A’s give up five-run cushion in Game 1 loss
Smoke from nearby wildfires forces players to wear masks on field
Conditions weren’t right in Seattle. Smoke from nearby wildfires seeped through the enclosed T-Mobile Park roof to a point that manager Bob Melvin wondered an hour before first pitch if the day’s doubleheader would be a go.
The games went on, though, and the Mariners took a 6-5 come-frombehind win from the A’s in Game 1. The A’s then went on to beat the Mariners 9-0 behind a Mike Minor gem in the second to earn a split.
The A’s meltdown in Game 1 was practically impossible to see through the thick haze. A’s outfielders donned masks to help mitigate their breath
ing. Jesús Luzardo, the A’s starter, voiced his discomfort.
“When I came out (the AQI) was at 284,” Luzardo said. “I’m a healthy 22-year-old. I shouldn’t be gasping for air, or missing oxygen when I’m getting to the line. I’ll leave it at that.”
That Luzardo felt it necessary to voice his discomfort should ring loud. He tested positive for coronavirus during intake testing prior to spring training 2.0. The A’s also have played through smoke over the Oakland Coliseum as a result of Northern California wildfires.
But the game went on. Here are some takeaways.
FIRST WIN FOR MINOR >> Minor (1-5) had one of his best starts of the year — and certainly a high point to his short A’s tenure. He finished the two-hit shutout to earn his first win of the season with either the A’s or the Rangers.
SORIA MELTS DOWN >> Reliever Joakim Soria has been nearly untouchable all year, allowing just five runs in 18 2/3 innings. He came in for the sixth inning in Game 1 and could not find the strike zone. Holding a one-run lead, Soria gave up a single and, with two outs, three consecutive walks to allow the Mariners’ go-ahead run score on Kyle Lewis’ walk.
“He’s pitched with traffic and pitched out of jams, so this is a tough one for us,” Melvin said. “This is a game we usually win.”
JLUZARDO STRUGGLES A THIRD TIME THROUGH THE LINEUP AGAIN >> Luzardo was dazzling at first, spinning six strikeouts through his first three scoreless innings against the Mariners. Then, an old habit came back to bite him . He hit trouble a third time through Seattle’s lineup, mirroring the difficulties he experienced in a rough outing against the San Diego Padres two starts ago.
“This is my first year facing the third time through the lineup; I didn’t make adjustments that I needed to make,” Luzardo said.
Luis Torrens hit a home run off him in the fourth inning to give the Mariners their first run. Jose Marmolejos hit a solo blast to start the fifth and Kyle Lewis’ two-run shot cut the A’s early five-run lead to one run.
“I take it pretty personal. They give you the five run lead, to give up a four-spot. For a starting pitcher, it’s not what you want. Especially in a doubleheader with seven innings. Losing this game was kind of tough.”
WHO WILL GET HOT TO MAKE UP FOR LOSS OF MATT CHAPMAN? >> Melvin made a notable lineup adjustment prior to Game 1 of the doubleheader. Sean Murphy — who typically hits eighth or ninth — moved up to the sixth spot of the lineup, behind Matt Olson.
After a slow start, Murphy is honing his approach and seems to have found his power swing. He hit his sixth home run of the year, a solo blast to start the fourth inning that just dropped fair in left field.
Murphy has been especially hot at the plate this September, after the A’s abrupt hiatus because of the COVID-19 positive test. His slash line is .400/.538/.850 with a 1.388 OPS, four home runs, eight RBIs and six walks with six strikeouts in 24 at bats.
With consistent middle-order presence Matt Chapman getting season-ending hip surgery, it’s important for players like Murphy to step up. Monday’s doubleheader flashed signs that other players are up for the task.
Marcus Semien seems to be looking a bit more like his 2019 self at the plate. Monday, he accounted for four of the A’s five runs, including a three-run home run. He also had an RBI single in the second inning and a walk to complete a four-RBI game.
In his past five games, Semien is batting .318 with eight RBIs and a 1.014 OPS.
Khris Davis had a two-hit day in Game 1, including a double and an opposite field single.
STEPHEN PISCOTTY INJURY >> The A’s could be without outfielder Stephen Piscotty for a while. He sprained his right knee jumping up in attempt to make a catch on Jose Marmolejos’ home run.
“He jumped for the ball in right field and had a pop,” Melvin said. Piscotty didn’t play in Game 2 of the doubleheader and will have the sprained knee examined in Colorado today.