Could 4, 2025; Miami, Florida, USA; Oakland Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz (16) is greeted within the dugout by teammates after scoring in opposition to the Miami Marlins through the ninth inning at loanDepot Park. Necessary Credit score: Rhona Clever-Imagn Photos
The highest two groups within the American League West will get collectively because the Seattle Mariners tackle the Athletics on Monday night time within the opener of a three-game sequence at West Sacramento, Calif.
First-place Seattle had a six-game successful streak snapped Sunday by the Texas Rangers however possesses a two-game lead over the Athletics.
The Athletics have received 9 of their previous 12 video games after knocking off the host Miami Marlins 3-2 on Sunday.
The A’s and Mariners opened the season with a four-game set and performed to a cut up. The Athletics definitely are the extra shocking workforce after shedding a mixed 307 video games over the previous three seasons.
But leaving Oakland appears to have impressed a membership that’s sitting three video games over .500 on the 35-game mark.
“We’re enjoying good, we acquired some confidence, which is an effective factor,” Athletics supervisor Mark Kotsay informed reporters. “Any time you are going up in opposition to good groups, you need to really feel such as you’re enjoying good baseball. And I believe that group out there may be enjoying good baseball.”
The Athletics scored a run within the high of the ninth throughout Sunday’s victory. Rookie Nick Kurtz hit a one-out triple into the left area nook and Tyler Soderstrom adopted with a pinch-hit, run-scoring single to middle.
The additional-base hit was the primary for the 22-year-old Kurtz in 11 huge league video games. The fourth total choose of the 2024 draft is batting .278 with 5 RBIs. Kurtz had seven homers, seven doubles, no triples and 24 RBIs in 20 video games at Triple-A Las Vegas earlier this season.
“Simply making an attempt to get extra snug; I believe that is what it is all about,” Kurtz mentioned of adjusting to main league pitching. “The facility and the slug is not actually coming proper now, and I believe it is humorous simply how baseball is.
“I hit a triple earlier than I hit a double or a homer. It is a humorous sport, but when I simply preserve hitting the ball arduous, (house runs) will come.”
The Mariners outscored opponents 50-14 throughout their successful streak earlier than getting pounded 8-1 by the host Rangers on Sunday. Seattle had simply 4 hits whereas Texas pulled away with a six-run third inning. The Rangers had been 5-for-11 with runners in scoring place.
“They had been capable of finding some holes,” Mariners supervisor Dan Wilson mentioned. “And generally that is the way in which the sport goes.”
Proper-hander Bryce Miller (2-3, 3.52 ERA) can be on the mound for Seattle on Monday and can attempt to avenge a 4-2 loss to the Athletics on March 29. Miller allowed three runs and 6 hits over 5 2/3 innings. He served up a homer to Shea Langeliers, the one lengthy ball he has given up all season.
Miller is 1-2 with a 2.73 ERA in 5 profession begins in opposition to the Athletics. Lawrence Butler (2-for-4) additionally has homered off Miller, 26, who has tossed 5 shutout innings in each of his victories this season.
Proper-hander Luis Severino (1-3, 3.30 ERA) will take the mound for the Athletics on Monday, and he is had hassle touchdown victories regardless of permitting one run or much less in 4 of his seven begins.
His solely scoreless outing got here in opposition to the Mariners in his Opening Day begin on March 27. Severino gave up three hits and walked 4 whereas placing out six in six innings. Seattle received 4-2.
Severino, 31, is 2-2 with a 3.58 ERA in 5 profession begins in opposition to the Mariners.
Jorge Polanco is 5-for-11 with one homer off Severino, whereas Rowdy Tellez is 2-for-12 with a homer and 5 strikeouts.
–Area Stage Media