Athletics beat Marlins in Miami 6-1

Starting the weekend off right

The Athletics took the first game in Miami from the Marlins on Friday night, beating their NL does 6-1 to kick start the weekend series down in Florida.

Hoglund dominates in big league debut

We had a major league debut tonight for the A’s. Right-handed pitcher Gunnar Hoglund took the hill this afternoon for his first major league start after getting recalled earlier in the day. The former 1st-round pick had gotten off to a terrific start in Triple-A with the Aviators and with the A’s looking for help at the back of the rotation it was Hoglund’s turn.

After allowing a leadoff single to the first batter he faced Hoglund was locked in. Over the next six innings the 25-year-old only allowed five more hits. He allowed a double in the fourth and faced two runners in scoring position but he buckled down and finished the frame with a strikeout. In his debut Hoglund only allowed one run off a solo home run to lead off the sixth from center fielder Dane Myers. Miami had no other answer for him tonight as he would go on to win his first career start.

That’s a successful debut and it likely bought him another turn through the rotation. Let’s see if he can keep ahold of his spot now. He impressed manager Mark Kotsay tonight and he spoke after the game about Hoglund:

Bats back Hoglund

The bats did more than enough for their rookie starting pitcher tonight. The A’s gave him a pair of runs in the second inning off an RBI single from Nick Kurtz...

And a bases-loaded walk to Jacob Wilson a couple batters later added on to the team’s growing lead as the two prized prospects in the organization provided early support for their fellow young teammate. Later on center fielder JJ Bleday would tack on another run with a solo blast against the team that drafted him fourth overall back in 2019:

With just a three-run lead the A’s didn’t let their foot off the gas. They would score three more runs in the top of the fifth as Shea Langeliers brought home one run...

... followed by a double from Bleday, an RBI knock from Seth Brown, and a throwing error that allowed Brown to come around to score. That would be it from the offense tonight but it was more than enough with the way Hoglund was pitching.

Bullpen finishes it off

After Hoglund’s six one-run innings came a pair of pitchers to finish it off. Left-hander Hogan Harris pitched a scoreless seventh and eighth innings while rookie Noah Murdock, who has struggled immensely in his first year in the bigs, nailed down the win with a scoreless frame of his own, ending this game and securing the team’s 18th victory of the season.

A great all-around win from the Athletics to start the weekend. Gunnar Hoglund looked impressive in his big league debut and could be the option for the A’s fifth starter’s spot. He would line up to face the Mariners at home in the middle of next week but let’s wait on official confirmation on that front. The offense did its job against a rookie starter making his third start of the season and the bullpen and defense chipped in when needed. The Athletics now stand at 18-15 and are now in sole possession of second place in the AL West behind the Seattle Mariners, who the team will see in the next series after Miami.

Gotta focus on the Marlins before thinking about Seattle. Tomorrow will see the A’s send right-hander Osvaldo Bido to the mound looking to continue his strong start to the season. Miami will march their staff ace Max Meyer to the hill for what they’re hoping will be a strong enough start to end their 6-game losing streak. Let’s be a little rude and not oblige our hosts tomorrow.