Athletics beat the Guardians 5-1

Springs + Defense + Hitting = Victory

The Athletics took on the 37-36 Cleveland Guardians tonight at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. Jeffrey Springs got the start today for the A’s and faced off against Tanner Bibee for the Guardians.

It didn’t take long for the A’s get on the board. In the bottom of the first with two outs, Brent Rooker singled up the middle. Nick Kurtz then ripped a homer, his tenth, into left centerfield to give the A’s a 2-0 lead.

The A’s got the first three runners on base without knocking it out of the infield to open the bottom of the second. Two infield singles and a bunt fielders choice loaded the bases with no outs. Lawrence Butler singled sharply to right to score Tyler Soderstrom. Jacob Wilson then hit into a double play to end the inning. At the end of two, the A’s led 3-0.

With two outs, Denzel Clarke, and Lawrence Butler each singled. Jacob Wilson broke his hitless night with an RBI single scoring Clarke and moving Butler to third for Brent Rooker. He flied out, but the A’s had padded the lead going into the ninth inning 4-0.

After reaching the 97-pitch mark at the end of the seventh, we assumed Jeffrey Springs’ day was done. He got a quick out but then gave up a homer to Angel Martínez. That ended his night.

His final line was 7.1 innings, one earned run on three hits, one walk and six Ks. Michael Kelly replaced him. He gave up a double to Steven Kwan, but Lane Thomas struck out swinging. With two outs in the bottom of the eighth Tyler Soderstrom singled and stole second. Luis Urías singled to score Soderstrom making the score 5-1 going to the ninth.

Mason Miller entered in the top of the ninth despite not being a save situation. With one out he walked Kyle Manzardo. Denzel Clarke snagged another Web Gem with a diving catch off the bat of Carlos Santana.

Miller then struck out the final batter of the night to end the game.