Washington Nationals’ Michael Taylor, right, celebrates with Jose Lobaton after hitting a home run off Oakland Athletics’ Andrew Triggs in the second inning of a baseball game Friday, June 2, 2017, in Oakland, Calif. (AP Photo/Ben Margot)
By Matthew Harrington
OAKLAND–No Bryce Harper, no problem for the Washington Nationals Friday night in Oakland. Without their cornerstone slugger, the Nationals teed off for five homeruns in a 13-3 rout of the Oakland Athletics. All nine of Washington’s starters collected a hit and an RBI in the lopsided affair. For Oakland, Matt Joyce and Yonder Alonso each went deep.
A’s starter Andrew Triggs (5-5, 3.36 ERA) has rode his slinging sidearm approach to an exceptional season, but Friday was a bump in the road for the long-reliever-turned-starter. Going head-to-head with Stephen Strasburg, Triggs found himself down 2-0 heading into the bottom of the third after giving up homers to Michael Taylor and Daniel Murphy. Joyce would tag Strasburg for a two-run homer, his sixth of the year, in the bottom of the third to tie the game, but the wheels fell off entirely for Triggs in the fourth.
Triggs two-seamer to Anthony Rendon caught too much of the plate, giving Washington’s third baseman a ringing double to open the inning. Matt Weiters went back-to-back, plating Rendon to give the Nats a 3-2 lead. Triggs got two outs but a deflected grounder to Jed Lowrie wound up in center field for an RBI single for Trea Turner. Jayson Werth walked, then Daniel Murphy singled home Turner for a 5-2 edge.
The single chased Triggs from the game after just 3 2/3. Frankie Montas, the new Oakland reliever, gave up a single to Ryan Zimmerman that plated inherited runner Werth to close the book on Triggs with six runs allowed. Montas would depart the game after getting the last out, making way for Zach Neal.
Neal struggled mightily in his 3 1/3 innings of mop-up duty. He allowed 7 runs on nine hits including a solo homer to Werth, the first long ball of Brian Goodwin’s career on a two-run shot in the top of the seventh and a three-run dinger from Rendon in the top of the 8th.
The runs were more than enough to back Strasburg (7-1, 2.91) and his 7 innings of four-hit ball. The former first overall pick fired seven strikeouts to only three walks in the win. Deposed closer Blake Treinen pitched a perfect eighth, but opened the ninth with Alonso’s solo shot. After the first baseman’s 15th homer, Treinen surrendered two more hits before escaping the ninth and wrapping up the blowout.
Oakland sends Daniel Mengden to the mound hoping for a long outing after a 3 1/3 inning appearance against the Cleveland Indians May 29th. Washington counters with youngster Joe Ross. The Nats will be without Harper again Saturday for his role in the Memorial Day fracas with the San Francisco Giants. His suspension ends in time for Sunday’s contest.
Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Jharel Cotton throws to first base to get Cleveland Indians’ Michael Brantley out in the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, June 1, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak
On the Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry:
1 The A’s really struggled today getting dominated in Cleveland 8-0 they set a record for the most strikeouts in a series eclipsing a record held since 1913
2 A’s starter Jharel Cotton had some success to start Thursday’s game but eventually needed some relief after Cleveland’s hitting started to take wing
3 On Wednesday a huge contrast the A’s got good pitching from A’s starter Sean Manaea went seven innings, three hits, and gave up a run that was a homer the only run for Cleveland.
4. The A’s Chad Pinder is had a good Wednesday hitting two homers and helped the A’s win by two runs 3-1
Oakland Athletics’ Rajai Davis looks back as the sprinkles turin on in the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Cleveland Indians, Thursday, June 1, 2017, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
by Jerry Feitelberg
Cleveland- The men wearing the uniforms of the Oakland A’s baseball club do not seem to understand that to win, you have to throw the ball, hit the ball, and catch the ball. Thursday, in Cleveland, they had a game that they would like to forget as they lost 8-0 to the Indians as they concluded their third disastrous road trip with a record of 2-5. The only bright spot on the trip was the two wins pitched by Sean Manaea. Jharel Cotton was tagged for two of the losses and Andrew Triggs, Daniel Mengden, and Sonny Gray all felt the sting of defeat.
