Category: Oakland Athletics

Rangers snap A’s three-game win streak 6-2 at Globe Life Field

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Oakland A’s hitter Shea Langeliers hits into a ground out in the top of the third inning against the Texas Rangers as Rangers pitcher Cody Bradford, catcher Johah Heim, and plate umpire Ramon De Jesus looks on at Globe Life Field in Arlington on Wed Apr 10, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Jerry Feitelberg

The Texas Rangers halted the A’s modest three-game winning streak on Wednesday night at Globe Life Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The game was dominated by the Rangers’ lefty starter, Cody Bradford, who went six innings, allowing one unearned run, to secure his third win of the young 2024 season.

The Rangers emerged victorious with a 6-2 score on Wednesday. On the other hand, the A’s Ross Stripling, who had a stellar performance last Wednesday against the Red Sox, was handed his third loss of the year. Stripling struggled, conceding three runs in the first and three more in the fourth.

The A’s took an early lead in the first inning. A’s DH Abraham Toro started the inning with a single. However, the game took a turn when Bradford struck out Zack Gelof for the first out. J.D. Davis hit a ground ball to Rangers’ third baseman Josh Smith, whose throw to second base went into right field.

This error allowed Toro to stop at third, and Davis advanced to second. The A’s Shea Langeliers, who had a remarkable performance with three home runs on Tuesday night, was unable to replicate his success and struck out. The A’s Tyler Nevin, son of the former LA Angels skipper Phil Nevin, capitalized on the opportunity and singled to drive in Toro, scoring the A’s first run.

The Rangers, defending their 2023 World Series Championship, have a lineup with guys who can rake. Stripling knew that it would be tough getting these guys to make outs. In the first, Stripling retired the first two hitters, Marcus Semien and Corey Seager.

The next hitter, the Rangers’ budding star, Evan Carter, doubled. Stripling walked Adolis Garcia. Josh Smit made up for his error in the first by singling to drive in Carter to tie the game. Garcia went third, and Smith went second on the throw to home plate.

The next hitter was catcher Jonah Heim. The A’s made one of the worst trades in recent memory when they sent Heim to the Rangers for shortstop Elvis Andrus. Heim became an All-Star catcher with the Rangers, and Andrus was cut adrift by the A’s last year. Heim singled driving in Garcia and Smuth. The Rangers led 3-1 after the end of the first inning.

Things went south for the A’s in the bottom of the fourth. The Rangers’ first baseman, Jared Walsh, who loved to torment the A’s when he was with the Los Angeles Angels, walked to start the frame. The Rangers’ DH Travis Jankowski beat out a bunt to put men on at first and second with no out.

Marcus Semien hurt his old team with a double to drive in the Rangers’ fourth run. The A’s walked Seager to load the bases. As A’s shortstop Nick Allen nailed Jankowski at home, Evan Carter reached on a fielder’s choice. The bases were still loaded. Adolis Garcia singled to drive in Semien and Seager. The Rangers led 6-1.

Bradford went six in 2/3rds innings. He allowed five hits and one run, which was unearned.

The A’s Zack Gelof homered in the top of the eighth, leading off the game. The A’s did not score again, and the Rangers won 6-2.

Game Notes-With the loss, the A’s are 4-8. The Rangers improved to 7-5. Cody Bradford was the winning pitcher. Ross Stripling was the loser.

Gelof homered for the second time this season. Rookie Darell Herniaz singled in the eighth to record his first Major League hit.
Langeliers, who homered three times Tuesday night, was the first A’s catcher to homer three times in a game. The last A’s catcher to achieve that feat was Mickey Cochrane, who did it in 1925. That was 99 years ago, fans. Baseball is a game that can humble any player. Langeliers was hitless Wednesday night, and he struck out twice.

The A’s finish the road trip on Thursday. They will then meet the Rangers for a day game that starts at 11:10 a.m PDT the A’s will start JP Sears (0-1 ERA 8.68) he’ll face the Rangers Jon Gray (0-0 ERA 6.14). The A’s return home to host the Washington Nationals Friday night.

