a groundout by Mark Kotsay to forge a1-1 tie.

    The Athletics were able to take advantage of the Blue Jays'second miscue in the second when Troy Glaus's potentialinning-ending throw to first base on a grounder by Stewartbounced in the dirt extending the inning. Kotsay followed withan RBI single to right to give Oakland a 2-1 lead.

    Toronto rookie Jesse Litsch (1-3), who was battered for fiveruns in two-thirds of an inning in his last start vs. the NewYork Yankees, yielded two runs - none earned - and seven hits inseven innings. The young righthander also struck out five injust his fifth career start, and first against Oakland.

    <div class="pre">Jack Cust provided an insurance run in the eighth with a solo</div>shot over the left field wall off Toronto reliever Brian Wolfeto make it 3-1. It was the slugger's team-leading 15th homer.

    Toronto's lone run came in the first when Zaun doubled toright-center field and then scored on a run-scoring single byAlex Rios.
     
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    Blanton hurls complete game, Athletics defeat Blue Jays

    <h3>OAKLAND 3, TORONTO 1</h3>OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- Joe Blanton and the OaklandAthletics made sure the Toronto Blue Jays paid for theirmistakes.

    Blanton pitched his third complete game of the season as theAthletics were able to take advantage of two Blue Jay errors enroute to a 3-1 victory on Tuesday.

    Blanton (8-4), who finished June with a 3-1 record and led allAmerican league starters with a 1.58 ERA, began his first startin July on a good note as well.

    The righthander yielded just a run and four hits while strikingout three. It was Blanton's sixth start of eight-plus inningsand his three complete games tie him with Derek Lowe and MattMorris for the most in the majors.

    Trailing, 1-0, in the first inning, Shannon Stewart led off witha single to right field before stealing second and advanced tothird on an errant throw into the outfield by catcher GreggZaun. He then scored on a groundout by Mark Kotsay to forge a1-1 tie.

    The Athletics were able to take advantage of the Blue Jays'second miscue in the second when Troy Glaus's potentialinning-ending throw to first base on a grounder by Stewartbounced in the dirt extending the inning. Kotsay followed withan RBI single to right to give Oakland a 2-1 lead.

    Toronto rookie Jesse Litsch (1-3), who was battered for fiveruns in two-thirds of an inning in his last start vs. the NewYork Yankees, yielded two runs - none earned - and seven hits inseven innings. The young righthander also struck out five injust his fifth career start, and first against Oakland.

    <div class="pre">Jack Cust provided an insurance run in the eighth with a solo</div>shot over the left field wall off Toronto reliever Brian Wolfeto make it 3-1. It was the slugger's team-leading 15th homer.

    Toronto's lone run came in the first when Zaun doubled toright-center field and then scored on a run-scoring single byAlex Rios.
     
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    Blanton hurls complete game, Athletics defeat Blue Jays

    <h3>OAKLAND 3, TORONTO 1</h3>OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- Joe Blanton and the OaklandAthletics made sure the Toronto Blue Jays paid for theirmistakes.

    Blanton pitched his third complete game of the season as theAthletics were able to take advantage of two Blue Jay errors enroute to a 3-1 victory on Tuesday.

    Blanton (8-4), who finished June with a 3-1 record and led allAmerican league starters with a 1.58 ERA, began his first startin July on a good note as well.

    "My curveball was working pretty well tonight," Blanton said."I was able to throw it for strikes and that's what got me deepinto the game. Later in the game I was able to change speedsand I think that kept them off balance a little."

    The righthander yielded just a run and four hits while strikingout three.

    "What's the story but Joe Blanton," Athletics manager Bob Gerensaid. "He had everything working and was in control the wholetime. It was just a solid performance all around."

    It was Blanton's sixth start of eight-plus innings and his threecomplete games tie him with Derek Lowe and Matt Morris for themost in the majors.

    "I told him it was my game and I wanted it," said Blanton ofGeren's ninth inning visit to the pitchers mound. "You want tobe honest because you don't want to give up the win, but I feltstrong enough to finish."

    Trailing, 1-0, in the first inning, Shannon Stewart led off witha single to right field before stealing second and advanced tothird on an errant throw into the outfield by catcher GreggZaun. He then scored on a groundout by Mark Kotsay to forge a1-1 tie.

    The Athletics were able to take advantage of the Blue Jays'second miscue in the second when Troy Glaus's potentialinning-ending throw to first base on a grounder by Stewartbounced in the dirt extending the inning. Kotsay followed withan RBI single to right to give Oakland a 2-1 lead.

    Toronto rookie Jesse Litsch (1-3), who was battered for fiveruns in two-thirds of an inning in his last start vs. the NewYork Yankees, yielded two runs - none earned - and seven hits inseven innings.

    "I'm satisfied as much as I can be," Litsch said. "We didn'twin tonight, but I gave it everything I had and all my stuff wasworking pretty good. I wish the outcome would have beendifferent, but that's the way this one went."

    The young righthander also struck out five in just his fifthcareer start, and first against Oakland.

    "He pitched good for us," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said."For a kid with very little experience he did well. He looked alittle excited in the first inning, but was able to settle downafter that."

    <div class="pre">Jack Cust provided an insurance run in the eighth with a solo</div>shot over the left field wall off Toronto reliever Brian Wolfeto make it 3-1.

    "I was just trying to make contact," Cust said. "I got a pitchout over the front of the plate and was able to get a good swingon it. Their starter settled down after a while, so I was gladto get to get up against someone new."

    It was the slugger's team-leading 15th homer.

    "It was a huge run for us," Geren said. "His home run made iteasier for Joe to go out and finish it off in the ninth."

    Toronto's lone run came in the first when Zaun doubled toright-center field and then scored on a run-scoring single byAlex Rios.
     

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