The Oakland Athletics are officially off to a rough start to the season. In fact, their 0-3 record to start the season is just the second occurrence to happen in 28 years. It’s not like there were many people in attendance to see the A’s lose. The official attendance was just 5,425, continuing the streak of fans boycotting the owner for his decision to move the team to Las Vegas (which, let’s be honest, is not going to happen).
Anyways, back to the game. Cleveland LF Steven Kwan, who is from the Bay Area, had a DAY against Oakland pitching. He had three hits and two RBIs, including a home run in the seventh inning as the Guardians crushed the Athletics 12-3.
Oakland was off to a great start early. Starter JP Sears pitched a 1-2-3 inning, helped out by his defense. Speaking of defense…
WHAT A PLAY, JJ 🤩 pic.twitter.com/eUkGUm9QQl
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) March 30, 2024
But, just like Alex Wood’s Opening Day start, that was Sears’ only great inning. The Guardians scored two runs in the second inning, led by Andres Gimenez’s triple.
Gimé's feelin' HOT, HOT, HOT. 🔥#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/WXHsi9R2FW
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) March 30, 2024
But, Oakland struck back with two runs in the second inning and also scored in the third to take a 3-2 lead. Their first lead of the entire season!
Unfortunately, Cleveland would score in every inning but the eighth inning, as they went on their way to the 12-3 win.
The Guardians mustered up a total of 15 hits against the A’s, and every player who went to the plate got a hit.
As for the pitching, Cleveland starter Tanner Bibee pitched four innings, allowing three earned runs and walked five batters. But, the bullpen, led by Nick Sandlin, shut the A’s down the rest of the way.
Statistics Of The Day
- Winning Pitcher: Nick Sandlin (1-0, 1 IP, 2 K)
- Losing Pitcher: JP Sears (0-1, 3.2 IP, 6 H, 5 ER, 1 K)
- Oakland’s bullpen: seven runs allowed, three walks in 5.1 innings
- Four Guardians had at least two RBIs (Steven Kwan, David Fry, Gabriel Arias, and Austin Hedges)
- Oakland’s J.D. Davis continues to hit, going 1-3 on the game but striking out twice
- Ryan Noda (OAK) also recorded a hit and an RBI on his birthday!
Play Of The Game
JJ Bleday’s robbing a home run in the first inning (as mentioned above)
One Last Chance to Record A Win In This Series
The A’s will have one last chance to get a win in this series on Sunday. They will send Paul Blackburn to the mound. Their All-Star representative in 2022, the California native looks to improve from his 4.43 ERA from the year before. He is 1-1 with a 3.68 and 22 strikeouts in his career against the Guardians.
As for Cleveland, Carlos Carrasco will take the mound in the series finale. The veteran has had a long career in the Majors and looks to continue his success against the A’s in his career (4-2, 3.18 ERA in nine appearances).
Book it! The quest to 162-0 is still alive as Cleveland takes this one 12-3!#ForTheLand | @CleGuardians pic.twitter.com/9PZD9RBi4J
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) March 30, 2024
Make sure to visit Belly Up Sports every week and follow me on Twitter/X! Also, check out my podcast “Backup to the Backup” on Spotify and YouTube for more content from me.
Featured Image: Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
