by Jerry Feitelberg

Oakland- The Oakland A’s and the Los Angeles Dodgers played a very close and very entertaining game Wednesday night at the Oakland Coliseum. It was the type of game that one would expect between teams that are contending for a playoff berth. The A’s sent newly acquired starter Mike Fiers to the hill to face the powerful LA Dodger lineup. The Dodgers had their ace, Clayton Kershaw, handling the pitching chores. The A’s would have to work hard to win, and they did just that as they beat the Dodgers 3-2.

Fiers was terrific for the first four innings. He retired all twelve hitters he faced and struck out eight along the way. The Dodgers scored a run in the fifth on a  Yasmany Grandal home run, and Fiers allowed two more hits in the inning but did not allow another run. He retired the first hitter in the sixth, but Manny Machado sent Fiers to the showers when he hit a double. A’s manager Bob Melvin removed Fiers from the game at that point and turned the game over to the bullpen. Fiers received a standing ovation from the A’s fans as he left the field. The game summary follows below.

The A’s scored twice in the bottom of the fourth inning. With one out, Khris Davis and Mark Canha singled to put men on at first and second. Kershaw retired Matt Olson on one pitch for the second out of the inning. With the count at 3 and 2 and the runners on the move, Stephen Piscotty singled to drive in Davis. Canha stopped at third. Rookie Ramon Laureano singled to drive in Canha with the A’s second run. The A’s lead 2-0 after four.

The A’s starter, Mike Fiers, who had been perfect for the first four innings of the game, gave up a home run to Dodgers’ catcher Yasmani Grandal. Grandal blasted his 20th of the year into the seats in right field. The Dodgers nicked Fiers for two more singles in the inning, but he was able to escape with no further damage.

The Dodgers tied the game in the top of the seventh inning. Cody Bellinger led off the frame with a single. Reliever Lou Trivino retired Yasiel Puig on a foul out to first baseman Matt Olson for the first out. Max Muncy, a former Athletic, hit a sharp ground ball to Olson. Olson didn’t field the ball cleanly. He was able to retire Muncy, but Bellinger was able to get to second safely. Dodger shortstop Chris Taylor singled to drive in Bellinger with the tying run.

The A’s regained the lead in the bottom of the eighth. The A’s rally was started by Marcus Semien who singled to start the inning. Matt Chapman flew out to center for the first out. Jed Lowrie, mired in a 3-for-28 slump, singled to right sending Semien to third base. The next hitter, Khris Davis, hit a slow roller to Dodgers’ third baseman Manny Machado. Machado threw home in an attempt to Nail Semien for the out. The umpire called Semien out but reversed the call when Grandal could not hold onto the ball. Davis was safe at first on a fielder’s choice. Nick Martini, pinch-hitting for Mark Canha struck out, and Matt Olson hit into a fielder’s choice for the third out. The A’s lead 3-2 as the teams head into the ninth.

A’s closer Blake Treinen did his job as he earned his 29th save of the year.  He struck out Cody Bellinger for the first out. Yasiel Puig then walked. Muncy hit a ground ball to A’s first baseman Matt Olson. Olson made an unassisted play at first for the second out, but Puig moved into scoring position. Treinen had to get Chris Taylor for the final out. He got Taylor to hit a soft fly ball that Jed Lowrie was able to catch for the final out of the game. The A’s win 3-2.

Game Notes- With the win the A’s improve to 68-47. The now lead the Seattle Mariners by three games as the Mariners lost to the Texas Rangers 11-7. The Dodgers are now 63-52 and fall 1/2 game behind the Arizona D-Backs who beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-0.

The A’s end the homestand with a record of 7-1. They also split the four-game series with the Dodgers. The A’s are now 34-11 dating back to June 16th. It matches the best 45-game stretch in the majors this season. The A’s end interleague play with a record of 12-8.

Jeurys Familia was the winning pitcher, and he is now 3-0 with Oakland. Treinen recorded his 29th save. JT Chargois took the loss for Los Angeles.

The A’s are off on Thursday, and they start a three-game series on Friday with the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim. Lefty Brett Anderson will go for Oakland, and Felix Pena will pitch for the Angels.

Time of game was three hours exactly and 33, 062 fans packed the Coliseum to see the A’s prevail.