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Hannahan's homer backs Blanton as Athletics beat Blue Jays

Aug 21, 2007 - 3:50 AM TORONTO (Ticker) -- Rookie Jack Hannahan scoffed at Shaun Marcum's winning streak and the Toronto Blue Jays' home dominance.

Hannahan hit his first career home run, a three-run shot as part of a four-run third inning, and Joe Blanton threw seven effective innings as the Oakland Athletics defeated the Blue Jays, 6-4, on Monday in the opener of a three-game series.

Nick Swisher also homered for Oakland (62-64), which has won five of seven but remained 9 1/2 games behind the Seattle Mariners (69-52) in the American League wild card race.

Vernon Wells had an RBI double for Toronto, which had won four of six here and has the second-best home mark in the majors since May 11 at 32-14.

"We didn't take advantage of the few opportunities we had," Wells said. "If you don't do that, you're not going to win whether it's at home or on the road."

With the Athletics leading, 3-1, and runners on second and third, Hannahan, who was acquired from Detroit last Tuesday, blasted a hanging curveball on a 1-1 count just over the right field wall to put Oakland up 6-1.

"It felt great," Hannahan said. "I was just looking for a fastball up in the zone. He threw me a curveball and I was just lucky enough to put the bat on it. I'll definitely put this (ball) in the collection."

That was final inning for Marcum, who had won five straight starts but suffered his worst outing since July 7. The converted reliever, who is 9-3 in his last 19 starts, allowed six runs and nine hits in three innings.

"I was terrible," Marcum said. "I just didn't locate very well. They good a good job of putting the wood on the ball. It was just one of those days and I've just got to move on."

Oakland jumped on Marcum (10-5) early as Shannon Stewart led off the game with a single and Swisher smashed a two-run homer to right-center field - his 16th of the season - for a 2-0 lead.

"When the roof's closed here, just like any ballpark, it's a very good place to hit," Swisher said. "Marcum keeps the ball down in the zone, but to me he left it up a little bit. That's good to see - when a pitcher's not hitting the spot like he wants to we're trying to make him pay."

Toronto got one back in the first as Alex Rios hit a two-out single and scored on Wells' double to center.

However, that was the lone run Toronto scored off Blanton, who has won four of his last five starts. The burly righthander allowed just one run and six hits in seven innings. The 26-year-old notched six strikeouts and did not walk a batter.

"The hitters did a nice job of getting me the early lead," said Blanton, who improved to 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA against the Blue Jays this year. "I really had everything working and that gives you more confidence to go with any pitch on any count."

Blanton (11-8), who notched a complete-game victory over Toronto on July 3, threw 69 of 104 pitches for strikes and retired nine of the last 10 batters he faced.

Blanton gave way to Andrew Brown in the eighth, who did not fare as well. Brown hit the leadoff man Reed Johnson, who scored when Lyle Overbay reached on an error by the first baseman Swisher, cutting the lead to 6-2. Brown then allowed two-out, RBI doubles to Frank Thomas and Troy Glaus to make it 6-4.

"He threw a great ballgame," Oakland manager Bob Geren said. "I really like the way he used his curveball. He was very aggressive and it seemed like he could drop that curveball at any count."

The Blue Jays' rally fell short, though, as Alan Embree came in and got Aaron Hill to pop out to shallow right for the final out of the frame. Closer Huston Street worked the ninth for his 11th save in 13 chances.