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Athletics Bullpen Impresses Without Miller Against Angels
The Oakland Athletics would definitely rather have their All-Star closer, Mason Miller, ready to close games. But in Thursday night’s matchup, they showed they’re capable of handling things even in Miller’s absence.
The A’s are set to build on their solid July performance as they face off against the Los Angeles Angels in the second game of their four-game series in the American League West.
Pitching Matchup
Paul Blackburn (3-2, 4.11 ERA) is coming off the injured list to start for Oakland, squaring off against right-hander Carson Fulmer (0-2, 3.66 ERA). Blackburn hasn’t pitched since May 10 due to a stress reaction in his right foot but is expected to bring some much-needed stability to the A’s rotation. Meanwhile, Fulmer, facing the A’s for the second consecutive time, aims to bounce back after giving up three runs over 4 2/3 innings in their last encounter.
Key Performances by the Athletics
Daz Cameron’s go-ahead two-run homer in the fourth inning led the Athletics to a 6-5 win, marking their 12th victory in July. This month, they’ve been resilient, even with Mason Miller sidelined by a fractured pinky. Manager Mark Kotsay shared that Miller injured his finger in frustration after being reminded to do his postgame workout, despite pitching a perfect ninth inning against the Houston Astros.
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Bullpen Brilliance
Kotsay’s bullpen management was spot-on, as four relievers combined for 3 1/3 innings of scoreless relief to secure the win for Ross Stripling. Scott Alexander handled the final out of the sixth, while Austin Adams and Lucas Erceg covered the seventh and eighth innings, respectively. Tyler Ferguson, a 30-year-old rookie, notched his first career save with a perfect ninth inning.
Kotsay commented, “The guys did their jobs perfectly tonight. Everyone pitched in their roles, and everything went smoothly, except for Ferguson stepping up in the ninth.”
Angels’ Offensive Struggles
The Angels, coming off a four-game winning streak, scored all their runs in the second inning but struggled to generate offense for the rest of the game. They went 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position over the final seven innings, managing just one extra-base hit. Mickey Moniak’s attempt to stretch a double into a triple ended poorly, highlighting the Angels’ missed chances.
Despite their offensive woes, the Angels’ bullpen delivered a strong performance, allowing just three hits over 5 2/3 innings following Kenny Rosenberg’s exit.
Manager Ron Washington praised the bullpen, stating, “After they took the lead, our focus was to keep the game close, and our relievers did a fantastic job.”
Looking Ahead
Blackburn, with a 3-0 record and a 2.57 ERA in five career starts against the Angels, will aim to continue his dominance. Fulmer, who holds a 4.97 ERA in four games (three starts) against the A’s, will be looking to improve his record. As the series progresses, both teams are eager to gain momentum and rack up wins in the highly competitive AL West division.
