Tag: Sean Manaea

Oakland A’s Tuesday game wrap: Youthful A’s experience good times in rare laugher over the first-place Indians

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By Morris Phillips

OAKLAND–Baseball’s supposed to me fun, and it was just that for the A’s on Tuesday, in need of some enjoyable moments in the midst of 17 losses in 23 games.

After beating the AL Central-leading Indians 9-1, even business-like manager Bob Melvin loosened up, recounting some of the memorable moments of a rare laugher for his club.

“Guys getting their first RBIs, playing full games, not subbing guys out, not hitting for guys,” Melvin said. “You think back and remember what your first RBI and so forth was like so it adds a little bit more to it.”

The A’s makeshift lineup featured guys better known in Midland, Texas than in Oakland, but they made themselves at home one hit a time. Eight Athletics had at least one hit, and Chad Pinder and Bruce Maxwell picked up their first big league RBI, as the A’s piled up 13 hits, quite a departure for a team that’s been mostly quiet at the Coliseum, hitting .239 as a team at home.

While Pinder and Maxwell recorded career firsts, Jake Smolinski landed full out in right center with the ball in his club, which in turn landed him on SportsCenter with one of the evening’s top plays. Danny Valencia had spent the week embroiled in his controversial fight with teammate Billy Butler, but on Tuesday he was flashing the leather as well, playing Mike Napoli’s one hopper of the wall cleanly, then throwing out the Cleveland catcher at second base with his one-hop throw.

So good were the A’s, the outcome was never threatened after Indians’ starter Danny Salazar saw himself saddled with a three-run deficit after facing just four batters. The fourth batter, Khris Davis hit his 33rd home run with two runners aboard. But the A’s didn’t take their foot of the gas, scoring two runs in the third, one in the fifth, and three more in the eighth.

Sean Manaea was the beneficiary of all the offense, winning for the fifth time in his 13 starts at home. Manaea lasted seven innings, allowing three hits and a run, about a nice of a line a young pitcher can achieve against a powerful lineup that’s been limited to two runs in two nights by Oakland pitching.

Salazar had never gotten much fuss from the A’s, winning each of his 2015 starts easily. But 2016 in general has been more challenging for Salazar, trying to regain his form after ending a lengthy stint on the disabled list on August 18. He came in with wins in 11 of his 15 decisions, but left after failing to retire a hitter in the fifth, and the A’s ahead comfortably 6-0.

“I thought he was up with too many fastballs and because of that it didn’t really seem like they had to respect his off-speed pitches. The hope is that he gets some repetition including side days and stuff and gets back to the Danny we saw in the first half,” Cleveland manager Terry Francona said.

The A’s have their initial win against Cleveland after dropping the first four meetings this season. They’ll look to capture the series on Wednesday afternoon in the finale when Kendall Graveman faces the Indians’ Trevor Bauer.

 

 

Cubs beat the A’s 3-1 to sweep the series

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

 

MLB: Chicago Cubs at Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sean Manaea Photo Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

By Charlie O. Mallonee

OAKLAND–The Chicago Cubs made it a three-game sweep over Oakland as they beat the Athletics 3-1 on Sunday. The Cubs supported the outstanding pitching of Kyle Hendricks with some timely hitting and the 104 mph pitches of Aroldis Chapman in the ninth inning to nail down the win for Chicago.

The Cubs have now won seven consecutive games and 10 of their last 11 contests. Chicago is a season-high 28 games over .500 with a record of 69-41 which is best in the majors. This was their 10th series sweep of the season.

The A’s have now lost three in a row and eight of their last nine games. Oakland is now 15 games under .500 with a record of 48-63. This was the ninth time the A’s were swept this season.

On the Bump

Kyle Hendricks (11-7) has quietly been one of the most solid pitchers for the Cubs this season. He did not overpower hitters as his fastball topped out at 89 mph on a consistent basis. It was the sinking action of his fastball that caused Oakland hitters to groundout and the change up that kept the hitters off balance that Hendricks used to defeat the A’s.

Hendricks worked 7.1 innings giving up just one run (earned) on three hits. He struck out four batters and walked none. Hendricks entire outing was about control.

Pedro Strop worked 0.2 innings of relief for Hendricks.

Aroldis Chapman worked the ninth inning thrilling the crowd with pitches that hit 104 mph on the radar gun. Chapman did give up a single to the A’s Stephen Vogt, so he is human.

“He pitched great. A couple of swings ended up being two runs for them. Pitching deep into the game for us again. Getting the swings and misses. Using all three pitches. It’s a pretty good line up that other than two pitches he did a great job against,” said A’s manager Bob Melvin evaluating the pitching performance of Sean Manaea on Sunday.

Manaea (3-7) worked 6.0 innings giving up two runs (both earned) on six hits. He struck out four and walked two batters. Both runs came via the home run. Kris Bryant hit his 27th home run of the season off Manaea to lead off the top of the sixth inning and Jorge Soler hit his seventh homer of the year to lead off the seventh inning.

The A’s used five relief pitchers in the game. Reliever Liam Hendriks came in with the bases loaded and no outs in the top of the eight and worked out of that jam without allowing a run. Manager Bob Melvin praised Hendriks for his effort after the game.

