Bleday walks off, Harris deals in Reverse Boycott win

On the day of the Oakland fans’ 2nd annual Reverse Boycott, it was another slow day for the Athletics offense, but Hogan Harris and JJ Bleday were there to save the day and keep the Reverse Boycott win streak going.

In spite of struggling all year at Triple-A with the Las Vegas Aviators, putting up an ugly 7.67 ERA/6.97 FIP in 8 starts, Harris has somehow rediscovered his groove as a near-last choice alternative for the major league rotation. After being tabbed with 1 earned run in 5 ²⁄₃ innings his last go-around, it wasn’t clear if Harris would keep his starting spot with Luis Medina returning and a few other options in queue.

However, the organization liked what they saw from him enough to give him another opportunity and he took full advantage of it, dealing 6 scoreless innings against the Toronto Blue Jays, lowering his ERA all the way down to a pristine 2.21. Along the way, the Jays were only able to secure 3 singles and 2 walks off Harris as he cruised through his outing.

The A’s almost rewarded him with a win, as Jays starter Chris Bassitt gifted his former team a run, throwing a wild pitch that let Max Schuemann score from 3rd. Unfortunately, Austin Adams erased the decision for Harris, allowing an RBI single to opposing shortstop Bo Bichette.

Heading into the 9th, after Scott Alexander and Mason Miller each threw perfect innings, Bleday went up to bat against Jays setup man Chad Green. On the first pitch of the at-bat, a 86 mph slider down the middle, Bleday pulled it deep to right field, walking off the game and securing a win for the team and, more importantly, the fans, proving once again that the universe hates John Fisher.