The Athletics opened their final road series of the year against the Cleveland Guardians on Friday night. The A’s offense faded after a strong first inning, while starter Mason Barnett and the bullpen combined to allow five unanswered runs in a 5-3 defeat, giving the A’s their 93rd loss of the season.
A’s Strike First
The A’s offense wasted no time against Guardians opener’ Daniel Espino. Center fielder Henry Bolte and right fielder Lawrence Butler walked. With one out, left fielder Zack Gelof hit his 19th home run
of the season, a three-run shot to right center that put the visitors up 3-0 before the hosts got a chance to bat. That was the A’s first and only scoring chance of the game.
Barnett Navigating Traffic
Recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas to start today’s game, A’s right-hander Mason Barnett’s command problems presented themselves immediately. The Guardians loaded the bases in the bottom of the first on a pair of walks and a single. Cleveland failed to score, however, as Barnett got second baseman Travis Bazzana to ground into an inning-ending double play.
In the bottom of the second, the Guardians loaded the bases against Barnett for the second time in as many innings. Once again, the hosts failed to score as Barnett struck out Jose Ramirez to end the inning. The A’s right-hander needed 54 pitches to navigate two traffic-filled, scoreless frames.
Guardians Comeback
Espino pitched just one inning before left-hander Joey Cantillo replaced him. The Guardians’ southpaw neutralized the A’s offense, throwing six scoreless innings while facing just one batter above the minimum. His strong performance on the mound gave his teammates time and confidence to mount a comeback.
Cleveland finally scored off Barnett in the bottom of the fourth inning. After two singles to open the inning, shortstop Brayan Rocchio’s two-RBI double cut the A’s lead to 3-2. Ramirez hit an RBI single to drive home the game-tying run and send Barnett to the showers.
The A’s right-hander allowed three runs on seven hits and four walks over 3 1/3 innings. He was fortunate to allow just three runs given the number of baserunners Cleveland put on early in the game. Fellow right-hander Scott Blewett replaced him and stopped the bleeding to keep the game tied.
A’s Bullpen Continues to Struggle
Blewett remained in the game for the fifth inning, but he did not fare as well. Bazzana put Cleveland in front for the first time this evening with his 15th home run of the season, a solo-shot to right-center field.
With two outs in the bottom of the sixth inning, Ramirez hit his 12th home run of the season, a solo shot to right field against A’s reliever Seth Johnson that extended Cleveland’s lead to 5-3. That long ball was the third baseman’s 1,000th career RBI.
No Comeback Tonight
The Guardians’ bullpen prevented the A’s from mounting a comeback. Designated hitter Shea Langeliers came up as the game-tying run in the eighth inning against setup man Hunter Gaddis, but instead hit into the visitors’ second double play of the game. In the ninth inning, Cleveland closer Cade Smith quickly retired the side to secure his 38th save of the season.
The Green and Gold will try to snap their four-game losing streak and earn one final road win this season tomorrow afternoon. Left-hander Jacob Lopez will start for the Athletics, while the Guardians will counter with right-hander Tanner Bibee.