Chris Smith who was just added to the A’s roster closed out the game for Oakland working a scoreless top of the ninth inning.

In the Batter’s Box

Marcus Semien was the bright spot for the A’s at the plate against the Cubs. Semien went 2-for-3 on the day. That included him crushing his 23rd home run of the season into the left center field seats which accounted for the only A’s run of the day.

Stephen Vogt and Max Muncy were the only other A’s to pick up hits in the game.

The A’s left three men on base.

Kris Bryant went 2-for-3, scored a run, hit a home run and walked twice in the game. The home run was his 27th of the year which is a new career-high.

Jorge Soler enjoyed being the Designated Hitter as he went 2-for-4. He hit his seventh home run of the season off Manaea.

Anthony Rizzo had a 1-for-4 day that included an rbi. He has now reached base safely in 14 consecutive starts.

The Cubs left eight men on base and went 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position.

Defense

Yonder Alonso executed the rare unassisted double play in the top of the third inning. With the bases loaded, the Cubs Ben Zobrist hit a low line drive down the first base line that Alonso snagged with his glove hand. He then stepped on the first base bag to double up the runner – Anthony Rizzo – to end the inning and the Cubs scoring threat.

A rare call by first base umpire Paul Emmel preserved a good defensive play by the A’s. In the top the fourth inning, Cubs catcher Wilson Contreras struck out but the pitch was in the dirt so the batter was able to run to first. Catcher Stephen Vogt fielded the ball and made the throw to first. Contreras ran out of the runners lane to distract Yonder Alonso who was waiting to catch the ball. Alonso dropped the ball but Emmel called Contreras out for leaving the lane and interfering with the play. It is a call that should be made more often.

Notes

Sonny Gray has been placed on the 15-day disabled list for the second time this season. Gray was lifted from the game on Saturday when he strained his right forearm in the fifth inning. Gray was on the DL from May 21 to June 4 with a strained right trapezius.

Right-hand pitcher Chris Smith has been promoted from Triple-A Nashville to take Gray’s spot on the roster. To clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Smith, catcher Josh Phegley has been transferred to the 60-day disabled list.

This is the 25th time the A’s have placed a player on the DL this season. That ties a club all-time record.

Up Next

The Athletics will stay in Oakland for a four-game series with the Eastern Division leading Baltimore Orioles:

Mon 8/8 RHP Kendall Graveman (7-7,4.46) vs. RHP Kevin Gausman (3-8,4.08) 7:05 PM

Tue 8/9 RHP RHP Zach Neal (1-1,5.25) vs. LHP Wade Miley (0-1,7.20) 7:05 PM

Wed 8/10 TBA (probably a call up from Nashville) vs. RHP Yovani Gallardo (4-3,5.47) 7:05

Thu 8/11 TBA (possibly another Nashville call up) vs. RHP Chris Tillman (14-4,3.50) 7:05

The Cubs have the day off on Monday and start a two-game series with the Angles in Chicago on Tuesday.

It was a gray day for Sonny in Cleveland as the Indians win 8-0

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment
MLB: Oakland Athletics at Cleveland Indians
Tough day for Sonny Gray in Cleveland. Photo Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports

By Charlie O. Mallonee

The Cleveland Indians completed a three-game sweep of Oakland on Sunday by shutting out the Athletics 8-0. The Indians rode the strong starting pitching of Corey Kluber and the well timed hitting of the bottom third of the order to close out the A’s trip to Cleveland out on a down note.

The victory was the Indians 60th of season against 42 losses. The “Tribe” has now won three games in-a-row and are 6-4 in their last 10 games. The win gives them a 4.5 game lead over second-place Detroit in the AL Central.

The loss drops the A’s record to 47-58 – 11 games under the key goal of getting to the .500 mark. The A’s have lost three straight games and are 5-5 in their last 10 games. Oakland has dropped into last place in the AL West – 14.0 games back of Texas and 0.5 games back of the Angels in fourth place.

On the Bump

Sonny Gray looked strong in the first two innings of the game. He sat the side down in order in each inning and it appeared Gray was on track for a strong outing. Then came the third inning and the wheels came off for Gray.

Gray loaded the bases and then with one out, gave up single to right field to Jason Kipnis that was good for two RBI. Francisco Lindor then hit a sacrifice fly to center field that drove in Roberto Perez. Designated Hitter Mike Napoli then hit a two-run home run over the left center field wall to make it a 5-0 game in favor of the Indians.

The A’s were unable to find any runs in the top of the fourth to help Gray as he headed back to the mound to face the Cleveland batters.

Gray gave up another run on two singles and walk and his day on the hill was over. Daniel Coulombe came on in relief and gave up a sacrifice fly (run charged to Gray) before getting the final out. The Indians led 7-0 after four complete innings.

The Indians would score once more in the bottom of the fifth-inning.

Sonny Gray’s record fell to 5-10 for the year. Even more alarming his ERA rose to 5.84. On Sunday, Gray worked just 3.1 innings giving up seven runs (all earned) on eight hits. He struck out three and walked two. Gray threw 64 pitches (43 strikes).

Daniel Coulombe threw 1.2 innings in relief giving up one run (earned) on one hit while striking out two and walking two hitters. J.B. Wendelken worked three scoreless innings of long relief giving up just one hit, striking out three and issuing one walk.