A’s manager Bob Melvin had to be looking for a bottle of Tums as the team did not have much to show for Thursday’s dismal effort. The only bright spot was the pitching of Jharel Cotton for the first five innings of the game. Cotton allowed just two hits and one run before his downfall in the sixth. However, the one run was a gift by Cotton and the A’s in the bottom of the third inning. The Indians’ Daniel Robertson led off the frame with a double to left. Cotton threw a wild pitch and A’s catcher Josh Phegley committed a passed ball to put the Tribe in the lead 1-0.
The Indians scored four runs in the sixth and three in the seventh to win the game for their ace Corey Kluber. Here’s how things fell apart for Oakland. Erik Gonzalez led off with a single, Cotton then walked Jason Kipnis to put men on at first and second with no out. Francisco Lindor laid down a bunt that A’s third baseman Ryon Healy bobbled for an error and that loaded the bases. Cotton walked Michael Brantley to make it 2-0. The Indians were the recipients of two walks and error for that run. The A’s weren’t done committing fielding blunders. Carlos Santana hit a popup that shortstop Adam Rosales couldn’t find in the sun. The ball landed between Rosales and Mark Canha. Canha hesitated to come in for the ball, and it dropped safely, and that allowed another run to score. With the bases still loaded and no out, Jose Martinez hit a comebacker to Cotton. Cotton fielded it cleanly but almost threw the ball away. Phegley made a nice play to record the out at home. With the infield drawn in, Cotton got the batter to hit the ball on the ground. The out was recorded at home, but the runner was called out at first to complete the double play. A’s first baseman, Yonder Alonso, thought that was the third out of the inning and headed to the dugout. Santana kept on running and tried to score all the way from second on the play. The home plate umpire called him out. However, and this was a first for this writer, the plays at first and home were challenged, and both calls were reversed. John Axford relieved Cotton. The Indians tallied the fourth run when Healy made another error. The Indians had scored four runs thanks to the ineptness of the A’s defense and now trail 5-0 after six. There was then a game delay as the sprinklers went off in left field, and play had to be stopped until someone could turn them off.
Things continued to go south in the seventh as the Indians plated three more runs to ice the game. John Axford was now pitching, and the Indians showed him no mercy. Erik Gonzales singled. A walk to Kipnis and a single to Lindor produced another run. Michael Brantley singled to drive in the Indians’ 7th run, and Mark Canha overran the ball for the A’s third error, and the Indians picked up the 8th run of the game. The A’s could not wait for this to end as they went down 8-0.
Game notes- The A’s defense made three errors in the game. They have committed 55 for the season and are leading the Major Leagues. The also made a couple of errors of omission as Canha and Alonso went to sleep on a couple of plays that cost the A’s runs.
The A’s continue to strike out. They struck out 17 times Thursday, and for the series, they struck out 59 times. It was the most strikeouts for a four-game series since at least 1913. That’s over 104 years ago.
Jharel Cotton pitched 5 and 2/3rds innings. He allowed four hits and five runs. He was charged with just one earned run. He walked four and struck out four and saw his record drop to 3-6. Corey Kluber went six innings, and he allowed just two hits and struck out 10. Kluber made his first start as he was on the 10-day DL.
The A’s are now 23-30 for the season and are heading home to face the Washington Nationals Friday night at the Oakland Coliseum. The A’s are 15-10 at home but a rather dismal 8-20 on the road.
Andrew Triggs will toil for the A’s, and Stephen Strasburg will go for the Nationals. Game time is at 7:05 pm.
