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Hannahan's single helps A's top Jays in 11 innings

Aug 30, 2007 - 12:27 AM By Tom Kent PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer OAKLAND, California (Ticker) -- Jack Hannahan's single not only extended his hitting streak, it ended the game.

Hannahan plated Marco Scutaro with the winning run as the Oakland Athletics defeated the Toronto Blue Jays, 5-4, in 11 innings on Wednesday.

After Oakland made two quick outs, Scutaro doubled to left-center to drive Jason Frasor (1-4) from the game. Scott Downs came on in relief to face Hannahan, who was in jeopardy of having his 10-game hitting streak come to an end.

"Hannahan looked very determined in the batters box," Athletics manager Bob Geren said. "He had a nice approach and made good contact."

Hannahan then promptly singled to center to start the celebration.

"It feels great," Hannahan said. "I had an opportunity the other night against the same pitcher and didn't come through. You're always looking for these opportunities and looking to make the most of them."

Ruddy Lugo (5-0) was credited with the win after pitching two innings, allowing one hit and walking three.

The result obviously put a damper on the comeback bid of Toronto, which belted four solo home runs - including two in the ninth inning - to rally from a four-run deficit.

"The main thing was that we won today," said A's closer Huston Street, who surrendered the two solo shots in the ninth. "It makes it a lot easier for me to swallow heading into the off-day."

"You battle and battle and get back in there, but all losses are frustrating," Toronto manager John Gibbons said. "Extra inning games on the road are tough because they get the last at-bat. Both teams were tired and battled."

With the Athletics leading 4-2 in the ninth, closer Huston Street surrendered home runs to Lyle Overbay and Matt Stairs, his second pinch-hit home run this season and 12th of his career.

Oakland got the quick jump on Toronto starter Roy Halladay.

In the first inning, Mike Piazza had a run-scoring single and Scutaro cued a two-out double down the right field line, plating Cust for a 2-0 advantage.

Two innings later, the Athletics doubled their lead after Rob Bowen's two-run bloop single to left.

Halladay, a former Cy Young Award winner, yielded four runs and seven hits in eight innings. He walked five and struck out four.

"We showed some heart today," Halladay said. "I put us in the whole early and we were able to battle back. It's nice to see, a comeback like that, especially on the road."

"He's a horse," Gibbons said. "He's had some tough luck lately. He hasn't had a whole lot of run support lately either. He battled though, he always battles."

Aaron Hill led off the fourth with a line drive home run off Oakland starter Len DiNardo into the right field bleachers to cut Oakland's deficit to 4-1. The blast was Hill's 14th of the season.

Alex Rios belted a solo shot in the fifth for his 21st homer of the year for the Blue Jays, who lost their fifth consecutive season series to the Athletics.

DiNardo allowed two runs and four hits in five innings.

"We got the 'W'," DiNardo said. "As far as I threw, it wasn't my best stuff, but I kept us in the game and we won."