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That might be it for the Oakland A’s in 2021.
The A’s lost quietly to the Seattle Mariners yet again on Wednesday, by a 4-1 score at the Coliseum.
*** Click here to revisit tonight’s Game Thread! ***
Entering this week, Oakland still had a slim chance to compete for a Wild Card, but they’d need a big performance against the Mariners. Instead they’ve lost three straight to their division rival, totaling just five runs along the way. Not only have the A’s now fallen four back of the Second Wild Card with only 10 left to play, but Seattle just passed them in the standings, which means there are now three teams ahead of them for that final spot.
Tonight’s game was the same as the last two nights. The Mariners scored a few runs to take a lead, while Oakland’s lineup never got anything going in response. The A’s only mustered four hits, and they only scored on a solo homer.
On the pitching side, starter Cole Irvin allowed a pair of dingers, and also a frustrating sequence of single, wild pitch, single for another run.
- Irvin: 5 ip, 3 runs, 5 Ks, 3 BB, 2 HR, 7 hits, 93 pitches, 85.1 mph EV
Out of the bullpen, Michael Feliz made his A’s debut after being claimed off waivers. He faced three batters in the 8th, inducing a popout, then allowing a sharp single, then issuing a walk, before being replaced.
On the hitting side, the only highlight was the long ball by Matt Chapman.
CHAPPY MOONSHOT @mattchap6 | #RiseAndGrind pic.twitter.com/U2cIPBVkRp
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) September 23, 2021
There was also a bit of an Ump Show in the 6th. The Mariners batter fouled off a pitch but the ump didn’t see it, all while a runner was stealing second. Time was called and the runner began heading back to first, and during the confusion the A’s thought they threw him out on his trip back, but he was instead allowed to stay at second. The end result was both manager Bob Melvin and bench coach Ryan Christenson were ejected.
Bob Melvin and Ryan Christenson have been ejected from the game after a missed foul ball call pic.twitter.com/6gzAKEjR8s
— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) September 23, 2021
That led to an interesting interim coaching arrangement.
Ok, so Ryan Christenson and Melvin were ejected. Mark Kotsay is now managing the game with asst. hitting coach Eric Martins coaching first and Mike Aldrete coaching third.
— Shayna Rubin (@ShaynaRubin) September 23, 2021
Whether the ball hit the bat for a foul is not a reviewable play.
And that was that. Three nights at the Coliseum with the season on the line, three straight quiet losses. They’ve now lost 11 of 15 meetings with Seattle this year.
No more details coming. Don’t keep hitting refresh.
Wave crashing
Mathematically it’s not over yet, but the A’s postseason odds are dipping below 1% now.
Matt Chapman: “I’m not gonna give up. We’re gonna try as hard as we can these last 10 games and give everything. It sucks getting punched three times like that. But tomorrow's new day. If we win 10 in a row, who knows what’s gonna happen. That’s the mentality we have to take.”
— Martín Gallegos (@MartinJGallegos) September 23, 2021
