The Athletics lost two of three against the New York Yankees. Then, they won two of their three games vs. the Tampa Bay Rays. Also, rookie sensation Jacob Wilson was voted to start the All Star Game for the American League.
Results
FRI: NYY 3, ATH 0
For the second consecutive game, the Athletics could only muster three hits in a shutout loss. Mitch Spence allowed two earned runs on just three hits in five innings. But, that was plenty of run support for his counterpart, Will Warren. The starter for the Yankees struck out seven batters in his five innings of work.
SAT: ATH 7, NYY 0
The two starting pitchers entered the games on completely different paths. Clarke Schmidt hadn’t given up a run in over 20 innings, and JP Sears entered with an ERA over 6.00 in five previous June outings. But, the roles were reversed on Saturday as Schmidt gave up home runs to Brent Rooker and Nick Kurtz. Meanwhile, Sears cruised to a two-hit, scoreless 5.1 inning performance. The Athletics tacked on three insurance runs in the 8th. Jack Perkins pitched 3.1 innings, allowing just one hit and striking out three, to earn the save.
SUN: NYY 12, ATH 5
In his return to the Bronx, Luis Severino didn’t make it out of the 4th inning. He allowed seven runs (six earned), which included home runs by Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr. Willie MacIver hit a solo shot off of Marcus Stroman, then the Athletics added four more runs in the 6th. That inning’s scoring included an RBI infield single from Nick Kurtz, a bases-loaded walk of Tyler Soderstrom, and a pair of RBI groundouts from Luis Urias and Denzel Clarke.
MON: ATH 6, TBR 4
Back from the injured list, Shea Langeliers didn’t wait long to make an impact. The A’s catcher hit a three-run homer off of Drew Rasmussen in the 1st inning. Brent Rooker extended the lead to 4-0 with an RBI single in the 3rd. The Rays battled back with a Junior Caminero home run highlighting a four-run 4th inning. Colby Thomas, making his MLB debut, was the defensive hero late for the visitors. After Max Muncy helped turn a double play, Brandon Lowe tried to score from second on a Josh Lowe single. But, the rookie left fielder threw a strike to nail Lowe at home and preserve the tie. Lawrence Butler hit a two-run triple in the 9th before Mason Miller picked up the save.
TUE: ATH 4, TBR 3 (10 innings)
Home runs were flying at George M. Steinbrenner Field for both teams. Christopher Morel and Brandon Lowe hit solo shots before a Max Muncy two-run homer tied things up in the 4th inning. Shea Langeliers put the Athletics ahead for the first time with a solo homer in the 6th. But, a Danny Jansen home run evened the score again in the 7th. Austin Wynns scored Colby Thomas on a sacrifice fly in the top of the 10th. Then, Mason Miller got the final three outs, including two Ks, to secure the save. In less good news, Jacob Wilson was scratched due to a sore hamstring and Rays starter Shane Baz punched out 11 batters in seven innings of work.
WED: TBR 6, ATH 5
Mark Kotsay sending Mitch Spence out to face the Rays’ lineup for the third time proved to be a costly mistake. With the A’s up 2-1 entering the bottom of the 6th inning, Josh Lowe hit a game-tying home run. Then, Brandon Lowe hit a double before Yandy Diaz launched a two-run homer. Hogan Harris came in to relieve Spence and kept the inning going by allowing three hits and two more runs. Trailing 6-2, the A’s battled back with a three-run 9th. But, Brent Rooker and Nick Kurtz struck out with the bases loaded to end the comeback. Rooker, Max Schuemann, and Max Muncy had homers for the A’s on the day.
What Else?
- Battling Bobby Witt Jr. in Phase 2 of All Star voting, Jacob Wilson is your starting shortstop for the American League. He becomes the first-ever rookie shortstop to be elected by the fans as the starter. He’s just the third A’s player (after Jason Giambi and Josh Donaldson) to be voted as a starter since 1993. The rookie phenom is currently hitting .339 with 108 hits and just 26 strikeouts.
- Nick Kurtz is the AL Rookie of the Month for June. In just 19 games, he hit seven home runs, drove in 17 RBIs, and had a .926 OPS.
- Baseball Hall of Famer Dave Parker passed away on Saturday. He played for the A’s for two years and won the World Series with the club in 1989. The 1978 NL MVP, a two-time battling champion, a three-time Gold Glover, and a seven-time All-Star, Parker was finally set to be inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame next month. Cobra was truly an incredible ballplayer with charisma and personality to match.
- Monday was a big transaction day as Shea Langeliers returned and Colby Thomas got called up to the show. Thomas raked for Las Vegas, and I mentioned last week that he could be a solid right-handed stick to add to the lineup sooner than later.
- The trade conversations about Luis Severino have continued and intensified. Another piece to that puzzle was his criticism of pitching in Sacramento (when explaining his difference in home/road stats). That was mentioned as another reason the Athletics would want to move their big offseason signing. The A’s would be definitely selling low on his value, but the combination of wanting to get a potentially unhappy player off the roster and fear that his metrics will continue to trend downward could be enough to make it worthwhile.
- David Schoenfield of ESPN listed one player that each team should trade or trade for this summer. While he noted names like Mason Miller and Sevy will be rumored, Luis Urias was the player he picked for the Athletics. Schoenfield explains that his versatility could be beneficial off the bench for a contender. With Zack Gelof on the way back and the return of Max Muncy, moving Urias at the deadline could make some sense and maybe land the A’s a lottery pick type of young prospect.
- Over the past week, the A’s have DFA’d T. J. McFarland and optioned Tyler Ferguson. Both relievers have been brutal this season, especially lately. While neither move is will make the front page of the newspaper, they show that the team is committed to finding a bullpen group they can trust and won’t stick to the status quo.
- With McFarland’s departure last week, there could be a role to fill for an LHP out of the bullpen (despite Elvis Alvarado getting called up to take his roster spot for now) down the stretch. Lefties Ben Bowden (1.57 ERA), Will Johnston (66 Ks in 49 innings), and David Leal (six holds and one save) are all currently in the Triple-A bullpen and could theoretically slot into McFarland’s role eventually.
- Gage Jump and Tommy White will represent the Athletics in the MLB Futures Game this month in Atlanta. Last season, Luis Morales represented the team in the prospect showcase game while it was Tyler Soderstrom and Lawrence Butler in 2023.
System Spotlight
Nate Nankil: Selected in the 7th round in 2023, Nankil is hitting the ball well in his first full season in High-A (he was promoted up mid-way through the 2024 campaign). He currently holds a .311 batting average with 18 doubles and five steals.
Euribiel Angeles: The 23-year-old infielder is slashing .300/.367/.431in Double-A with Midland. He has 11 steals and five HRs. He has nearly 100 steals and a .730 OPS in six MiLB seasons.
Wei-En Lin: Promoted to Lansing alongside Tzu-Chen Sha, the 19-year-old is already pitching at his second MiLB level during his first professional season in the United States. In his second outing for the Lugnuts, he threw three innings, striking out four, and only allowing one hit on Wednesday. With Stockton in Low-A (mainly as a starter), he threw 50 innings, struck out 69 batters, and only issued six walks.
What’s Next?
The Athletics are back home to host a three-game series against the San Francisco Giants this weekend. Then, the Atlanta Braves come to Sutter Health Park for their lone series vs. the A’s in 2025.
(Top photo of Jacob Wilson. Courtesy: Athletics)
