MidValleySports.Com

By Tim Byrnes

It should have been a sweep!

The Athletics took Sunday’s rubber game 3-2 and secured their fourth consecutive series with an efficient win over the Miami Marlins.

The A’s are on a roll, and this should have been a three-game sweep through Florida.

With the Athletics in full control of Saturday’s game, A’s closer Mason Miller got into trouble with two on and two outs in the 9th. On a full count, Miller threw a belt-high 101 mph fastball right down the inside middle, only for it to be called a ball and a walk.

With bases loaded, a visually irritated Miller served up an identical first pitch to the next batter, and hot-hitting Miami RF Kyle Stowers promptly hit his second home run of the game, a walk-off grand slam.

A’s fans will remember this game, but the team rebounded nicely Sunday to finish the road trip 5-2 and maintain the best road record in baseball.

Athletics Batting:
JJ Bleday clearly had the best series at the plate and is showing why he was sixth in doubles and accumulated 67 extra-base hits last year. He finished the series with two home runs, a double, and five scored runs.

Rookie 1B Nick Kurtz hit his first extra-base hit Sunday, a triple, and is batting .300, showing why he was promoted to ‘The Show’ so quickly.

Quickly becoming a regular in Athletics Notes, fellow rookie Jacob Wilson continued his hot start, going 4-for-11 with two walks and three runs. He has a strong .333 batting average, which is among AL leaders.

After one of the slower starts to a season in his career, 3B Gio Urshela is hitting the leather off the ball. He had hard contact all series and hits in each game. He added two screaming doubles and three Rbi’s to his totals on a solid trip to Florida.

Shea Langeliers had another rough series, going hitless in nine at-bats. Three of the four attempted stolen bases were successful, and teams are clearly testing his arm as he continues to struggle with a slow release and inaccuracy.

This young lineup is a Top 5 Offense performing so well that Miguel Andujar and his .326 average sat two of the three Miami games.

Athletics Pitching:
A surprise call-up in the opener became the series highlight, with yet another rookie getting a shot in the big leagues. RHP Gunnar Hoglund was part of the trade that sent Platinum Glove winner Matt Chapman north of the border. A’s fans have been waiting for fan-favorite Chappy’s return.

Hoglund didn’t disappoint, as he had six innings of six hits, one run, and seven strikeout balls in his major league debut! He was filthy, mixing mid-90s heat with a changeup 10mph slower, and hitters were off balance all night.

The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted Hoglund in 2018, 36th, but chose Ole Miss and the college route. After Tommy John surgery in 2021, he was drafted 19th by the Toronto Blue Jays before landing in Oakland.

Aside from Mason Miller coming unglued, in the previously mentioned defeat, the relievers unit gave up a mere two hits the entire series.

In 16 2/3 innings to start the season, Justin Sterner has yet to give up an earned run. His 20 strikeouts have helped the scoreless streak get into the Top 5 All-time in Athletics history.

Upcoming Series:
A rough couple of weeks are coming with three division leaders on the schedule: the Seattle Mariners, the NY Yankees, the LA Dodgers, and 22 game-winning SF Giants.

First up is the AL West-leading Mariners, coming into West Sacramento with a 20-13 record and a two-game lead on the second-place Athletics.

Similar offensive numbers and streaky pitching will make this a fun series to watch!

The two teams split their season-opening series in Seattle 2-2.

Game Time:
May 5th, 7:05pm PST
Sutter Health Park
Seattle RHP Bryce Miller(2-3, 3.52era) versus Athletics RHP Luis Severino(1-3, 3.30era)