Game #100: Slugfest Ends on Two-Run Infield Single

In a game initiated and controlled by home runs, the A’s ultimately prevailed on a hit-by-a-pitch, a double, and a botched two-run infield single.

The ballgame got off to a bang when Mitch Garver and Nelson Cruz launched a couple of dingers off Brett Anderson. Though that makes it seem like Brett was asking for trouble with bad pitches, neither pitch actually seemed that hittable. The first came off a sinker outside the far side of the strike zone, the second on a changeup that was barely in the zone.

The A’s made their best effort to take control of the game back when Mark Canha and Ramon Laureano went back-to-back off reliever Zack Littell to take a 3-2 lead in the 7th inning. Unfortunately, Brett allowed the game-tying homer to Miguel Sano to start the bottom of the 7th, forcing BoMel to turn it over to the bullpen. With Petit-Soria-Hendriks likely coming up, the A’s still had a fighter’s chance at taking the lead and the win.

After Petit allowed a single to C.J. Cron, BoMel switched up the hands and pulled Buchter in, who allowed another single and the go-ahead sac fly. With the A’s now down 4-3, it didn’t look like Soria and Hendriks were going to contribute tonight. Instead, Treinen, still working through his troubles, loaded the bases but barely escaped in the bottom of the 8th.

The A’s put up their final fight in the top of the 9th when Canha was hit by a pitch and got sent to third base on a Laureano double. With a cold Khris Davis up to bat, it could’ve gone either way for the A’s. Instead, it went neither way and a line drive off the glove of second-baseman Jonathan Schoop allowed both Canha and Laureano to score, giving the A’s the 5-4 lead. Hendriks, being the All-Star he is, came in and got the save — albeit after loading the bases — for the A’s 100th game of the season.

With the series now tied, the A’s will look to win the series tomorrow against one of the better teams in the American League.