By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s Miguel Andujar slugs a top of the first inning single against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Field in Cobb County on Sat Jun 1, 2024 (AP News photo)

The Oakland A’s (23-36) scored early and often in game two of their series with the Atlanta Braves (32-23). They led for much of the game winning the game 11-9. Max Schuemann and Miguel Andujar had four hits apiece in the game. They led by as much as 8-3. The Braves fought back scoring six runs in the fifth inning but the A’s held on for the win on Saturday.

Game recap: The A’s took the importance of scoring first to heart taking a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Daz Cameron doubled to left driving Shea Langeliers and Miguel Andujar home. It was a great way for the team to start a baseball game. Atlanta show some muscle of their own tying up the game 2-2 in the opening inning. Marcell Ozuna hit a home run with Austin Riley onboard and this game was tied.

The A’s took back the lead in the second inning scoring four runs and the Oakland bats were on fire. Max Schuemann got the inning started with a single that brought Zach Gelof home for a 3-2 lead. The home runs that were missing in Fridays game showed up in this one. Miguel Andujar hit a homer straight down center a three-run shot with Aledmys Diaz and Abraham Toro on base taking a 6-2 lead. The A’s were already having some quality at bats after only two innings.

Atlanta tacked on another run in the third inning but still trailing 6-3. Oakland struck again in the fourth inning with their second home run of the game off the bat of Brent Rooker with Max Schuemann on base and the A’s had extended their lead to 8-3. There was nothing that the A’s offense could do wrong so far in this game.

Atlanta had a huge fifth inning scoring six runs taking a 9-8 lead. The Braves Austin Riley singled Orlando Arcia home and Michael Harris II also scored on an Abraham Toro error. Marcell Ozuna singled Austin Riley home, Matt Olsen hit a two run homer and Adam Duvall singled Travis D’Arnaud home for the sixth run in the inning for an Atlanta lead their first in the game.

The A’s had some work to do trailing for the first time in the game. In the sixth inning Brent Rooker doubled, his second hit of the game, driving Miguel Andujar and Max Schuemann home taking back the lead 10-9.

This was an explosive offensive display by both teams. There were also some additional explosive moments in the sixth inning when manager Mark Kotsay was ejected from the game. Oakland would have to manage without their skipper for the remainder of the game. This ejection could have very well pushed the team onto this victory. They certainly did Mark Kotsay proud.

The A’s would be looking for some insurance runs in the latter innings of this game. In the eighth inning, Oakland got that insurance run when once again Miguel Andujar singled Max Schuemann home, now leading 11-9. Max Schuemann was 4 for 4 in the game, in fact, eight A’s had at least one hit in the game. In this back and forth game, besides Schuemann, Miguel Andujar also had four hits as both of these guys continue to shine bright.

It all came down to the ninth inning. Could Oakland hang onto the lead and come away with the victory? Closing A’s pitcher Dany Jimenez struck out the third at bat Adam Duvall and that was the ball game 11-9. The A’s finished this game with 16 hits in an amazing offensive effort.

Starting pitcher for Oakland Aaron Brooke finished 4.1 innings allowing seven hits, and seven runs. Atlanta starter Chris Sale also went four innings allowing nine hits, eight runs and strikeouts. The offensive effort from both teams were eating up both pitchers.

Game notes: Saturday afternoon game two between the A’s and the Braves got underway. Aaron Brooks started for the A’s although he gave up seven runs he did get help from the line up and the relievers preserved. Chris Sale was on the hill for the Braves pitched just four innings and the A’s drilled him for most their runs with eight.

The key of this game for the A’s was the offense and they were hitting the ball on the button on Saturday. The A’s scored twice in the first and four times in the second inning which gave the A’s a great chance winning in game two. The Braves have a deep offense as well as a solid defense. The win over Atlanta was very impressive indeed.

The rubber game of this series is scheduled for Sunday with first pitch at 10:35am PT. The A’s will start RHP Luis Medina (0-0, ERA 0.00) for the RHP Braves Charlie Morton (3-2, ERA 4.29) first pitch 10:35am PT.

Top of the 6th ejection of coach

8 for 16 with runners in scoring position