The club dropped the final game of their weekend series to the Washington Nationals on Sunday afternoon, falling 5-2 to drop the A’s to 42-57.
Left-hander Jacob Lopez got the ball for today’s start, his first real starting assignment at the big league level since being removed from the rotation in mid-May. He looked in control early putting up two scoreless frames to start things off.
Things tailed off from there for Lopez. Washington was first on the board this afternoon thanks to their speed on the basepaths.
A single, two stolen bases, and a RBI groundout was all it took for their first run of the day.
The A’s bats meanwhile were facing Washington left-hander Foster Griffin, an emerging young piece for the Nationals. Like Lopez he held down the A’s for the first couple of frames before the squad broke through in the third. A double, productive out, and RBI double off the bat of Tyler Soderstrom got it done for the first run of the day:
Unfortunately the tie game was to be short lived. Lopez gave up another run in the top of the fourth, failing to provide a much-needed shutdown inning. He finished the frame and started the fifth but departed after one batter, ending his day earlier than hoped.
- Jacob Lopez: 4 1/3 IP, 2 H, 2 ER 2 BB, 6 K, 2 HBP, 84 pitches
Overall a solid enough start from the lefty in his first real look back in the rotation. The club would have liked more length out of their starter this afternoon but considering it was his first start back it’s fair to ease him back in. Plus he was about to go through the lineup a third time so it was a good time to get him out of there. He’ll take on the Twins in Minnesota next time out.
After Lopez manager Mark Kotsay turned to right-hander Elvis Alvarado first. Though he’s been mostly solid for the club this year he didn’t have it today. Washington was able to score three times off Alvarado, a two-run homer and a solo shot back-t0-back to make it 5-1.
Over the final few frames the bats were absent. They collected hits in every inning but failed to do anything with them. They were able to plate one more in the bottom of the ninth off a Jacob Wilson RBI single but it was far too little too late for the Green & Gold in this one.
Bummer. Well, that wraps up the quick homestand and the A’s will now hit the road. They won’t have far to go as the Arizona Diamondbacks await for a three-game series beginning tomorrow. It’ll be lefty Jeffrey Springs on the mound for the Athletics while the D-backs will counter with their own lefty in Mitch Bratt, who will be making his third career major league appearance. Need to nab some wins!
