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(Sports Network) - The Toronto Blue Jays target their fourth straight win this evening when they begin a three-game series with the Oakland Athletics at Rogers Centre.
After dropping two out of three to the New York Yankees to open the year, the Blue Jays got on track with a three-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox over the weekend, culminating with a 7-4 win on Sunday.
Frank Thomas belted a grand slam, and Roy Halladay outdueled Josh Beckett to nail down his first win of the season. Halladay (1-1) allowed four runs on eight hits in eight innings for the Blue Jays, who have won four of five games overall.
Vernon Wells added a two-run homer for Toronto, while Aaron Hill finished 2- for-4 with an RBI double.
Getting the call for the Jays tonight will be oft-injured right-hander A.J. Burnett, who was impressive in his season debut on Wednesday against the Yanks. Burnett surrendered two runs and five hits over six innings in that one, while striking out three and walking a batter.
Burnett has faced the A's three times in his career and is 1-1 against them with a 2.18 ERA.
Oakland was supposed to have Rich Harden on the hill this evening, but he was scratched late Monday night. The team did not specify why he was removed from the start, but he is now expected to pitch Saturday in Cleveland. Harden, of course, has had five stints on the disabled list over the previous three seasons.
So, right-hander Chad Gaudin will make his 2008 debut tonight. Gaudin made 34 starts last season for the A's and was 11-13 with a 4.42 ERA. He will be making his third start against the Jays, and will be looking for his first decision against them. In nine appearances against Toronto, though, Gaudin has pitched to a 2.30 ERA.
Oakland enters this series on a sour note after dropping the finale of their three-game affair with the Cleveland Indians, 2-1, on Sunday at McAfee Coliseum. Travis Buck drove in the lone run, while Kurt Suzuki collected two hits and scored the run for the Athletics, who had won two in a row.
Joe Blanton (0-2) took the loss despite a solid outing, allowing seven hits and two runs over 6 2/3 frames.
Oakland won five of its nine meetings with the Blue Jays last season and has won four in a row in Toronto, where it won all three matchups a year ago.
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