Blue Jays snap Athletics seven game winning streak

Toronto, ON (Sports Network) - Travis Snider's safety squeeze led to two runs and proved to be the turning point as the Toronto Blue Jays snapped Oakland's seven-game winning streak and avoided a three-game sweep with a 10-4 win.

Toronto designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion picked up two hits, including his 27th home run -- a new career high.

Kelly Johnson homered and knocked in two runs for the Jays, who were outscored 23-2 over the first two games in the series.

Brandon Lyon (1-0) picked up his first win as a Blue Jay after Toronto acquired the reliever from Houston on July 20.

Oakland chased Aaron Laffey from the game after 5 2/3 innings. Laffey, who had recorded quality starts in four of his last five outings, gave up four runs on five hits and three walks.

Toronto shelled Tommy Milone (9-7). Milone, who had not given up more than two earned runs since June 13, was tagged for six runs -- five earned -- in seven innings. The left-hander did not issue a walk and struck out seven in a losing effort.

With Toronto trailing by a run in the sixth inning and runners on second and third with one out, Snider dropped a safety squeeze down the third-base line to score Colby Rasmus. Milone then drilled Snider in the back on his throw to first, allowing Brett Lawrie to come around to score and give Toronto a 5-4 lead.

Kelly Johnson jumped on a 2-2 curveball in the seventh and drove it over the right-field fence to give Toronto a two-run lead.

The Blue Jays blew the game open with four runs in the eighth. Snider drove in a run with a double, Yan Gomes lifted a sacrifice fly and then Johnson and Jeff Mathis knocked in two more runs with back-to-back doubles to open up a six-run lead.

Darren Oliver and Casey Janssen combined for two perfect innings of relief to close out the win.

Oakland used the long ball to take a three-run lead early in the game.

Josh Reddick hit a two-out solo shot in the first to spot Oakland an early lead, and Brandon Inge launched a two-out, two-run homer in the fourth to left to make it 3-0.

Encarnacion tied the game in the bottom half of the fourth with a three-run shot before Oakland regained the lead in the fifth when Rickie Weeks crossed the plate as Reddick beat out a double play.

Game Notes

Milone, who surrendered two home runs, has now allowed 17 home runs on the road this season and only one at home...Toronto went 5-for-7 with runners in scoring position and stranded two...Oakland went 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position and left four on base...The Blue Jays out-hit Oakland 12-5.