Oakland A’s second baseman Zack Gelof couldn’t make the catch on the Detroit Tigers Andy Ibanez’ line drive in the top of the third inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Sun Sep 24, 2023. This was the A’s final home game for 2023. (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 JP Sears, who had struggled through a 5-12, 4.52 season, also struggled again Sunday. He faced 23 batters over five innings, throwing them 97 pitches 58 of them strikes. 

#2 Opposing Sears in this battle of southpaws, was Eduardo Rodríguez, (11-9, 3.57 at game time), who did a fine job in his seven innings of work. He shut the Athletics out on five hits, four walks, and a wild pitch.

#3 Miguel Cabrera was in Detroit’s starting line up as the designated hitter. He closed out his Coliseum career by going 0 for 4 with a walk but drew loud applause after his last at bat, at which he struck out.

#4 Esteury Ruíz, leading off instead of batting in his recent number nine slot in order to improve his chances of breaking the record of stolen bases by an American League rookie (66) made two attempts in the bottom of the first. He was successful in pilfering second but was out by a mile when he tried to steal third.

#5 The A’s will travel on Minneapolis and Anaheim for the half a dozen games remaining in their schedule. Paul Blackman (4-6, 4,11) will face the Twins on Tuesday at 4:40 Pacific Time. The Twins will go against Kenta Maeda (6-7, 4.28).

Barbara Mason did the Oakland A’s podcasts Mondays during the 2023 season at http://www.sportsradioservice.com