Game #129: Disastrous 8th Dooms A’s

Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images

The A’s took a 4-2 lead in the bottom of the 7th Saturday night and appeared to be on their way to another victory — what would have been their fourth in a row. Oakland fans have been very spoiled of late, and when Buster Posey looped a single into center field in the top of the 8th, they had no reason to worry. Alex Dickerson followed that up with a single of his own, but the A’s still had a two-run lead, after all. At worst, the Giants might tie the game — right?

Things escalated very quickly. The A’s ended up using five different pitchers in the inning, allowing seven hits and a whopping eight runs. The cherry on top was a three-run opposite field jack by former Athletic Stephen Vogt that made it 10-4. San Francisco ultimately prevailed, 10-5.

The inning was a disaster of epic proportions, setting a season-high mark for runs allowed in an inning by Oakland and setting back a bullpen that seemed to be finding its way as of late.

The A’s almost mustered a rally in the bottom of the 8th. but came away with just one run after Matt Chapman popped up with two men on base to end the inning. In the 9th, Mark Canha reached base on a walk, but the A’s ultimately went quietly.

Here is a Mark Canha homer and bat flip off notorious bat-flip fan Madison Bumgarner to cheer up your evening. Back at it tomorrow with the Bay Bridge trophy on the line!