The Oakland Athletics got their four-game series against the Toronto Blue Jays started on the right note on Thursday night, picking up a key 4-1 win.

The A's broke through with a three-run third inning. Seth Smith hit an RBI single to drive in Eric Sogard and open the scoring. Josh Reddick then followed that up with a home run to make it 3-0. It was Reddick's 23rd home run of the year.

Brandon Inge hit an RBI single in the seventh inning to give Oakland a big insurance run. The Blue Jays managed to scratch out a run in the top of the ninth on a fielder's choice, but Ryan Cook picked up the save.

Bartolo Colon picked up the win with eight innings of shutout baseball, giving up seven hits and one walk. With the win, Oakland moves a half-game in front of the Los Angeles Angels and sit in second place, 4.5 games behind the Texas Rangers in the American League West.

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