Game #60: A’s end season on strong note in 6-2 win over Mariners

Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

The team looked good in all areas in their final tuneup before the playoffs

The Oakland A’s finished the 2020 season on a strong note after all. After losing five of their last seven games entering Sunday, they won the finale and looked good doing it.

The A’s defeated the Seattle Mariners 6-2 at the Coliseum in the 60th and final game of the regular season, before the playoffs begin on Tuesday. They did it with a formula that will work well if they can continue it into next week, combining lights-out starting pitching, nearly flawless work from their bullpen, and hitting that was both plentiful and clutch.

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After entering the year as Oakland’s presumed ace, Frankie Montas may have pitched his way out of the postseason rotation over the last several weeks, but he turned in one final gem on Sunday. He struck out over half the batters he faced in six innings, and the only two runs he allowed were unearned after errors from the infielders behind him. Montas was followed by a trio of relievers, who retired nine of the 10 batters they faced the rest of the way.

On the offensive side of the ball, the A’s took advantage of their opportunities in a way they hadn’t for the first three games of this series. After going 4-for-33 with runners in scoring position in those three contests, they went 3-for-11 in this one, allowing them to cash in on their 10 hits and six walks. They added in some power for good measure as well, with a homer by Jake Lamb and four doubles by four different hitters.

The only downside was the defense, but not in any way that requires worrying. Sean Murphy threw a dart to catch a runner stealing but Marcus Semien dropped the reception, letting the runner off the hook; he eventually scored on a hit. Later, a smash was hit toward Lamb at third base and he clanked a somewhat tough grab, and once again the free runner helped lead to a run. Moving forward, Semien will usually catch that throw from Murphy, and we already knew Lamb wasn’t going to be Matt Chapman at the hot corner — and to his credit, he also made a tarp catch in foul territory.

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