It really was Corey Kluber’s day on the bump. The 2014 Cy Young winner was in great form as he threw 7.0 scorless innings distributing just five hits, walking just two A’s while striking out seven hitters. Kluber threw 103 pitches (67 strikes). It was the kind of performance that one would expect out of the number one man in the rotation of a first-place team.

The Indians used three pitchers to cover the eighth and ninth innings to close out the game.

In the Batter’s Box

Yonder Alonso had the only multi-hit game for the A’s. He had a double and a single in the game to raise his average to .250. Stephen Vogt, Jake Smolinski and Marcus Semien all hit doubles in the contest.

The A’s left eight runners on base and were 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

DH Mike Napoli was the man at the plate for Cleveland on Sunday. He went 1-for-3 with a 2-run home run, scored two runs, had two RBI and added a walk.

The number seven, eight and nine hitters in the order collected five of Cleveland’s 10 hits and scored five of their eight runs. That is a pretty productive bottom third of the order.

The Indians left six runners on base and were 4-for-8 with runners in scoring position.

On Defense

In the bottom of the fourth, Lonnie Chisenhall was at first when Tyler Naquin singled to right field. Josh Reddick fielded the ball and then threw a bullet to third base to try to cut down Chisenhall who decided to challenge Reddick’s arm. Rookie Ryon Healy took the throw, put down the tag and Chisenhall became the first out of the inning.

Who goes – who stays

The clock is ticking and the phones are ringing as teams are desperately trying to make deals before the non-wavier trade deadline hits at 1:00 PM PDT on Monday. There are several A’s players that the “experts” think could be on the move.

The two most prominent names are still pitcher Rich Hill and outfielder Josh Reddick. The new wrinkle involving these two players is that several teams are trying to pick them up as a package. Peter Gammons of MLB Network says the Dodgers have asked about the two as a package deal. Ken Rosenthal of Fox is reporting that the Blue Jays are also pursuing the pair as a package.

With Hill on the DL due the blister on pitching hand, some teams have asked about a conditional trade that would reduce the compensation to the A’s if Hill is unable to become competitive for the rest of the season. The word is the A’s have said no to those proposals. Hill is a “as is” with “no warranty” trade. You buy it – you own it.

The name of Danny Valencia has dropped off the radar in the last 72 hours but do not be surprised to hear Valencia has packed his bags and is on his way to a contender tomorrow afternoon. His productive bat is too good to be ignored.

Up Next

The A’s traveled to Southern California after the game on Sunday and will have a day off before beginning a three-game series with the Angels on Tuesday.

Tue 8/2 @LAA LHP Sean Manaea (3-5,4.57) vs. RHP Matt Shoemaker (5-11,4.17) 7:05 PM PDT

Wed 8/3 @LAA RHP Kendall Graveman (7-7,4.15) vs. RHP Jared Weaver (8-8,5.14) 7:05 PM PDT

Thu 8/4 @LAA  To Be Announced for Oakland       vs. RHP Tim Lincecum (2-5,8.49) 4:05 PM PDT

The Indians will stay in Cleveland and will begin a four-game series with the Twins on Monday night.

 

Hitting epidemic: The A’s hit three more homers, defeat the Rangers 6-4

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by Jerry Feitelberg

AP photo: Oakland A’s Coco Crisp swings for the fences with an eighth inning homer off Texas Rangers pitching on Wednesday night in Arlington

The Oakland A’s behind a good effort by lefty Sean Manaea, Ryan Dull, and Ryan Madson beat the Texas Rangers 6-4 Wednesday night in Arlington, Texas. The A’s backed the pitching with three home runs for a come-from-behind win. Manaea continued to pitch well. He went six and 2/3rds innings and allowed eleven hits and three runs. Manaea struck out a career- high nine batters and did not walk anyone. Manaea has now pitched twenty-seven straight innings without walking a single batter. The Rangers’ Yu Darvish also pitched very well. Darvish has not been successful against Oakland since his arrival in the big leagues in 2012. Darvish won the first game he pitched against Oakland but has lost eight straight since then. The A’s scored two in the first, but Darvish settled down and was in line for the win when he left the game after the sixth inning.

The A’s took a 2-0 lead in the first. Coco Crisp led off with a triple and scored on a Jed Lowrie sacrifice fly. Khris Davis, who loves to hit Ranger pitching, crushed his twenty-fourth of the year for the second run of the inning. The Rangers scored their first run of the night in the third and then took the lead in the bottom of the fifth when Ian Desmond hit a two-run blast off Manaea to put Texas ahead 3-2. Darvish had settled down and allowed the A’s just two more hits before his exit after the sixth inning. Darvish was on a strict pitch count as he had Tommy John surgery last year and shoulder soreness earlier in the season.

The A’s took advantage of the weak Texas bullpen as they scored four in the top of the eighth. Coco Crisp hit a two-run homer off Matt Bush and then Khris Davis also hit a two-run dinger. It was Davis’ twenty-fifth of the year.

Ryan Dull relieved Manaea with two out in the seventh, and he finished the seventh and eighth for the A’s and picked up the win. Ryan Madson gave up a run in the bottom of the ninth but was able to get the job done and secured the win for Oakland.

