Tag: Atlanta Braves

Oakland A’s starter Luis Media pitches to the Atlanta Braves line up in the bottom of the first inning at Truist Park in Cobb County on Sun Jun 2, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s (24-37) only managed two hits in the third game of their series with the Atlanta Braves (33-24). Two hits will not get you very far against a tough opponent. Oakland did tie up the game in the seventh inning when Zach Gelof hit a home run but no offense was generated by the A’s after the long ball losing the game 3-1.

Game recap: The Braves took the early lead in the first inning when the ever dependable Matt Olson singled Marcell Ozuna home for a 1-0 tally. After the opening inning there was not a lot of offense for either team. Through six innings the Braves had only two hits and the A’s had a single hit.

Luis Medina went 5.2 innings allowing the two hits, 1 run, 2 walks with 6 strikeouts. He had a nice outing and was relieved by Brady Basso to close the fifth inning facing the final at bat for Atlanta, a tough one in lefty Matt Olson. Basso got the job done as Olson grounded out.

Atlanta pitcher Charlie Morton was pulled after six innings starting to struggle with too many balls and too many walks. He had walked five A’s and he was relieved by Dylan Lee in the seventh inning.

This was still anybody’s game and even more so in the seventh inning when the A’s had their first home run of the game off the bat of Zach Gelof and this game was tied 1-1. Conditions got a lot better when the rain had come to a halt and the ball park was soaked in sunshine to start the seventh inning.

The go-ahead run came when a pop- up ball in the seventh inning ended up landing on the line and Gelof was unable to catch it for the out. There was some confusion as to who would catch that pop-up and even if that ball was going to end up as a fair ball.

The hit landed on the line and enabled Marcell Ozuna to score breaking the tie and the Braves took a 2-1 lead. Atlanta did have the bases loaded but Austin Adams, who had relieved Brady Basso, got out of the inning minimizing the damage to just the one run.

Oakland was unable to tie up this game in the eighth, in fact, it was the Braves that got the insurance run they were looking for. They took a 3-1 lead when Ozzie Albies singled to right and J.P. Martinez scored. With two outs, Atlanta had the bases loaded threatening to add to their lead. Oakland relief pitcher Dany Jimenez got out of the inning and the A’s had one last inning to make some noise.

The A’s went quietly in the ninth inning with a Zach Gelof line out, a Kyle McCann ground out. and a Max Schuemann fly-out. The Braves had won the game 3-1 and the series.

Game recap: Sunday afternoon the A’s finished up their series with the Braves at a rainy Atruist Park as the Braves took the series. After a real slugfest Saturday that saw Oakland come out on top 11-9, the A’s were looking to win the series against the very tough Braves but just couldn’t finish the job and score as many runs like they did on Saturday. Medina pitched well enough giving up just giving up two hits for Oakland. The Braves Morton gave up only one hit for the win.

The A’s will now head back home with a day off on Monday before taking on Seattle Tuesday in a three-game series. Joey Estes will be on the hill for Oakland with a 1-1 win/loss record and a 6.10 ERA. The Mariners will send George Kirby to start with a 4-5 win/loss record and a 4.08 ERA first pitch 6:45pm PT.

By Barbara Mason

The Oakland A’s Miguel Andujar slugs a top of the first inning single against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Field in Cobb County on Sat Jun 1, 2024 (AP News photo)

The Oakland A’s (23-36) scored early and often in game two of their series with the Atlanta Braves (32-23). They led for much of the game winning the game 11-9. Max Schuemann and Miguel Andujar had four hits apiece in the game. They led by as much as 8-3. The Braves fought back scoring six runs in the fifth inning but the A’s held on for the win on Saturday.

Game recap: The A’s took the importance of scoring first to heart taking a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Daz Cameron doubled to left driving Shea Langeliers and Miguel Andujar home. It was a great way for the team to start a baseball game. Atlanta show some muscle of their own tying up the game 2-2 in the opening inning. Marcell Ozuna hit a home run with Austin Riley onboard and this game was tied.

The A’s took back the lead in the second inning scoring four runs and the Oakland bats were on fire. Max Schuemann got the inning started with a single that brought Zach Gelof home for a 3-2 lead. The home runs that were missing in Fridays game showed up in this one. Miguel Andujar hit a homer straight down center a three-run shot with Aledmys Diaz and Abraham Toro on base taking a 6-2 lead. The A’s were already having some quality at bats after only two innings.

Atlanta tacked on another run in the third inning but still trailing 6-3. Oakland struck again in the fourth inning with their second home run of the game off the bat of Brent Rooker with Max Schuemann on base and the A’s had extended their lead to 8-3. There was nothing that the A’s offense could do wrong so far in this game.

