Poor starting pitching by the Athletics led to a rough week of results. But, the club was able to snap another nine-game losing streak with a blowout win on Thursday.
(Photo of Jeffrey Springs, courtesy: Athletics)
Results
FRI: TOR 11, ATH 7
It was a rough outing for starter Jeffrey Springs as he only survived two innings. He allowed six runs on six hits and also walked six batters. The A’s got home runs from Tyler Soderstrom and Shea Langeliers. Denzel Clarke robbed a home run and picked up his first career RBI with a single in the 9th inning.
SAT: TOR 8, ATH 7
Home runs were flying out of the park at the Rogers Centre on Saturday. The Blue Jays got home runs from Addison Barger, Bo Bichette, and George Springer (twice). For the Athletics, Tyler Soderstrom homered for the second consecutive game and Denzel Clarke hit the first homer of his MLB career. Brent Rooker’s home run in the 9th made it a one run game. A’s starting pitcher Gunnar Hoglund allowed eight runs on ten hits (four home runs) to take the loss.
SUN: TOR 8, ATH 4
In the series finale, the Athletics scored the first three runs of the game (a Soderstrom RBI groundout and a Luis Urias two-run double). After Toronto pulled back two runs, Jacob Wilson pushed the lead back to two for the A’s with an 8th-inning sacrifice fly. Addison Barger responded with a three-run HR in the bottom of the inning to spark a six-run outburst to complete the mop (a Baseball Bar-B-Cast term for a four-game series sweep).
MON: MIN 10, ATH 4
The Twins knocked in six runs on six hits in the 2nd inning. A Brent Rooker RBI groundout and Lawrence Butler’s three-run homer pulled the A’s back into it. But, four unanswered runs by Minnesota slammed the door shut on a comeback for the hosts.
TUE: MIN 10, ATH 3
The A’s led this game 2-0 entering the 4th inning. After a pair of solo home runs from Willi Castro and another from Trevor Larnach, the Twins took the lead and never gave it back. Minnesota scored five runs over the final three frames to increase their advantage and make it another lopsided loss for the Athletics.
WED: MIN 6, ATH 1
Not long after ending a nine-game losing streak, the A’s reached nine straight losses again. Home runs from Ryan Jeffers and Harrison Bader were all the offense Minnesota needed as Jacob Wilson’s RBI double scored the lone run for the Athletics. The Twins added three runs for good measure across the 8th and 9th innings.
THU: ATH 14, MIN 3
Just like they did on 5/25, the A’s ended a losing streak right before it could hit double digits. They ended another nine-game slide on Thursday, blowing out the Twins, 14-3. Max Muncy and Jacob Wilson each hit one home run while Tyler Soderstrom hit a pair, including a grand slam. Brent Rooker bookended the scoring with an RBI single in the 1st inning and an RBI double in the 7th. Mitch Spence delivered a stellar performance on the mound as he went five innings and allowed just one run on three hits.
What Else?
- Playing back home in Toronto for the first time as a big leaguer, Denzel Clarke had a memorable series. He had the home run robbery and first career RBI on Friday before hitting his first career HR on Saturday. On Sunday, he stole his first two MLB bases. He ranks fourth among qualified centerfielders with six OAA (outs above average). If Clarke can cut down on his strikeouts (26 Ks in 44 at-bats), his ability and athleticism in the outfield and on the bases could be a huge boost to the A’s.
- The Toronto series was a brutal one for the Athletics’ starting pitching. While the bullpen wasn’t great and has been a concern lately, the starters put the team in a tough spot on the road. In the four-game set, this was the final line for the starters (Lopez, Springs, Hoglund, and JP Sears): 14.2 innings, 29 hits, 22 earned runs, seven home runs, and just six strikeouts.
- Unfortunately, Shea Langeliers left yesterday’s win with what is being described as left flank soreness and is expected to undergo testing today to determine the severity. But, there is good news for the Langeliers family. Shea’s sister, Alexa, is one win away from a College World Series title with Texas Tech.
- Second base will be an interesting position to watch in the coming months. Zack Gelof is working his way back from injury. Luis Urias has also played better than expected in his absence. Will Gelof immediately get back to the top of the depth chart as soon as he’s healthy? Has Urias earned a longer leash at 2B with his solid start to the season (110 wRC+)? Recalled on Wednesday, will Max Muncy (slashed .325/.397.504 in 123 at-bats since being optioned on 4/23) get an extended look?
- Now that we’ve entered June, let’s see where the A’s rank in some statistical categories across Major League Baseball. The offense has done their job sitting 7th in home runs, 12th in runs, 4th in hits, and 5th in OPS. But, as good as the offense has been, the pitching has been that bad. The A’s are last in ERA (0.40 worse than the 12-50 Colorado Rockies), 2nd to last in hits, and have allowed the most home runs. Although some of these numbers on both sides of the diamond are related to the home ballpark factors, that is not solely responsible for the numbers being what they are.
System Spotlight
Cameron Leary: Taken in the 10th round of the 2024 MLB Draft, Leary has hit the ground running…literally…in his first full professional season. Through 52 games, he has 21 steals to go along with seven home runs.
Mark Adamiak: The 24-year-old Lansing closer has converted five straight saves (9/10 in save opportunities on the season). In his last seven appearances, he’s allowed just two runs on six hits while striking out six batters.
Pedro Pineda: The crown jewel of the Athletics’ 2021 international signing class had a brutal introduction to Single-A baseball in 2024. In 22 games with Stockton, he hit just .122 with zero home runs. Pineda has found his footing at the level (he’s currently rehabbing with the ACL Athletics) in 2025. Through 16 games, the 21-year-old outfielder is slashing .309/.433/.618 with four home runs.
What’s Next?
The A’s continue their homestand at Sutter Health Park tonight as they start a three-game series with the Baltimore Orioles. Then, they’re off to SoCal to face the Los Angeles Angels.
