Pache hits ninth-inning homer to lift A's over Jays

TORONTO — Christian Pache hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the ninth inning to power the Oakland Athletics to a 7-5 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday afternoon at Rogers Centre.

After Christian Bethancourt reached on a one-out single, Pache hit a 1-0 fastball from Toronto reliever Julian Merryweather (0-2) that barely cleared the wall in right field for his first homer of the season.

Dany Jimenez (1-0) worked the eighth inning and Lou Trivino recorded the final three outs for his second save. Sean Murphy homered and doubled for Oakland (5-4).

Matt Chapman and Zack Collins went deep for the Blue Jays (5-4), who had clawed back from an early four-run deficit.

With George Springer not in the starting lineup, Toronto manager Charlie Montoyo slotted right-fielder Raimel Tapia into the leadoff spot and the move paid off right away.

Tapia doubled off Athletics starter Paul Blackburn and moved to third on a grounder. He scored when Sean Murphy dropped a high throw to the plate by third baseman Kevin Smith after a chopper by Vladimir Guerrero, Jr.

A clean opening frame by Toronto left-hander Hyun Jin Ryu was followed by a rough start to the second inning. Oakland recorded four straight hits - including doubles by Murphy, Smith and Bethancourt - to take a 3-1 lead.

The Athletics tacked on two more runs in the third when Murphy smacked a pitch into the second level of seats in left-centre field. The home run ball was thrown back on the field to the delight of fans in the standing-room section.

Quality two-out hitting against reliever Domingo Acevedo helped Toronto tie the game in the sixth inning.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr., singled and scored when Chapman turned on a first-pitch fastball for his second homer of the