Paul Blackburn pitches Athletics to victory over Yankees in Josh Donaldson’s return

Baseball

Published 28.06.2023

Paul Blackburn pitches Athletics to victory over Yankees in Josh Donaldson’s return

OAKLAND, Calif. — Paul Blackburn pitched into the sixth inning for Oakland, permitting one run on Josh Donaldson’s homer in his return to the lineup and sending the Athletics to a 2-1 victory over the New York Yankees on Tuesday night time.

The slumping Donaldson related within the fifth in his first motion since Friday, however that was it for New York. The 2015 AL MVP went 1 for 4 with two strikeouts, elevating his batting common to .132 in 22 video games.

Seth Brown homered for the second consecutive day because the last-place A’s beat the Yankees for the primary time this season after they have been swept in a three-game sequence within the Bronx in May.

“A great win tonight,” A’s supervisor Mark Kotsay mentioned. “Tonight’s game was well-played, well-pitched. We gave a couple outs away on the bases but they didn’t end up hurting us.”

Blackburn (1-0) allowed 4 hits, struck out 5 and walked one in 5 1/3 innings. It was his first win since Aug. 4 in opposition to the Angels in his closing begin of final season.

“It’s nice but it’s better coming in here, taking the first game of the series at home and build off that for tomorrow,” Blackburn mentioned. “I was a little more sinker-heavy today than I’ve been throughout this year. It’s just a pitch I had feel for, more feel for than my four-seam (fastball).”

The Yankees received the tying run on base within the ninth when pinch-hitter Gleyber Torres singled in opposition to Sam Moll. Anthony Volpe reached on a two-out infield single for his third hit of the night time earlier than Moll struck out pinch-hitter Kyle Higashioka for his first profession save.

“We know we have a higher standard and expect more and know we’re going to be better, but we’re going through it right now a little bit,” Yankees supervisor Aaron Boone mentioned. “We’ve had a few guys that have gone through some struggles, but I wouldn’t call it frustration. I’d call it, like, this is get-to-work time, and how do we get guys going. And that’s on all of us.”

Oakland improved to 2-10 since a seven-game successful streak. At 21-60, it’s on tempo to match the 1962 Mets for many losses within the fashionable period (120) since 1900.

Donaldson batted sixth for the primary time this season. He flew out to heart in his first at-bat earlier than slamming a 1-0 slider into the left-field stands.

Before the sport, Boone tried to downplay all of the controversy that arose from Donaldson’s benching and mentioned there could be loads of enjoying alternatives for the three-time All-Star.

“He’s got broad shoulders,” Boone mentioned. “He does have a lot of confidence in his ability, like he wants to go out there.”

Brown was in a 2-for-23 funk when he homered off Yankees starter Jhony Brito (4-4).

Oakland’s No. 8 batter, Tyler Wade, tripled to proper with one out within the third. Ruiz adopted with a smooth RBI single to left.

Brito allowed 4 hits and two runs in 5 2/3 innings.

RUNNING ROOKIE

Ruiz stole second within the third however was thrown out by Yankees catcher Jose Trevino making an attempt to take third later that very same inning. Ruiz’s 40 steals are second-most amongst rookies in franchise historical past. Mitchell Page had 42 in 1977.

“He’s a game-changer there,” Moll mentioned. “If he hits a single it seems like a double, could be a triple. He’s been very clutch in those situations with runners in scoring position. That’s a game-changer in itself. He’s done a hell of a job there.”

NERVES A PLENTY

While he’s been typically good at blocking out points whereas he’s on the mound, Moll couldn’t shake the concept his first profession save was at stake when he went out to pitch the ninth.

“Like anything in life, your first of whatever it is, you don’t know how your body’s going to react and your nerves,” Moll mentioned. “It was a little more nerve-wracking when the first guy gets on and then another infield single. But they’re battling, too, on the other side. It was just a battle of attrition just trying to get it done.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Yankees: LHP Carlos Rodón, out since March 27 with a left forearm pressure, will make one other rehab begin Saturday. He may be a part of the rotation when the workforce returns to New York in early July.

Athletics: LHP Richard Lovelady (strained left elbow) threw a 20-pitch bullpen earlier than the sport. … OF Ramón Laureano is present process extra checks on his fractured proper hand. … 3B Kevin Smith is searching for a second opinion on his again harm.

UP NEXT

Yankees RHP Domingo Germán (4-5, 5.10 ERA) faces A’s LHP JP Sears (1-5, 4.10 ERA) within the center sport of the sequence Wednesday in Oakland. Germán is 2 strikeouts shy of 500 for his profession however is coming off a tough begin in opposition to the Mariners final week. Sears has held opponents to a .199 batting common over his earlier eight begins.