Oakland Athletics First base Yonder Alonso (17) singles off the left field wall during the sixth inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Oakland Athletics and Cleveland Indians on May 31, 2017, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. Alonso was thrown out at second base trying to stretch the hit into a double. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)
by Jerry Feitelberg
Cleveland- The A’s snapped a four-game losing streak Wednesday in Cleveland behind another Sean Manaea pitching gem and the bat of Chad Pinder. The A’s won 3-1 and won their second game on the seven-game road trip that ends Thursday.
Last Friday night, Manaea pitched extremely well, and many thought that that game was the best of his career. He raised the bar on Wednesday as he went seven innings and allowed the hard-hitting Indians just one run. Manaea retired the first ten hitters he faced, and the spell was broken when the Indians’ All-Star shortstop, Francisco Lindor, homered just over the line in left field in the bottom of the fourth. The A’s had led 1-0 when Chad Pinder hit his sixth homer of the year in the top of the third.
The Indians’ Mike Clevinger also pitched well but not well enough. In the top of the fifth, Clevinger walked Trevor Plouffe. The next hitter, Chad Pinder, hit a monster home run that went at least 20 rows deep into the left-centerfield bleachers to put the A’s ahead for good. Neither team did anything after the fifth.
Game Notes- Manaea struck out nine Indians and had everything working for him. A’s manager Bob Melvin is no doubt extremely pleased with Manaea’s last two outings. His record is now 4-3 for 2017. Mike Clevinger took the loss and is 2-2.
The A’s made another error Wednesday, but the miscue did not cause any damage. The A’s are just not a good defensive team.
The A’s are now 23-29, and Cleveland drops to 27-24. The final game of the four-game series will be played Thursday at 9:10 am. Jharel Cotton will pitch for Oakland. Jharel will be looking for his fourth win, and he will be opposed by Corey Kluber. Kluber is one tough customer, and he has a Cy Young award on his resume.
Cleveland Indians fans hang 18 K’s on the outfield wall as the Indians pitchers finished the game with 19 strikeouts during the ninth inning of the Major League Baseball game between the Oakland Athletics and Cleveland Indians on May 30, 2017, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. Cleveland defeated Oakland 9-4. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)
by Jerry Feitelberg
Cleveland.- The A’s road woes continued Tuesday as the Cleveland Indians, behind Trevor Bauer’s sparkling performance beat the A’s 9-4. The A’s had their ace Sonny Gray on the mound and were hoping that Sonny would continue to show the form that he had two years ago. That, however, did not happen. The A’s did give Sonny some run support as they scored one in the second and two in the fourth to take a 3-0 lead.
Sonny was cruising along for the first three innings holding the Indians scoreless. His downfall came in the fourth and fifth innings. The defending American League Champions showed the A’s why they won the pennant last year. They have a potent lineup, and their bats came to life and sent Gray down to his second loss of the year. Sonny went 4 and 2/3rds innings and allowed 7 runs and 9 hits. It was his worst game of the year.
The Indians plated two more and the A’s scored one, but the game was essentially over by the fifth inning.
Trevor Bauer was the pitching star for Cleveland. Bauer won his 5th of the season and struck out a career-high 14 batters. The Indian relievers struck out five more A’s hitters for a total of nineteen which is an A’s franchise record for a nine-inning game.
Trevor Plouffe and Rajai Davis each struck out four times as they earned themselves a “Golden Sombrero” Plouffe had this to say about the game:”It’s not what we want,” Plouffe said. “Unfortunately we haven’t been scoring a lot of runs, and that’s because we’re not getting on base, we’re not putting the ball in play a lot, and I’m a big part of that. I’ve been striking out a ton, and that’s just not part of my game. We gotta put the ball in play more and let the big guys hit the homers.”
The Indians are now 27-23 and are just two percentage points behind the Minnesota Twins for first place in the AL Central. The A’s drop to 22-29 and are resting in the basement of the AL West. They trail the Seattle Mariners by one game for fourth place in the division.
