Game #10: A’s storm back 7-3 to win series behind Piscotty’s big day

Game Thread #1

Game Thread #2

SO EXCITING! The A’s come back from a 3-0 deficit today to win the game 7-3, thanks in large part to Stephen Piscotty’s big day; notching 5 RBI. And did I mention there was another throw? THERE WAS ANOTHER THROW! (Also, why are the Red Sox running on Laureano? Unclear.)

The game actually started very ominously for the green and gold, as contrary to every other start so far by the starters, Brett Anderson faltered in the first inning; allowing a single and a bunt hit (challenged but upheld) to put two runners on base. He notched a strikeout, but allowed a single to load the bases and then walked in a run. It could have been worse; a popup recorded the second out, but then he walked in ANOTHER run before inducing the groundout to end the inning.

A’s down 2-0.

Stephen Piscotty recorded his first hit, a single, in the very first inning, perhaps a preview of things to come on his (spoiler alert 4-4, 5 RBI day), but it took the offense a minute to get moving.

Meanwhile, Brett Anderson allowed only one more run; which could have been two had the baserunner before the solo homerun not been throw out by Robbie Grossman. I mean, what is Boston even doing on the bases in this series?

A’s down 3-0.

And then came the A’s turn in the third. A Josh Phegley double and a fly out moved him to third, and after a Semien walk to put two on, Piscotty’s homer tied the game.

Game tied 3-3.

And then came the fourth. After Anderson survived yet another jam, it was the A’s turn. Laureano walked with one out, and Phegley singled him to second. Grossman doubled for the A’s fourth run, and a miscommunication by two Boston outfielders led to a dropped fly ball which turned into the ground-rule double, which scored the A’s fifth and sixth run.

A’s lead 6-3.

Khris Davis singled in another insurance run for the A’s in the sixth, and all was coming up green and gold for the A’s.

A’s lead 7-3.

Anderson pitched into the sixth before being pulled for Lou Trivino. Joakim Soria replaced him for the seventh (and perfect) inning, and the A’s put in the defensive crew (including Chapman) to back up Liam Hendriks for the eighth and ninth. Mookie Betts walked to open the ninth and on the subsequent single (which would have been a legit jam for Hendriks), he was thrown out at third by Ramon Laureano. WHO RUNS ON HIS ARM a) down four runs in the ninth with no one out b) after seeing his arm on display twice in two other games in this same series?!

Game over. A’s win, taking the series three out of four, a fine job against the defending champs.

We will see you tomorrow night at 5PM, from Houston, as the A’s road trip doesn’t get any easier. A’s/Astros. I’ll be your host.