Oakland Athletics 2013 Season in Review
April 29, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; The scoreboard after the 19th inning walk-off two-run home run by Oakland Athletics first baseman Brandon Moss (37, not pictured) against the Los Angeles Angels at O.co Coliseum. The Athletics defeated the Angels 10-8 in the 19th inning. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
APRIL
The A’s kick off their season with an 0-2 start at home against the Seattle Mariners before salvaging a series split with victories in the next two games. That sparks a nine-game win streak, highlighted by sweeps on the road against the Astros and Angels. Oakland hits a rough patch in the second and third weeks of the season with a 2-8 record on a 10-game east coast road trip, but they finish the month at 16-12, with a 13-2 record within the division. They lead the American League in runs, walks and extra-base hits, and they sit two games behind the Rangers in the AL West standings.
MAY
The A’s endure another tough 10-game stretch away from home, the low points being a 4-3 loss to the Indians after Adam Rosales’ game-tying home run in the top of the ninth was called back, and then consecutive 2-1 series losses against the Mariners and Rangers. That put Oakland at 20-21 two weeks through the second month of the season, and they stood six games behind Texas in the division with Seattle sitting behind them in third by only a game. The A’s responded by going 12-3 to finish the month, with a sweep at home against the Royals, a third sweep over the Astros in as many tries and a 3-1 series victory against the Giants in the Battle of the Bay interleague matchup, narrowing the Rangers lead to three games in the process. The pitching staff recovers from a tough April to record a team ERA of 3.50, second-best in the AL, and tied for an AL-best 1.14 WHIP for the month. Record in May: 16-12.
JUNE
The A’s start off the summer months on a high note with a sweep over the White Sox at home, but after they go 4-3 on a seven-game midwest road trip — including a come-from-behind win by the Brewers and a late pull-away victory by the White Sox, both of which prevented Oakland’s chance for a sweep — they return to Northern California with a few missed opportunities in their rear-view mirror. The A’s return home and sweep the Yankees before dropping three series within the division (1-2 vs. Seattle, 1-3 @ Texas, 1-2 @ Seattle), but they finish the month on a high note, going 4-1 in their final two series against the Reds and Cardinals. The pitching staff continues their roll with top marks in the league in walks surrendered (60) and opponent on-base percentage (.285), Record in June: 16-11.