Braden throws seven strong innings in A's win

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - Dallas Braden pitched three-hit ball for seven innings, Jack Cust drove in the go-ahead run and the Oakland Athletics ended a four-game losing streak by beating the Toronto Blue Jays 6-2 Tuesday night.

Coco Crisp had three hits and an RBI, Daric Barton and Mark Ellis each drove in a run and the A's won for the 11th time in their last 16 home games.

Braden (8-8) allowed two runs, one earned, and improved to 4-1 since coming off the disabled list July 20. He walked two and struck out five.

Craig Breslow got two outs in the eighth and Michael Wuertz recorded four outs for his sixth save.

Brian Tallet (2-5) took the loss in relief of starter Brandon Morrow, who lasted four innings in his first start since his near no-hitter that included 17 strikeouts Aug. 8 against Tampa Bay.

Given extra rest after throwing a career-high 137 pitches in that one, Morrow allowed two runs and four hits Tuesday. He walked three and struck out two.

Jose Bautista got his 90th RBI in the first to put the Blue Jays ahead.

Morrow gave up consecutive doubles to Crisp and Barton leading off the bottom half and later threw a wild pitch that allowed Barton to score, giving the A's a 2-1 lead.

Lyle Overbay singled home the tying run for Toronto in the seventh.

Tallet gave up singles to Crisp and Barton to open the bottom of the seventh and was replaced by Shawn Camp, who struck out Conor Jackson after Crisp stole third.

Cust hit a sharp RBI grounder to second baseman Aaron Hill, who tagged Barton but threw wildly past first base for an error that allowed Cust to reach second. Crisp scored the go-ahead run on the play and Cust came around moments later when Ellis singled.

Rajai Davis then singled to left and Ellis scored when Travis Snider misplayed the ball for an error, making it 5-2.

Crisp added an RBI single in the eighth.

NOTES: Morrow matched his second-shortest outing of the season. ... Tallet has allowed runs in 10 of his 18 appearances. ... Overbay was 0 for 10 before his seventh-inning single. ... A's RHP Andrew Bailey threw an 18-pitch simulated game and will likely throw at least one more before returning to action. ... Barton snapped an 0-for-12 streak with his first-inning double. ... Crisp has 13 stolen bases since the All-Star break, matching Juan Pierre of the Chicago White Sox for most in the majors. ... While Morrow lost his no-hit bid on Evan Longoria's two-out single in the ninth, it was Braden who pitched the majors' first perfect game this year May 9 against the Rays.