Athletics fall to Giants in Spring Matchup 7-3

Three straight losses for the A’s

Dropping their third game in a row, the A’s dropped their Sunday afternoon matchup against the San Francisco Giants 7-3 at Scottsdale Stadium.

Facing Giants right-hander Hayden Birdsong, the Athletics managed just two single against the Giants sophomore. They were utterly helpless against him as they struck out eight times over five innings. The A’s didn’t start many of their everyday players but even this was tough.

The Giants meanwhile wasted little time getting to Athletics starter Jeffrey Springs. Facing the left-hander the Giants scored a run on three hits in the second inning and then two more on a Willy Adames 2-run shot in the third, giving San Francisco a lead they wouldn’t let go of today.

Once Birdsong was out of the game for the Giants the A’s finally had a chance. Facing their prized pitching prospect in Kyle Harrison, outfielder Esteury Ruiz singled to open the top of the sixth and then stole second and third bases. It’s been a while since we’ve seen him do that but it wasn’t long ago that wasn’t that rare to see from him. Ruiz came in to score on the Athletics’ fourth hit of the day, an RBI double off the bat of Brent Rooker. The A’s were on the board.

They couldn’t execute a shutdown inning however. The Giants got that run back and another in the bottom half of the frame, hitting another 2-run home run, this time off of reliever TJ McFarland.

Still trying to get back into this game, the A’s continued to fight. The very next half frame saw the team’s first home run of the game, a 2-run shot off the bat of former 1st-round draft pick Logan Davidson. The A’s were right back in it, just down three runs. That would be the closest they would get however as the bats couldn’t muster anything else up and the Giants added an insurance run in the eighth. Another loss.

That’s three straight losses and six of their last eight. They now stand at 12-12 with just seven games left before the games really start mattering. Spring training records dont mean anything but let’s hope it’s not a sign of things to come in the regular season. At least the club didn’t give up in this one against the Giants. Hate losing to those guys.

The final full week of spring begins tomorrow as the Athletics head back to Hohokam to take on the Seattle Mariners. The A’s have lefty Hogan Harris scheduled to make the start while Seattle will send out right-hander Casey Lawrence. 1:05 P.M. sharp everyone!