The Athletics were embarrassed by the Washington Nationals in the series opener but the script was rewritten in favor of the A’s for Game 2.
Each team has a blowout victory in the books as they get together for the finale of the series on Sunday afternoon at West Sacramento, Calif.
The Nationals matched the second-highest scoring output in franchise history with a 23-4 victory on Friday. One night later, the Athletics set a season high for runs by routing Washington 15-1 to halt a 10-game losing streak.
Athletics manager Mark Kotsay called out his team after Friday’s debacle and was glad with the response. Jacob Wilson led off the first with a homer and the A’s scored five runs in the inning.
“At the end of last night’s game, I talked about them coming out tonight and showing some fight,” Kotsay said after Saturday’s game. “I think they did that. It was a great way to start the night with Jacob’s leadoff homer.”
Wilson had three hits while setting the tone atop the order. The leadoff blast was the second of his career.
“We’ve been battling for a couple weeks now,” Wilson said. “To come out and get a (victory) is huge for us and get the momentum going in the second half.”
Tyler Soderstrom and Carlos Cortes also homered for the A’s. Shea Langeliers had a three-run double and Jeff McNeil had three hits and two RBIs.
J.T. Ginn took a no-hitter into the seventh inning before Washington’s Keibert Ruiz singled with one out in the inning.
Ruiz had two of Washington’s four hits. The Nationals extended their streak to 69 consecutive games scoring at least once when Jorbit Vivas hit a sacrifice fly in the ninth.
All-Star right fielder James Wood went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts to end his streak of scoring at least one run in 11 straight games. Wood has eight homers, 17 RBIs and 21 runs over his last 15 games.
Washington right-hander Zack Littell was roughed up for eight runs. But Nationals manager Blake Butera complimented him on making it through six innings and saving the bullpen.
“Especially when you start off a game that way, you’re just hoping to get through a certain amount of innings,” Butera said. “That way we’re not running through everybody in the bullpen. Not the start that he wanted nor we wanted, but getting us six was big for (Sunday).”
Washington left-hander Foster Griffin (10-2, 2.77 ERA) looks to continue an unforeseen stellar season that included him being named to the National League All-Star team. He struck out two during a perfect inning of relief in last Tuesday’s contest.
Griffin, who turns 31 on July 27, entered the season with eight major league innings under his belt.
But he has been superb with 109 strikeouts and just 26 walks in 110 1/3 innings. Opponents are batting just .210 against him.
Griffin has allowed one run or fewer in each of his last eight starts and is 5-0 over his last 11 outings. He beat the Houston Astros on July 8 when he gave up one run and five hits over seven innings.
Left-hander Jacob Lopez (4-3, 6.83) will make his 12th start of the season for the Athletics.
Lopez served as an opener in his last appearance and retired all five batters he faced against the Chicago White Sox on July 10. The A’s lost the game 14-1.
Lopez was superb while beating the Nationals last August in his lone career appearance against the club. He gave up three hits over 7 2/3 scoreless innings and struck out 10 without issuing any walks during a 6-0 victory.
–Field Level Media
