Blue Jays fall to the long ball in game two against Athletics

The Toronto Blue Jays fell victim to the home run ball in Oakland on Saturday, dropping their second game of the series 5-4 against the Oakland Athletics.

R.A. Dickey’s start resembled much of his work earlier in the season, as the long ball overshadowed some stretches where he looked much stronger. Dickey gave the Blue Jays six innings, allowing five runs, all via the home run, on five hits.

Josh Thole opened up the Blue Jays offence in the second inning, rolling a double to the wall in right field to score Darwin Barney and Troy Tulowitzki, who had doubled earlier in the inning.

Khris Davis quickly responded with a solo home run in the bottom of the second. Ryon Healy then followed suit with his first MLB home run, a three-run shot to left field that put Oakland ahead 4-2.

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Edwin Encarnacion responded immediately, unloading his 24th home run of the season to centre-field, but Davis answered back with his second home run (22) to move Oakland back out 5-3.

In the top of the ninth, Justin Smoak thanked the Blue Jays for the two-year, $8.25 million extension he signed today with a solo home run, his 10th of the year.

Drew Storen was first on in relief for Dickey after he issued a leadoff walk in the seventh. The right-hander allowed one hit and recorded one out before Aaron Loup took over to escape the inning, which included a strong play at the plate from Thole that was overturned into an out upon further review.

Roberto Osuna then handled the top of the eighth, striking out one batter in a scoreless inning of work.

The final game of the series goes tomorrow afternoon at 4:05 p.m. ET with J.A. Happ (12-3, 3.36 ERA) scheduled to face Rich Hill (9-3, 2.25 ERA)