Hendriks’ thinair issue
Thin air at Coors Field can be a challenge for any pitcher but presented an extra hurdle for Liam Hendriks: The A’s closer said he experiences altitude sickness, making conditions at the Rockies’ ballpark “not quite ideal.”
Despite that, Hendriks saved the A’s 31 win Wednesday at Colorado and did so recording the final five outs, his longest outing this season. He threw 29 pitches, also a season high.
“I ended up getting on some medication for it just to alleviate it,” Hendriks said. “I’ve pitched in Colorado Springs (in the minors) before and had some issues there. … But I told (A’s manager Bob Melvin) I wanted to pitch today regardless, and luckily enough, it came to a save situation.”
Hendriks hadn’t pitched on the A’s road trip and he pitched at Coors Field for the first time; the Rockies were the only majorleague team he hadn’t faced. Hendriks recorded his MLBleading 13th save and has converted 13 consecutive opportunities.
After starter Mike Fiers went six innings, Melvin said he wanted to finish the final three innings with Jake Diekman — who recorded four outs and has not allowed a run in 17 appearances this season — and Hendriks, in his second multiinning outing this year.
“Sometimes (it’s) a lot to handle when you haven’t pitched here before because the air is kind of thin,” Melvin said, “but he did it beautifully.”
Piscotty update: Right fielder Stephen Piscotty (right knee sprain) felt better the past two days and is not a candidate for the injured list right now, Melvin said. Piscotty hasn’t played in three games since injuring his knee jumping at the wall Monday in Seattle.
“I thought we might have to put him on the IL,” Melvin said. “That’s not the case right now. So he’s feeling pretty good. We’ll see how we get through the offday, but for once, kind of good news on the injury front.”
Look ahead: MLB released its 2021 spring training schedule Wednesday with the A’s slated to play their Cactus League opener Feb. 27 on the road against the Brewers. Their first home game is scheduled for Feb. 28, a Sunday, against the Mariners.
The A’s are scheduled to play the Giants on March 12 and March 22 in Arizona before returning to the Bay Area for the Bay Bridge preseason series. The A’s would host the first two games on March 2829 and play March 30 at Oracle Park.
Briefly: The A’s have not announced their full rotation for this weekend against the Giants. Chris Bassitt will pitch Friday; Melvin said the A’s will gauge how Frankie Montas feels after returning from paternity leave before deciding on starters for Saturday and Sunday. … Reliever Yusmeiro Petit reached 10 years of majorleague service time Wednesday and was recognized by the A’s in a pregame clubhouse celebration.