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Young aces square off in A's-Jays finale

Apr 7, 2011 - 2:38 PM (Sports Network) - Two of the best young pitchers in the game face off this afternoon, when Ricky Romero and the Toronto Blue Jays try to complete a three-game sweep of Trevor Cahill and the Oakland Athletics at Rogers Centre.

Romero, who was 14-9 a year ago, won his season debut on Friday against Minnesota, as he held the Twins to one earned run in 6 1/3 innings. He also struck out seven without walking a batter.

"Any time you come out of a game with no walks, it's something that shows you that you're attacking the strike zone and you're making pitches when you're supposed to make pitches," Romero said. "I'm proud of that. That's one of the things I'm hoping to cut back on this year."

The 26-year-old left-hander has had nothing but success when facing the A's, against whom he is 3-0 with a 2.25 earned run average.

An 18-game winner and All-Star in 2010, Cahill did not get a decision in his first trip to the hill on Friday against Seattle, as he gave up a run and four hits in 4 1/3 innings. However, he also walked four batters while striking out eight.

Unlike Romero, Cahill has struggled against his opponent this afternoon, having posted a 0-2 mark in three starts against the Jays, who have reached him for 16 runs in 15 2/3 frames.

Toronto, meanwhile, continued its impressive start to the season on Wednesday, as Travis Snider's three-run homer in the fourth inning gave the Blue Jays the lead for good in a 5-3 win.

Yunel Escobar went 3-for-3 with a run scored and both Aaron Hill and Adam Lind knocked in a run for Toronto, which has won four of five to start the season.

Escobar left the game with dizziness after hitting his head while sliding into third base and is questionable for today's affair. The Jays are already without slugger Jose Bautista, who has missed the last two games due to the birth of his daughter.

Toronto starter Jesse Litsch (1-0) went 6 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on six hits while striking out seven. Mark Rzepczynski pitched two scoreless innings out of the bullpen and Jon Rauch closed out the game for his first save of the season.

Hideki Matsui went 1-for-4 with a two-run double for Oakland, while Daric Barton added an RBI single. Dallas Braden (0-1) went seven-plus innings for the Athletics, allowing all five runs on 10 hits.

The A's are 1-4 to start the season for the first time since 1998 and haven't started 1-5 since 1987.

Toronto took four of seven matchups from the A's in 2010 and has won 11 of the last 13 games in the series held north of the border.