JP Sears, Zack Gelof lead Athletics past Yankees, 2-0
The Athletics got another great performance from JP Sears and the offense did just enough to snap their losing streak.
JP Sears turned in another good performance on the mound and Zack Gelof provided the big hit late to help the Oakland Athletics to a 2-0 win over the New York Yankees.
Monday’s game started with some fireworks. Esteury Ruiz was hit by a pitch to start the game. Home plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt checked down to the first base umpire to see if Ruiz swung. Ruiz was awarded first base and Yankees manager Aaron Boone voiced his displeasure. Field microphones caught Wendelstedt telling Boone that he didn’t want to hear another word, but before the next pitch could be made, Wendelstedt ejected Boone from the game. Boone protested saying that it was a fan in the dugout seats that Wendelstedt heard.
"I don't care who said it. You're gone!"
— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) April 22, 2024
Not usually how that works but at least we got an awesome hot mic situation out of this Aaron Boone ejection pic.twitter.com/EX2xUsjtKA
Once play resumed, Ruiz was picked off first base by Carlos Rodon who then got Tyler Nevin and Brent Rooker to end the inning.
JP Sears came in looking for his third straight good start and allowed a leadoff single to Anthony Volpe in the first. Sears came back and got Juan Soto to fly out for the first out and then got Aaron Judge to bounce into an inning-ending double play. Sears allowed a single to Giancarlo Stanton, but then retired the next three hitters in order.
Sears retired the side in order again in the third and the A’s offense missed an opportunity to strike first against Rodon. Ruiz walked to start the inning and moved to second as Nevin was hit by a pitch. Ruiz advanced to third on a fly out by Rooker, but Rodon struck out Shea Langeliers and then got Abraham Toro to pop out to leave the runners stranded.
Sears ran his streak to nine-straight hitters retired in the fourth by striking out Soto, Judge and Stanton.
JP Sears, K'ing the Side. pic.twitter.com/HZrB0jQxCV
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 22, 2024
Sears retired 11-straight Yankees hitters before walking Alex Verdugo with two outs in the fifth inning. Jose Trevino followed with a single to put runners at first and second, but Sears got Oswaldo Cabrera to fly out to leave them stranded. He added another strikeout in a perfect sixth before exiting.
It was another outstanding outing for Sears who allowed just three hits and a walk over six scoreless innings. He struck out a season-high seven hitters while throwing 91 pitches.
Lucas Erceg replaced Sears in the seventh and retired the side in order. He returned for the eighth and pitched around a leadoff walk to Verdugo.
The A’s offense finally scratched across some runs in the ninth. Toro led off the inning with a single and then came around to score as Zack Gelof sent one into the seats in right for a two-run shot to put the Athletics in front.
Gelof blasts a home run for the lead pic.twitter.com/ZpABTKJzyU
— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) April 22, 2024
With the lead in place, Mason Miller entered in the ninth and struck out Volpe, Soto and Judge to nail down the win.
Mason Miller Annihilating Judge. pic.twitter.com/oAArQ29XgJ
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 22, 2024