Gurriel Jr. leads attack as the Blue Jays edge Athletics

TORONTO — Lourdes Gurriel Jr. drilled a single and double, scored two runs and knocked in another in the Toronto Blue Jays scored 4-3 win in the rubber match against the Oakland Athletics on Sunday.

Toronto's Canadian closer Jordan Romano recorded three fly-ball outs in ninth inning for his Major League Baseball-leading sixth save and converted his 29th save opportunity in a row.

The win pushed the Blue Jays (6-4) to the top of the American League East standings and to their best start since winning six of the first 10 outings in 2018.

The Blue Jays scored a run in each of the first three innings for a 3-0 advantage off Athletics starter Adam Oller (0-1). He lasted only 3 1/3 innings.

A sacrifice fly to centre field from Gurriel knocked in leadoff hitter George Springer who reached base on an error from Oakland third baseman Sheldon Neuse for the game's first run.

In the second inning, a leadoff double from Zack Collins enabled the designated hitter to score on Santiago Espinal's single to centre.

With two out in the third inning, Gurriel smacked a double to left field, and he scored on Matt Chapman's single to left centre.

Blue Jays starter Alek Manoah (2-0) lasted six innings. He struck out six but saw his shutout streak to begin the season snapped at 10 innings when Oakland catcher Stephen Vogt smashed a homer to straightaway centre to lead off the fifth inning.

A Sean Murphy sacrifice fly brought in another Athletics (5-5) run later in the inning.

Toronto got a run back in the bottom of the fifth when Gurriel singled and then scored on a throwing error from Oakland shortstop Kevin Smith.

The Athletics scored again in the eighth with a sacrifice fly from first baseman Seth Brown.

Toronto slugger Vladimir Guerrero