Tag: Oakland A’s

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: 2024 The Final Season of the A’s at the Coliseum- (Part X) ‘A’s 20-game winning streak

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Miguel Tejada former Oakland A’s shortstop was part of the 2002 A’s team and huge part of the A’s history (USA Today file photo)

2024 The Final Season of the A’s at the Coliseum- (Part X) ‘A’s 20-game winning streak

By Amaury Pi-Gonzalez

According to Major League Baseball archives, the longest American League winning streak is 22, held by the 2017 Cleveland Indians. In 2022, the Cleveland Indians changed their name to Cleveland Guardians. The Oakland A’s are second with a 20-game winning streak. In 2022, A’s players Miguel Tejada, Mark Mulder, and Tim Hudson, among others, were in Oakland as the A’s honored that great 20-game winning streak team.

Dominican shortstop Miguel Tejada said the 2002 winning streak is among the most incredible memories of his 16-year career in the major leagues. Tejada, who was an All-Stat six times, a two-time winner of the Silver Slugger Award, and the prominent league leader in runs batted in 2004, played for the Athletics from 1997 to 2003, then went on to play for the Orioles, Astros, Padres, and Giants.

Miguel Tejada won the 18th consecutive games of that 20-game record-setting streak when he hit a walk-off home run at the Oakland Coliseum over the left field fence from a pitch thrown by Twins Eddie Guardado. “Nunca se me olvidará ese momento” trans-“I will never forget that moment”. Ironically, it will also be the Twins, not in Oakland but in Minnesota, on September 6 when they shut out the A’s to end that winning streak. Manager Art Howe was part of the ‘Moneyball’ A’s that broke an American League record by winning 20 contests in a row.

The most incredible winning streak in Athletics history, from Philadelphia to Kansas City to Oakland, belongs to Oakland. The streak began in Oakland and ended in Minnesota. It began at Oakland on August 13 against the Blue Jays and lasted until September 6 when they beat the Twins in Minnesota, 20 consecutive in the win column.

From the electrifying clinching home run by Scott Hatteberg for the 20th consecutive win against Kansas City on September 4, 2002, to all the cast of players from Barry Zito, who won the American League Cy Young that season, to shortstop Miguel Tejada won the league’s Most Valuable Player Award to Manager Art Howe. 2002 Oakland A’s were among the most exciting teams in history, prompting Hollywood to make “Moneyball” released in 2011.

Moneyball – Film synopsis: Billy Beane (Brad Pitt), the Oakland A’s general manager, one day has an epiphany: Baseball’s conventional wisdom is all wrong. With a tight budget, Beane must reinvent his team by outsmarting the richer ball clubs.

Joining forces with Ivy League graduate Peter Brand (Jonah Hill), Beane prepares to challenge old-school traditions. He recruits bargain-bin players whom the scouts have labeled flawed but have game-winning potential. Based on the book by Michael Lewis.

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

A’s take series with 3-2 getaway win over White Sox

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Oakland A’s reliever Mason Miller (right) gets a hug from catcher Kyle McCann (left) after retiring the Chicago White Sox in the top of the ninth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Wed Aug 7, 2024 (AP News photo)

Wednesday, Aug. 7, 2024

Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

Oakland, California

Chicago White Sox 2 (28-89)

Oakland Athletics 3 (48-68)

Win: T.J. McFarland (2-1)

Loss: Touki Toussaint (0-2)

Save: Mason Miller (16)

Time: 2:14

Attendance: 6,964

By Stephen Ruderman

OAKLAND–We weren’t going to see history today at the Coliseum, but it was still a beautiful day for a baseball game, and the Oakland A’s rewarded the faithful who showed up with a 3-2 win over the Chicago White Sox to take the series in a Wednesday matinee.

Tuesday night, the A’s suffered the misfortune of being the team that the White Sox beat to snap their historic 21-game losing streak. Wednesday, the A’s still had a chance to take the series behind their young right-hander, Joey Estes.

