The Atlanta Braves Michael Harris who did plenty of damage for Braves is seen here running to third base in the bottom of the fifth inning after hitting a two run triple against the Oakland A’s at Truist Field in Cobb County on Wed Jun 8, 2022 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feiteleberg

The Oakland A’s woes continued on Wednesday as they lost for the 11th time in the last 12th games. The powerful Atlanta Braves lineup hit four home runs to win, going away 13-2. The Braves swept the two-game series, and the A’s lost for the eighth straight time.

The A’s sent lefty Jared Koenig to the mound on Wednesday. Koenig was making his Major League debut. The 28-year-old rookie had paid his dues as he traveled to many venues to show that he could pitch. He was signed by the A’s to a minor league contract in 2020.

He performed well for the Triple-A Las Vegas Aviators the last two seasons. The A’s needed a fifth starter and called Koenig to pitch against the World Champion Braves. It would be a daunting task for any pitcher to face the Braves, but more so for a rookie making his big league debut.

The A’s offense has not been very good this year. They are near the bottom of the barrel in batting, average, runs scored, and OPS. They needed to put some runs on the board to help him get over any nervousness and settle down and find a way to hold down the Braves.

The A’s came through with two runs in the top of the fourth. With one out, Ramon Laureano doubled to right-field. Laureano went to third on Ronald Acuna’s fielding error. Braves’ starter Ian Anderson uncorked a wild pitch, and Laureano scored.

A’s DH Stephen Vogt worked Anderson for a walk. Singles by Seth Brown and Sean Murphy produced the A’s second run of the game. The A’s didn’t know it at the time, but they would not score another run.

The Braves made it a 2-1 game in the bottom of the fourth. Atlanta’s shortstop Dansby Swanson got things going with a double to right-center-field. Koenig walked Austin Riley to put men on at first and second with no out.

Swanson tagged and went to third on Matt Olson’s fly ball to centerfield. Koenig had to face the B’s second baseman Ozzie Albies. They had quite a battle. Albies won the 10-pitch battle with a sacrifice fly to drive in Swanson. 

Things went south for Koenig in the bottom of the fifth. Atlanta scored four times to take the advantage 5-2. Koenig walked DH Marcelle Ozuna to start the fifth. Adam Duvall doubled, sending Ozuna to third base with no out.

Rookie centerfielder Michael Harris tripled to drive in Ozuna and Duvall. A’s manager brought in Domingo Acevedo to pitch. Acevedo retired Acuna and Swanson. It appeared the Acevedo would get out of the inning without any further damage. Not so. Third baseman Austin Riley, hitting .199, blasted his 15th dinger of the season to put Atlanta ahead 5-2 after five. 

In the sixth, the Braves added a run when catcher William Contreras homered to make it 6-2. Atlanta. The game became a rout when Atlanta scored seven runs in the seventh. They had six hits in the inning. Adam Duvall’s two-run shot and Ozzie Albies’ three-run blast were the big blows. The Braves won the rout 13-2.

Game notes: With the loss, the A’s are now 20-38. Jared Koenig took the loss and is now 0-1. Ian Anderson was the winning pitcher and his record improved to 5-3.

The line score for Oakland was two runs, eight hits, and one error. Atlanta scored thirteen runs, had thirteen hits, and committed one error. The Braves won the seventh in a row and are now 30-27.

The A’s second stop on the nine-game road trip in Cleveland. They begin a four-game set with the Guardians starting Thursday. James Kaprielian (0-3, 6.06 ERA) will go for Oakland. The Guardians will counter with Konnor Pilkington (1-0, 2.65 ERA).

The Guardians are just one game below the .500 mark—the A’s hope to break the losing streak Thursday night. The Guardians are looking to take advantage of the A’s deficiencies and take at least three out of four from Oakland. The game will start at 4:10 pm PT.