Blue Jays Batter Brooks, Beat Athletics 10-3

TORONTO (AP) Aaron Brooks might want to check with customs before his next start in Toronto. Whatever the reason, he seems to have a tough time bringing his best stuff across the border.

Brooks was roughed up by the Blue Jays for the second time in his short career as Toronto won its 10th straight gameWednesday, beating the Oakland A's 10-3.

Brooks (1-1) had allowed just two earned runs in his previous two starts with the Athletics but was undone by bad location against the surging Blue Jays.

"A lot of balls in the middle of the plate," Oakland manager Bob Melvin said. "You've got a pretty hot-hitting team and when you miss in the middle of the plate, you end up paying."

In his first big league start, Brooks allowed seven runs and didn't get out of the opening inning while pitching for Kansas City in 2014. This time, the right-hander gave up a career-worst eight runs on six hits in 1 2-3 innings and saw his ERA rise from 2.41 to 5.75.

Brooks, who acknowledged having flashbacks to last year's tough start as he walked off the field, has allowed 15 earned runs in 2 1-3 career innings against Toronto.

"They pretty much eliminated every pitch but the fastball and took advantage," Brooks said.

Still, he felt better about his future this time around.

"When I was with the Royals I was going back (to the minors) no matter what happened," Brooks said. "Here it's a little bit of a different situation for me, just knowing that I have the four days to come back and continue working and make the next start."

Chris Colabello and Justin Smoak each hit three-run homers as Toronto moved half a game ahead of the New York Yankees and into first place in the AL East.

"It's great, don't get me wrong, but I think everyone in this club wants to be in first place on Game 162," Colabello said. "That's what's important."

Josh Donaldson had two hits and two RBIs, boosting his ML-leading total to 85.

Toronto, which won 11 straight in June, is the first team with two winning streaks of 10 games or more in a single season since Atlanta in 2013. The last AL team to do it was Kansas City in 1977.

"I'm not amazed," starter R.A. Dickey said. "I feel like we're capable of consistently winning ball games."

Dickey (7-10) won his won his fourth straight decision, allowing three runs and six hits in six innings.

Toronto starters have not allowed more than three earned runs in 16 straight games, two shy of the club record set in 1991.

Colabello gave Toronto an early lead with a drive off the third deck in the first, estimated at 420 feet.

Smoak's blast to center off Felix Doubront was the big blow in an 11-batter, seven-run second inning in which the first nine batters reached safely.

It was the major league-leading 11th time this season Toronto has scored six runs or more in a single inning. The Blue Jays also lead baseball with 17 games in which they've scored 10 or more.

The Blue Jays have homered in 11 consecutive games and 23 of 24 since the All-Star break. They've hit multiple homers in 14 of those 23.

DOOLITTLE GETTING CLOSER

Oakland LHP Sean Doolittle (shoulder) pitched one inning at Triple-A Nashiville on Tuesday, allowing a solo home run but striking out the side. Doolittle, who has been limited to one major league appearance this season, will pitch for Nashville again Friday and could rejoin the Athletics next week.

DOG DAY DELIGHT

The Blue Jays are 10-1 in August with 16 games remaining this month. They went 9-17 in August, 2014.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Athletics: SS Marcus Semien was held out of the starting lineup to get a break from the turf and keep him from facing Dickey's knuckleball. OF Coco Crisp also got the night off.

Blue Jays: 1B Edwin Encarnacion (left middle finger) sat out his third straight game but hopes to return Thursday.

UP NEXT

Athletics: RHP Sonny Gray (12-4, 2.06 ERA) will test his AL-leading ERA against the highest-scoring offense in the majors when he faces the Blue Jays. Gray is 8-1 with a 1.64 ERA in 12 road starts.

Blue Jays: LHP Mark Buehrle (12-5, 3.34 ERA) will have had six days of rest when he faces Oakland on Thursday afternoon. Manager John Gibbons pushed Buehrle back an extra day following Monday's off day because theveteran was "a little beat up" after his previous start.

Updated August 12, 2015