Athletics Drop Series Finale to Guardians 8-2

Springs was not sharp and the bats were quiet

The Athletics went for the series win this morning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field. After splitting the first two games. Jeffrey Springs took the mound for the A’s against Gavin Williams for the Guardians. But it was not meant to be.

It didn’t take long, only three pitches, for the Guardians to jump out to a 1-0 lead. Angel Martínez doubled on the second pitch of the inning and then David Fry singled on the first pitch he saw to score Martínez. Carlos Santana singled, moving Fry to second. But Springs kept Johnathan Rodríguez off balance his entire at-bat and got him looking to end the inning.

The A’s went quietly in the second as Williams struck out the side. Will Wilson doubled to lead off the bottom of the second. Austin Hedges singled, scoring Wilson. That gave the Guardians a 2-0 lead. Max Schuemann singled for the A’s first hit of the day in the top of the third, but the strikeout remained the best tool in Williams’ arsenal. He struck out seven of the nine outs through three innings.

For the third time in just four innings the Guardians lead off batter doubled. Johnathan Rodríguez starting thing this time. Austin Hedges bunted down the first base line to Kurtz who made a beautiful bare-handed grab and throw to nail Rodríguez at home.

With one out Brayan Rocchio singled to load the bases. Springs struck out Angel Martínez for the second out. David Fry doubled down the third base line, and Soderstrom misplayed it, allowing all three base runners to score. At the end of four, the Guardians led 5-0.

Soderstrom singled to lead off the fifth. Max Schuemann dropped down a bunt single, and Denzel Clarke flied out to center, moving Soderstrom to third. Williams spiked a breaking ball allowing Soderstrom to score and moving Schuemann to second. Butler struck out for the third time today to end the inning. Michael Kelly replaced Springs in the bottom of the fifth. Springs final line was five earned runs on nine hits.

With one down in the top of the sixth, Nick Kurtz doubled down the first base line. But he was stranded there. Through their half of six innings, the A’s were 0-5 with runners in scoring position. Osvaldo Bido replaced Kelly in the sixth. He was solid in the sixth but gave up a homer to Angel Martínez to lead off the bottom of the seventh. That put the Guardians ahead 6-1.

Cade Smith replaced Williams for the Guardians in the eighth. Williams kept the A’s at bay, but Denzel Clarke ripped a double down the third base line in his first at-bat against Smith. Butler completed his golden sombrero with his fourth strikeout of the day here in the eighth. Kurtz doubled down the first base line into the corner to easily score Clarke for the second run of the day. Rooker joined Butler in the sombrero department. They’ll have to share it on the plane ride to Texas this afternoon. Denzel Clarke pulled up a bit lame as he scored and once in the dugout went straight to the clubhouse. Max Schuemann replaced him in center in the bottom of the inning. Max Muncy took over at second. The health update in the top of the ninth was vague, hip discomfort for Clarke.

The Guardians loaded the bases again in the eighth with a single, walk and HBP. A sacrifice fly by Brayan Rocchio made the score 7-2. Angel Martínez singled to score Daniel Schneemann extending the lead to 8-2.

The health update in the top of the ninth was vague, hip discomfort for Clarke. Shea Langeliers doubled to right to open the inning. But he was stranded there to end the game.