The Athletics opened a three-game interleague series against the Miami Marlins on Friday night in West Sacramento. They could not overcome a 6-0 first inning deficit, allowing five home runs in a 12-5 loss.
Perkins’ Horrible Start
The A’s got off to a bad start, as the Marlins scored six runs in the first inning against A’s starting pitcher Jack Perkins. The first three batters of the game singled to load the bases. Perkins then walked Marlins’ second baseman Xavier Edwards to bring home the first run of the game. A second run scored on Athletics’
catcher Shea Langeliers sixth passed ball of the season.
The Marlins were not done. Left fielder Heriberto Hernandez hit his ninth home run of the season, a three-run shot to center. With two outs, center fielder Jakob Marsee slugged his fifth home run of the season, a solo shot to right field.
In the bottom of the first, the A’s put two runners on via singles from first baseman Nick Kurtz and right fielder Lawrence Butler, but Miami’s starter Tyler Phillips escaped the one-out, two-on jam unscathed.
The Marlins added the extra point in the second, courtesy of Edwards’ sacrifice fly.
Big Amish!
Perkins pitched a scoreless third inning, striking out the side. The A’s offense responded in the bottom of that inning. Shortstop Alika Williams led off with a double and scored on first baseman Nick Kurtz’s 20th home run of the season, a 457-foot shot to center field.
A’s left-handed reliever Jose Suarez replaced Perkins with the bases loaded and two outs in the fourth inning. Perkins allowed seven runs on seven hits and four walks in 3 2/3 innings pitched, but he recorded eight strikeouts, showcasing his appealing stuff. Suarez stranded the bases loaded by getting Marlins’ right fielder Griffin Conine to hit a line drive to Kurtz, who made a nice run-saving catch.
A’s Comeback Continues
In the last of the fourth, the Athletics loaded the bases with zero outs. Joshua Kuroda-Grauer and Carlos Cortes singled before Phillips walked Henry Bolte. Jeff McNeil hit a bases-clearing double to the left-center gap, trimming the A’s deficit to two runs.
Key Turning Point
A few batters later, Miami replaced Phillips with right-handed reliever Michael Petersen. Phillips allowed five runs on seven hits in 3 1/3 innings. Langeliers exited the game with a left thumb injury. Peterson retired pinch-hitter Jonah Heim and then Colby Thomas to end the bases-loaded threat and persevere Miami’s lead.
After striking out with the bases loaded and two outs, Thomas responded with a diving catch in left field, helping Suarez pitch a scoreless fifth inning.
Marlins Re-Take Momentum
In the fifth, Cortes and Bolte hit two straight singles with one out against Marlins reliever Tyler Zuber. The rally ended there as the A’s failed to capitalize on a runners-in-scoring-position opportunity for the second consecutive inning.
Trying to halt the A’s comeback, the Marlins increased their lead in the sixth inning. Facing A’s reliever Justin Sterner, first baseman Kyle Stowers hit a solo home run to right field, his ninth of the season.
Stowers was not done punishing A’s pitchers. He collected his fourth hit and second home run of the game with one out in the eighth inning, connecting off Athletics’ reliever Mason Barnett to extend Miami’s lead to 10-5. Marlins’ designated hitter Owen Caissie made it 12-5 with a two-run home run off Barnett in the ninth, his 11th of the season.
The Marlins bullpen held the A’s scoreless over the final three innings after the visitors hit three more home runs, securing the series-opening victory. The Athletics will try to even the series tomorrow night behind starter Aaron Civale, who is seeking his first victory since returning from the injured list. The Marlins will counter with right-hander Sandy Alcantara, who is 9-4 with a 4.20 ERA in 18 starts this season.