The A’s are now 9-4 since the All-Star break and have won their last four series. They are 47-55 and are just eight games under the .500 mark. The Rangers fall to 58-44 and lead the second-place Houston Astros by just 2 1/2 games in the AL West. The A’s are off on Thursday and resume play on Friday against the Cleveland Indians who are in first place in the AL Central. Kendall Graveman, who is 6-0 with an ERA of 3.25 in his last ten starts, will pitch for Oakland. The Indians will counter with Trevor Bauer.

 

Blue Jays beat the A’s 5-3 in a strange game

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment
MLB: Toronto Blue Jays at Oakland Athletics
Marcus Semien hits his 20th home run of the season. Photo Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports

By Charlie O. Mallonee

The Oakland Athletics lost the final game of the three-game series to the Toronto Blue Jays 5-3 on Sunday afternoon, but the A’s still won the series two games to one.

The Sunday game had “weird” painted all over it right from the beginning. Rich Hill started the game for Oakland and the speculation was that it would be his final start as an Athletic because of his trade value. Hill threw five pitches and called the trainer to the mound. A piece of skin came off where he had a blister that caused him to miss a start, and that was it for Hill. His day was over.

The A’s would use seven pitchers in the game but the real surprise was the appearance of starting pitcher Sean Manaea in the second inning of the game. The rookie left-hander was scheduled to start the game on Tuesday versus the Astros. After it was determined that reliever Andrew Triggs could not continue after being hit in the calf with a batted ball, manager Bob Melvin called on Manaea.

Melvin talked about how tough it was to ask Manaea to respond so quickly. “It’s tough to ask the kid to do something like that too. We were going to limit his pitches but we just didn’t have enough bullpen wise to get through the game if we didn’t use him. He responded really well. I’m sure he didn’t come to the ballpark thinking I might pitch today.”

Manaea worked five innings giving up two runs (both earned) on three hits. He struck out four Blue Jay hitters. Manaea did give up a two-run home run to Troy Tulowitzki in the top of the fourth inning. Tulowitzki hit his 16th home run of the season over the center field wall. Manaea did not figure in on the decision in Sunday’s game.

The Tulowitzki home run gave Toronto a 3-0 lead. The Jays scored a run in the that wild and confusing top of the first inning.

The A’s were having to battle the strong pitching of J.A. Happ who entered the game with a 12-3 record. Happ held the A’s hitless through the first three innings.

The A’s broke through in the bottom of the sixth inning when they sent nine men to the plate and scored three runs on four hits to tie the game at 3-3. Marcus Semien started the scoring for the A’s by hitting his 20th home run of the year.

The game remained tied until the top of the ninth when the Blue Jays put runners on base by virtue of back-to-back base hits. With two outs, former Athletic Josh Donaldson stepped in and hit a double to left field that drove in two runs giving Toronto a 5-3 lead. The A’s were unable to respond in the bottom of the ninth and the final score was Toronto 5 Oakland 3.

On the bump

Rich Hill showed reporters his finger and the skin that had come off that finger. It does not look like an injury that is going to heal quickly. Bob Melvin was clear in postgame press conference that Hill was not a candidate to start on Tuesday against Houston.

Andrew Triggs who was hit by a ball on his left calf has a serious contusion. Melvin said they will evaluate Triggs situation again on Monday.

Marc Rzepczynski worked 0.2 of an inning and struck out two batters. Liam Hendricks pitched 1.1 innings and walked one hitter while giving up no runs in relief.

John Axford (3-3) took the loss going 0.2 innings giving up two runs (earned) on three hits. He walked two and struck out one.

Patrick Schuster worked 0.1 inning to close out the game.

Happ worked 5.2 innings giving up 3 runs (all earned) on five hits for Toronto. He struck out five and walked one. Happ did not figure in on the decision.

Jason Grilli (3-1) was credited with the win. Grilli worked 1.0 inning giving up no runs and no hits in his time on the mound.

The save went to Roberto Osuna. It is his 19th save of the season.

In the batter’s box

Marcus Semien went 1-for-4 with a run scored, a home run and a RBI. He now has 20 home runs and 48 RBI both of which are career highs.

Danny Valencia had a 2-for-4 day that included scoring a run. Valencia is now hitting .307 in the 56 games since he came off the disabled list May 6th. There have to be some contending teams that want his bat in their lineup and are willing to part with prospects to get it.

Jed Lowrie went 2-for-4 on Sunday. Lowrie is 6-for-16 (.375) in his four starts as the leadoff batter this season.

Yonder Alonso came into the game as a pinch hitter in the sixth inning and went 1-for-2 hitting a double that was good for two RBI.

Josh Donaldson has reached base safely in 22 straight games and is hitting .388 over that period. He went 2-for-5 on Sunday.

Russell Martin went 2-for-3 on Sunday and scored a run. He is hitting .324 over the last 10 games.

Edwin Encarnacion had a 1-for-4 day but is .394 over his last 20 games.

Notes:

The Athletics were involved in a minor transaction on Sunday as they acquired left-handed pitcher Ross Detwiler from the Cleveland Indians for cash considerations. Detwiler was pitching for Triple-A Columbus and will be assigned to Triple-A Nashville for the A’s. He will not be on the 40-man roster.

