![\"\"](\"http:\/\/midvalleysports.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/oakland_athletics-70x47.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
By Tim Byrnes<\/p>\n
May 18th was the last time the A’s weren’t occupying the basement of the American League West.<\/p>\n
The team mixed a little old school small ball, and patience at the plate, with 10 home runs to dominate and sweep the Cincinnati Reds.<\/p>\n
With the three game sweep, the A’s move ahead of the LA Angels and out of last place in the division.<\/p>\n
In spite of the Reds having leadoff hitters aboard in 6-of-8 innings, the A’s used three solo home runs to win the opener in a 3-0 shutout.<\/p>\n
Saturday, the Athletics used three doubles and three home runs to blow out the Reds.<\/p>\n
Twelve of the first sixteen A’s batters had at least a five pitch at-bat, to show amazing patience and draw seven walks in the game.<\/p>\n
Batters drew 77 pitches in the 2nd\/3rd innings alone in the 11-5 win.<\/p>\n
Manager Mark Kotsay’s habit of emptying his bench in finales worked well for the skipper, while batters 2-5 in the lineup homered for the A’s in the 7-4 win.<\/p>\n
Off and on starter Colby Thomas and situational player Brett Harris combined to go 6-for-7, with a double, and a home run, to help add two much needed insurance runs for the team.<\/p>\n
Athletics Batting:<\/b><\/p>\n
Lawrence Butler loves playing the Reds and his recent history resulted in him batting leadoff the first two games against the Reds.<\/p>\n
He responded by batting .400, added his 20th home run on the year, and he also stole three bases in four attempts in game two of the series.<\/p>\n
In his last six games versus Cincinnati, Butler has a .458 batting average, with 11 hits (6 home runs), and 10 RBI\u2019s.<\/p>\n
Carlos Cortes, playing left field for the injured Tyler Soderstrom, crushed three home runs and batted .500, to ease the pain of a 30-homer guy sitting injured on the bench.<\/p>\n
First baseman Nick Kurtz hit the longest home run in MLB, since 2022, when he launched a 493 foot rocket that few saw land.<\/p>\n
With hits in every game, DH Brent Rooker had a strong series.<\/p>\n
In his last four games Rooker is batting .437, with two doubles and his 28th\/29th home run on the season.<\/p>\n
Athletics Pitching:<\/b><\/p>\n
The series was all about the relievers again and they will enjoy a much needed day off.<\/p>\n
The A’s bullpen won two of the three games while six different relievers had multiple appearances.<\/p>\n
Tyler Ferguson (4-2) picked up the win in the opener while recently promoted Brady Basso (1-0) went one inning for his first MLB win of his career on saturday.<\/p>\n
As a group, the bullpen allowed only a solo home run off Justin Sterner, in 12 2\/3 innings for an outstanding 0.71 ERA.<\/p>\n
Rookie starter Luis Morales (4-1) showed grit and confidence in the finale, navigating home runs in the first two innings and a bases loaded jam, to notch his fourth win in five decisions.<\/p>\n
Upcoming Series:<\/b><\/p>\n
The Athletics (70-80) get to enjoy the sweep for one day and its off to Boston for a three game series against the Red Sox (82-68).<\/p>\n
The Red Sox starter is at post time undecided but having pitched Sunday, the A’s won’t have to face all-star Garrett Crochet again.<\/p>\n
He shutout the A’s in a seven inning dominant outing a mere week ago.<\/p>\n
The A’s will send LHP Jeffrey Springs (10-11, 4.68) to the mound, who has struggled of late.<\/p>\n
Springs has lost his last three starts, and has given up nine home runs in his last nine games, but looks to end his season with a streak of good starts.<\/p>\n
GameTime:<\/b><\/p>\n
Sept 16th, 2025<\/b><\/p>\n
Fenway Park<\/b><\/p>\n
Boston, Mass.<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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