The two teams square off again on Wednesday evening in Cleveland. Game time is 3:10 pm. Sean Manaea (3-3, 4.35) will pitch for Oakland. Manaea beat the Yankees in New York last Friday, and the A’s are hoping that he will be able to stop the losing streak. If he pitches like he did last Friday, The A’s might win the game. The Indians will counter with righty Mike Clevinger who is 2-1 with an ERA of 2.82
Washington Nations outfielder Bryce Harper reacts with rage after being hit by a pitch thrown by the San Francisco Giants Hunter Strickland during the San Francisco Giants game versus the Washington Nationals at AT&T Park in San Francisco, CA. (Photo by Daniel Gluskoter/Icon Sportswire) (Icon Sportswire via AP Images)
On this week’s Oakland A’s podcast with Charlie O:
The Washington Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper has been the most talked about subject in the last 24 hours. He was well talked about prior to the last 24 hours for his outstanding hitting clipping well over .315 at the plate. After his brawl in San Francisco with Giants pitcher Hunter Strickland it appeared that that fight was over his two home runs he hit off Strickland in the 2014 playoffs which Strickland felt it was well over due for some payback. Turns out according to sources that it was much more than that. Harper was noted for doing a lot of chirping and a lot of talking when he gets back in the dugout at the opposing pitchers and maybe even some of the players on the field.
Strickland didn’t convey this following his post game interview on Monday but it’s something in the baseball code that you never do and that’s talk big after getting the dugout and this was reportedly what Harper had been doing for maybe over the last few seasons and Strickland decided to take the matter in his own hands. It first appeared to be sour grapes over a couple of homers but now it becomes clear that Harper’s chirping in the Washington dugout has reached it’s limit with the opposing players. The Nationals come in Friday to the Oakland Coliseum and assuming Harper is not serving a suspension for the fight on Monday he will be facing the Oakland A’s to start a three game series. Until then he’s got two more games against the Giants left and we’ll see if there’s anymore fireworks between now and then.
Cleveland Indians’ Austin Jackson hits a sacrifice fly off Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Daniel Mengden in the fourth inning of a baseball game, Monday, May 29, 2017, in Cleveland. Yan Gomes scored on the play. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
by Jerry Feitelberg
Cleveland- The A’s, after losing two out of three from the Yankees, played the defending American League Champion Cleveland Indians on Memorial Day. The A’s sent Daniel Mengden to the hill and were hoping that Mengden would get them a win. The Indians had other thoughts as their ace, Carlos Carrasco, sent the A’s down to their third straight loss 5-3.
Mengden, filling in for the injured Kendall Graveman, was recalled from Nashville to make the start. Mengden started well for the A’s in 2016 but finished the season with a record of 2-9 and had an ERA of 6.50. Mengden had surgery to correct in issue in the off-season and was pitching well at NAshville. His record was 2-1 and had an earned run average of 2.21.
Mengden pitched relatively well for the first three innings of the game. he gave up just one run. With no out and no one on base, the veteran outfielder Austin Jackson blasted an opposite field home run to give the Indians the lead 1-0. Mengden’s downfall came in the bottom of the fourth when the Indians scored four times. Carlos Santana led off the inning with a home run. That was followed by Edwin Encarnacion’s bomb into the left field seats. Jose Ramirez follwed with a double and he scored on a single by catcher Yan Gomes. The Indians had scored three times and the Indians had yet to make an out. Centerfielder Bradley Zimmer hit a rocket that bounced off Mengden’s foot and caromed into left field for a double to put men on at second and third with no out. Austin Jackson hit a sacrifice fly to make the score 5-0. A;s manager Bob Melvin removed Mengden from the game.
The A’s made a comeback in the top of the seventh. With one out, Yonder Alonso launched his 14th roundtripper of the year into the right-centerfield bleachers. The next batter, Ryon Healy, took Carrasco deep for his 9th of the year. The A’s scored a run in the ninth when Khris Davis hit a fly ball that kept on carrying and left the park. The A’s trailed 5-3 but the Indians’ closer, Cody Allen retired the next two hitters to preserve the win for Cleveland.
