With the series win vs. Toronto and the All-Star break in the rear-view mirror, the Athletics are set to start the second half of the season tonight.
Results
FRI: TOR 7, ATH 6
By the end of the 5th inning on Friday night, the Blue Jays held a 7-0 lead. They scored those runs in a variety of ways, including some RBI hits, a sacrifice fly, and even a steal home by George Springer. The Athletics battled back as both Nick Kurtz and Tyler Soderstrom hit homers in the 6th. Still trailing 7-3 entering the final frame, Max Muncy hit a solo shot, Zack Gelof scored on a wild pitch, and Brent Rooker notched an RBI single. But, Kurtz struck out to end the game with the comeback coming up short.
SAT: ATH 4, TOR 3
A home run from Leo Jimenez and an RBI double from Bo Bichette had Toronto ahead early. The hosts responded as Lawrence Butler and Brent Rooker had RBI hits to tie things up in the 3rd inning. Rooker got some practice for the Home Run Derby in the 5th when his two-run homer put the A’s ahead. The Blue Jays pulled within one with a sacrifice fly in the 8th, but Mason Miller was able to close it out and pick up save #18.
SUN: ATH 6, TOR 3
It was a dress rehearsal for Monday’s MLB Home Run Derby on Sunday at Sutter Health Park. All nine combined runs were scored via the long ball. Austin Wynns, Tyler Soderstrom, and Nick Kurtz went deep for the A’s as Davis Schneider and Addison Barger hit home runs for the Blue Jays. Jeffrey Springs allowed all three runs before Justin Sterner, Sean Newcomb, and Mason Miller combined for 2.1 scoreless innings to secure the win.
What Else?
- Brent Rooker was eliminated in the opening round of the Home Run Derby by seemingly the smallest possible margin. He tied with Cal Raleigh (the eventual champion) with 17 home runs. The tiebreaker is furthest home run hit and both players were credited with 471 ft. shots. But, it was revealed that Cal’s was .08 feet longer.
- The National League came away with the win in the All-Star Game. Jacob Wilson went 0/2, but he did have a special moment as he and his dad, former MLB All-Star Jack Wilson, were simultaneously mic’d up on the Fox broadcast. Rooker played a starring role as he blasted a three-run homer to cut the NL six-run lead in half. Then, he was selected by Aaron Boone as one of the three players to participate in the tie-breaking swing-off. Rooker went yard on 2/3 swings.
- With the All-Star break serving as the unofficial halfway point of the season (41-57 in 98 games), it’s a good time to take a look at where the team ranks in some key statistical categories. On the offensive side, the Athletics are 7th in home runs, 9th in hits, T-9th in OPS, 14th in batting average, and T-17th in runs. The pitching stats are much more bleak. They are 3rd-worst in ERA, 2nd-worst in home runs allowed, 2nd-worst in bullpen ERA, 3rd-worst in WHIP, and T-19th in strikeouts. Defensively, Fielding Bible has the A’s 24th with -20 runs saved.
- The Athletics received high marks for their 2025 draft class. Headlined by FSU LHP Jamie Arnold in the first round and Indiana OF Devin Taylor in the second, the consensus was that the team did well to maximize their value in the first two rounds. The team made 19 selections total (11 pitchers, two outfielders, three infielders, and three catchers). Only two of those players are high school selections.
- In the Futures Game, LHP Gage Jump faced two batters and got both out, including a strikeout of #3 MLB (MLB Pipeline) prospect Leo De Vries. Third baseman Tommy White struck out in his lone at-bat.
- With Luis Urias and Miguel Andujar returning from the IL, Zack Gelof and Colby Thomas were both optioned to Triple-A. Gelof will get a chance to get more reps as his season has been dominated by injuries. If the team decides to move Urias at the deadline, Gelof would seemingly return to the big-league roster. Thomas, who picked up one hit in his first 11 MLB at-bats, will go back to mashing for Las Vegas as he awaits another opportunity.
- The club selected the contract of Carlos Cortes and optioned the outfielder to Las Vegas, where he has been excelling at the plate. MLB Trade Rumors suggested that the odd nature of this transaction may be tied to an opt-out in his contract and now he’s on the 40-man roster. Like Thomas, Cortes has played him way into the outfield mix for the A’s.
- The club launched a ballpark cam for fans (and other curious people) to follow the construction of the new A’s stadium here in Vegas.
System Spotlight
Gustavo Rodriguez: To say the 24-year-old reliever has been marvelous this season would be an understatement. Rodriguez began 2025 in High-A, where he allowed one hit and zero runs in six innings. He moved up to Double A in May. In seven outings (6.1 innings) for Midland, he allowed just four hits, zero runs, and had 11 Ks. On June 5th, he was promoted again. Now in Triple-A, he’s made nine appearances and has allowed just one run in 10.1 innings. On the season, he has a 0.40 ERA, 30 Ks, two holds, and 5/5 in save opportunities across all three levels.
Yunior Tur: Pitching to a 2.98 ERA in nine High-A starts, he was promoted to Double-A Midland in June. The Cuban RHP made six appearances (four starts) last month for the Rockhounds. In those outings, he allowed just two runs in 20 innings (0.90 ERA). While he has allowed six runs (three HRs) in two starts this month, the 25-year-old also has 13 Ks in 10 innings.
Ali Camarillo: Drafted in 2024, the 22-year-old shortstop has overcome injuries this season to become a solid performer for Stockton. He’s hitting .263 with 12 doubles in 56 games. His fielding percentage in Single-A is a respectable .953, and he has nine steals.
What’s Next?
The Athletics begin the second half in The Land with a three-game set vs. the Cleveland Guardians. Then, they’re off to Texas for series against the Rangers and Houston Astros.
(Top photo of Denzel Clarke, courtesy: Athletics)
