Another bad day at the park
The bad times continue. Making their one and only trip to Canada this season the Athletics got beat hard, getting smacked in the mouth by the Blue Jays 12-0 in the first of four games in Toronto.
Starting the game for the A’s tonight was rookie left-hander Jacob Lopez. Making just his third start of the season and fifth of his career, Lopez came into this game looking to earn another turn through the rotation. The game started innocently enough for him as he had a perfect 1-2-3 first inning, but bad things were coming.
Toronto got to Lopez hard in the second inning. You don’t need the gory details but the Blue Jays would rally for eight runs in the inning. Lopez couldn’t manage to even finish the frame, getting yanked after just 1 1⁄3 innings and 43 pitches. Some days pitchers don’t have it and today was one of those days for the young left-hander. It’s unknown if he’ll get that start during the next turn of the rotation after tonight’s meltdown.
From there the game was already over but we still had seven innings of baseball to go. Righty Anthony Maldonado replaced Lopez and gave up three runs in the third inning to really put this game out of reach. Then we got to see a familiar face make his season debut with the team as Sean Newcomb came on for his first appearance with the A’s. He looked good, tossing 3 1⁄3 frames without allowing a run. The lefty has plenty of starting experience in his career and could be an option to step into the rotation in place of Lopez if the team wants to go that direction.
All the while Blue Jays right-hander Jose Berrios was dominating the A’s bats. He brought his best stuff to the yard tonight as he held the A’s to just two hits and two walks in six innings of work. The veteran was also striking out A’s hitters left and right as the team struck out nine times against him. Even without the meltdown from Lopez, this game was destined to be an uphill climb.
The Blue Jays added on a run in the seventh off of Hogan Harris. End of a blowout and no chance of coming back? You know it was time for a position player pitching! Backup catcher Willie MacIver got the honors tonight and though he allowed three hits, he didn’t break as he put up a scoreless inning and maintains his perfect career ERA. Gotta have fun where you can, right?
Well most of that wasn’t fun. Lopez might have sank his chances of getting another start anytime soon and the offense was missing in the first game of the series. Just a bad day all around from the guys. The team has just one win in the past two weeks and now sit at 23-34 with three more to go before heading home. Lefty Jeffrey Springs will take to the hill hoping to stop this skid and help turn things around. He’s been the team’s best starter this month and the club could really use a big outing from him tomorrow. The Blue Jays will go for their third straight win when old friend Chris Bassitt gets the start against his former club. Things don’t get any easier from here so just flush this one and get ready for tomorrow.