Game Notes – Mengden went 3 and 1/3rd innings and allowed seven hits and five runs. He threw 72 pitches. He had this to say about his performance:”Besides feeling well, I gotta be better than that,” Mengden said. “Five runs by the fourth inning, and it’s just tough when Carrasco is throwing as well as he did and having [Andrew] Miller and Allen at the back end of the bullpen. It’s tough putting the guys in a hole like that.” Bob Melvin also commented about Mengden’s work:”I don’t think he was tired,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “More than anything, he just started finding the middle of the plate. Early on he had a good mix and looked confident. Balls were more on the corners. A few balls caught the middle of the plate, and they had him on the run there a little bit.”
The A’s used Daniel Coulombe, Zach Neal, and Liam Hendriks to finish the game. The relievers went 4 and 2/3rd innings and allowed just two hits and no runs the rest of the way. The Indians’ Carrasco pitched 7 innings and allowed four hits and two runs. The lefty, Andrew Miller, pitched the eighth and struck out the side. Closer Cody Allen gave up a home run to Khris Davis but was able to get the last three outs of the game to ear his 14th save.
The A’s continued to hit home runs. They had three more on Monday but they were all solo jobs. On the negative side, the A’s made two more errors and they continue to lead the Majors in that department.
The teams play Game Two of the four-game series Tuesday night in Cleveland. Game time is at 3:10pm. Sonny Gray will handle the pitching chores for Oakland and Sonny is hoping to build on his last two starts. He pitched well against Boston and earned the win last Wednesday against Miami and struck out 13 in that game. Trevor Bauer will go for Cleveland
Khris Davis made A’s fans proud with his laser shot Sunday, into the left field seats at the Bronx Zoo, traveling at no point more than 40 feet above the playing surface. Davis’ two-run shot in the eighth made a game of it again, and pulled the A’s within two runs of the Yankees, trailing 7-5.
But a half inning earlier, there was Davis rolling around in left field after Gary Sanchez launched a ball toward the foul line and Davis appeared to catch it only to see it squirt out of his glove, and briefly out of his sight. Almost an out, Sanchez’ drive instead was an RBI double scoring Ronald Torreyes, and increasing the New York lead to 7-3. And highlight worthy, unfortunately due to Davis’ turn and crawl to retrieve the ball.
In the second inning, Matt Joyce inexplicably dropped a fly ball. That allowed the Yankees to load the bases, and then cash in on the scoring opportunity with Aaron Judge’s grand slam. Before that, Davis had a chance to throw out Starlin Castro, trying to advance from first to third on a single. But Davis’ throw was slow and inaccurate, allowing trail runner Didi Gregorius to advance to second.
With all the sloppy defense, the Yankees built a six-run total after four innings with only one extra-base hit. That put the normally-reliable Andrew Triggs on the hook for the loss despite allowing only one earned run. The other five were unearned and equipped the Yankees with plenty in a 9-5 win over the road-challenged A’s.
While the A’s have undeniable pop–their home run total of 70 in 49 games puts them in the AL’s top three as a team–their defense has been awful. The A’s 49 errors tops all major league clubs, while a trio of clubs (Cardinals, Cubs and Padres) that rank second worst have committed 12 fewer errors than the A’s.
That’s bad. Given the numerous errors, no degree of offensive ability can put the A’s in the win column consistently. A frustrated manager Bob Melvin sees a psychological disadvantage for his club as well with all the miscues.
“If we make plays, it’s probably a different story, and that’s been an Achilles’ heel for us all year. When your defense is poor, sometimes it’s mentally tough to overcome that,” Melvin explained.
Sunday’s loss prevented the A’s from capturing a critical series in the ballpark of the AL East leaders. It also dropped them to 7-17 on the road, the worst road mark in the American League, and just a half-game ahead of Miami’s big-league worst 7-18 mark.
