Athletics Dealt Heartbreaking Blow In Extra Innings

Oakland Drops Third Straight Series.

After losing nine of their last twelve games, the Oakland Athletics seemed to be on the verge of picking up a series win in Pittsburgh on Sunday afternoon.

Then the bottom of the 13th inning happened.

The Athletics trailed for most of the game as they failed to score a run until a two-out RBI single by Robbie Grossman tied it up at 1-1 in the seventh inning. The game would remain in a 1-1 gridlock until Oakland rallied in the 13th with two walks and an RBI single by Kendrys Morales that gave Oakland a 2-1 advantage. Stephen Piscotty followed with an RBI double to extend the lead to 3-1, handing Fernando Rodney a chance at the save.

After securing the first out of the inning, Rodney surrendered a two singles and a walk to set up a walk-off three-run home run by Pirates outfielder Starling Marte. Marte drove a first-pitch fastball from Rodney 390 feet to center to hand Oakland another series loss.

Oakland fell to 15-21 on the season, and 5-13 on the road with the loss.

Frankie Montas had a solid game for the Athletics as he struck out five and gave up only one run over five innings of work on Sunday. Montas has lowered his ERA to 2.75 on the season as he continued to pick up a struggling Athletics rotation.

Oakland took a hit on Sunday when Khris Davis left the game with a hip contusion after colliding with a wall in foul territory while making a play.

Davis is considered day-to-day.

Saturday, May 4 – Pirates 6, Athletics 4

After jumping out to a quick 3-0 lead, the Oakland bullpen couldn’t hold on as they faltered late and fell 6-4 to the Pirates. Chris Bassitt went five innings and gave up three runs while striking out six before handing the ball over to the bullpen with a 4-3 advantage. J.B. Wendelken’s rough outing cost Oakland the game as he surrendered three runs on four hits in the seventh inning to give Pittsburgh the lead for good.

Khris Davis and Matt Chapman picked up two hits apiece while recently called up prospect Skye Bolt doubled to right field for his first career hit.

Friday, May 3 – Athletics 14, Pirates 1

Oakland snapped a six-game losing streak in a big way on Friday night as they blew out the Pirates 14-1 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. Brett Anderson gave up only one run on four hits over six innings of work, and the Oakland offense exploded for 16 hits and a season-high 14 runs.

Oakland scored more runs on Friday than their last five games combined.

A’s catcher Josh Phegley had quite the day as he went 4-for-5 with two doubles, a home run, and eight RBI’s. Phegley is off to a hot start for Oakland, batting .273 with four home runs and 21 RBI’s over his first 26 games. Phegley is quickly approaching his career high in home runs (9) and RBI’s (34) with 126 games to go.

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