Oakland A’s podcast with Jerry Feitelberg: Schools over Stadiums in appeals court to stop public funding of A’s Vegas ballpark

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Tropicana Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas who locked their doors to the public on Apr 2, 2024. This is a look at the outside of the Tropicana on Fri Apr 5, 2024. This is the hopeful site for the A’s to move to by opening day 2028. Schools over Stadiums are seeking to get the Nevada Court of Appeals to approve legal language for their petition drive to get an initiative on the ballot to stop SB1 the public funding of the Tropicana ballpark. Schools over Stadiums if allowed to go forward will need over 102,000 signatures split amongst four Nevada Districts ready by Jun 1, 2024 to the Nevada State register of voters. (photo by Sports Radio Service staff)

On the Oakland podcast with Jerry F:

#1 Jerry, Schools over Stadiums is in the Nevada State of Appeals Court trying to get the language for a petition drive to get an initiative on the state November ballot to stop SB1 public funding for the Tropicana ballpark for the A’s. In appeals court on Wednesday Schools over Stadiums remarks to the court were “John Fisher does not pay his lawyer because he cares about the finer points of constitutional law in Nevada…” and “What this has been about from the beginning is delay, driving up our bills, and keeping this off the ballot.”

#2 NBC reported that Schools over Stadiums also said in court on Wednesday that polling results from Jackson County MO an Emerson Poll that “a majority of Las Vegas voters oppose public money going towards a baseball stadium for the A’s, taxpayers should have the opportunity to vote on where this public money goes.”

#3 Also reported when the A’s president David Kaval turned down the Oakland Coliseum’s five year $97 million offer Kaval said it was above market rate and Oakland Mayor Chief of Staff Leigh Hanson countered saying while the deal was above market rate the city is not receiving parking revenue from the Coliseum, the city gets no cut from concessions from food or beverages and is only getting a small share of the ticket revenue. Kaval then said “this isn’t going to work for us.” Hanson said this isn’t about getting the cheapest deal for you but what is going to work for the city.

#4 Jerry, the national media has been working on this story about Schools over Stadiums being in the Nevada Court of Appeals and there is an indication that if allowed by the court to put the language on the petition drive it could spell trouble for the A’s financing for the Tropicana ballpark could it force John Fisher and David Kaval to possibly return to the table with the City of Oakland or hatch a deal with Sacramento. There could be a legal fight to try and keep the A’s in Oakland that’s a ways down the road right now.

#5 With 76 days left are left on how language on how a ballot initiative will read to stop SB1 the decision will rest in the hands of a seven member Supreme Court. Lawyers from both sides of the argument from the labor union arguing this measure will prevent jobs and have an economic impact on Las Vegas and Nevada. Schools over Stadiums lawyers argued that being the 48th state in education and 49th in class room sizes the $380 million of public money going to a stadium should be going to education and the time is critical to get the petition started.

#6 Jerry deputy executive director of government relations for the NSEA Chris Daly said that time is running out that once the court is to approve the legal language for the ballot initiative that gives Schools over Stadiums just less than 75 days to get these petitions printed and petition gatherers on the ground and start seeking over 102,000 signatures.

Jerry Feitelberg cover the Oakland A’s for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: Diversity and Inclusion? Giants voted Yes for the A’s to leave

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MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred seen here on Thu Nov 16, 2023 addressing the media during an owners meeting in Orlando Fla. Manfred has been questioned about his stance on leaving Oakland a very diversified region for Las Vegas. Some have asked why Manfred is leaving a diverse community after saying baseball is trying to be more diverse and improve it’s minority fans, players and employees. (AP file photo)

Diversity and Inclusion? Giants voted Yes for A’s to leave

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–In 1989, the same year the Athletics swept the Giants in four games in the World Series with the Loma Prieta Earthquake, Oakland A’s owner Wally Haas ceded the San José territorial rights to the San Francisco Giants.

