A’s get swift dividend from new acquisition
Familia beats Giants in Oakland debut
OAKLAND, Calif. — Jeurys Familia had a difficult time leaving New York, having spent his entire major league career with the Mets.
A win in his Oakland debut made the transition easier.
Familia pitched two scoreless innings, Marcus Semien scored from second base on Matt Chapman’s infield chopper in the 10th, and the Athletics beat the San Francisco Giants 6-5 on Sunday.
“I felt good,” Familia said through a translator. “I felt really comfortable about coming in and doing the job.”
Familia was acquired Saturday for two minor leaguers and $1 million in international signing bonus pool allotment. The reliever arrived in Oakland about an hour before the game after catching a 7 a.m. flight.
Familia (5-4) allowed a leadoff single to Austin Slater in the ninth and then retired his next five batters. Alen Hanson bounced into an inning-ending double play in the ninth.
“Unbelievable,” A’s starter Sean Manaea said. “I remember watching him in the World Series a couple years ago and then watching him on TV today, his stuff’s nasty. I’m super excited to have him.”
An All-star in 2016, the 28-year-old Familia was 4-4 with a 2.88 ERA and 17 saves in 21 chances this season with the Mets.
“I spent 11 years there, six years in the big leagues,” Familia said. “It was really tough to say goodbye to some of those guys … but I also knew that it was coming.”
Familia had 123 saves with the Mets. In Oakland, he will split closing duties with All-star Blake Treinen. Treinen was unavailable Sunday after throwing 40 pitches Saturday.
“What a great first look,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “When you come to a new team, first impressions are important, and when you pitch the way he did, it makes you feel like part of the team very quickly.”
Khris Davis and Matt Olson each homered twice to help the A’s win the inaugural Bay Bridge series trophy before a third consecutive sellout crowd.
Semien drew a leadoff walk against Ty Blach (6-6) in the 10th and advanced to second on Stephen Piscotty’s deep flyout to center. After Davis was walked intentionally and Olson flied out, Chapman drove in Semien with an infield single that bounced just past All-star shortstop Brandon Crawford into left field.
Andrew Mccutchen homered, Austin Slater had three hits, and Pablo Sandoval hit a pinch two-run single for the Giants, who didn’t have a baserunner until the fifth and trailed 4-1 before scoring three in the seventh and one in the eighth.