Game Thread #14: A’s vs. Orioles

Series finale! The A’s won two of the first three games, though the Orioles got one yesterday.

Oakland sends Paul Blackburn to the mound. The right-hander has been a revelation so far this year, looking sharper then ever in each of his first two starts. Both times he cruised through five sparkling innings in A’s victories, and in particular he’s begun missing a lot of bats for swinging strikes.

The lineup lost another member, as catcher Stephen Vogt was hurt yesterday while playing first base. He went on the 10-day injured list this morning, while fellow catcher Austin Allen returned from the COVID injured list and is back on the bench this afternoon. Click here for a full rundown of all the latest transactions, and an updated look at an active roster that keeps changing by the day.

At the bottom of the order, top prospect Nick Allen makes his second career MLB start, on the heels of his MLB debut on Tuesday.

A’s lineup (home)

1. LF Tony Kemp (L)
2. 3B Sheldon Neuse (R)
3. C Sean Murphy (R)
4. 1B Seth Brown (L)
5. DH Christian Bethancourt (R)
6. RF Billy McKinney (L)
7. SS Elvis Andrus (R)
8. CF Cristian Pache (R)
9. 2B Nick Allen (R)

• RHP Paul Blackburn

Orioles (away)

1. CF Cedric Mullins (L)
2. LF Anthony Santander (S)
3. DH Trey Mancini (R)
4. 1B Ryan Mountcastle (R)
5. 2B Rougned Odor (L)
6. RF Austin Hays (R)
7. 3B Ramon Urias (R)
8. C Anthony Bemboom (L)
9. SS Jorge Mateo (R)

• RHP Tyler Wells

How to watch/listen

• Date: Thursday, April 21
• Time: 12:37 p.m. PT
• TV: NBC Sports California Plus (NBCSCA+)
• Radio: 960 AM
• Streaming (listen): A’s Cast