The Athletics took on the Chicago White Sox, looking to even up this series and force a rubber match tomorrow. The White Sox prevailed 1-0 in a tightly contested game, securing the series victory. The A’s had multiple chances to score in this matchup, but failed countless times to get the big hit the club so desperately needs.
A’s Waste First Scoring Chance
The A’s went down in order in the first inning against White Sox left-handed opener Bryan Hudson. In the second, the A’s got a single and a walk against Chicago left-hander
Chris Murphy. The A’s failed to capitalize, as second baseman Jeff McNeil flew out to left fielder Randal Grichuk to strand runners at second and third with two outs. Grichuk made a diving catch on that bloop hit to keep the game scoreless, as things continued to not go the visitors way.
Jump worked out of trouble in both the second and third innings, inducing a double play to escape a two-on, one-out jam in the third. In the fifth, the White Sox stranded a leadoff double, as Jump retired the next three batters to complete five scoreless innings.
A’s Offense Abysmal
In the top of the sixth, the Athletics had another big scoring chance. With one out, shortstop Jacob Wilson hit an infield single and then designated hitter Tyler Soderstrom drew a walk. However, Fedde escaped the jam unscathed by striking out the next two hitters he faced. He threw four scoreless innings as the hosts bulk pitcher.
One of those hitters, catcher Shea Langeliers, is in a deep slump at the plate that has him not looking like someone deserving of being the American League’s starting catcher in Tuesday’s All-Star Game. That was not the last time Langeliers would fail to come through in this game.
White Sox Break Deadlock
Jump turned in the best start by an A’s pitcher in a while, yet he got no run support. In the bottom of the sixth, the White Sox finally broke through. Third baseman Colson Montgomery walked and then scored on second baseman Chase Meidroth’s two-out double down the left field line.
That marked the end of Jump’s day. The rookie left-hander allowed one run on five hits over 5 2/3 innings, striking out seven while walking two. A key to his success was his ability to keep the ball on the ground, as the southpaw recorded six ground-ball outs.
Right-handed reliever Luis Medina replaced Jump, hitting the first batter he faced before striking out the next hitter to keep the A’s deficit at one. Medina and Hogan Harris combined to keep the White Sox off the scoreboard the rest of the way, with each pitching a scoreless inning of relief.
A’s Offense Wasteful!
A’s third baseman Joshua Kuroda-Grauer led off the seventh inning with a double to left, knocking Fedde out of the game. With the left-handed hitter Lawrence Butler up next, the hosts turned to left-handed reliever Sean Newcomb, who was on the A’s last season. Butler won the battle, drawing his second walk of the game.
With two on and nobody out, it looked like the visitors had a chance to tie or take the lead. That did not happen as Newcomb got his team back to its dugout still up 1-0. Athletics’ pinch-hitters Colby Thomas and Alika Williams both made outs and then Bolte struck out to end the inning. Bolte has cooled off after his hot start as MLB pitchers have figured out how to get him out. It will be up to the rookie to make adjustments if he wants to have long-term success in the majors.
Facing Newcomb, Wilson led off the eighth inning with his first triple of the season. The slumping A’s left him there as the next three hitters failed to get a hit, let alone a sacrifice fly. First, Soderstrom hit a hard grounder right to Chicago’s shortstop.
Then, the White Sox replaced Newcomb with hard-throwing right-hander Grant Taylor, who struck out Langeliers and then got first baseman Jonah Heim to ground out. The Athletics’ catcher struck out three times, the last two with runners in scoring position, not a good look for someone the team needs to step up with fellow All-Star Nick Kurtz on the injured list. Taylor finished the game, collecting a five-out save to secure his team’s second straight win and doom the Athletics to their eighth straight loss.
Outlook and Preview
While much of the blame for the past several losses squarely fell on the A’s pitching staff, this afternoon it should be solely focused on the offense. The visitors went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position and left eight on base, resulting in Jump being saddled with a loss that he did not deserve.
It is difficult to win when only two of the nine hitters record a hit, and that was the story for the A’s today. Wilson and Kuroda-Grauer accounted for the club’s only hits as they tried to spark the offense. Butler quietly had a productive day at the plate, drawing three walks in four plate appearances.
Having scored five runs through the first five games of this roadtrip, the Athletics are on the verge of suffering their third consecutive sweep. Tomorrow’s matchup, the last one of the first-half, will pit J.T. Ginn against Noah Schultz. Will the “Green and Gold” enter the All-Star Break winners or will the team carry its losing streak into the second half of the season?
