Oakland A’s Zack Gelof (20) is congratulated at the plate by Shea Langeliers (23) after scoring against Arizona Diamondbacks in the top of the third inning at Chase Field in Phoenix on Fri Jun 28, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s (29-54) losing streak came to an end beating the Arizona Diamondbacks (39-42) 9-4. The A’s had 14 hits and four home runs in this game. Three of those home runs came in the ninth inning, the first two back to back. JP Sears had a great game on the mound. This was an all-around complete game for the team.

Thursday, Oakland had the day off, a badly needed bit of time off. These guys have been struggling for a long time now in fact the last time they won a road series was back on April 26. This series could be a tough call for the A’s as they take on last seasons’ National League Champions.

Arizona had a very slow start this season and they are still fighting to catch up although they are third in the NL West. Their offense has been solid but they have stumbled considerably on the mound. Friday night the A’s battled and ended their long 11 game road losing streak with a win over the Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix.

Game recap: The Arizona Diamondbacks got this game going early scoring twice in the first inning. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. singled Ketel Marte home for the 1-0 lead. They extended their lead when Randal Grichuk hit a ground rule double and Gurriel scored taking a 2-0 lead and the Arizona offense had not disappointed. Arizona pitcher Slade Cecconi blew right through Oakland in the first two innings.

The Oakland starting lineup got a feel for Arizona pitcher Blade Cecconi in the opening innings and took it to the Diamondbacks in the third inning. Brent Rooker singled Zach Gelof home followed by a single off the bat of Shea Langeliers that drove Miguel Andujar home and this game was tied 2-2. Cecconi got a little shaky walking two runners in the third inning as the A’s had settled in offensively.

Oakland took the lead in the fourth inning. Max Schuemann sacrificed Armando Alvarez home. Schuemann has made great strides making his way from near the bottom of the lineup moving on up. He has been consistent and Alvarez has also made waves. Both of these guys were responsible for giving Oakland a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning.

The Oakland lead was short-lived when the Diamondbacks tied up this game 3-3 in the sixth inning. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. had his second hit of the game and it was a hit that left the yard for a solo shot.

After a rough start A’s pitcher JP Sears came alive. He gave up the two runs in the first inning but then it was Sears who was blowing through the Arizona lineup. He would finish going six innings allowing five hits, three runs with six strikeouts. After a fine pitching performance Sears was relieved by Scott Alexander.

The Diamondbacks took back the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning 4-3. Ketel Marte had his second hit of the game, a single that drove Corbin Carroll home. Oakland got out of the inning but with only two innings left in the game they had some work to do trailing by a single run.

Oakland got to work straight away with their first at-bat in the eighth inning. Tyler Soderstrom hit his seventh home run of the season to tie up this game 4-4. The Soderstrom home run was just the beginning for the A’s. They took the lead 5-4 when Zach Gelof tripled and Armando Alvarez scored. Oakland finished off the inning on a Max Schuemann single that drove Zach Gelof home giving the A’s a 6-4 lead.

A Brandon Hughes pitch right down the middle sailed out of the yard off the bat of Brent Rooker for the A’s first home run of the ninth inning. Oakland would hit a second home run in the same inning; this one from Shea Langeliers in back to back homers and an 8-4 lead.

There was no quitting for these guys as they hit their third home run of the inning, this one courtesy of Daz Cameron extending their lead to 9-4. Oakland had four home runs in this game and they also had 14 hits in a highly productive offensive effort.

It was “Miller Time” as pitcher Mason Miller came in to close out this game. He struck out the first two batters he faced. The reaper secured the win 9-4 in a three up, three out ninth inning. The Athletic drought had come to an end.

Game notes: Friday night the A’s went into Phoenix with a single purpose in mind: to end an 11-game road losing streak. The A’s took on the Diamondbacks after getting swept by the Anaheim Angels earlier this week dropping their fifth straight game overall.

While manager Mark Kotsay blames the slide on a lot of mental mistakes, it goes deeper than that. The A’s lefty JP Sears made the start. Sears has also been struggling going 0-3 in his first four starts in June with a 9.18 ERA. In his past two starts he did not get past the second inning. His struggles with command are no secret Sears has never faced Arizona in his three-year career. Sears had a much better game than his last three outings going six innings, giving up five hits, three runs , striking out six hitters in the A’s win.

The Diamondbacks came into this game after losing to the Minnesota Twins Thursday 13-6. Arizona started right-hander Slade Cecconi to open the series. Cecconi has never faced Oakland in his two-year career. Cecconi went four innings, giving up five hits, three earned runs, and struck out seven hitters.

Game two in this three game series will be played Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 1:10 PM. Hogan Harris will get the start for Oakland with a 1-1 win/loss record and a 2.72 ERA. The A’s offense will be facing Zac Gallen with a 5-4 win/loss record and a 3.12 ERA.