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**Blue Jays Soar Above .500 with Home Run Power Against A’s**

**TORONTO** – The Toronto Blue Jays powered their way to an 11-7 victory over the Oakland Athletics Friday night, propelling them above .500 for the first time since April 21. Ernie Clement and Addison Barger both homered, leading an offensive explosion that secured the team’s fifth consecutive home win and improved their record to 29-28.

Clement had a standout performance, going 4-for-5 with a home run leading off the third inning and scoring two runs. Barger’s sixth-inning blast helped the Blue Jays pull away. Starting pitcher Chris Bassitt earned the win (5-3), pitching five innings with six strikeouts, allowing five runs on seven hits and two walks.

The Athletics, who have now lost 15 of their last 16 games, struggled on the mound, as starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs (5-4) lasted only two innings, surrendering six earned runs on six hits and six walks. Tyler Soderstrom and Shea Langeliers hit solo home runs for Oakland.

A highlight for the Athletics came in the fourth inning when Toronto native and Athletics center fielder Denzel Clarke robbed Alejandro Kirk of a home run with a leaping catch at the wall.

The Blue Jays’ offense has been on fire, scoring double-digit runs for the second straight game after their 12-0 rout of the Athletics on Thursday.

RHP Gunnar Hoglund (1-2, 5.13 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Athletics on Saturday. The Blue Jays’ starter was not yet announced.

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