June 13th, 2023. It was just an ordinary game for the players of the Oakland Athletics. This was the second of a four-game series with the Tampa Bay Rays. Oakland had a record of 18-50 heading into that faithful day, and after playing in front of 4,848 people the night before, none of the players expected what was about to happen on that Tuesday afternoon.
Fans Were Going To Be At The Coliseum—A Lot Of Them.
This was planned long ago. But, the fans of the Oakland Athletics were going to be out in force at Tuesday’s game versus the Rays. This was because they were holding a reverse boycott.
After multiple games in which the attendance at games was among the lowest in the entire league, fans decided that for this one game, they would fill the entire stadium as much as they could to show owner John Fisher that there are fans in the city—passionate fans who want the team to stay in Oakland and not move to Las Vegas.
27,759 people filled the Coliseum, looking forward to cheering on their team as they tried to grab their 19th win of the season.
Let The Game Begin
Both the Rays and Athletics started the game with “openers”. Jalen Beeks took the mound first for the Rays, while Shintaro Fujinami did the same for the Athletics.
Starting with Beeks, he went 1 2/3 innings, allowing two hits while striking out three. Fujinami threw 16 pitches but got out of the first inning allowing just one hit.
Then, the game really began. Hogan Harris replaced Fujimami in the second inning and was absolutely outstanding. More on him in a bit.
Tampa Bay went with Yonny Chirinos after Beeks, and he would be the primary pitcher for Tampa Bay.
Both teams struggled to get on the scoreboard. That is, until the top of the fifth inning.
Jose Siri hit a double to left field off of Harris, doing so in front of a crowd that decided to be as silent as they could be. This was planned out because after Siri hit that double and the next batter came to the plate, the fans erupted.
It’s been one year since the Reverse Boycott! One of most amazing experiences I’ve ever been a part of.
— Justice For Oakland Fans (@jvb43) June 13, 2024
32,639 fans packed the Coliseum (real attendance number that A’s suppressed).
The “Sell the team” chants in the top of the 5th was the loudest I’ve ever heard the Coliseum. pic.twitter.com/ag9SxJFlnF
The noise made a difference, as Taylor Walls filed out to center field for the first out of the inning.
More importantly, the “Sell The Team” chants? Noise-deafening.
However, the Rays ended up scoring on a Manuel Margot single to bring Siri home. But, it felt like the momentum was on Oakland’s side.
Hey Oakland: Let’s Get On The Board
Aside from that one run allowed, Harris was absolutely phenomenal. He went seven strong innings for Oakland, allowing a total of just four hits and one earned run while striking out two. But, he needed his offense to score some runs.
They answered the call. In the bottom of the seventh inning, Jace Peterson drew a walk after an eight-pitch at bat.
Then two batters later, with two outs, Brent Rooker came to the plate. With a 98 MPH fastball coming his way, he made Tampa Bay pay.
Then, when they got a chance to bat again in the bottom of the eighth inning, Ramon Laureano applied more pressure by hitting a single toward center field.
After that, Jonah Bride hit a sacrifice bunt to move Laureano to second base. Catcher Carlos Perez came in to pinch-hit for Seth Brown.
But, the damage was just beginning. Laureano would steal third base, making Perez’s job easier.
As uneventful as the play was, the fans and the result made it seem as if it was a home run. Oakland would take the 2-1 lead heading into the ninth inning.
Closer Trevor May would take the mound, hoping to nab his third save of the season.
Harold Ramirez had the first crack at May. But, he lined out to left field. Then, after Randy Arozarena walked, he was caught stealing second base.
With two outs, Isaac Parades would draw a walk as well off of May. So, it was out to Jose Siri to save the night for the Rays.
May threw an 84 MPH slider to start, and Siri was caught looking. Then, he fouled off another slider to bring the count to 0-2. Finally, May decided to throw a 95 MPH fastball to Siri, and it went as well as you would think.
What a night for Oakland.
— Uprooted (@uprootedoakland) June 14, 2023
27,759 fans in attendance
$35,000 raised for fan-funded giveaway
$811,107 donated by fans to charity
Still one mission: KEEP THE A’S ROOTED.#Athletics #RootedInOakland #OAKtogether pic.twitter.com/aggwFcNfbQ
With their seventh win of the season, the Athletics had a night to remember. As for the fans, it’s something they’ll never forget.
The Athletics may be leaving Oakland after this season. But, memories like this will never be forgotten.
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Featured Image: Michael Zagaris/Oakland Athletics/Getty Images
