A nice come from behind victory
The A’s won their second matchup against the San Diego Padres this spring on Thursday afternoon, rallying late to beat the Friars 6-4 in front of the home crowd in Mesa.
Today marked the beginning of the Luis Severino era for the A’s as their big free agent expenditure made his team debut to start this contest. After inking the largest deal in franchise history expectations are high for Severino entering his first year with the team.
Well he got off to a good start in this one. The right-hander had a quick and efficient 1-2-3 top of the first to kick start his A’s career. The only blemish on his debut today came in his second inning of work when he allowed a solo home run to Padres first baseman and former A’s farmhand Trenton Brooks, which was also the only hit allowed from him today. Overall it was a successful first outing as he also collected his first K in the Green & Gold.
The next pitcher up was the other free agent signed the club inked this winter as Jose Leclerc took the mound for the second time this spring. Unlike his first outing this one went wrong as he yielded two runs in the third that extended the Padres lead to 3-1. Still shaking off the rust.
The offense, which has been somewhat quiet so far this spring, was up against Padres backend starter Matt Waldron to start today’s game. San Diego let it ride with the right-hander this afternoon as he tossed three scoreless innings of one-hit ball against our A’s. It wasn’t much better against the next two arms out of the San Diego bullpen as the A’s were helpless on offense during the first half of this game.
The Athletics finally broke through in the sixth inning. Outfield prospect Denzel Clarke singled to open the inning and moved to second thanks to a fielding error on the Padres’ part. Up to the plate came the recently-extended Brent Rooker and did what he does best: get that big base knock and bringing home the runner. That broke Rooker’s hitless streak to open Spring Training and he would add another hit later in the game as well.
Down a pair of runs entering the eighth inning, the A’s needed a rally if they wanted to take this one. They got that and more. The first three A’s batters of the inning loaded the bases, and a sacrifice fly and RBI single later and we were all tied up.
Bases still loaded, and up to the plate strides Darell Hernaiz. Looking for a big hit for himself and the team, the righty-swinging infielder came through in a huge way, clearing the bases with a triple to double the lead. By the time the smoke cleared and the inning was finally over the A’s had turned a 3-1 deficit into a 6-3 lead.
The bullpen did their job today. Tyler Ferguson pitched a scoreless frame, and lefty Brady Basso tossed 2 1⁄3 innings with just one walk allowed. Righty JT Ginn entered the game in the eighth and was then tasked with finishing the game off but almost gave it away in the ninth, allowing the Friars to put the game-tying run in scoring position. Luckily Tanner Dodson relieved him and struck out the next two Padres to seal the victory.
Nice win! A successful debut from the expensive starting pitcher, our freshly-signed DH got his first two base knocks of the spring, Darell Hernaiz reminded us he’s still around, and a late rally gave us the win. A good day all around, fellas.
Spring Training continues same time same place tomorrow. The Cincinnati Reds will come to Hohokam for the first time this spring. Lefty Jeffrey Springs is set for his second appearance of the spring and he’ll be opposed by Reds righty Hunter Greene. See you tomorrow!