Atlanta had a huge fifth inning scoring six runs taking a 9-8 lead. The Braves Austin Riley singled Orlando Arcia home and Michael Harris II also scored on an Abraham Toro error. Marcell Ozuna singled Austin Riley home, Matt Olsen hit a two run homer and Adam Duvall singled Travis D’Arnaud home for the sixth run in the inning for an Atlanta lead their first in the game.

The A’s had some work to do trailing for the first time in the game. In the sixth inning Brent Rooker doubled, his second hit of the game, driving Miguel Andujar and Max Schuemann home taking back the lead 10-9.

This was an explosive offensive display by both teams. There were also some additional explosive moments in the sixth inning when manager Mark Kotsay was ejected from the game. Oakland would have to manage without their skipper for the remainder of the game. This ejection could have very well pushed the team onto this victory. They certainly did Mark Kotsay proud.

The A’s would be looking for some insurance runs in the latter innings of this game. In the eighth inning, Oakland got that insurance run when once again Miguel Andujar singled Max Schuemann home, now leading 11-9. Max Schuemann was 4 for 4 in the game, in fact, eight A’s had at least one hit in the game. In this back and forth game, besides Schuemann, Miguel Andujar also had four hits as both of these guys continue to shine bright.

It all came down to the ninth inning. Could Oakland hang onto the lead and come away with the victory? Closing A’s pitcher Dany Jimenez struck out the third at bat Adam Duvall and that was the ball game 11-9. The A’s finished this game with 16 hits in an amazing offensive effort.

Starting pitcher for Oakland Aaron Brooke finished 4.1 innings allowing seven hits, and seven runs. Atlanta starter Chris Sale also went four innings allowing nine hits, eight runs and strikeouts. The offensive effort from both teams were eating up both pitchers.

Game notes: Saturday afternoon game two between the A’s and the Braves got underway. Aaron Brooks started for the A’s although he gave up seven runs he did get help from the line up and the relievers preserved. Chris Sale was on the hill for the Braves pitched just four innings and the A’s drilled him for most their runs with eight.

The key of this game for the A’s was the offense and they were hitting the ball on the button on Saturday. The A’s scored twice in the first and four times in the second inning which gave the A’s a great chance winning in game two. The Braves have a deep offense as well as a solid defense. The win over Atlanta was very impressive indeed.

The rubber game of this series is scheduled for Sunday with first pitch at 10:35am PT. The A’s will start RHP Luis Medina (0-0, ERA 0.00) for the RHP Braves Charlie Morton (3-2, ERA 4.29) first pitch 10:35am PT.

Top of the 6th ejection of coach

8 for 16 with runners in scoring position

Oakland A’s pitcher JP Sears delivers against the Atlanta Braves in the bottom of the first inning at Truist Park in Cobb County on Fri May 31, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Atlanta Braves (32-23) pitcher Reynaldo Lopez proved to be too hot to handle for the Oakland A’s (23-36) on Friday night at Truist Park in Cobb County. He struck out eight A’s which was his season high. The Oakland A’s had six hits in the game but once again failed to score until the fourth inning. The Braves scored in both the first and second innings as Oakland found themselves behind the eight ball, a place they have been in for much of the season.

Game recap: The Braves wasted no time taking control of this game from the start scoring in both the first and the second innings. Matt Olson sacrificed and Austin Riley scored for the first run of the game for Atlanta. The Braves went on to score twice in the second inning. Jarred Kelenic doubled Sean Murphy and Michael Harris II home for an early 3-0 lead.

Oakland got on the board in the fourth inning 3-1 when Zach Gelof sacrificed Miguel Andujar home. The Braves had scored a single run in the sixth inning when Orlando Arcia sacrificed Matt Olsen home for their fourth run of the game.

Oakland had JJ Bleday and Brent Rooker on base in the eighth inning leaving them both standed. The A’s would not score again until the ninth inning. Zach Gelof crossed home plate for Oakland’s final run the score 4-2 in the ninth inning in favor of the Braves.

JP Sears went seven innings allowing six hits, four earned runs, two walks with five strikeouts. He was relieved by Brady Basso who pitched a single inning allowing no hits, no runs with one strikeout.

Game notes: The A’s rolled into Atlanta after a most frustrating series with the Tampa Bay Rays. The A’s had won the first game of the Rays series and dropped a couple of one run games one of which went 12 innings. The Braves have been playing solid ball sitting in second place behind the Phillies in the National League East. This game was a real challenge for Oakland.

JP Sears took the mound for Oakland and struggled in the first two innings giving up a run in the first inning and two runs in the second inning. Braves starter Reynaldo Lopez pitched six innings gave up four hits and one earned run and struck out eight batters .

The A’s have this weekend to try and come away with some success in this series. On the mound for Oakland will be Aaron Brooks with a 0-2, 3.63 ERA. The Braves will feature Chris Sale on the hill with an 8-1 win/loss record and a 2.12 ERA. First pitch for this game is scheduled for 1:10 PM.