Toronto Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. reacts after hitting into a double play during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Oakland Athletics, Friday, June 7, 2024, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
JJ Bleday's ninth-inning home run off Chad Green secured a 2-1 victory for the Oakland Athletics against the Toronto Blue Jays. Mason Miller's 1-2-3 ninth inning earned him the win in a game lasting 2 hours, 7 minutes.
Bleday, after an offseason dedicated to strength training, hit his first career walkoff homer. A's manager Mark Kotsay praised Bleday's maturity and offseason work ethic. Chris Bassitt's wild pitch allowed Max Schuemann to score the game's first run, while Bo Bichette's RBI single tied it in the seventh. Bassitt, who pitched for the A's from 2015 to 2021, established the second-lowest ERA at the Oakland Coliseum. Lefty Hogan Harris pitched six scoreless innings for the A's.
The A's celebrated their victory, drawing a crowd of 16,046 for the first fireworks show and reverse boycott of the season. Blue Jays' starter Alek Manoah will undergo reconstructive right elbow surgery and miss the season. RHP Yariel Rodríguez is set to return from inflammation in his thoracic spine. Athletics' RHP reliever Lucas Erceg may return soon after a bullpen session.
