Athletics End Four-Game Skid with 6-4 Victory Over Yankees The Oakland Athletics snapped a four-game losing streak with a 6-4 victory over the New York Yankees on Saturday night, as Shea Langeliers and Nick Kurtz each hit two-run home runs to lead the win. The game, played in West Sacramento, Calif., marked the first time since May 15 that the Athletics secured a win by a starting pitcher, with J.T. Ginn (3-3) earning the victory by allowing one unearned run in six innings. The Yankees, who had won five consecutive games, were outscored by their opponents by 30 runs during that streak. Langeliers launched a two-run homer off Yankees starter Ryan Weathers (2-3) in the first inning, giving the Athletics an early lead. Tyler Soderstrom added a solo home run in the sixth, and Kurtz hit his 10th home run of the season in the seventh to extend the lead to 5-1. Weathers, who struck out 10 batters in 6 2/3 innings, struggled with run support, becoming the third pitcher this season with the lowest run support among qualified starters. The Yankees managed only one run off Ginn, scoring it in the fourth inning when Jazz Chisholm stole second with Matt Bellinger on third. A throw to second baseman Alika Williams’ glove resulted in an error, allowing Bellinger to score. The game saw a disputed call involving the automated ball-strike system (ABS) in the fourth inning. Langeliers challenged a 2-0 pitch he believed was low, but the replay, which showed the pitch was 0.8 inches below the strike zone, did not appear on the scoreboard. After a delay, home plate umpire Adam Beck ruled it a strike, though the decision was largely moot as Langeliers eventually drew a walk. Scott Barlow secured the win for the Athletics with a scoreless ninth inning, retiring Chisholm with the bases loaded for his second save of the season.#new_york_yankees #nick_kurtz #shea_langeliers #oakland_athletics #jt_ginn
Luis Severino Sets the Tone Opening Day in baseball is defined by the presence of elite starting pitchers, each team deploying its best and healthiest options to set the tone for the season. For the Athletics, however, the challenge is compounded by a pitching staff that ranks among the worst in the league. Despite their young and talented lineup, the A’s face a steep uphill battle, with their projected WAR ranking 20th and a 16% chance of making the postseason. Yet, their offensive potential remains a key factor in their ability to stay competitive. The A’s lineup, while not dominant, has shown promise. Last season, they finished 10th in wRC+, with standout performances from players like Nick Kurtz, Shea Langeliers, and Brent Rooker. Their depth charts project them as the 14th-best offensive group in the league, just a win away from cracking the top 10. This potential makes them a dark horse in the playoff race, though their success will depend heavily on their ability to overcome a pitching staff that finished in the bottom five by WAR in 2025. Luis Severino, the A’s most experienced starter, is central to their hopes. Once a top-five pitcher by WAR in 2017 and 2018, Severino’s career has been marked by injuries and inconsistency. After missing nearly two full seasons due to shoulder and Tommy John surgery, he returned in 2022 with a mixed performance, struggling with recurring injuries. His 2024 season with the Mets was a proving ground, leading to a three-year deal with the A’s in December 2024. The move was surprising given the A’s reputation for frugality, but it aligned with their need for a reliable frontline starter. Severino’s first season with the A’s was complicated by the conditions of Sacramento’s minor league ballpark.#luis_severino #sacramento #athletics #nick_kurtz #shea_langeliers
