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Athletics overcome Thomas, Blue Jays

Aug 22, 2007 - 3:47 AM TORONTO (Ticker) -- In the end, small ball won out over the long ball.

The Oakland Athletics benefited from run-scoring base hits, a wild pitch and a groundout to overcome Frank Thomas' two home runs in a 6-4 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday.

With the game tied at 4-4 in the seventh, Oakland's Dan Johnson and Jack Cust had RBI singles to cap the scoring.

"We did a great job jumping out and getting some big hits, especially that inning there," Oakland manager Bob Geren said.

The two-run frame made a winner of Oakland ace Dan Haren (14-4), who allowed four runs on six hits and struck out nine in six innings. The 14 victories ties a career high for Haren, who improved to 6-3 in his 13 road starts this season.

"I had really good stuff tonight, better than I've had all year," Haren said. "I let them back in the game. It was an 0-2 pitch to (Alex) Rios I'd like to have back. I had a battle with Vernon (Wells) he won it and I kind of lost my composure with (Frank) Thomas ... just a cookie to hit. I had great stuff with the exception of a two-minute span."

Andrew Brown and Alan Embree bridged the gap to Huston Street, who got the final three outs to earn his 12th save of the season.

"Any time you get your All-Star out there on the mound and a guy that's competing for a Cy Young, these wins are not just important for the team but also for him as our teammate," Street said of Haren. "You're just helping him do something special."

Toronto reliever Brian Tallet (2-3), who allowed the two runs and two hits in the seventh while failing to record an out, took the loss.

"I have to be able to come in there and hold them ... give our team a chance to win the game. I didn't do that tonight," Tallet said.

Thomas, 39, belted career home runs Nos. 507 and 508 - both solo shots - and is now three shy of tying Mel Ott for 19th place on the all-time list. He is also four shy of tying Ernie Banks and Eddie Mathews for 17th place.

Thomas, who led off the second inning with a blast to left field, capped a three-run uprising in the sixth with a homer to center field.

His second home run, which was his 21st of the season, followed Vernon Wells' two-run shot to tie the game at 4-4.

"We turned the corner right there but they came right back and (got) two runs on the board," Thomas said.

Without the long ball, however, the Blue Jays struggled. They were 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position on Tuesday.

Oakland scratched for a run in its each of its first three innings.

Jeff DaVanon, who scored on a wild pitch in the first inning, plated Mark Ellis in the second with a groundout.

After Thomas' first home run, Johnson's double to center field scored Cust in the third inning to give the Athletics a 3-1 lead.

"We had some big hits, timely hits, it was just enough to win tonight," Cust said.

Oakland added to its lead in the sixth inning when Kurt Suzuki doubled to plate Jack Hannahan.