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A’s Try to Turn Page After Frustrating Loss to Dodgers
The Oakland Athletics are looking to bounce back and exact some revenge after a crushing defeat to the Los Angeles Dodgers. With the series finale set for Sunday afternoon, the A’s are determined to turn things around and clinch the series win at home.
Saturday’s Humbling Defeat
In front of a season-high attendance of 35,207, mostly Dodgers fans, the A’s suffered a brutal 10-0 blowout. The game was close until the Dodgers erupted with two runs in the eighth and six more in the ninth. The loss was made even worse by Dodgers’ utility player Enrique Hernandez pitching the last inning, a rare and humbling move for Oakland as they failed to score against him, managing just one hit.
Manager Mark Kotsay’s Frustration
After the game, A’s manager Mark Kotsay didn’t hold back his frustrations, focusing his criticism on the umpiring rather than the Dodgers. Kotsay felt that plate umpire Alex Tosi and first-base umpire Dan Bellino made crucial errors that impacted the game.
- In the first inning, with two on and one out, Kotsay believed Tosi wrongly called a strike on a pitch to Brent Rooker, who struck out looking.
- In the sixth inning, with the bases loaded and two outs, Kotsay disputed a strike call on Seth Brown, who subsequently struck out swinging.
Kotsay also took issue with Bellino’s ruling that Cavan Biggio didn’t swing at what would have been strike three, leading to a walk and a subsequent run in the third inning.
Pitching Matchup: River Ryan vs. Osvaldo Bido
River Ryan
The Dodgers will start rookie River Ryan (1-0, 0.82 ERA). Ryan has been impressive since his MLB call-up last month, pitching effectively in his first two starts against the San Francisco Giants and Houston Astros. In 11 innings, he has allowed only two runs (one earned) and six hits. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts praised Ryan’s fastball and curveball, highlighting his effective use of a four-pitch mix.
Osvaldo Bido
Oakland will counter with Osvaldo Bido (2-2, 5.00 ERA), who also received an in-season promotion from Triple-A. Bido has shown potential, including a win over the Astros, but struggled in his last outing, giving up seven runs in 3 2/3 innings against the Los Angeles Angels. Both Ryan and Bido have yet to face Sunday’s opponent, making this a fresh challenge for each pitcher.
Key Game Insights
- A’s Offense: The A’s need to bounce back offensively after being shut out on Saturday. Key players like Ryan Jeffers and Brent Rooker will be crucial in leading the charge.
- Pitching Duel: The performance of the young right-handers, Ryan and Bido, will be pivotal. Ryan’s recent form has been stellar, while Bido looks to recover from a tough outing.
- Managerial Strategy: Both managers will need to strategize effectively, especially Kotsay, who aims to motivate his team after expressing dissatisfaction with recent umpiring decisions.
Conclusion
As the Athletics and Dodgers prepare for the series finale, the game holds significant importance for both teams. The A’s seek to avenge Saturday’s humiliating loss and clinch the series, while the Dodgers aim to continue their dominance. With promising young pitchers on the mound and key players poised to make an impact, fans can expect a thrilling and competitive matchup.