This move was made to shore up the pitching staff in Nashville which has seen so many changes as pitchers have been promoted to Oakland and others have been designated for assignment.

Toronto first baseman Justin Smoak signed a two-year contract extension worth $8.25 million on Saturday. The contract includes an option year that would pay Smoak $6 million if exercised.

“We love Toronto, me and my family, and we wanted to stay here as long as we can,” Smoak said. “So we just wanted to get something done.”

Smoak is currently a role player for the Blue Jays. His signing is seen as protection at first base in case free agent Edwin Encarnacion signs elsewhere.

Up next

Three-game series in Oakland with Houston:

Mon – RHP Kendall Graveman (5-6,4.37) vs. RHP Mike Fiers (6-3,4.35) 7:05 PM

Tue – To be announced vs. LHP Dallas Keuchel (6-9,4.90) 7:05 PM

Wed – RHP Daniel Mengden (1-4,5.54) vs. RHP Doug Fister (9-6,3.64) 12:35 PM

Toronto heads to Phoenix for two games with the Diamondbacks

Not enough runs or hits, too many errors lead to 2-1 A’s loss

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment
MLB: Oakland Athletics at Houston Astros
Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Sean Manaea Photo Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

by Charlie O. Mallonee

Heading into the game on Sunday with the Astros, the Oakland Athletics had gone 15 consecutive games without committing an error – a franchise record. On Sunday, the A’s committed four errors and one of those errors literally cost them the game as they lost the series finale 2-1 in 10 innings to the Astros in Houston.

In the bottom of the 10th inning with two out and runners at the corners, Carlos Correa hit a hard grounder down the third base line that Danny Valencia fielded 10 feet behind the bag. Valencia’s throw pulled first baseman Yonder Alonso off the base allowing Carlos Correa to reach safely. The Astros Jake Marisnick took off from third with the crack of the bat and he scored easily to give Houston its second walk-off victory of the four-game series.

The win gave the Astros a 2-2 split in the final series before the All-Star Break. The A’s finish their seven-game road trip with 3-4 record. Oakland finishes “the unofficial first-half of the season” with a record of 38-51 in fourth place in the American League West 15.5 games behind division leading Texas.

Beyond the tragedy of losing an extra-inning game on an error, the A’s wasted a great outing by rookie starting pitcher Sean Manaea. Manaea who was roughed up in his last start really rebounded on Sunday. He worked 7.0 innings on Sunday giving up no runs on just five hits. Manaea walked none and struck out six Astro batters. He threw 106 pitches (72 strikes) in his seven innings of work. Manaea wound up with a no decision for his start on Sunday.

On the Bump

The A’s used a total of four pitchers on Sunday. John Axford pitched one scoreless inning and struck out two taking over for Manaea in the eighth inning. Ryan Madson was brought in to close out the game out in the ninth inning. Madson gave up a one-out infield single to Carlos Gomez who then advanced to second on a stolen base. With two out, Evan Gattis lined a double to left that drove Gomez home to tie the game at 1-1. It was Madson’s second blown save of the series and his fifth of the season.

Liam Hendricks was on the mound in the bottom of the 10th when the winning run crossed the plate so he is hung with the loss and his record falls to 0-2.

Dallas Keuchel started the game for Houston. Last year’s Cy Young Award winner has really struggled this season. He worked seven innings against the A’s giving up one run (earned) on four hits. Keuchel struck out five and walked two. Keuchel (6-9, 4.80) ended up with a no decision despite turning in one of his better performances of the seasons.

Astros reliever Will Harris gets the win as he was pitcher of record in the 10th inning.

In the Batter’s Box

There are not many highlights to talk about for the A’s at the plate. The Athletics managed to accumulate just four hits on Sunday afternoon. All of their hits were singles.

The A’s scored their lone run by putting two of those singles together in the sixth inning. Catcher Matt McBride led the inning off with a grounder to left field. McBride moved up to second on a sacrifice bunt by Coco Crisp. Marcus Semien then hit a sharp line drive to left that allowed McBride to score from second.

Oakland went 1-for-3 with runners in scoring position and left four runners on base.

The Astros strung together eight hits in the game. The RBI-double by Evan Gattis in the ninth was the only extra-base hit of the game for either side. Gattis also had the only multi-hit day going 2-for-4 at the plate.

Houston left nine men on base and went 1-for-12 with runners in scoring position.

Defense (or lack there of)

Danny Valencia not only had to deal with the anguish of giving up the winning run on error producing throw in the bottom of the 10th inning, he had to deal with the fact it was his second error of the game. He had a fielding error earlier in the contest. Valencia has now committed 13 errors on the season.

Marcus Semien committed his ninth error of the year in the bottom of the sixth inning when he had trouble fielding a ball off the bat of Marwin Gonzalez.

Coco Crisp committed his second error of the season in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The A’s have now committed 57 errors on the season – fourth most in the American League.

Up Next

For most of the A’s the next few days mean some much needed rest and escape from the pressures of a season gone awry. Only Stephen Vogt is heading to San Diego for the All-Star festivities.

For the A’s management and coaching staff, the four days are going to have to be ones of real reflection, honest evaluation and decision making about the future.