Estes started the afternoon inning with a 1-2-3 top of the first inning. Davis Martin made the start for White Sox, and he also pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the first.

Andrew Vaughn doubled to right field to start the top of the second and advanced to third base on an error. That brought up Andrew Benintendi, who hit a home run to right-center to give the White Sox a 2-0 lead.

The A’s had a rally for free going against Martin in the bottom of the second. However, Martin struck out the side, and the A’s were unable to come through.

Both pitchers threw 1-2-3 innings in the third. Estes had to deal with a pair of two-out singles in the top of the fourth, but Nicky Lopez grounded into a fielder’s choice to end the inning. Martin then threw another 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the fourth.

Both pitchers pitched scoreless innings in the fifth, and Estes was done after five innings. Estes was a bit shaky, as he gave up six hits, but he limited the damage to two runs.

Will Klein pitched a 1-2-3 top of the sixth for Oakland, and Martin did the same for Chicago in the bottom of the sixth to cap off his afternoon. Martin went six shutout innings, giving up just a pair of hits and striking out four. The fact that he was done after six innings and 82 pitches was a bit surprising, but hey, I’m not the manager.

The A’s were trailing 2-0 going to the seventh, and they were nine offensive outs away from losing two-straight to a team that had just snapped a 21-game losing streak. T.J. McFarland pitched a scoreless top of the seventh for Oakland, and when Touku Toussaint came in for the White Sox in the bottom of the seventh, the A’s finally pounced.

Brent Rooker lined a base-hit to left to lead off the inning, and Abraham Toro walked with one out. That brought up Armando Alvarez, who flipped a base-hit to left. Rooker scored, and the A’s were on the board. Zack Gelof then flipped a base-hit to left, and Toro scored to tie the game. After a fielder’s choice moved the runners to second and third, Lawrence Butler gave the A’s the lead with a sacrifice fly to left.

Tyler Ferguson came in for the A’s in the top of the eighth, and he pitched a 1-2-3 shutdown inning. John Brebbia then pitched a scoreless bottom of the eighth.

Mason Miller, who last pitched on July 22 against the Houston Astros before breaking his left pinkie finger, was activated off the 15-Day Injured List prior to today’s game, and he came in for the top of the ninth to try and notch down the save. Miller didn’t miss a beat, and he threw a 1-2-3 inning to close it out

“I’m just excited to be back and part of the group,” said Miller, who didn’t pitch in a rehab assignment and convinced the A’s he was ready to go after throwing live batting practice on Monday. “

T.J. McFarland got the win; Touki Toussaint took the loss; and Mason Miller got the save.

The A’s improve to 48-68, and they will head north of the border to play the Toronto Blue Jays for three this weekend. After a day off Thursday, the two teams will kick off a three game series Friday night. Mitch Spence (7-7, 4.40 ERA) will make the start for Oakland, and the Blue Jays have yet to announce who they will go with.

First pitch will be at 7:07 p.m. in Toronto, 4:07 p.m. back home in Oakland.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: The one “Must See” Baseball Game this Year in the Bay Area

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The Oakland A’s will be giving away an Oakland Coliseum replica at the last home game on Thu Sep 26, 2024 against the Texas Rangers the final home game in Oakland history for the A’s before moving to Sacramento in 2025 (Oakland A’s photo)

The one “Must See” Baseball Game this Year in the Bay Area

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

OAKLAND–The last game of the Oakland A’s at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum is scheduled for September 26 against the Texas Rangers. It will be a Thursday afternoon game, with the first pitch at 12:37.

Fans in attendance will receive a Replica Coliseum Stadium, a memorable giveaway to remember the stadium many of you and your family have visited for generations. It has been a popular spot for sports and entertainment in the Bay Area for over 50 years.

For that historic last game at the Oakland Coliseum, the A’s might open the Mount Davis seats in center field, approximately 12,000 extra seats. The decision is imminent. One way or another, it will be a sellout, and the following day, three million people in the Bay Area will tell you they were there and were part of history.