Giants owner Bob Lurie was frustrated in getting a new stadium for the Giants in San Francisco. At the time, a group of investors led by Vince Naimoli and a group of investors from St. Petersburg had agreed with the Giants to move them to the Tampa Bay Area.

However, the National League owners voted against the acquisition. Answering some fans’ questions: Owners can vote Yes or No when another team plans to move. Last November, the League 30 owners voted unanimously in favor of the Oakland A’s moving to Las Vegas, exceeding the 75% approval requirement.

Among these owners was the signature of Charles P. Johnson (or another Giants top executive with the blessings of Mr.Johnson, owner of the San Francisco Giants). Had the Giants voted “No,” that would at least have been a symbolic act of courage that I believe Bay Area baseball fans had respected and appreciated, keeping the rivalry with the team that plays in Oakland and the importance of keeping the Bay Area a two-team Major League market, which it is.

But that was not the case; the Giants swallowed the relocation pill the Commissioner had served all the owners in baseball. After all, from the beginning of this ordeal, one of the leading proponents of the A’s leaving Oakland is Mr.Rob Manfred, the Commissioner of Major League Baseball.

The two Bay Area teams have won 7 World Series combined while playing in this great area we love called The Bay Area. The Giants have won three since moving from New York, and the A’s have won four since moving from Kansas City.

Diversity and Inclusion (something the MLB Commissioner’s Office in New York professes all the time) obviously won’t apply to “inclusion” for the A’s in the two-team Bay Area baseball market. So much for Diversity and Inclusion. How about Deception and Hypocrisy? Cynics will quote this famous line from The Godfather: “It is not personal; it’s just business.”

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the lead play by play voice on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Gelof is taking off with key hits; A’s open three game set in Texas tonight

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Oakland A’s hitter Zack Gelof (with helmet) is congratulated by teammate after hitting a three run second inning home run at Comerica Park in Detroit against the Detroit Tigers on Sun Mar 7, 2024 (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Success in the Detroit Tigers series for the Oakland A’s winning two out of three. The last two games the A’s came away with wins on Saturday with a 4-0 shutout and a 7-1 win over the Tigers on Sunday.

#2 One of the key players for the A’s was Zack Gelof on Sunday hitting a three run home run with four RBIs as the A’s clobbered the Tigers 7-1 to conclude the series.

#3 To give you an idea how a great game that Zelof had he had an RBI triple in the top of the first inning and later scored on JJ Bleday’s single.

#4 The A’s also got good pitching holding the Tigers to just a run from starter Joe Boyle who went five innings, two hits, three walks, and six strikeouts.

#5 The A’s open a three game series in Texas tonight. The A’s will start pitcher Alex Wood (0-1 ERA 9.72) and for the Texas Rangers Nathan Evaldi (1-0 ERA 1.38). The Rangers are tough customers and manager Bruce Bochy would be a worthy opponent. First pitch 5:05pm PDT at Globe Life Stadium in Arlington.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for complete Oakland A’s play by play coverage on the A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

#1

Oakland A’s day off report: A’s Finish Successful Series Against Tigers; Move On To Texas Rangers

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Oakland A’s hitter Zack Gelof with helmet on is congratulated by a teammate after hitting a three run home run in the top of the third inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Sun Apr 7, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s had only won one game to start the 2024 season back on March 31st, a 4-3 decision over the Cleveland Guardians. This past Friday night the A’s played a very competitive Game One against the Detroit Tigers just coming up short 5-4, the game not being decided until the eighth inning.

Oakland came back in games two and three with great energy, incredible pitching and offense. It was the pitching that really stood out in both games. Paul Blackburn was sparkling in game two and Joe Boyle in game three showed some great stuff, some excellent command.

Neither of these games were close. The final score in game two was a shut-out 4-0 and game three was 7-1 with Oakland scoring in four innings.

Paul Blackburn has had a strong start this season. He threw more change-ups in game two then we are used to seeing. He has given up six hits and one walk in 13 scoreless innings this season. He successfully mixed his pitches keeping hitters off balance. He has done a terrific job so far this season. In game three Joe Boyle got the job done striking out six while pitching five scoreless innings.

