(Toronto) Robbie Ray struck out 10 batters, Marcus Semien slammed a 35e home circuit and the Toronto Blue Jays rounded out an Oakland A’s sweep in an 8-0 win on Sunday.
Bo Bichette had a 4 for 4 game, with one run batted in and two runs scored.
Alejandro Kirk also hit a home run, helping the Jays hit at least 10 hits in a fourth straight game.
The Blue Jays have lost just once in their last eight meetings.
Charlie Montoyo’s club came close to four games with the Boston Red Sox in the playoff race.
The A’s and the Seattle Mariners are other clubs with slim hopes of joining Boston and the New York Yankees for this meeting.
Ray (11-5) became the first pitcher in Blue Jays history with four straight starts where he struck out at least 10 batters.
PHOTO KEVIN SOUSA, USA TODAY SPORTS
Robbie Ray became the first pitcher in Blue Jays history with four straight starts where he struck out at least 10 batters.
In six and two-thirds innings, the only hit he allowed was a double from Khris Davis in fifth.
“I had a good handle on my speed,” said the 29-year-old southpaw. I placed it very well and that gave me another nice advantage. I relied on that a lot. ”
Ray has 212 strikeouts in 2021. In major league baseball, only Gerrit Cole of the Yankees has more, at 215.
Ray leads the American with an average of 2.60.
“He’s probably the best pitcher in baseball right now,” said Montoyo. When he’s at the mound, we always feel like we have a chance. ”
Center fielder Randal Grichuk had a brilliant catch at the expense of Starling Marte in the first set. He dived when he got to the warning trail in center field.
“A fabulous catch,” Ray said.
Kirk had a long three-point ball against Cole Irvin (9-13), in the third.
Irvin gave up seven runs and eight hits in two and a third innings.
Hyun Jin Ryu will be the Jays’ starter at Yankee Stadium on Monday afternoon, against Jameson Taillon in the New York clan.
