Andrew Triggs will be on the mound for the Oakland Athletics on Saturday, as they look to bounce back from a crushing loss at the hands of the Angels on Friday.
The Athletics held a 6-0 lead and homered five times last night, but it still wasn’t enough to get past the Angels. Oakland managed to oust Angels starter Parker Bridwell from the game after just 1 2/3 innings, earning seven hits off the right-hander and taking him deep three times.
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However, the A’s pitching just wasn’t able to contain the Angels’ offense as the night wore on. Righty Daniel Gossett only managed 3 1/2 innings, giving up five hits and five runs with three strikeouts. Gossett lacked command for the majority of his outing, and the Angels made him pay with a four-run fourth inning to knock him out of the game.
Gossett has since been optioned to Triple-A Nashille to make way for the newly acquired outfielder Trayce Thompson.
The Athletics used six relievers last night so they’ll be hoping Triggs can work deep into the night.
Triggs threw five innings in his first start of the season against the Rangers, allowing one run on four hits, striking out seven. Triggs’ slider was effective in his first showing, and he’ll be looking to lean on that again tonight against a powerful Angels lineup.
JC Ramirez will be on the bump for LA and was shaky in his first appearance of the season on Monday, allowing four runs (five earned) in 4 2/3 innings. The Athletics, like they did last night, need to jump on the Angels early and make their bullpen work overtime.
Sizzling:
Matt Chapman enters tonight’s game with an eight-game hitting streak, and a five-game multi-hit streak. He’s been superb so far this season, hitting three home runs with seven RBIs. Here’s his two-run shot from last night:
Chapman has been great defensively too, but a brain lapse with two outs in the seventh inning coast the Athletics dearly; Justin Upton proceeding to hit a three-run homer to give the Angels the lead for good.
Next: A’s call up top prospect Franklin Barreto
Thompson available off the bench:
OF Trayce Thompson will not be in the starting lineup tonight, but he will be available off the bench. Jake Smolinski will get the start in center field.