Game Thread #151: A’s vs. Mariners

The winning streak is over, so that means it’s time to start a new one. The Oakland A’s had won five in a row, but Monday night they lost the opener of a four-game home series against the Seattle Mariners. They’ll give it another go Tuesday night at the Coliseum.

The A’s call on Paul Blackburn for the start. The right-hander earned a win in his last outing, tossing five innings of two-run ball against the Royals. He’s now started six times since being called up in August, and he’s solidly kept the team in the game four times, including once against the Mariners last month (5⅔ ip, 2 runs on a homer by Mitch Haniger). However, he’s yet to complete six frames in a game.

For Seattle, Marco Gonzales gets the nod. After a couple strong seasons in 2019-20, the lefty got off to a rough start in 2021 but has heated up lately, with a 2.53 ERA in his last 11 outings. He’s been prone to homers this year, and indeed Matt Olson has hit three against him and Yan Gomes has one. For his career, Gonzales has allowed five to Olson, plus one each to Matt Chapman (2019), Khris Davis (2019), and Sean Murphy (2020).

A’s lineup (home)

1. 2B Josh Harrison (R)
2. CF Starling Marte (R)
3. 1B Matt Olson (L)
4. 3B Matt Chapman (R)
5. C Yan Gomes (R)
6. RF Chad Pinder (R)
7. LF Mark Canha (R)
8. DH Khris Davis (R)
9. SS Elvis Andrus (R)

• RHP Paul Blackburn

Same as yesterday, except Pinder and Canha swap spots in the order.

Mariners lineup (away)

1. SS J.P Crawford (L)
2. 1B Ty France (R)
3. 3B Kyle Seager (L)
4. DH Mitch Haniger (R)
5. CF Jarred Kelenic (L)
6. RF Jake Bauers (L)
7. C Tom Murphy (R)
8. LF Jake Fraley (L)
9. 2B Dylan Moore (R)

• LHP Marco Gonzales

Let’s go Oakland!

How To Watch

• Date: Tuesday, September 21
• Time: 6:40 p.m. PT
• TV (local): NBC Sports California
• Radio: 960 AM (more listings here)
• Streaming (watch): NBCS website (with cable sub)
• Streaming (listen): A’s Cast