Chicago Cubs’ Nick Madrigal, right, is tagged out at second by Oakland Athletics shortstop Kevin Smith on a steal-attempt during the fifth inning at the Oakland Coliseum on Wed Apr 18, 2023 (AP News photo)
By Jerry Feitelberg
OAKLAND–The Oakland A’s woes continued as they lost again. The Chicago Cubs trounced the A’s 12-2 to sweep the three-game series. The Cubs scored 27 runs in the series, while the A’s offense produced only three. The A’s lost all six games on the homestand- three to the New York Mets and three to the Cubs.
The A’s have lost seven straight and 13 of the last 14. The A’s are tied with the 1951 Philadelphia A’s for the worst record in A’s history after 19 games. The A’s started the highly touted Mason Miller on Wednesday. The Six-foot five-inch righty impressed many people as he went four and 1/3rd innings allowing two runs and four hits.
He struck out five and walked one. 15 of his pitches were recorded AT 100 miles per hour or more. Miller had this to say after the game: “All morning, I couldn’t wait for it to get started,” Miller said. “My control was a little sporadic, but I chalk that up to nerves, and I think I settled in as the game went on. I’m happy with how my outing went today. There are some things I’d like to change, but I try not to be super critical of it today and just enjoy the moment.” Miller threw 81 pitches; 51 were strikes. As good as Miller was, the same could not be said for the bullpen. The Cubs pounded five A’s relievers for ten runs after the fifth inning. The A’s had one hit after the fifth inning.
In the top of the fourth, the leadoff hitter, Dansby Swanson, walked to get things started for the Cubs. Swanson advanced to second on Miller’s wild pitch. The Cubs’ left fielder, Ian Happ, doubled to drive in Swanson with Chicago’s first run of the game. The Cubs lead 1-0 midway through the fourth.
In the A’s half of the inning, manager Mark Kotsay was tossed after the home plate umpire, Adam Hamari, called a clock violation third strike on Aledmys Diaz. Diaz didn’t get back into the batter’s box in time. The next hitter Jesus Aguilar walked. Aguilar was out at second. Shortstop Dansby Swanson’s throw to Hosmer to complete the double play went past Hosmer. Langeliers was now at second. A’s DH Carlos Perez’s soft line drive went down the right field line for a double. Langeliers scored to tie the game.
Eric Hosmer reached on an infield single in the top of the fifth. Nick Madrigal singled Hosmer to third. Tyler Barnhart’s sacrifice fly to center drove in Hosmaer with the Cubs’ second run. The A’s answered in their half of the frame. Tyler Wade, playing in left field, walked. Second baseman Jordan Diaz doubled to right field to drive in Wade with the A’s second run. The game is tied 2-2 after five complete.
In the sixth, A’s reliever Chad Smith walked Swanson and Ian Happ to put two men on with no out. The A’s brought in lefty Sam Moll to pitch to Cody Bellinger. Moll threw a wild pitch, allowing the runners to advance to second and third. With the infield in, Bellinger hit a ground ball to A’s first baseman Jesus Aguilar.
Aguilar’s throw home was off the mark. Swanson scored the Cubs’ third run. Moll struck out Torrens for the first out. The next hitter was the hot-hitting Patrick Wisdom. Wisdom homered twice Monday night in the 10-1 win. On Wednesday, Wisdom tripled to deep right field to drive in Happ and Bellinger. Bellinger scored on Moll’s wild pitch. The Cubs lead 6-2.
The Cubs added another run in the eighth. With two out, first baseman, Eric Hosmer belted his first home run of the season over the fence in left field. Chicago leads 7-2.
The onslaught continued when the Cubs put five more runs on the board in the ninth to lead 12-2. The A’s went did not score in the ninth. The Cubs won 12-2 and swept the three-game series.
Game Notes: The A’s are now 3-16. The Cubs improved to 11-6. Chicago is in second place in the NL Central Division.
The line score for Chicago was 12 runs, 11 hits, and one error. The A’s line was two runs, five hits, and one error. Eric Hosmer’s blast in the fifth inning was the only home run hit in the game. The Cubs’ second baseman, Nico Hoerner, had three hits. Patrick Wisdom, who homered twice Monday night, had a triple and two ribbies on Wednesday. Nick Madrigal also drove in two runs.
Oakland had five hits in the game-three of the five were doubles.
The winning pitcher was lefty Justin Steele. Steele is now 3-0 for 2023. A’s reliever Chad Smith took the loss.
The time of game was two hours and 53 minutes. The A’s had 12,122 fans on hand to see the game.
The A’s are off on Thursday. On Friday, they are on their way to Arlington, Texas, to play three games against the AL Western Division leader, the Texas Rangers. The game will start at 5:05 pm. The A’s will start JP Sears (0-1 ERA 4.60) the Rangers are going with Jon Gray (1-1 ERA 3.21)
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