Thinking along with Melvin, with the Yankees announcing Michael Pineda as their starter, an A’s lineup loaded with power hitters made sense. Pineda came in having allowed 11 home runs in 53 innings this season, so Melvin likely figured a lineup with 9 of his top 11 home threats could take advantage of Pineda. But with Matt Joyce in right, Mark Canha in center and Davis in left, Melvin’s outfield defense was compromised, minus Rajai Davis in center.
Also, Melvin took a chance batting Canha leadoff for the first time in his career, and saw the decision backfire. Canha went 0 for 4 with three strikeouts dropping his average to .234. In the two slot, Stephen Vogt also went 0 for 4, giving the A’s no table setting ahead of their 3 through 6 hitters.
And Pineda escaped, keeping the A’s in the ballpark for six innings, allowing only a ground rule double to Yonder Alonso for Oakland’s sole extra-base hit prior to Davis’ homer in the eighth off reliever Chad White.
Meanwhile, defensively, the A’s two errors and other misplays were killers.
NOTES: Kendall Graveman has been placed on the disabled list, and Daniel Mengden will take his turn in the rotation on Monday in Cleveland. Mengden made 14 starts in 2016, and was 2-9 with a 6.50 ERA. Carlos Carrasco will oppose Mengden as the A’s visit Progressive Field for Memorial Day, the start of a big week of competition for the cities of Oakland and Cleveland with Game 1 of the NBA Finals on tap for Thursday.
Matt Holliday’s home run ruined Jharel Cotton’s day Photo Brad Penner USA Today Sports
The Oakland Athletics reached out to their Triple-A affiliate for a starting pitcher to face the New York Yankees on Saturday. Jharel Cotton – who was sent down to Nashville after starting seven games (3-4) for the A’s – was back in a big league uniform for game two of the three game series in New York.
The Athletics M.A.S.H. unit is back in action as injuries are taking their toll on the major league roster. Kendall Graveman was unable to make his scheduled start on Friday night due to shoulder soreness. The projection is that he will be going to the disabled list.
Pitcher Jesse Hahn was moved to the 10-day disabled list after a triceps injury that occurred during his start last Tuesday. A MRI has ruled out any physical damage, but the team wants Hahn to rest his arm because he has dealt with this problem before in his career. The Hahn move made room for Cotton on the 25-man roster.
Cotton got off to a shaky start
Cotton issued a one-out walk to Gary Sanchez in the bottom of the first inning. He then hit Matt Holliday with a pitch. With Starlin Castro at bat, Cotton threw a wild pitch that allowed Sanchez to go to third and Holliday to second base. Castro hit a sacrifice fly to right field on the 2-1 pitch that brought Sanchez home and moved Holliday up to third.
Cotton induced Aaron Judge to fly out to center field for the third out of the inning, but the Yankees held a 1-0 lead after one inning of play.
Cotton put the first inning behind him and took control
Lowrie puts the tag on Gardner for the out Photo Brad Penner USA Today Sports
Cotton set the side down in order in the second inning. In the third inning, the right-hander walked Brett Gardner. With Gary Sanchez batting, Gardner attempted to steal second, A’ catcher Josh Phegley delivered a nice throw on the first base side to Jed Lowrie who put the tag down on headfirst sliding Gardner’s backside six inches before his hand could touch second base. Sanchez went down on strikes to end the inning.
Cotton set the Yankees down 1-2-3 in the fourth and fifth innings.
The sixth inning was no “Holliday” for Cotton
After getting the first two batters to fly out, Cotton walked Gary Sanchez. That brought former Oakland Athletic Matt Holliday to the plate. Holliday hit the 1-0 pitch over the left center field wall for a “no doubt about it” two-run home run to give the Yankees a 3-1 lead.
Cotton remained in the game to face Starlin Castro. Castro hit a single and that was all for Cotton. Frankie Montas came in and struck out Aaron Judge to end the inning.