On the field, only one goal makes any sense right now and that is getting to .500. Being 13 games under .500 at the All-Star Break creates an incredible uphill climb for the A’s. Getting to .500 will take a Herculean effort and then it may be too late to contend even for a Wild Card spot. But getting to .500 is the only goal that makes sense for A’s on the field right now.

In the front offices, the questions are all about what does the team do between now and the August 1st trade deadline. Oakland has some players that contenders have to be interested in for the stretch run to the postseason. Hitters like Valencia, Davis and Reddick will always be in demand. A veteran utility guy like Jed Lowrie who comes with a decent bat is a desired piece in the postseason. Teams cannot have enough pitching so Rich Hill, Ryan Madson, John Axford, Sean Doolittle (if healthy) and even Sonny Gray may be players being sought after by contending clubs.

What will the A’s want in return? Prospects is what it will be all about. Think Manea, Mengden and there are more players in Triple-A and Double-A from recent trades that are showing true potential to be big league material.

The one thing that is a given for A’s fans in the second half is it will not be boring. It never is.

Oakland A’s Monday game wrap:The A’s rout the Rangers to take Game One

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by Jerry Feitelberg

AP photo: Oakland A’s Josh Phegley (19) is congratulated by Billy Butler (16) after hitting a three run homer off Texas Rangers pitcher Tom Wilhelmsen in the fourth inning Monday at the Oakland Coliseum

OAKLAND–The A’s battered Texas Ranger pitching Monday night as they won a laugher by a score of 14-5. The A’s had seventeen hits and scored four in the third, five in the fourth and four more in the fifth to put the game in the win column. Rangers starter Cesar Ramos lasted just 3.2 inning sand gave up eight runs on eight hits. Reliever Tom Wilhelmsen fared worse. Wilhelmsen lasted just one inning, and the A’s were able to hit him as if he was a batting practice pitcher. He gave up six runs and nine hits in his one inning of work.

The A’s drew first blood in the bottom of the first. Coco Crisp led off with a single. Marcus Semien and Danny Valencia followed with singles to load the bases. Khris Davis reached first on a fielder’s choice; Crisp scored on the play. A’s lead 1-0.

The A’s scored four runs in the third to take a 5-0 lead. Only two of the runs were earned. Coco led off with a walk. After Semien struck out, Valencia hit a rocket that Rangers’ could not handle. Andrus was charged with an error. Khris Davis slammed his fifteenth dinger of the year to put the A’s up by four. Davis now has forty RBIs for the year. The A’s weren’t finished as they loaded the bases with two out. The fourth run scored on a sac fly by Yonder Alonso. The inning ended on a base running blunder by Jake Smolinski. Smolinski attempted to tag up and advance to second on the play, but the alert Ranger defense caught him in between first and second and they tagged him out.

The Rangers got on the board in the fourth. With two out, Rangers’ left fielder Ryan Rua hit a wicked shot down the third base line. Valencia made the stop, but his throw sailed over Alonso’s head. Rua wound up on second. Manaea hit Prince Fielder with a pitch to put two men on base. Andrus singled to drive in Rua with the run. Manaea struck out Mitch Moreland to end the inning.

The A’s batted around in the bottom of the fourth. They scored five runs on five hits to take a commanding 10-1. lead. The big blow was an “Earl Weaver” special, a three-run tater off the bat of A’s catcher Josh Phegley. It was the first homer of the year for Josh. All the runs came after two were out in the frame.

The Rangers added a run in their half of the fifth. With one out, Shin-soo Choo hit his first home run of the year to close the gap to 10-2. A’s manager Bob Melvin had to take Manaea out of the game due to a possible injury. Daniel Coulombe was given extra time to warm up, and he retired the next two hitters he faced.The A’s batted around again in the fifth. They scored four more runs and had six hits to own a 14-2 lead.

The Rangers’ Ryan Rua hit a two-run homer in the sixth, but the Rangers still trail by ten 14-4. Mitch Moreland homered in the ninth for Texas. Too little, too late. A’s win a laugher 14-5.

Game Notes- The A’s won their second game in a row and have now defeated Texas in all four games played. The A’s starter Sean Manaea left the game in the fifth inning with a left pronator muscle strain. There in no information at this time if he will have to go on the DL. Reliever Daniel Coulombe received credit for his first Major League victory.

The A’s face the Rangers Tuesday in game two of the four-game series. Lefty Eric Surkamp will pitch for Oakland and will be opposed by the Rangers’ lefty Martin Perez(5-4, 3.22)

Time of game was three hours and six minutes, and there were 13,453 people on hand to watch the A’s pound the Rangers.

 

 

The losing streak is over, A’s beat Reds 6-1

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment
MLB: Oakland Athletics at Cincinnati Reds
Marcus Semien hits a two-run home run Photo Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

By Charlie O. Mallonee

The Oakland Athletics went into the game on Sunday against the Cincinnati Reds needing a win in the worst way. Losers of seven consecutive games, the A’s were in danger of going 0-8 on an eight game road trip. The psychological damage to the team by going winless on the road trip could have devastating effects for the rest of the season.

