Buehrle aims to tame Athletics

Mark Buehrle goes after his third consecutive win on Saturday when the Toronto Blue Jays resume their four-game series against the Oakland Athletics at Rogers Centre.

Buehrle has struggled in his career against the A's with a 7-13 record over 30 games (26 starts) to go with a 3.59 ERA. He did, however, give up only five hits in seven shutout innings of a 5-0 win at Oakland on July 30.

On Sunday, Buehrle didn't come away with a decision against the Angels after yielding seven hits and five runs over six frames.

Sonny Gray makes his first major league start today for the Athletics. A first-round draft pick in 2011, the 23-year-old right-hander threw two scoreless innings in relief against the Pirates and Angels on July 10 and 19, respectively.

In 20 starts for Triple-A Sacramento this year, Gray has compiled a 10-7 record with a 3.42 ERA. That includes one complete game.

Last night, Josh Reddick clubbed three homers and drove in five runs as the A's went on the offensive with a 17-hit attack in their 14-6 rout.

Reddick, who had just two homers in his last 39 games entering the day, capped his evening with a three-run blast. Jed Lowrie and Yoenis Cespedes contributed back-to-back homers in the first inning to begin the onslaught.

"I finally got something to go my way. You hit it over there, they can't catch it," said Reddick.

The Athletics won for just the second time in eight games, keeping a share of the lead in the AL West. Jarrod Parker (8-6) scattered three runs on six hits with six strikeouts over six innings to notch the win.

Esmil Rogers (3-7) struggled once again and was beaten badly for a third straight outing. He got through just three innings, allowing three of the homers and seven runs. He is 0-5 with a 7.13 ERA over his last nine starts.

"He's battling out there," Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. "He's a competitor. He's just going through a really tough time."

Jose Bautista and Colby Rasmus homered, while Jose Reyes, Brett Lawrie and Emilio Bonifacio each drove in a run for the Jays in the setback.

The teams have split four meetings this season.