Athletics drop Tenth Straight game, 4-3 to Philadelphia

Lopez Gem, Kurtz Bomb were wasted

The Athletics kicked off an inter-league series against the Philadelphia Phillies at home tonight at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. Lefty Jacob Lopez, 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA in 2025 got the start for the A’s against the Phillies ace Zack Wheeler.

On just the fourth pitch of the game, Lopez gave up a solo homer to Phillies leadoff hitter Trea Turner giving Philadelphia a quick 1-0 lead. It didn’t take long to see why A’s Nation has been clamoring for Denzel Clarke. With one out in the top of the first, Nick Castellanos hit a ball into the left centerfield gap, and with the ease and grace of a true centerfielder, he made the play look simple.

Alec Bohm and Weston Wilson started off the top of the second with consecutive base hits, but Lopez got Trea Turner to pop out to end the inning without any damage. He continued to deal through the fourth, setting down nine in a row with six strikeouts heading to the fifth inning.

In the top of the sixth, Jacob Lopez hit leadoff batter Bryce Harper to start the inning but made quick work of the next three batters; just as he did in the seventh. Unfortunately, as good as Lopez has been, Wheeler has been equally effective, both starters giving up three hits through seven. But Wheeler couldn’t make it through the seventh, giving up two walks with two down; ending his night, Urias stuck out flailing to end the inning. After seven, the A’s still trailed 1-0. Lopez was finished after seven also, giving way to Justin Sterner. His final line was 7.0 innings, three hits, one earned run while striking out eight. Trea Turner singled and stole second. Bryce Harper got hit for a second time in this game. But Schwarber and Castellanos both flied out to end the threat.

With one out in the eighth, Lawrence Butler got his second hit of the night, a double to get the inning started. Jacob Wilson grounded out to second, but it did move Butler over to third with two outs. Soderstrom put a charge in his hit to straight away center field, but Johan Rojas made a terrific play to save at least one run and end the inning.

Mason Miller entered the game in the ninth despite it being a non-save situation. J.T. Realmuto landed on third on the most bizarre play of the day. On a ground ball deep into the hole, Jacob Wilson nabbed the ball and on a one-hop throw to first, not only did Kurtz swipe at it and miss, but he lost his glove and the ball hit J.T. and bounded down the first base line. The play was called a hit and an error by Wilson. Alec Bohm doubled driving in Realmuto. Rojas singled driving in Bohm and then stole second. Turner drove him in with a single to center making the score 3-0. That ended Miller’s night. Anthony Maldonado replaced him with two outs in the ninth inning. Harper flew out to end the inning.

Brent Rooker led off the bottom of the ninth. Rook singled to right field off Phillies closer Jordan Romano. Shea Langeliers walked on four straight pitches. Andujar struck out, but Nick Kurtz homered deep into the centerfield stands.

That narrowed the Philadelphia lead to just one. Urias struck out for the second out of the inning and pinch hitter CJ Alexander singled to keep hope alive. That ended the night for Romano, pitting Lawrence Butler against Tanner Banks. But Banks got the best of him, striking out Butler to end the inning and the game. The A’s dropped their tenth straight, 4-3.