Kevin Gausman heads to the hill Sunday as the Toronto Blue Jays aim to wrap up a four-game sweep of the Athletics.
Watch the game live on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+ starting with Blue Jays Central coverage at 1 p.m. ET / 10 a.m. PT.
Toronto’s bats have come alive during the series with a total of 31 runs over the first three games. George Springer hit a pair of “Springer Dingers” during Saturday’s 8-7 victory. Addison Barger also hit a two-run homer, and Bo Bichette added a solo shot.
Easton Lucas (3-2) earned the win while Jeff Hoffman conceded a two-run homer to Brent Rooker in the ninth before picking up his 13th save.
The Blue Jays lost centre fielder Daulton Varsho during the third inning due to left hamstring discomfort. Varsho was running to third base when he grabbed his left hamstring and began hopping as Max Schuemann tagged him out.
“It’s tough,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said after the game. “Varsh is about as well liked as there is, probably in the game. Everyone in (the clubhouse) is feeling for him for sure.”
“It sucks when you see a player go down like that.”
Varsho’s status for Sunday is unknown as the Blue Jays are awaiting MRI results.
Gausman (5-4, 3.68 ERA) has three wins in his past four starts and has been stellar in his past two outings. After pitching seven shutout innings and striking out nine against the San Diego Padres, the right-hander gave up just one run on five hits with six strikeouts over eight innings against the Texas Rangers last Monday. The 34-year-old also has not issued a walk in four consecutive starts.
The Athletics counter with JP Sears on the mound. The left-handed pitcher holds a 4-5 record and 5.18 ERA over 11 starts this season. Sears, who has lost his past three starts, will look to bounce back from his most recent outing last Tuesday against the Houston Astros. The 29-year-old gave up nine runs on 10 hits in only 3.1 innings of work.
Toronto (30-28) is tied with the Tampa Bay Rays for second place in the American League East and 5.5 games back of the division-leading New York Yankees.
The Athletics are last in the AL West with a 23-36 record.
The Blue Jays have Monday off before continuing their home stretch with a three-game set against the Philadelphia Phillies starting Tuesday.