A’s rack up double-digit hit game in loss to Mets
A’s stake Manaea to early lead only to see Mets walk off with the win
NEW YORK – After four months and more than half of the 162-game schedule, the A’s may be finding their offensive groove at last. Maybe.
They came out swinging with a four-run first inning and rang up at least 10 hits for the third consecutive game, something they had not done since a June 10 doubleheader and a single game on June 11, all at Tampa Bay.
That may not sound significant — they sank to 4354 when Wilmer Flores slugged a two-out solo home run off Simon Castro in the ninth to give the Mets a 6-5 walk-off victory at Citi Field — but it is for those desperate for hope.
The A’s began play with a .236 batting average, second-lowest in the majors. Only the Padres (.235) were more inept.
Despite a 7-5 loss to the Mets on Friday night, the offense responded with a 14-hit barrage. On Saturday night, every member of the starting lineup either hit safely or drew a walk in building a 5-0 margin by the end of the third inning. That included starting pitcher Sean Manaea, who coaxed a walk from slow-starting Mets starter Zack Wheeler.
“We feel like we can swing the bats a little bit,” said manager Bob Melvin. “It’s just on the other end.” The bullpen is struggling more than ever after key relievers Sean Doolittle and Ryan Madson were dealt to the Nationals last Sunday.
The A’s paraded eight batters to the plate in their big first inning. Leadoff man Matt Joyce rocketed the second pitch of the game over the center-field fence. Marcus Semien, after tying his career high with four hits on Friday night, walked and stole second. Khris Davis delivered him with a one-out single.
Jed Lowrie walked before Bruce Maxwell lined a double over the head of indecisive right fielder Jay Bruce, bringing in Davis with Lowrie stopping at third. Matt Chapman’s sacrifice fly capped the inning.
Chapman, hitting a meager .177 at the time, showed signs of awakening with a booming drive over the fence in left in the third inning for his third home run. Then nothing. “We have to try to lengthen our lead at that point,” Melvin said.
The Mets chased Manaea with a four-run sixth keyed by Bruce’s two-run homer.
“This loss is still kind of on me,” Manaea said, “for not slowing things down and taking control of the game.”
The A’s bullpen imploded once more. Travis d’Arnaud lashed a one-out double that chased Liam Hendriks in the eighth. Lefthander Daniel Coulombe entered to face Lucas Duda and was touched for a single to center that brought in d’Arnaud and evened matters 5-5.
• Semien, an East Bay native who has expressed the desire to sign a long-term contract to remain with the A’s, received a strong endorsement from Melvin before the game. Melvin said Semien’s example could be “very valuable for a group of younger guys we have coming in behind him.”