Both Brent Rooker and Zach Gelof had great games throughout the series. In game three Gelof had his best game of the series with three runs, four hits and four RBIs. He also drew three walks in game three. He has been on fire in this series. Abraham Toro has also been having some nice games as had Seth Brown.

The A’s had the day off Monday before heading to the Lone Star state taking on the Texas Rangers in a three-game series that will get underway on Tuesday with first pitch scheduled for 5:05 PM. Alex Wood will take the mound for Oakland looking for a third win in a row. The Rangers pitcher is yet to be determined.

The A’s should come into this game with a new resolves and a lot of confidence after winning their first series of the young season. The Rangers do have a 6-3 record and Oakland will have to shut down the likes of Marcus Semien, Cory Seager plus a plethora of .300 plus hitters on their roster. This will be a challenge for the A’s but they are showing some great signs of improvement over the start of the season.

A’s Win First Series of the Season Beating Tigers 7-1

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Oakalnd A’s JJ Bleday hits for a single RBI to center in top of the first inning at Comerica Park in Detroit against the Detroit Tigers on Sun Apr 7, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara.Mason

The Oakland A’s (3-7) won their first series of the season Sunday afternoon beating the Detroit Tigers (6-3) 7-1. Zach Gelof continued where he left off in Saturday’s game finishing with three runs, four hits and four RBIs. He is playing some red-hot baseball right now. This was great team effort Sunday with all hands on deck, a really positive sign for the A’s.

Game recap: The second inning was again all Oakland as their lead grew to 5-0. Zach homered with Ryan Noda and Abraham Toro on base. This was the perfect start for the A’s both offensively and defensively.

The A’s scored again in the fourth inning. Abraham Toro reached third base off an infield hit and Ryan Noda had his second run of the game for a 6-0 lead.

The Tigers finally got up on the scoreboard in the eighth inning when Riley Greene hit a solo home run. That would be all that Detroit could muster in this game. Oakland continued to lead 6-1 going into the ninth inning.

The A’s refused to take their foot off the pedal scoring in the ninth inning. Seth Brown got in on the action singling Lawrence Butler home. Oakland had scored in four innings with 14 hits coming from seven different players.

The final score was 7-1. Joe Boyle had a great five innings on the mound and Michael Kelly finished off the Tigers in the ninth inning. The A’s record improved to 3-7 and Oakland had won their first series of the season.

Game recap: Sunday afternoon as the A’s played Game three of their series with the Tigers. Saturday in Game Two Oakland had a great showing on the mound, a terrific offensive effort winning by the score of 4-0. Sunday the A’s got great pitching and hitting to win their first series of the season. Boyle on the mound for Oakland this afternoon helped the A’s get that first series win.

The A’s will have Monday off before heading to Texas for a three game series with the Rangers. Oakland will hopefully take this energy into the Long Star state extending their winning streak to three in a row. Alex Wood will take the mound for the A’s and Nathan Eovaldi will get the nod for the Rangers. First pitch is scheduled for 5:05 PM.

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: A’s trademark “Sacramento A’s” but will be known only as A’s for 2025-27 seasons

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Oakland A’s owner John Fisher addresses the media at Sutter Health Park on Thu Apr 4, 2024 announcing the A’s and Sacramento River Cats have reached a deal to use the ballpark for 2025-27 seasons for the A’s home games (AP News photo)

On Headline Sports with Charlie O:

#1 Some in the media have called this Oakland A’s owner John Fisher and MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred in making the A’s playing the interim years in Sacramento 2025-27 an inside job can you take us as to why that is?

#2 On Tuesday after the Coliseum and the City of Oakland made the offer to the A’s to play the next five years with a three year opt out at $97 million it was reject and Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao countered with a $60 million year offer and that was rejected. Was it a matter of the cost being too high for the A’s or they just wanted to reject the offer no matter what and get to Sacramento.