Not only did the A’s have to battle a losing streak, they had to battle the weather. The Midwestern summer has come early and it was 89-degrees with 55-percent humidity at game time. That made it feel like the temperature was 96-degrees. The Athletics are not used to playing in those conditions.

The A’s found their power and used the long ball with men on base to take an early lead that they never relinquished but only added to as the game progressed. Oakland had to pitch by committee due to the weather and because they were playing an Inter-league game in a National League park where the pitchers had to bat. They played the game like a team that knew they had to win the game.

In the batter’s box

Marcus Semien started off the scoring for the A’s in the top of the second inning when he hit a 3-1 pitch from John Lamb over the left field wall with Billy Butler on base to give Oakland a 2-0 lead. It was Semien’s 12th home run of the season. He finished the day going 2-for-4 with two RBI and one run scored.

The A’s scored two more runs in the second inning when Jake Smolinski hit his second home run of the year off Lamb with Josh Phegley on base. Smolinski’s home run gave the A’s a 4-0 lead at the time.

Danny Valencia joined the home run derby when he hit a solo shot into the left field seats in the top of the eighth inning off reliever A.J. Morris to give the A’s a 5-1 lead.

The A’s manufactured a run in the top of the ninth when Khris Davis hit a line drive single to center that allowed Coco Crisp to score the sixth run from second base.

Khris Davis had a 2-for-5 game with the insurance RBI.

Billy Butler continued to be productive at the plate going 3-for-3 with a run scored. The A’s have been waiting all season for Butler to catch fire.

Jed Lowrie stayed hot with the bat going 3-for-5 in the game. Lowrie’s average now stands at .303.

The A’s scored six runs on 15 hits with eight runners left on base.

The Reds only run came in the bottom of the second inning when outfielder Steve Selsky scored off catcher Ramon Cabrera’s double to left field. Kendall Graveman was on the mound for the A’s.

The Reds scored one run on seven hits and left six men on base despite the A’s having to use five different pitchers in the game.

On the Mound

Kendall Graveman started the game for Oakland on Sunday. Graveman entered the game with a 2-6 record and had really been struggling in last several starts. Graveman pitched well but succumbed to the weather very quickly. Graveman pitched to one batter in the fifth inning but had to come out of the game. He worked 4.0 innings giving up one run (earned) on seven hits while striking out five and walking two batters. Because Graveman did not work five innings it was up to the official scorer to assign the win and Graveman was given a no decision for his 4-plus innings of work.

Fernando Rodriguez came on in the top of the fifth for Graveman and pitched two perfect innings of baseball in relief. For his efforts, Rodriguez was credited with his second win of the season.

John Axford, Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson each worked a perfect inning of relief for Oakland on Sunday. Axford and Doolittle were impressive as they were throwing pitches in the high 90’s. For Madson, it was his first work on the mound since his appearance in Houston seven days ago.

John Lamb (1-4, 5.14) took the loss for the Reds even though he only pitched four innings. Cincinnati used four pitchers in their losing effort.

Defense

The key on defense for the Oakland Athletics was the fact they did not commit an error in the game. Not only did they play errorless baseball, the A’s turned three double plays that all killed potential scoring opportunities for the Reds.

The Reds did not commit an error in the game.

Up next

The A’s will have no time to rest and celebrate their victory. Oakland heads back into action on Monday night as they open a four-game home series with the Western Division leading Texas Rangers. The Rangers are 8-2 in their last 10 games and have won two games in a row.

LHP Sean Manaea (2-4, 6.20) will take the mound for Oakland. The Rangers have yet to officially name their starter although speculation centers on LHP Cesar Ramos who is a long reliever and spot starter.

 

The A’s Sweep the Series with the Twins

Published on by rxsluggerLeave a comment

by Jerry Feitelberg

AP photo: Oakland A’s hitter Jake Smolinski is congratulated by A’s third base coach Ron Washington after hitting a home run in the fourth inning off Minnesota Pitcher Pat Dean at the Oakland Coliseum on Wednesday

OAKLAND–The Oakland A’s, behind the strong pitching of starter Seam Manea, beat the Twins 5-1 Wednesday afternoon at the Oakland Coliseum. Manaea pitched extremely well. He went six innings and allowed just five hits and one run. After the game A’s manager Bob Melvin said  it was “probably his best start, so far this year.” He also said that Manaea looked “more comfortable on the mound.” At one point in the game, Manaea retired eight hitters in a row. He ran into a jam in the sixth when he loaded the bases with no out, but did not lose his composure and was able to escape with just one being scored. Very impressive outing for the young lefty. His record is now 2-3 for the year. Pat Dean took the loss for the Twins.

The A’s scored the first run of the game in the bottom of the second. Billy “Country Breakfast” Butler led off with a double. Dean retired the next two hitters but walked Jake Smolinski to put men on at first and second. Dean uncorked a wild pitch and Butler and Smolinski moved up a base. Billy Burns beat out an infield hit to drive in Butler with the run. Smolinski tried to score all the way from second but was thrown out at home. The A’s added a run in the third. Singles by Jed Lowrie and Danny Valencia put men on at first and second with one out. Dean struck out Khris Davis for the second out of the inning. Billy Butler singled to drive in Lowrie. Second hit of the game for Butler.