It always happens like that. But it is “all good”, It is the last time you will hear vendors walking by your seat selling hot dogs, beer, and popcorn or welcoming you at the entrance with a friendly smile like Kenny Keltz did for years; this is part of the experience of attending a baseball game in Oakland.

The people who worked at the Coliseum are part of our community; they live, work, and pay taxes like everybody. September 26 will be an extraordinary day in Oakland, where the Oakland A’s have played and won numerous championships, including Four World Series.

The only other California team to have won in their park more is the Los Angeles Dodgers, who have played in Los Angeles Dodgers Stadium since 1958 and have five World Series titles. The Dodgers were recently here and some of the media from LA share the nostalgia of the Oakland Coliseum, and they will never return to watch a game here.

Understandably, A’s fans are distraught for the A’s to leave town. Baseball is a generational sport; kids were raised going to these games with their parents and friends, and after all, it is not every day that a Major League team leaves the city and place they have played for over a half-century.

Of course, people are upset for many reasons, which we all know, from ownership to poor leadership by politicos in Oakland City Hall and all reasons in-between that we are very familiar with, at least those of us who made our home in the Bay Area.

But this last game at Oakland should be a memorable game, as we will close the book inside our brains of attending games here. For me although I have broadcasted for a total of five different major league teams (including the Giants) and traveled with them, the Oakland Coliseum has been my baseball home since the early 1970’s and I always comeback to work here, because this is my home and I love the Bay Area. It will be a sad day, but a memorable and unforgettable day, at least for me. September 26, will be the One Must See Baseball game in the Bay Area in 2024.

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

Oakland A’s podcast with Morris Phillips: Big weight off Sox shoulders snapping 21 game skid; A’s and Sox finishing rubber game today

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Chicago White Sox Andrew Benintendi watches the flight of his two run home run in the top of the fourth inning against the Oakland A’s at the Oakland Coliseum on Sun Aug 7, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Morris Phillips:

#1 The Chicago White Sox ended their 21 game skid against the Oakland A’s. The A’s know about losing streaks and can appreciate the services the Sox went through.

#2 How relieving does it got to be for a ballclub that’s suffered through all this to get that weight off their backs.

#3 The Sox got home run help from Andrew Benitendi who hit a two run home run and the Sox didn’t look back winning it 5-1.

#4 The A’s starter Ross Stripling suffered his 11 loss. Pitching 5.1 innings, allowing five hits, four earned runs, walked one and struck out two hitters.

#5 The White Sox and A’s wrap up the three game series today at the Coliseum. Starting pitcher for the Sox RHP Davis Martin (0-1, ERA 7.11) and for the A’s RHP Joey Estes (5-4, ERA 4.77). How do you see today’s match ups.

Morris Phillips is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

White Sox snap 21-game skid, tops Oakland 5-1

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Chicago White Sox Andrew Benintendi (right) is congratulated by third base coach Eddie Rodriguez after hitting a two run home run against the Oakland A’s at the Oakland Coliseum on Tue Aug 6, 2024 (AP News photo)

By Daniel Dullum

Tuesday, August 6, 2024

The Chicago White Sox snapped a streak no team wants on Tuesday at the Coliseum, as the Sox’s 21-game losing skid came to an end by defeating Oakland 5-1. An announced crowd of 5,867 watched the contest between two last-place clubs.

Chicago’s historic drought tied the 1988 Baltimore Orioles for the longest losing streak in American League history. With the win, the White Sox avoided chasing the major league mark of 23 consecutive losses set by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1961.

It was Chicago’s first victory since July 10, when it defeated Minnesota, and their first win since the All-Star break. The White Sox are a MLB-worst 28-88, while the A’s fell to 47-68.

The White Sox jumped to a 2-0 lead in the top of the fourth when Andrew Benintendi cracked his 10th home run of the season, a two-run shot off Oakland starter Ross Stripling (2-11).