#3 Fisher and Sacramento Rivercats owner Vivek Ranadive know each other previously did that make the deal to go to Sutter Health and Sacramento an easy decision to make. Sources say the deal was around $35 million for the three interim years.

#4 It’s not over yet the Vegas deal could fall through, John Fisher may not be able to come up with his share of the construction costs at $1.5 million for the Tropicana ballpark and Schools over Stadiums who are a wild card are about to get their petition to ask Nevada voters to turn back the public monies for the ballpark is now going to the Nevada State Court of Appeals on Tuesday.

#5 If it does fail in Las Vegas how realistic is it that the A’s would consider Sacramento. Also the A’s have trademarked Sacramento A’s although they’ll call themselves just the A’s for the three interim years.

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s Wins Second Game of the Season Beating Tigers 4-0

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Oakland A’s pitcher Mason Miller (19) is congratulated by catcher Shane Langeliers (23) after defeating the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park in Detroit on Sun Apr 6, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Behind some excellent pitching by Paul Blackburn as well as some very efficient relief pitching, the Oakland A’s (2-7) won their second game of the season beating the Detroit Tigers (6-2) in a shutout 4-0. The A’s also had some great offense with some solid work from Zach Gelof and Brent Rooker.

Game recap: The A’s got the party started early in the first inning. Brent Rooker hit a home run with Zach Gelof on base and Oakland had an early 2-0 lead. The A’s were not finished and continued to add to their lead in the sixth inning. Seth Brown singled driving Zach Gelof home who as it turned out would be a very busy guy in this game. With a 3-0 lead Rooker hit a single in the eighth inning driving, who else, Gelof home giving Oakland a 4-0 lead. This would turn out to be the final, a 4-0 shut-out.

Paul Blackburn did indeed get the job done going six innings giving up three hits, no runs and four strikeouts. He had an outstanding day. Austin Adams pitched the seventh inning with no hits, no runs and 2 punch-outs. Mason Miller took over in the eighth giving up a single hit and had one strikeout and going into the ninth inning was looking to close out this game.

Oakland was on the verge of their second win of the season. Miller got the job done, in fact, the A’s had an all-around excellent showing on the mound today. This was not only their second win of the season, it was their first road win of this young season. This was an outstanding offensive and defensive game for Oakland. The A’s only had five hits but made every one of them count.

Rooker, Seth Brown, Shea Langeliers and J.D. Davis all had hits and Gelof scored three runs. It was a banner day for the team and a real confidence builder.

Game notes: Saturday afternoon, the A’s were back at work taking on the Tigers in game two of their series. The A’s lost a close and highly competitive game Friday to the Tigers 5-4. Game One of the series was not decided until the eighth inning with Oakland coming up just short. They played catch-up through six innings and tied up the game in the seventh. The Tigers pulled out the win in the eighth inning. Saturday Oakland got their second win of the season and pitcher Paul Blackburn made it happen with a shutout.

Sunday the A’s will wrap up the series with the Tigers before heading to Texas on Tuesday for a series with the Rangers. First pitch for Game Three is scheduled for 10:40.

Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum: How will MLB work in a minor league park?

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Sutter Health Park in Sacramento the home of the A’s for the 2025-27 seasons as it looked on Fri Mar 4, 2024 during the press conference for Oakland A’s owner John Fisher and Sacramento Kings owner Vivek Ranadive (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s Relocation podcast with Daniel Dullum:

#1 The Oakland Athletics announced today that they have agreed with the Sacramento Kings, the owners of the Sacramento River Cats, to play for three years at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento with an option for a fourth year, as they await for their supposed new ballpark in Las Vegas to somehow open.

#2 According to sources, Schools Over Stadiums will be in the Nevada Supreme Court arguing against the funding of SB1, the bill that gives government funding to the A’s ballpark. Another hurdle is the fact that A’s Owner John Fisher has not made any indication that he has the money to cover his part of the Tropicana stadium.

