Even the pitcher with the best ERA in baseball has had trouble helping the Oakland Athletics, whose anemic offense has them on the verge of their first double-digit losing streak in more than 14 years. 

Gio Gonzalez shook off a rude welcome to the major leagues and showed why he's considered Oakland's top pitching prospect. 

Rod Barajas hit a three-run homer, Shaun Marcum pitched seven strong innings and the Toronto Blue Jays beat Oakland 5-1 Wednesday night to extend the Athletics' season-long losing streak to nine games. 

Rod Barajas hit a three-run homer, Shaun Marcum pitched seven strong innings and the Toronto Blue Jays beat Oakland 5-1 Wednesday night to extend the Athletics' season-long losing streak to nine games. 

The trade deadline has passed, but teams can still go the waiver route. 

The trade deadline has passed, but teams can still go the waiver route. 

MEDICAL WATCH: INF Joe Inglett (sore left knee) sat out Aug. 

--CF Alex Rios, who started the ninth-inning rally with a single, extended his hit streak to six games, going 10-for-25 in that stretch. 

As a former hitting coach, manager Cito Gaston appreciates offense. 

The Rays didn't make a trade, but they've got a plan. 

Huston Street sat slumped at his locker, his head in his hands, as if dreading the sleepless night that lay ahead. 

Kevin Mench singled in the winning run with two outs in the ninth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays extended the Athletics' season-long losing streak to eight games, beating Oakland 4-3 on Tuesday night. 

Kevin Mench singled in the winning run with two outs in the ninth inning and the Toronto Blue Jays extended the Athletics' season-long losing streak to eight games, beating Oakland 4-3 on Tuesday night. 

The present may be bleak for the reeling Oakland Athletics, but they hope another piece of their future can make an immediate impact Wednesday. 

--LF Adam Lind has hit safely in 10 of his last 11 games, going 13-for-42 in that span.