The Athletics got a run back when Zak Gelof hit a solo home run – his 14th – off winning pitcher Jonathan Cannon (2-5). The White Sox added two runs in the sixth on an RBI single by Andrew Vaughn, followed by Brooks Baldwin scoring on a wild pitch.

Lenyn Sosa completed the scoring for Chicago with a run-scoring single in the top of the ninth.

Baldwin and Benintendi each had two of the White Sox’s seven hits. Gelof, Brent Rooker and Miguel Andujar each collected two hits for the A’s. Cannon gave up one earned run on six hits and two walks while striking out five to get the win, Stripling gave up four of the five Chicago runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings.

The two teams finish their three-game set on Wednesday afternoon. Davis Martin (0-1, 7.11) starts for the White Sox, facing Oakland’s Joey Estes (5-4, 4.77). Game time is 12:37 p.m PT.

A’s Beat Up Struggling White Sox 5-1; Sox now 2 games away from tying worst MLB losing streak record

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The long faces say it all the Oakland A’s used to know something about losing streaks well the Chicago White Sox ran their losing string to 21 games just two games shy of tying the 1961 Philadelphia Phillies at 23 straight loses on Mon Aug 4, 2024 at the Oakland Coliseum (AP News photo)

By Barbara Mason

Monday night the Oakland A’s (47-67) took on the Chicago White Sox (27-88) in game one of their three game series. The White Sox came into this game on a 20 game losing streak and the A’s handed them their 21st loss with a 5-1 win. Oakland will be looking to add to Chicago’s woes in game two Tuesday.

Game recap: Tyler Nevin sacrificed in the first inning getting this game underway with a Daz Cameron run for an early 1-0 lead. Oakland would hold the 1-0 lead going into the fourth inning. Chicago’s Andrew Benintendi singled Andrew Vaughn home to tie up this game 1-1 and it was a new ball game.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, Oakland loaded the bases with one out. The A’s Max Schuemann took advantage of the opportunity hitting a hard single to left allowing two runners, JJ Bleday and Zach Gelof to both score taking a 3-1 lead.

Bleday had doubled and Gelof walked to get on base. Ky Bush had walked five runners so far in the game. He had also hit Darell Hernaiz for a base on ball in the fourth inning. Oakland had loaded the bases in the first inning finishing that inning with their first run.

After giving up the two runs in the fourth inning coupled with the five walks that was it for Chicago’s Bush. He finished pitching through four innings allowing two hits and three earned runs, five walks and three strikeouts. Justin Anderson would relieve him on the mound. He came in with a 5.12 ERA.

Anderson went on to walk two runners back to back. With JJ Bleday and Tyler Nevin on base Oakland had another scoring opportunity but with two outs, Zach Gelof struck out swinging and it was on to the top of the sixth inning with Oakland continuing to lead 3-1.

The top of the sixth inning was a one two three inning for JP Sears. The White Sox had a pitching change to start the bottom of the sixth inning putting Chad Kuhl on the mound. It was a tough inning for Kuhl giving up a Lawrence Butler solo home run, Butler’s 13th of the season giving Oakland a 4-1 lead. The White Sox have not won a single game this year when trailing after the sixth inning so this was troublesome for Chicago.

The top of the seventh inning was another one two three inning for JP Sears as this game reached the seventh inning stretch. JP Sears had sizzled finishing seven innings with three hits, one run, one walk and five strikeouts. Chicago’s Jared Shuster would relieve Kuhl in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Austin Adams took over pitching duties to start the eighth inning for Oakland. The White Sox did hit a double in the inning, a Miguel Vargas shot but one of the huge problems for Chicago this year is bringing runners home.

Adams had two strikeouts in the eighth inning striking out Lenyn Sosa for the third out. Oakland extended their lead in the bottom of the eighth inning. Zach Gelof scored from third adding another run to their tally 5-1.

