After dropping two of three against Seattle, the Athletics swept the AL Central-leading Detroit Tigers. Also, the 2026 schedule was released to reveal the team’s plans for regular season games in Vegas next year.
Results
FRI: SEA 3, ATH 2
Brent Rooker took Bryan Woo deep in the 1st inning, putting the Athletics up 1-0 early. But, that would be the only hit Woo allowed in seven innings of work. Rookie Luis Morales was excellent opposite Woo, going six innings with just two hits and six Ks. Like Woo, his only run allowed came on a solo homer as Eugenio Suarez tied things up in the 5th. Josh Naylor and Jorge Polanco hit solo shots against Elvis Alvarado in the 7th. Jacob Wilson, in his first game back with the club, singled in a run in 9th to make it 3-2. But, with the bases loaded, Andres Munoz got Darell Hernaiz to fly out before striking out JJ Bleday to end it.
SAT: ATH 2, SEA 1 (10 innings)
The teams combined for just eight hits in an extra-innings showdown on Saturday. Darell Hernaiz knocked in the first run of the day with an RBI single in the 4th inning. Randy Arozarena leveled things up with a solo home run in the 6th. That was the lone run and one of just two hits allowed by Jeffrey Springs. Shea Langeliers broke the tie in the 10th with an RBI double before Tyler Ferguson and Hogan Harris combined to keep Seattle off the board in the bottom of the frame.
SUN: SEA 11, ATH 4
Cal Raleigh hit a home run in each of the first two innings to set a new record for single-season home runs by a catcher (49). Jacob Wilson also homered in the 2nd inning, but his solo shot was just a blip on the radar for Logan Gilbert and the Mariners. He struck out 13 batters in six innings of work. Opposite Gilbert, Jacob Lopez lasted just two innings and allowed nine earned runs on six hits and six walks. The A’s showed some fight as they scored three runs across the 7th and 8th innings. But, it was not nearly enough to avoid a series defeat.
MON: ATH 8, DET 3
With Cy Young candidate Tarik Skubal cruising along, the Tigers held a 3-0 lead after the top of the 6th inning. An RBI groundout from Jacob Wilson in the bottom of the 6th got the A’s on the board. Then, the 7th inning flipped the game entirely. Colby Thomas hit a solo home to lead off the frame. An infield single, a double, and a throwing error on a ground ball to the shortstop loaded the bases. Zack Gelof and JJ Bleday struck out before Shea Langeliers took Skubal 450 ft. to left center for a grand slam. Nick Kurtz added a two-run HR in the 8th and Elvis Alvarado worked a 1, 2, 3, 9th inning to secure the win.
TUE: ATH 7, DET 6 (10 innings)
After winning the series opener, the A’s started off this game on the right foot, too. Jacob Wilson hit a three-run home run in the 1st inning off of Charlie Morton. That lead would only last until the 3rd when Riley Greene hit a 471 ft. grand slam to put Detroit ahead. The hosts responded with two runs, an RBI single and an RBI groundout, in the bottom of the frame to get back in front. Colt Keith hit a solo home run in the 5th to tie things up and that is how the scoreline remained until the 10th. After a 1, 2, 3, 9th inning, Elvis Alvarado returned to pitch in extra innings and recorded two strikeouts. Then, he walked Wenceel Perez and allowed a go-ahead single to Zach McKinstry. Eduarniel Nunez came in and struck out Javy Baez to keep it a 6-5 game. Will Vest immediately gave up the lead as Tyler Soderstrom led off the inning with an RBI single. He then walked Jacob Wilson and Lawrence Butler with a Colby Thomas sacrifice bunt sandwiched between. With the bases loaded, Vest walked Darell Hernaiz on five pitches to “walk” it off for the Athletics.
WED: ATH 7, DET 0
Luis Morales is showcasing why he was such a highly-regarded prospect. Making his fourth MLB start, the 22-year-old threw seven innings of shutout baseball. He allowed just two hits and struck out seven. On the offensive side, Tyler Soderstrom opened the scoring with an RBI single in the 1st inning. Zack Gelof hit a two-run home run in the 2nd and added a two-run RBI double in the 8th. The other two runs came from a Brent Rooker sacrifice fly and Brett Harris scoring on a throwing error. The Athletics outhit the Tigers 11-2 in the series finale. Brady Basso made his season debut and pitched a scoreless 9th to secure the sweep.
