Game #97: A’s Sink Mariners, 10-2

The A’s in their lucky alternate home green jerseys hit six home runs to make it six wins in a row and remain perfect since the All-Star break in their 10-2 victory over the Mariners on a sunny afternoon from the Coliseum.
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Game Preview and Game Thread

Homer Bailey allowed two runs on five hits on 43 pitches through the first two innings. Chad Pinder’s diving catch in the first inning prevented things from getting worse

Bailey’s Quality Start
Bailey settled down after that, throwing scoreless frames in the third, fourth, fifth and sixth innings. His final line read six innings, seven hits, two runs allowed and six strikeouts on 87 pitches. An excellent beginning to his A’s career!

A’s Roar Back
In the bottom of the second inning, the A’s struck back against Seattle “opener” Erik Swanson. Swanson allowed a lead-off “double” to Ramon Laureano and then after a Khris Davis strikeout (Davis who is slumping was moved down to sixth in the order today), Jurickson Profar blasted a two run home run to right center to tie the score at two.

Chapman Exits Game
Matt Chapman came into the today’s game hitting .600 (9-15) since returning from the All Star break. After his first inning at-bat where he appeared to be uncomfortable, Chapman was replaced in the top of the third inning as Chad Pinder came in to play third from left field and Robbie Grossman entered the game in left, hitting in Chapman’s two spot. Chapman and Pinder collided in last night’s game on a fly ball to shallow left. In his first inning at-bat today, it appeared he was limping. Hopefully it is just soreness from last night and nothing structural.

Canha Have a Lead? (courtesy of AN commentor, worldblee)
With former A’s lefty, Tommy Milone in for the Mariners after opener’s Erik Swanson’s two innings, Mark Canha came to the plate in the fourth inning and on a 2-1, 88 mph fastball absolutely crushed a solo home run. The blast, which was easily one of the farthest shots hit at the Coliseum this season (second tier of bleachers in left center) gave the A’s a 3-2 lead after four innings. It was Canha’s fourteenth home run of the season in only 179 at bats.

Canha got to Milone again in the bottom of the sixth inning, this time to deep straight away center field to push the A’s lead to 4-2. It was Canha’s first multi homer game of this career.

Pinder Goes Yard
In the same inning as Canha’s second home run, Chad Pinder stepped up with runners on first and second and went opposite field, his eighth home run of the season. to increase the A’s cushion to 7-2.

Add One or Two More Lasers For Good Measure
Ramon “Laser” Laureano batting in the bottom of the eighth inning continued his power streak with a solo home run to center, his eighteenth of the season. Not only did Laureano hit a home run in the eighth inning, he also robbed a home run in the eighth:

After a Khris Davis single, Jurickson Profar knocked his second home run of the game to increase the A’s lead to 10-2. It is Profar’s second career two home run game (his first multiple homer game came against the A’s in 2018).

A’s Home Run Leaderboard
After today’s firepower, it is time to update our standings...

1. Matt Chapman: 22
2. Matt Olson: 20
3. Ramon Laureano: 19
4. Khris Davis: 16
5. Mark Canha: 15
6. Marcus Semien: 14
7. Jurickson Profar: 13

NEWSFLASH: Omar Narvaez Went “0-fer”
The Mariners catcher has simply crushed the A’s in 2019, adding two more home runs last night. Today, Bailey and the bullpen boys held Narvaez without a hit (although he did walk in the eighth inning) a victory within a victory for the A’s pitching staff!

Bullpen Cruises A’s to the Sweep
After Homer Bailey’s six innings of two run ball, Yusemeiro Petit, Joakim Soria and Blake Treinen pitched the seventh, eighth and ninth innings respectively, quieting the M’s bats and comfortably bringing the perfect homestand (5-0) to a end.

Minnesota Here We Come
The A’s board a plane this evening and fly to the twin cities for a four game set with the AL Central leading Twins. Mike Fiers will take the mound for the A’s tomorrow night at 5:10pm (PST).

In their five games since returning from the All-Star break, the A’s have dominated in all three phases of the game, pitching, hitting and defense. This is a fun time to be an A’s fan...
Let’s Go Oak-land!