The Oakland A’s from left to right Miguel Andujar, JJ Bleday (33) congratulate Shea Langeliers (23) after his three home run against the New York Mets at Citi Park in New York on Tue Aug 13, 2024

By Jessica Kwong

NEW YORK. — The Oakland Athletics earned their first win at Citi Field in more than seven years with a 9-4 victory over the New York Mets on Tuesday night to open a three-game interleague series.

Shea Langeliers had four hits and four RBIs and capitalized on his familiarity with Mets starter Paul Blackburn, who previously played with the A’s.

“It’s weird, you know, you spend two years catching a guy and working together on getting guys out and then you have to go face him and it can kind of go both ways,” said Langeliers of facing Blackburn.

“I know how he likes to get guys out, I know what he likes to do but it’s something that I can kind of overthink and work against me.”

In the first inning, Seth Brown doubled on a line drive to center field and Brent Rooker, JJ Bleday and Shea Langeliers scored, putting the A’s up 3-0.

The Mets’ Jose Iglesias singled on a line drive to right field in the second inning and J.D. Martinez scored, cutting Oakland’s lead to 3-1.

In the third inning, Miguel Andujar reached on a fielder’s choice and Rooker scored, growing Oakland’s lead to 4-1. Then Langeliers hit a home run on a fly ball to center field and Bleday and Andujar scored, boosting the A’s up 7-1.

New York’s Jesse Winker in the fifth inning doubled on a line drive to center field and Francisco Lindor scored, making it 7-2. The Mets continued their push with Pete Alonso singling on a sharp line drive to center field allowing Nimmo and Winker to score and cutting the A’s lead to 7-4.

But in the sixth inning, Andujar singled on a ground ball to first base and Rooker scored, bringing Oakland up 8-4. Langelier then doubled on a sharp line drive to left field and Bleday scored, putting the A’s up 9-4. The Mets failed to make a comeback.

“Our club’s played pretty well when we’ve had a lead and again, it does relax guys a little bit and tonight we took advantage of that lead and held on to it,” said A’s manager Mark Kotsay.

A’s starting pitcher Joe Boyle gave up four runs on seven hits and three walks and struck out six over four-plus innings.

Blackburn in his first Citi Field home start allowed a season-high-tying seven runs.

The A’s (51-69) improved to 15-9 since July 12, which is the best record in the American League within that time period.

The Mets (61-58) have lost four straight games for the first time since May when they had a five-game losing streak.

First pitch for game two at Citi Field is 4:10 p.m. PT.