Oakland was three outs away from handing the White Sox their 21st straight loss. The A’s Tyler Ferguson closed this game out with a one, two, three, inning and the victory was Oakland’s.

Game notes: After losing their last series against the Los Angeles Dodgers this past weekend, the A’s took on the White Sox Monday night to start a three game series at the Oakland Coliseum. The White Sox have endured a disastrous season having extended their losing streak to 21 games on Monday.

The A’s took advantage of the White Sox struggles and take game one with a four run 5-1 win at the Coliseum. A’s starting pitcher JP Sears got the win pitching seven innings seven innings allowing three hits and one run. Meanwhile White Sox starter Ky Bush pitched four innings, allowed two hits and three runs in the loss.

Tuesday the A’s will go into game two of this series. They will be eyeing a second win and handing Chicago loss #2 in a row. The A’s will be counting on Ross Stripling to handle the White Sox at the plate. He has a 2-10, 5.64 ERA record. The White Sox will send Jonathan Cannon to the mound with a 1-5 win/loss record and a 4.11 ERA with a 6:40pm PT first pitch.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: White Sox could tie all time consecutive MLB loss record; 2024 Paris Olympic medal count; plus more news

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Chicago White Sox starter Claude Flexen (77) just can’t look anymore as he’s removed in the bottom of the second inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field in Minneapolis on Sun Aug 3, 2024. The White Sox open a three game series with the Oakland A’s Mon Aug 4, 2024 at the Oakland Coliseum and could tie the all time losing streak record at 23 if they get swept in the series (AP News photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 Amaury, we’ll talk to you about a variety of subject starting with the possibility that the Chicago White Sox could tie the all time consecutive loss record at 23 on Wednesday if the A’s were to sweep this three game series which starts tonight.

#2 The A’s have had their own struggles of last after edging the Los Angeles Dodgers Friday they lost the next two games 10-0 Saturday and 3-2 on Sunday. The A’s first series loss since mid July.

#3 Switching over to the Paris Olympics and the medal count, China is in first place with the most gold medals, second the US with 20 and Australia with 13. The competition has been fast and furious in this year’s games.

#4 Former NFL star quarterback Tom Brady is considering un-retiring and wants to try out for either the San Francisco 49ers or Las Vegas Raiders. Brady is a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders.

#5 The Kansas City Chiefs have signed kicker Harrison Butler to a yearly $6.4 million deal that’s worth $25.6 million for four years and $17.75 million guaranteed. That would sign Butler through 2028. Butler hit 33 of 35 field goal attempts for 94.3% last season.

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

Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason: A’s host White Sox who’s on 20 game losing streak at Coliseum tonight

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Oakland A’s Brent Rooker (25) celebrates hitting a two run homer with teammate JJ Bleday (33) in the bottom of the first inning at the Oakland Coliseum against the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sun Aug 4, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the Oakland A’s podcast with Barbara Mason:

#1 Barbara, the Los Angeles Dodgers on Sunday took two out three games from the Oakland A’s defeat the A’s 3-2 at the Oakland Coliseum. The Dodgers Kike Hernandez hit an RBI double which made the difference in a one run decision.

#2 The Dodgers with their win snapped their six road series losing streak. The Dodgers on Saturday also snapped a three game losing streak with a 10-0 win over the A’s.

#3 Dodgers rookie pitcher River Ryan pitched 4 2/3 innings allowed two runs, four hits, four strikeouts and four walks. Ryan did not get the decision in Sunday’s contest and has not figured in a decision in his last three outings.

#4 The A’s Brent Rooker hit a two run home run for his 28th of the season a two run blast in the first inning but it wasn’t enough as the A’s lose by a run to conclude the series with the Dodgers.

#5 The A’s host the Chicago White Sox Monday night for the first of a three game series. The White Sox are on a 20 game losing streak and could tie the Major League record for consecutive loses if they lose all three games to the A’s. Starting pitcher for the Sox RHP Jonathan Cannon (1-5, ERA 4.11) for the A’s JP Sears (8-8, ERA 4.53) first pitch at the Coliseum slated for 6:40pm PT

Join Barbara for the A’s podcasts each Monday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Is River Ryan the answer for the Dodgers’ problematic, starting rotation?

