Game Thread #12: A's at D’Backs

The Oakland A’s are on a winning streak! They’ve got three straight, and they’re looking for a fourth, against the Arizona D’Backs on Tuesday.

But wait, there’s more! After being swept in their opening series and then beaten again in the next one, the A’s went on to collect their first series win over the weekend and now aim for what would technically be their first sweep of 2021.

This interleague series in Arizona is only two games, and Oakland took the opener last night, so a repeat win today would mean a sweep. And since only around 23 hours will elapse from the first pitch of Game 1 to the final out of Game 2, you could argue this is effectively a night/day doubleheader, except everyone took a nap in between the two contests.

The A’s send Jesús Luzardo to the mound, for his third start of the year. The D’Backs counter with righty Zac Gallen, making his season debut. Gallen beat Oakland once last year, with seven sparkling innings and just a solo homer by someone who isn’t on the team anymore (Robbie Grossman).

For the green and gold, 1B Matt Olson is sitting out. He was hit by a pitch last night and has a left thumb contusion, but there are no broken bones, reports insider Jordan Horrobin. Olson is day-to-day, and the team is off tomorrow for travel.

A’s lineup (away)

1. LF Mark Canha (R)
2. CF Ramon Laureano (R)
3. 2B Jed Lowrie (S)
4. 3B Matt Chapman (R)
5. 1B Seth Brown (L)
6. RF Stephen Piscotty (R)
7. SS Elvis Andrus (R)
8. C Aramis Garcia (R)
9. LHP Jesús Luzardo (L)

Please don’t swing, Jesús.

D’Backs lineup (home)

1. CF Tim Locastro (R)
2. RF Kole Calhoun (L)
3. 2B Eduardo Escobar (S)
4. 3B Asdrubal Cabrera (S)
5. SS Nick Ahmed (R)
6. LF David Peralta (L)
7. C Carson Kelly (R)
8. 1B Wyatt Mathisen (R)
9. RHP Zac Gallen (R)

Let’s Go Oakland!

How To Watch

• Date: Tuesday, April 13
• Time: 12:40 p.m. PT
• TV (national): NBC Sports California
• Radio: 960 AM (more listings here)
• Streaming (watch): WatchESPN
• Streaming (listen): A’s Cast