Oakland Athletics’ win streak snapped at nine games
By Justin Fried
The Oakland Athletics’ nine-game winning streak was snapped on Monday.
The Oakland Athletics have been arguably the hottest team in baseball over the past two weeks. But their MLB-best nine-game winning streak came to a screeching halt on Monday following the team’s 10-9 loss to the Los Angeles Angels.
After two consecutive sweeps of the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros, the A’s traveled to Anaheim to take on the Angels. And for a good portion of the game, they seemed to be in control.
Following a rough first inning, Sean Manaea was able to settle down — at least for a little bit — and the A’s bats got hot scoring nine runs in the first four innings behind a huge game from third baseman Matt Chapman.
Chapman finished the game 3-for-5 with a whopping six RBI and three runs scored. Unfortunately, the A’s offense peaked early and the bullpen couldn’t shut the door.
Oakland wouldn’t score again after the fourth inning while the likes of J.B. Wendelken, Lou Trivino, and Yusmeiro Petit all surrendered runs in relief. And it was who else but Mike Trout who did the most damage.
Trout launched a two-run homer off of Wendelken in the fourth inning cutting a five-run lead to just three. And it was his eventual solo shot off of Petit in the bottom of the eighth that gave the Angels their first lead since the first inning — a lead they wouldn’t surrender.
The Oakland Athletics’ letdown on Monday was surprising for multiple reasons.
This was an uncharacteristic performance from an A’s team that had been so consistent as of late. Oddly enough, it was the offense that led the way for Oakland on Monday as opposed to their pitching staff that has been so impressive this year.
Ultimately, however, their pitchers let them down.
Manaea continued his difficult start to the season as his struggles continued allowing four runs, seven hits, and three walks in just 2.2 innings. The 28-year-old’s ERA has now ballooned to 9.00 with 15 earned runs and 24 hits allowed in just 15.0 innings.
Given the nature of the shortened season, Manaea doesn’t have much time left to turn things around and Monday’s start was not a step in the right direction.
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The A’s will continue their series with the Angels on Tuesday as they look to bounce back and continue adding on to their 4.5 game lead atop the AL West.