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A's eye fourth straight win in opener with Blue Jays

Jul 29, 2013 - 2:49 PM (Sports Network) - The Oakland Athletics eye a fourth straight win on Monday when they begin a three-game set with the Toronto Blue Jays at O.co Coliseum.

Oakland stretched its lead atop the American League West over the weekend by taking three of four from of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

In Sunday's finale, Yoenis Cespedes went 3-for-5 with four RBI, as Oakland rolled to a 10-6 win. Brandon Moss drove in two runs while Eric Sogard had three hits, two runs scored and two RBI for the Athletics, who won the final three games of the set and moved six games in front of the Texas Rangers in the division.

"These guys are pretty relentless at the plate," said Oakland manager Bob Melvin. "When we were down early I wasn't too worried because I knew we'd get some runs in."

Jarrod Parker lasted just five-plus innings in the start as he was roughed up for six runs on five hits and seven walks. Jesse Chavez (2-2) pitched two innings of scoreless action to get the win.

"That's just Oakland A's baseball," catcher Derek Norris said. "You know there's going to be a time when both (hitting and pitching) are going to click, and that's going to be scary for teams when they come in to face Oakland.

"That's what makes us a very good ballclub."

Getting the call for the A's on Monday will be righty A.J. Griffin, who is 9-7 with a 3.84 ERA. Griffin won for the fourth time in five decisions on Wednesday in Houston, as he allowed three runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings.

"Overall, I felt really good," Griffin said. "My lanes were really good to the plate with all my pitches. I felt like I was doing a good job of keeping my delivery the same for every pitch, keeping them off balance for the most part. That was the most locked in I've felt in a long time, probably all year."

Griffin has faced the Blue Jays twice and is 1-0 and has yet to allow a run to them in 7 2/3 innings.

Toronto, meanwhile, took three of four from the Houston Astros over the weekend, but still sits in last place in the American League East, 14 1/2 games back of the division-leading Boston Red Sox.

"We have to put as many wins together as we can," Rasmus said after Sunday's 2-1 win. "Stay positive and get on this (10-game) West Coast trip and go out there and try to win some ballgames."

Hoping to keep the Blue Jays in the win column on Monday will be righty Esmil Rogers, who is winless in his last six starts and is 3-4 with a 3.74 ERA. Rogers did not get a decision on Wednesday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, but pitched well, as he allowed just two runs in seven innings of an 8-3 loss.

This will be his first start versus the A's.

Oakland took five of nine from the Jays last season.