by Jerry Feitelberg

Oakland- The Oakland A’s snapped a three-game losing streak Monday night at the Oakland Coliseum as they blasted the Toronto Blue Jays 10-1.

The A’s, returning home after getting swept by the Colorado Rockies in Denver, beat the Blue Jays for the fifth consecutive time this year. The Blue Jays were hoping to be contenders this season. Injuries to key players such as Josh Donaldson, Troy Tulowitzki, and Kevin Pillar have contributed to their demise.

Toronto manager John Gibbons still had to put a team on the field. He sent Marco Estrada to the hill Monday night. The A’s tagged him for one in the second, one in the third, and two in the fourth. Mark Canha smoked his 14th home run of the year in the second to give the A’s a 1-0 lead. In the third, Nick Martini singled. Matt Chapman walk. Jed Lowrie flew out, and Martini tagged and went to third. Martini scored on Khris Davis’ sacrifice fly to make it 2-0. The A’s plated two more in the bottom of the fourth Singles by Stephen Piscotty and Marcus Semien put men on at first and third. Jonathan Lucroy hit a sacrifice fly to drive in Piscotty. Nick Martini followed with a double to drive in Semien all the way from first The A’s lead 4-0.

There was no more scoring until the bottom of the eighth. The A’s, who lead the majors with runs scored in the eighth inning, worked their magic once more as they scored six times to break the game wide open. Stephen Piscotty led off with his 15th big fly of 2018. Lefty reliever Jaime Garcia gave up a single to Mark Canha. Semien reached on left Fielder Teoscar Hernandez committed an error. Both players scored on Lucroy’s double to increase the lead to 7-0.  Garcia walked Matt Chapman, and he was then rocked for a double by Jed Lowrie to make it 9-0. Khris Davis singled to drive in Lowrie with the sixth run of the inning.

Toronto’s shortstop Adelmys Diaz led off the top of the ninth off A’s reliever Ryan Buchter. Buchter then retired the next three hitters to close out the win. The A’s win 10-1.

Game Notes- A’s starter Edwin Jackson was the winning pitcher, and he evened his record at 2-2. His line was 5 2/3rds innings of work. He allowed no runs and just three hits. He walked three and struck out five. A’s manager Bob Melvin removed him from the game with two outs in the sixth as he had exceeded his pitch count limit. Ryan Dull finished the sixth, Lou Trivino worked the seventh, and Familia pitched the eighth. Lefty Ryan Buchter pitched the ninth.

The A’s gained a game on the Houston Astros Monday night. The Astros, in a bit of turmoil as they were swept by the Texas Rangers this weekend, lost Monday night again to the Seattle Mariners. The Mariners are now two back of the Astros. Houston made a blockbuster trade Monday as they sent closer Ken Giles to Toronto for Roberto Osuna. Giles did not do the job for Houston. Osuna is serving a 75-game suspension and is due to be available on August 4th. The A’s are now just five games behind the Astros and remain two back of the Mariners.

The A’s will send Trevor Cahill to pitch Tuesday night. Cahill is 2-2 with an ERA of 3.43. He will be opposed by righty Sam Gaviglio who is 2-3 with an ERA of 4.65. Game time will be at 7:05pm at the Oakland Coliseum.

The A’s also announced a major restructuring of how they will be selling tickets next year. Enclosed is the press release from the A’s.

Oakland A’s Cancel 2019 Season Ticket Program

Team introduces A’s Access; New approach to membership

 

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Oakland A’s will no longer offer season tickets in the traditional format and will introduce A’s Access, a new membership program for the 2019 season, the club announced today. A’s Access provides all members general admission access to every 2019 regular season home game, a reserved seat plan, and significant benefits that are exclusive to members. Access memberships will go on sale this Friday, Aug. 3.

“To better meet the evolving needs of our fans, we are changing our approach to membership. This flexible model is designed to serve both fans who want a more traditional reserved seat plan and those who desire a more flexible and social experience,” said A’s COO Chris Giles.

 

Access Members will receive 50 percent off concessions, 25 percent off merchandise, and parking benefits, as well as an allotment of seat upgrade credits for games not included in their reserved ticket plan. A’s Access will also include a flexible new payment plan, a 12-month option that auto-renews each year. Fans who purchase 2019 A’s Access this season will have the first opportunity to purchase 2018 postseason tickets, including a “Pay As We Play” option.

“A’s Access is the first program of its kind. From access to every game to special member concessions pricing, we’re focused on maximizing the value proposition for members. We are inviting our fans to truly become members of the A’s,” said Giles.

Every A’s Access membership includes a reserved ticket plan and all seat plans held by current season ticket members are available for renewal within the Access program. A’s Access plans begin at $240. Member concession pricing includes $4 20-ounce domestic drafts, $3 hot dogs, and $2.50 16-ounce sodas.

A’s Access will go on sale on Friday, Aug. 3 at 9 a.m. For more information, visit athletics.com/2019.

– athletics.com –