Oakland A’s starter Joey Estes deals to the Milwaukee Brewers line up in the top of the first inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Sun Aug 25, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Michael Roberson

OAKLAND, Calif. — The Oakland Athletics (56-75) avoided being swept and doused with beer by the Milwaukee Brewers (75-55), with a gutsy 4-3 win on a delightful Sunday Afternoon.

Oakland had a different start in game three of the series, as opposed to one and two. The previous games the Athletics were up early and eventually lost the leads and games later in the contests.. Sunday they were behind early (2-0) in the second inning, then took the lead midway through the baseball battle.

Milwaukee got on the scoreboard first this time, with a two-run homer by catcher Gary Sanchez, also scoring right fielder Sal Frelick. Top of the second inning, the Brew Crew was up 2-0 and in a different position than the initial two games.

Not only were they leading by two, but former Oakland pitcher (2017 – 2022) Frankie Montas was dealing a perfect game through three full innings, with four strikeouts and only one ball hit out of the infield. That was a pop out to centerfield. He was dominating the first third of the game.

However, the bottom of the fourth turned out to be a nightmare during a Mid-Afternoon time frame. Right Fielder Lawrence Butler ended the no-hitter right away as the leadoff hitter of their half of the fourth, with a line drive to left field, Brent Rooker and JJ Bleday both followed with base hits to left and center respectively. At that point the previously unhittable pitcher was faced with a bases loaded, no outs dilemma.

The next four batters were responsible for the four runs in various manners. catcher Shea Langeliers was walked, forcing in a run ((Butler). First baseman Brent Rooker hit a single to right field, scoring Rooker. Daz Cameron’s sacrifice fly to right field plated the go-ahead run (Bleday), 3-2. Second baseman Zack Gelof also hit a sacrifice fly RBI, scoring Langliers for their fourth and final run.

“Frankie is a veteran pitcher; going through that, he’s a stud, he’s an ace pitcher.” Stated Athletics Manager, Mark Kotsay about Montas’ 4th inning. “That was a good decision on their {Brewers} part to let Frankie go through that; he only gave up those four runs and pitched the fifth and sixth shutout innings.”

Milwaukee responded in the top of the seventh inning with a solo home run by shortstop Willy Adames, and made it a one-run deficit, 4-3 Oakland. Unfortunately for the National League visitors, that was all they could muster, and lost the final game, but did win the series.

After nine innings, Oakland was the victor, 4-3, on the strength of the fourth inning. Montas took the loss, due to that same inning.

The A’s are next in action Tuesday, August 27, 6:40 PM EST in Cincinnati, to battle the National League Reds. Projected starters are Giants’ RHP Mitch Spence (7-9, 4.67) vs. TBA for the Reds.

The Brewers head back to Milwaukee to host the San Francisco Giants Tuesday, August 27, at 7:10 PM CST. Milwaukee’s RHP Tobias Myers ( 6-5, 2.87) vs. Giants’ RHP Logan Webb (11-8, 3.13)