By Cameron Williams-
Headed into Sunday’s game the Athletics were on an 11-game losing streak and had already lost the series to the Phillies who had won the first two out of three games. The A’s were looking for anything, a way to break this terrible streak. They went into the game versus a leading Cy Young candidate in Jesus Luzardo, who was 5-0 posting a 1.95 ERA. One of the better pitchers in the game this season thus far, it would be a challenge for the struggling A’s to get to him. But they did, they knocked him around for 3 runs in the first, a huge help and big gut punch to the Phillies who were just ranked the #1 team in the power rankings according to MLB.com.
The Phillies offensive which had been shaky early in the season, fought back right away knocking in two runs in the second and third innings, bringing the game closer. It would not be until the fifth inning where the Phillies would tie the game, and then eventually take the lead in the top of the eighth.
That was until LHP Matt Strahm, who has been the most consistent Phillies reliever since the absence of Jose Alvarado, gave up two runs in the eighth that led to the eventual win for the A’s. Similar to how the A’s lost both games earlier in the series, with two blown games from closer Mason Miller, who has been lighting up the radar gun since last year.
Jesus Luzardo settled in nicely after giving up 3 runs in the first and ending up going seven strong innings keeping the Phillies in the battle. He gave up nine hits, on three runs, with 10 strikeouts. Even with the Phillies losing the game, this trade for Luzardo has been shaping out very nicely for the ballclub.
Brandon Marsh, Trea Turner, and Alec Bohm also collected multiple hits in the Phillies loss. Turner had three RBIs to pair with two hits, one being a homer.
Gunnar Hoglund, the A’s starting pitcher, who is 1-2 posting a 5.06 was set to take the mound versus the Phillies. He went a solid five innings giving up three runs on four hits, with three walks, and two strikeouts. A solid outing for a guy who has been struggling greatly. This outing kept his team in the game.
Hogan Harris came into the game for a strong 2.2 innings, and ended up giving up the lead on only two hits with two strikeouts.
Mason Miller, one of the best closing pitchers in the game finally got his redemption after a series which he has struggled greatly in. He had an incredible April posting a 1.8 ERA, but things have changed in the month of May… In only 6 games in May his ERA for the month is 13.49. But he settled in nicely yesterday for the save, giving up a hit and striking out a batter to hold onto the win for the A’s. In which they won 5-4 in 9.
The Phillies are set to battle within the division versus the Atlanta Braves back in Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park The Braves have had a very rough start to the season still dealing with some injuries and poor play, but their superstar outfielder has returned and has been on a tear. Ronald Acuna Jr. is back and will be hard to contain versus the Phillies. One of the biggest rivalries in baseball, in the interdivision play, will make for a solid series.
The 23-31 A’s are set to play the Houston Astros who are having an underrated season posting a win record of 28-25, only 1.5 games back in the AL West. The A’s will need to continue to ride off of this momentum to take this series, and build off a big win versus the Philadelphia Phillies.
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