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By Morris Phillips

OAKLAND—The Los Angeles Dodgers starting rotation is a mess.

But for the third, consecutive start, River Ryan provided the NL West leaders a neat option. The rookie right-hander pitched into the fifth inning and departed with a 3-2 lead over the A’s that would stand as the final score. In his first three major league starts, all since July 22, Ryan’s been on the winning side each time, and manager Dave Roberts has his unlikely rotation option penciled in for a fourth start Saturday after a convenient extra-day of rest.

“I thought River was good,” Roberts said. “We didn’t push him too much.”

“Warming up, I knew I wasn’t going to have my best stuff today,” Ryan said, as he took inventory of his strengths and weaknesses while warming up before the game in the bullpen.

Ryan, who started the season in the Arizona Complex League, and also pitched for Double-A Rancho Cucamonga and Triple-A Oklahoma City, wasn’t a rotation option at any point, until he was the option. With Walker Buehler slow to recover from Tommy John surgery, and flashy free agent signing Yoshinobu Yamamoto sidelined with a shoulder issue, two, critical spots opened in the rotation. In addition, the timeless Clayton Keyshawn didn’t debut until July 25. Tyler Glasgow and Gavin Stone have been the two constants, but neither are beyond getting replaced now that prized deadline acquisition Wade Flaherty has arrived and pitched well in his initial start.

Two other options, Dustin May and Tony Gonsolin, are on the injured list as well. And all the uncertainty and issues brought Roberts and GM Brandon Gomes looking for Ryan.

Ryan admittedly hasn’t been fantastic, but he has been steady, allowing no home runs in 15 innings of work, the logical flip side to allowing three walks in each of his starts. Ryan’s reminder to himself ties it all together.

“If you fall behind guys, you give them a chance to do damage,” he said.

Sunday’s win gave the Dodgers their first series victory on the road in their last six opportunities, something that didn’t seem likely after Friday’s 6-5 loss. That dropped Los Angeles’ division lead to just four games, which is as close as the NL West race had been since May 30. But Roberts simply asked his club to stay focused, and put on blinders.

“You have to remain steadfast, and eliminate the noise,” Roberts said.

DODGERS-A’s SERIES NOTES: The Oakland Coliseum was made memorable in the movie “Moneyball” for being the location of the A’s record 20th win in a row in 2002. Now, the Coliseum could gain notoriety as the location of a Chicago White Sox’ record-tying 23rd loss in a row this week.

The Sox experienced another dreadful afternoon in Minneapolis on Sunday, falling behind 7-0 to the Twins after two innings, before losing 13-7. Chicago has now lost 20 straight games, the longest losing streak in MLB in the last 36 years.

The Sox play their next three games in Oakland, meaning they could be in line to tie the all-time record of 23 losses held by the 1961 Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday afternoon.

The A’s won 17 of 24 games against the Dodgers at the Coliseum with the lifetime series now concluded. That success allowed the A’s to claim the best record against the Dodgers of any team all-time (24 wins, 21 losses).

Brent Rooker homered on Sunday, giving him 15 home runs and 37 RBI over his last 32 games.

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Dodgers beat A’s and take series 3-2, as Oakland drops first series since early July

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The Los Angeles Dodgers Teoscar Hernandez (37) raises his arms in celebration after hitting his double in the top of the first inning against the Oakland A’s at the Oakland Coliseum on Sun Aug 4, 2024 (AP News photo)

Sunday, Aug. 4, 2024

Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

Oakland, California

Los Angele Dodgers 3 (65-47)

Oakland Athletics 2 (46-67)

Win: Alex Vesia (2-3)

Loss: Osvaldo Bido (2-3)

Save: Anthony Banda (1)

Time: 2:27

Attendance: 25,544

By Stephen Ruderman

OAKLAND–The A’s were unable to complete the sweep, as JP Sears imploded late, and the Astros won it 8-1 in what was most likely their final game at the Oakland Coliseum.

