The Athletics finally put an end to the skid, stopping their six-game losing streak with a win over the Angels. It may not change the shape of the season much, but with five games left, the A’s at least took one step toward avoiding a 62-100 finish. They now need one more win to keep that from happening.
A big part of the reason they were able to pull this one out was the work of Luis Medina, who has quietly strung together a strong finish. Over his last 7.2 innings, Medina has turned in a 0.00 ERA and a 0.65 WHIP.
He’s allowed just one hit in that span, which is the fewest by any Athletics pitcher in the last 15 days. The stretch doesn’t mean much in the standings right now, but it does matter for what comes next.
If Medina keeps this up, it could give the Athletics a little more room to focus on starting pitching before worrying about the bullpen.
The offensive spark came from Carlos Cortes, who made the most of his chances despite not starting. His first trip to the plate ended with an RBI triple, and his second produced the biggest swing of the night: a two-run homer that put the Athletics ahead 7-6 in the eighth inning. It was easily the best offensive performance of the game for Oakland.
Cortes’ place on next season’s roster will be worth watching. With Denzel Clarke back in the mix and Tyler Soderstrom expected to return by next season, the outfield is starting to get crowded. Still, Cortes’ bat gives him a real argument for a reserve job.
Even with nine runs on the board, the Athletics didn’t get their first two until the sixth inning. That left them in danger of getting buried by what was described as arguably the worst team in baseball. That kind of slow start is not something that can hold up, whether it’s over a full season or even the final five games of 2026.
Given the talent near the top of the lineup, there’s little reason for the offense to be this sluggish so early. The next few games should be a chance for the Athletics to press the issue whenever they get a runner aboard. Henry Bolte and Zack Gelof both have the speed to help create runs, and that could mean a more aggressive approach with steals, bunts, and anything else that can turn one baserunner into a run.
In Other News...
A's Closed The Homestand With A Comeback Fans Desperately Needed
The Oakland Athletics finished their homestand with a much-needed lift, erasing a six-run hole to beat the Los Angeles Angels 9-7 and give a weary fan base something to hold onto. It was the kind of comeback that can change the feel around a club, especially late in the year, when the standings are long settled but the tone heading into the offseason still matters. Carlos Cortes and Zack Gelof supplied the big swings that made the rally possible, and the late push turned what looked like a flat finish into one of the more encouraging results of the stretch.
For Mark Kotsay, the result fit the broader message he has been trying to sell about finishing the homestand the right way and carrying some optimism into next season. Gelofs power continues to stand out as one of the more encouraging individual developments on the roster, while the ability to claw back from a lopsided deficit offered a reminder that this group can still string together meaningful innings. The bigger question now is whether that late spark can translate into something more lasting once the calendar turns. [Read more 🡒]
As Infield Picture Just Got More Complicated After Key Return
The Athletics infield mix took another turn with Joshua Kuroda-Grauer back on the active roster after a long stay on the 60-day injured list. His return arrives as Oakland continues to navigate a season defined by injuries and constant roster shuffling, and it gives the club another option in a group that has spent much of the year being patched together.
Max Muncys season is now over after he landed on the 10-day injured list with a left knee issue, adding another hit to an infield that was already short on stability. To make room, right-hander J.T. Ginn was moved to the 60-day injured list, a reminder of how quickly the As have had to adjust as they try to sort out the rest of the year. [Read more 🡒]
Athletics Final Five Games Could Decide Several 2025 Roles
The final stretch of the season has become more than just a closing act for the Athletics. For a few players, these last five games are shaping up as a quiet tryout for 2025, with the front office still sorting through who fits into next years plans. Seth Johnson has been one of the more interesting cases after a rough August gave way to a better September, while Donovan Walton remains in a holding pattern as the club weighs larger roster choices.
Cortes is in a similar spot, trying to keep his momentum going while the outfield picture gets a little more crowded. None of these decisions are locked in yet, but that is exactly why the end of the schedule matters here. The Athletics are using these games to see who can carry recent form forward, who can handle a tougher roster conversation, and who might need to spend the winter waiting on a clearer path back. [Read more 🡒]