The A’s scored their third run of the contest in the fourth. Jake Smolinski, filling in for the injured Josh Reddick, blasted a home run that went way up the steps in the walkway in left field. For Smolinski, it was his first homer of the year. For the fourth inning in a row, the A’s scored another run to take a 4-0 lead. Jed Lowrie singled to get things going for Oakland. The red-hot Danny Valencia doubled to send Lowrie to third. Khris Davis flew out to right to drive in Butler with the run.

The Twins scored a run in the top of the sixth. Manaea had retired eight batters in a row, but the streak was broken when he walked Brian Dozier. Trevor Plouffe singled, and Manaea walked Byung Ho Park to load the bases with no out. Eduardo Escobar flew out to center to drive in Dozier with the Twins first run. Manaea struck out Max Kepler and Juan Centeno to end the threat. The A’s, in their half of the sixth, scored a solo run again to take a 5-1 lead. Neither the A’s nor the Twins scored the rest of the way. The A’s win 5-1.

Game Notes – The A’s have now won five in a row and their record for the season is 25-29. The A’s are just four games under the .500 mark and have series with Houston, Milwaukee and Cincinnati coming up.

Manaea struck out a career-high eight batters and saw his ERA drop from 7.03 to 6.16. Hitting stars for the Green and Gold were Billy Butler, Jake Smolinski, and Dann Valencia. Butler was 2-for-3 and is hitting .297 with nine RBI over his last fifteen games. Smolinski hit his first dinger since being recalled from Nashville on May 20th. Valencia was 3-for-4 and owns a five-game hitting streak.

The Twins are having an abysmal season. Last year, they finished with a record of 83-79 and high hopes for 2016. However, they are hapless. Opponents have swept series from them nine times this year. Their record for the season is 15-37. They are an astounding twenty-two games under .500 and the season appears to be lost.

The A’s play the Houston Astros for three games this weekend in Houston. Jesse Hahn(2-2,4.15) will go for Oakland, and he will be opposed by Doug Fister(4-3,3.86). Rich Hill will pitch Saturday and Kendall Graveman will start on Sunday. Houston will counter with Collin McHugh and Lance McCullers.

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Yanked around: A’s drop third straight to New York as Tanaka shines

Published on by moepeaLeave a comment

Tanaka late

By Morris Phillips

OAKLAND–New York’s Chase Headley could have been speaking for either his struggling Yankees or their opponent, the scuffling A’s, when he stated his immediate goals for his team, currently residing near the bottom of the AL East standings at this still-early juncture in an always lengthy, big-league season.

“We have our sights on .500 at the moment,” Headley said. “If we get there, keep on climbing.”

Given that, Saturday was step forward for the Yankees, and a step back for the A’s.

Masahiro Tanaka pitched seven strong innings, holding the A’s to a run on five hits, in the Yankees 5-1 win at the Coliseum on Saturday afternoon. The A’s have dropped three straight to New York after winning four straight, and after sweeping the Yankees in a three-game set in New York last month.

Sean Manaea saw things disintegrate in a four-run, fourth inning, that broke up a scoreless duel to that point. Rob Refsnyder provided the big blow when he doubled home a pair of runs, one of three hits Manaea allowed in the inning. The A’s rookie starter saw his ERA balloon to 7.62 in the loss, a number which could cost him his spot in the rotation pending the promotion of Henderson Alvarez, anticipated to be recalled from Triple-A Nashville with a clean bill of health.

Manaea felt he lost focus in the decisive fourth inning, but more specifically his fastball, plenty big enough at 93-95 mph, wasn’t reliable in terms of location. Refsnyder felt he waited Manaea out, finally getting something over the plate, and the young pitcher concurred, saying he wanted to pitch inside, but missed too often.

“I wasn’t executing the plan that we talked about before,” Manaea said. “It’s something I need to get better at.”

Offensively, the A’s felt the weight of a disabled list that has ballooned to 12 injured players with Josh Reddick sidelined Thursday after breaking his thumb. Reddick, Josh Phegley, Jed Lowrie and Stephen Vogt were all absent from the A’s lineup, with Vogt the only one not on the disabled list. The A’s makeshift lineup with Danny Valencia and Khris Davis hitting 3-4 managed just five hits off Tanaka and his array of pitches.

“Every now and then he’ll rev one up,” manager Bob Melvin said. “But it’s a cutter, it’s a slider, it’s a split, it’s a curve every now and then. He keeps you off balance.”

Adding injury to injury, Davis left early with a forearm injury incurred when he attempted to throw a runner out at the plate in the fourth. Davis’ absence is particularly troubling as he’s homered four times in the last week, and ranks second in the American League with 12 home runs on the season.

The A’s fell to 19-25 with the loss, suffering their AL worst 14th loss at home. The Yankees improved to 20-22 after opening the season with 16 losses in their first 24 games. The win allowed the Yankees to escape the cellar in the AL East, but they still trail the Orioles by six games despite a season-best four game win streak.

“There’s a lot of guys here that have done this for a very long time,” Headley explained when asked if the team was concerned with their early misfortune. “They understand that these types of streaks will happen.”

The A’s look to avoid the sweep on Sunday with Jesse Hahn facing Michael Pineda in a matchup of big, right handed pitchers.