After the A’s hung on for a thrilling win Friday night, the Dodgers evened the series with a 10-0 trouncing last night. Sunday, the A’s had a chance to take the series on this clear but hazy Sunday afternoon at the Coliseum, which has become the new Dodger Stadium North.

It would most likely be the final game that the Dodgers played at the Coliseum. While the Dodgers of course didn’t play here every year, the A’s and Dodgers squared off in the 1974 and 1988 World Series.

Three games in each series were played here at the Coliseum. The A’s wrapped up their third-straight title at the Coliseum with a 3-2 win in Game 5 of the 1974 World Series. Joe Rudi hit what proved to be the game-winning home run in the bottom of the seventh inning, and Hall-of-Famer Rollie Fingers closed it out in the ninth.

The Dodgers won the 1988 World Series, but while that series was most remembered for Kirk Gibson’s historic walk-off home run in Game 1, Mark McGwire gave the A’s and their fans some magic of their own with a less-remembered walk-off home run in Game 3 here at the Coliseum. The Dodgers then won Games 4 and 5 at the Coliseum to wrap up the series.

Fast forward to 2024, and while the A’s have been out of contention, they did have an opportunity to play spoiler and take two of three from the Dodgers, who came into today’s game just four and a half games ahead of the San Diego Padres atop the National League West.

Making the start Sunday for Oakland was Osvaldo, who ran into a jam with one out in the top of the first inning. Teoscar Hernandez doubled, and Gavin Lux walked. The veteran, Jason Heyward, struck out swinging for the second out, and that brought up Kiké Hernandez.

Kiké hit a shot out into left-center that A’s center-fielder JJ Bleday attempted to catch as he slid to his right, but the ball shot past Bleday, and both runners scored to give the Dodgers a 2-0 lead.

The A’s bounced right back against Dodgers’ starter River Ryan in the bottom of the first. After Ryan retired the first two men he faced, Bleday lined a base-hit to center, and Brent Rooker tied the game with a home run to left-center.

Both teams went down scoreless in the second, but the Dodgers got a rally going in the top of the third. Heyward lined a one-out base-hit to right and advanced to second on an error. With two outs, Cavin Biggio got Heyward in with a base-hit off the fists into right-center, and the Dodgers retook the lead.

From there, the game calmed down. The A’s did load the bases in the bottom of the fifth, which forced Ryan out of the game, but Evan Phillips came in and struck Brent Rooker out looking to end the inning.

Bido pitched a scoreless top of the sixth to end his day. By giving up three runs over six innings, Bido pitched a quality outing. He did give up six hits and walked three, but he struck out six.

Nothing really happened in the final three innings, though the A’s bullpen pitched three no-hit innings. Michel Otanez struck out two in a 1-2-3 top of the seventh, and Austin Adams and Tyler Ferguson pitched scoreless innings in the eighth and ninth.

The Dodgers’ bullpen, meanwhile, set down the final ten hitters they faced, and Anthony Banda picked up his second-career save.

Alex Vesia got the win, and Osvaldo Bido got the loss. This is the first time the A’s have lost a series since they lost two of three to the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park nearly a month ago.

The A’s will have a real chance to get some wins with the Chicago White Sox coming in. The White Sox are currently suffering through a 20-game losing streak.

Every few years or so, there’s a team that flirts with matching the misery of the 1962 New York Mets, who went 40-120 in their inaugural season. The A’s were potentially looking to be that team early last season. The White Sox are now 27-87 here in 2024, and they are on pace to go 38-124.

Monday night JP Sears (8-8, 4.53 ERA) will make the start for Oakland in the series opener, and he will be opposed by the Chicago White Sox Jonathan Cannon (1-5, 4.11 ERA). First pitch will be at 6:40 p.m.