OAKLAND (AP) — Two days after striking out on an unexpected two-seam fastball from John Axford, Toronto slugger Josh Donaldson had a much better view of things when he faced the Oakland Athletics’ reliever again.
This time Donaldson didn’t get fooled and prevented the Blue Jays from getting swept in their first series coming out of the All-Star break.
Donaldson hit a tiebreaking two-run double off Axford with two outs in the ninth against his former team and Toronto held on to beat Oakland 5-3 on Sunday to avoid a series sweep.
“He just started throwing a two-seamer and I didn’t really know he had that,” Donaldson said of Axford. “He busted it out on me (Friday), a good pitch. Today I was able to see it and get in a favorable count where I could zone it up more.”
Donaldson, who was traded to the Blue Jays by the A’s prior to the 2015 season, also singled and scored in the first inning to help Toronto win after Oakland starter Rich Hill left the game with a blister on his finger in the opening inning.
Troy Tulowitzki homered while Russell Martin and Justin Smoak added two hits apiece for Toronto.
The Blue Jays needed it after losing their first two games coming out of the All-Star break to fall four games behind first place Baltimore in the AL East.
“We desperately needed that as a team,” Toronto manager John Gibbons said. “We had the little lead, they came back and tied it. That’s a big win for us.”
Smoak and Junior Lake hit consecutive one-out singles off John Axford (3-3) in the ninth. Devon Travis struck out looking before Donaldson lined a 2-1 pitch down the left-field line to drive in pinch-runner Andy Burns and Lake.
Donaldson, who played in Oakland from 2010-14, was greeted with a rousing ovation and chants of “MVP, MVP” from the crowd of 21,626 at the Coliseum.
“This is where it all started for me so it’s always nice to see,” Donaldson said. “There’s a few faces over there I remember. It’s good to see the fans and be able to play out here.”
Jason Grilli (3-1) retired three batters for the win. Roberto Osuna pitched the ninth for his 19th save.
Marcus Semien homered for the A’s.
“Nice little fight until the end,” Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. “They got a key hit when they had to in the ninth.”
Tulowitzki hit his 16th home run of the season off Sean Manaea in the fourth. It’s Tulowitzki’s eighth home run in 23 games since coming off the disabled list June 17.
Semien became the fifth shortstop in A’s history to reach 20 home runs in one season with his solo shot off Toronto starter J.A. Happ in the sixth. Yonder Alonso added a tying pinch-hit two-run double in the same inning.
HAPP HIT TWICE
Happ had won six consecutive starts but left after getting hit by line drives twice, including once near his left elbow by Jake Smolinski’s liner in the fifth. The Blue Jays’ lefty allowed three runs over 5 2/3 innings with five strikeouts and one walk. “Hopefully he’ll be fine, but you never know if it’s going to stiffen up on him,” Gibbons said. “He gutted it out. That doesn’t surprise me. I’ve seen him get hit in the head.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Athletics: Triggs was diagnosed with a bruised left calf. . Left-hander Ross Detwiler, acquired from the Cleveland Indians in exchange for cash, was sent to Triple-A Nashville.
UP NEXT
Blue Jays: RHP Aaron Sanchez (9-1) pitches the opener of a two-game series in Arizona on Tuesday. He has eight consecutive wins and a 2.87 ERA since suffering his lone loss of the season to Oakland on April 22.
Athletics: RHP Kendall Graveman (5-6) starts against Houston on Monday at the Coliseum. Graveman beat the Astros in his most recent outing July 9.
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