#3 It is quite a remarkable move for Sacramento and the Kings, considering the Kings nearly left Sacramento on several different occasions under the ownership of Joe and Gavin Maloof, two irresponsible owners with the same level of ethics and trustworthiness as John Fisher.

#4 What makes it even more infuriating is that the A’s will not even use Sacramento in their name while they bring Major League Baseball to the city for the first time. In fact, they won’t use any city’s name; for at least the next three years, they will be referred to as just the “Athletics” or the “A’s.”

#5 How will Major League Baseball work in a minor league park? How many changes will the Rivercats and A’s have to make to the park to make it work for the interim three years?

Daniel Dullum does the Oakland A’s Relocation Fridays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

A’s Drop Another One Run Game Losing to Detroit 5-4

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The Oakland A’s right fielder Brent Rooker (25) chases after the baseball hit by the Detroit Tigers Gio Urshela for a double in the bottom of the eighth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Fri Apr 5, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s (1-7) played a hotly contested game against the Detroit Tigers (6-1) coming up just short losing 5-4. Both Zach Gelof and Abraham Toro hit home runs in the losing effort. They went through five pitchers struggling with inconsistency on the mound. JP Sears had a good five opening innings but stumbled in the sixth losing a bit of command.

Game recap: It was a quiet start to the game with no runs scored in the first three innings. In the fourth inning, the Tigers broke the game open scoring three runs. It was a rough inning for Sears who gave up a homer to Matt Vierling followed by a Spencer Torkelson double with Andy Ibanez on base and Detroit took a quick 3-0 lead.

After 22 scoreless innings the A’s Brent Rooker homered with Zack Gelof aboard in the sixth inning trimming the Tiger lead to 3-2 and this game got a lot closer. The Tigers Mark Canha knocked the Tigers second home run of the game out of the park extending Detroit’s lead to 4-2. Oakland was forced to pull pitcher JP Sears who not only gave up the two homers but also six hits. Austin Adams took his place on the mound.

In the top of the 7th inning Tiger pitcher Tarik Skubal gave up the long ball a one run home run from Oakland’s Abraham Toro, his first of the season. The A’s were within one run of a tie with the Tigers 4-3 and this would initiate a pitching change for Detroit.

Will Vest would take over on the mound for the Tigers. Oakland went to work putting runners on second and third with one out. The A’s tied up this game 4-4 when Nick Allen grounded out to second and JJ Bleday scored.

Oakland’s Dany Jimenez pitched the seventh inning trying to pin down the strike zone. He found himself in back to back full counts followed by walks. With Tiger runners on first and second Jimenez was out and T. J. McFarland would come in and try to get out of the inning unscathed. Detroit’s Kerry Carpenter hit into a double play and Oakland had gotten out of the inning with the game remaining tied 4-4.

Spencer Torkolsen doubled trying to put a productive bottom of the eighth inning together for the Tigers. Lucas Erceg had taken the mound for Oakland the fifth pitcher for the A’s this afternoon. An RBI double from Gio Urshela broke the tie driving Torkolsen home and giving the Tigers a 5-4 lead.

Oakland started off the ninth inning with an Abraham Toro walk. Brian Noda would take first base also on a walk and the A’s had two runners on. Detroit’s Alex Lange would take the mound looking for the final out and the win. He struck out Zach Gelof and that was the ball game 5-4. Oakland had lost their 3rd one run game of the season.

Game notes: Friday afternoon the A’s traveled to Detroit to take on the Tigers in a three game series. The A’s have been struggling offensively while the Tigers have had an excellent start this year only dropping a single game in this young season.

The A’s went into this game without a single run in 17 innings and would be looking to get going on the offensive side. They sent JP Sears to the mound for this game. Sears couldn’t limit the Tiger offense and let his defense clean up any Detroit hits.

This was a tightly contested game but the A’s came up just short. Oakland is struggling on the mound with some real inconsistent pitching. They will take on the Tigers in game two tomorrow with first pitch scheduled for 10:10 AM. Paul Blackburn will take the mound for Oakland and for the Tigers Kenta Maeda will get the nod.