Cotton worked 5.2 innings giving up three runs (all earned) on just two hits. He struck out five Yankees and walked three. Cotton threw 107 pitches (61 strikes). He was charged with the loss, so his record drops to 3-5 for the season.
Oakland kept the game close
Healy drives in Khris Davis with the first of his two doubles Photo Brad Penner USA Today Sports
Khris Davis worked Yankees starter C.C. Sabathia for a two-out walk in the top of the sixth inning. Ryan Healy then hit his 10th double of the season on an 0-2 count to left field that brought Davis home for A’s first run of the game. Healy moved to third on the throw home but was left stranded there when the inning ended.
In the top of the seventh inning, Josh Phegley made it a one-run game after he hit his second home run of the year over the left center field wall. Adam Rosales followed Phegley and hit a double to center field. That chased Sabathia from the game. Adam Warren took over on the mound. Rosales was left stranded at third when the inning was over.
Oakland threatens in the eighth frame
With Tyler Clippard on the hill, Khris Davis worked the pitcher for another walk. Ryan Healy then followed by hitting hit 11th double of the campaign to left field, but this time Davis had to hold up at third base.
That sent Clippard to the showers and New York brought in the 6-foot-8 right hander – Dellin Betances. Betances struck out Trevor Plouffe and Chad Pinder to end the inning with the potential tying and go ahead runs left on base.
Not that guy again
Betances came back out the top of the ninth for the Yankees and set the A’s down in order to end the game and earn his fifth save of the year. Betances’ ERA now stands at 0.52. He worked 1.2-innings and threw 24 pitches (14 strikes). He allowed no runs, no hits, no walks and struck out three Oakland hitters.
Sabathia was amazing as well
C.C. Sabathia struck out nine on his way to the win Photo Brad Penner USA Today Sports
Vallejo’s favorite son is still looking very strong on the mound. He worked 6.1-innings on Saturday giving up two runs (earned) on six hits (one HR). He walked three. Sabathia struck nine Oakland A’s. Not long ago some were talking about Sabathia as being a “has been” as a major league pitcher.
Don’t call a low strike on Jed Lowrie
Jed Lowrie led off the top of the eighth inning for the A’s. He worked the count to 2-2 versus Tyler Clippard. Clippard’s 2-2 pitch was a fastball that dropped low in the zone and home plate umpire Will Little called it strike three.
Lowrie began to immediately give Little his opinion of the call in language I do not think he learned to speak at Stanford. Little tossed Lowrie looking at him and explaining you called me a name. Really? You called me a name. Now, if you call my mother a name – then it’s on but you called me a name?
But seriously, Major League Baseball has to establish a strike zone that is consistent and realistic. It must also be hitter friendly. The majority of fans come to the park to see home runs … not strike outs.
Rubber game of the match on Sunday
Both teams have the opportunity to win the series on Sunday. The Athletics will send RHP Andrew Triggs (5-3, 2.77) to the hill Sunday. Triggs has been the man the A’s have been able to depend on this season. What he needs from his team is run support.
The Yankees will counter with RHP Michael Pineda (5-2, 3.35). Pineda has gone at least six innings in each of his last four starts.
The first pitch is scheduled for 10:05 a.m. PDT on Sunday.
Jerry goes over the performance of the A’s win in New York on Friday night as the A’s getting pitching help from starter Sean Manaea. On offense scoring two in the eighth and two again in the ninth to put them over the top with a three run win. Yankee starter Manshiro Tanaka pitched well enough to win with 13 strike outs. The A’s Stephen Vogt hit a home run. A’s starter Sean Manaea walked the first batter to start Friday’s contest and later settled down and looked like he pitched the best game he had as an Oakland A.
Manaea pitched seven innings and struck out eight batters and gave up four hits. The A’s were able to hang on and get the win. They won five out of their last seven and they were 4-2 on their last homestand they took three out of four from Boston and they split with Miami. A’s starter Sonny Gray looked good in that start and Manaea looked good on Friday night.