What Else?
The 2026 MLB schedule was released earlier this week. Here are some of the notable takeaways for the Athletics: Season opener on the road vs. the Toronto Blue Jays, home opener on April 3rd vs. the Houston Astros, and six games at Las Vegas Ballpark against the Milwaukee Brewers (6/8-10) and Colorado Rockies (6/12-14). You can see the full schedule below. The six-game slate in Vegas should allow for plenty of media appearances and photo ops for the players and team personnel as the eventual ballpark continues to be built. It will also allow fans to see young players like Nick Kurtz, Jacob Wilson, and Lawrence Butler that should be a part of the team’s core when they become the Las Vegas A’s officially.
Pitching injuries continue to pile up for the Athletics. Jack Perkins is on the 15-Day IL with a shoulder strain, Joey Estes joins him there with an herniated disk in his back, and Jacob Lopez hit the shelf with a flexor strain. With the calendar close to flipping to September, there’s a chance one or both of the two pitchers could be done for the season. If he’s not able to get back at the end of the season, it will be a frustrating end to a promising campaign for the breakout performer Lopez. The corresponding move for Lopez going on the IL was Mason Barnett being called up from Triple-A. Barnett gets his strikeouts (124 Ks in 119 IP), but he also allows a lot of runs (6.13 ERA). While most players are called up when they’re performing well, Barnett is not one of those examples. He has an 8.53 ERA in four appearances this month. He allowed six earned runs in each of his last two outings.
On the positive side for the pitching staff, in addition to Luis Severino nearing a return, Luis Morales is flashing some serious potential. After a strange first career start (2.2 IP, 0 H, 5 BB, 4 K), he’s been electric. Over his last three starts, he’s thrown 18 innings, allowed two runs, nine hits, and punched out 18 batters. His fastball is averaging 97.2 MPH (90th percentile) and he has yet to allow a hit on his sweeper (thrown 82 times). While it’s tough to project how rookies will perform in the big leagues, Morales is not an under the radar success story. A notable international free agent signing in 2023 (MLB Pipeline’s #5 overall prospect and #1 pitcher in that class), he began this season in Double-A before quickly moving up to Triple-A. With the Aviators, he actually worked more than half of his games out of the Las Vegas bullpen. He exceeded his previous career high in innings before he was even called up to the A’s, so he’s now well beyond the 81 innings he threw in 2024. That will make it interesting to see how the staff utilizes him down the stretch, but fans and the front office have to feel great about his top of the rotation potential.
Luis Urias was DFA’d to make room for Zack Gelof to return to the MLB roster. He was a potential trade candidate ahead of the deadline. But instead, he passed through waivers and elected to enter free agency. Moving on from Urias and Gio Urshela are both sensible moves as the season winds down and the club wants to give playing time to the younger, long-term options.
System Spotlight
Junior Perez: With playing time available in the Las Vegas outfield, Junior Perez is certainly taking advantage of his August 1st promotion to Triple-A. In 22 games with the Aviators, he’s slashing .333/.458/.795 with ten home runs. Last night, he had a six-RBI game as he hit a two-run HR and a grand slam. On the season between Midland and Las Vegas, the 24-year-old has 24 home runs and 23 steals.
Wilfred Alvarado: After reaching Stockton last season, Alvarado started this season in a rough patch with the Ports. He was sent down to the Arizona Complex League in May. He got back on track with a 1.88 ERA in 11 outings with four holds. Upon returning to Stockton in mid-June, the 19-year-old has been solid. In August, he’s taken his game up another level as he’s appeared in six games (15.2 innings) and allowed zero earned runs.
Cole Conn: Drafted in 2023, Conn has played for Lansing and Midland in 2025. Primarily featuring behind the dish, the 24-year-old catcher threw out ten runners in High-A, allowing just 14 steals. His fielding percentage at catcher with Midland is .977. At the plate in August, he’s hitting .342 in 12 games.
What’s Next?
The Texas Rangers come to town for a three-game set to close out August. Then, the Athletics are off to St. Louis to face the Cardinals.
(Top photo courtesy of VST’s Eric Nguyen)
