Baseball is back, and while it wasn't the prettiest start for the A's, the Cactus League is officially underway. The Athletics kicked off their 2026 season with an 11-2 loss to the Chicago White Sox in Arizona. Let's dive into the action and see what went down.
Jack Perkins took the mound with hopes of impressing the coaching staff and staking a claim for a rotation spot. Unfortunately, his outing didn't go as planned.
Perkins allowed a leadoff double and issued two walks, loading the bases before a two-run single ended his day. He reached his pitch limit at 26, but it was a tough road to get there without finishing the inning.
Not the debut he was hoping for, but it's early days yet.
Next up was right-hander Chen Zhong-Ao Zhuang, who had a solid performance marred by a single mistake-a solo home run that gave the White Sox a lead they would hold onto. Top prospect Wei-En Lin followed, pitching a complete inning but allowing two more runs. The game was slipping away, and it only worsened as the innings progressed.
Relievers Eduarneil Nunez and Nick Anderson each pitched an inning, with Nunez showing promise by striking out two batters. However, he'll need to harness his potential to make a significant impact.
Offensively, the A's struggled to find their rhythm. They managed their first run in the second inning, thanks to a couple of singles, a productive out, and a wild pitch. Not exactly a textbook example of small ball, but a run is a run.
Their second and final run came in the fifth inning, capitalizing on some shaky White Sox defense. Meanwhile, the Sox piled on five more runs in the later innings, sealing the 11-2 victory. While the score wasn't in their favor, it's important to remember that wins and losses are secondary in spring training.
Now, let's highlight some of the standout performances from today's game:
The battle for third-string catcher is heating up, especially with Daniel Susac's departure. Brian Serven made a strong case for himself, going 3-for-3 with two doubles, showcasing his potential at the plate.
The competition at third base promises to be a thrilling storyline this spring. Max Muncy, Darell Hernaiz, and Brett Harris each collected hits today, keeping the race wide open.
Outfield prospect Junior Perez also made his presence felt with a single, while fellow outfielders Henry Bolte and Colby Thomas went hitless. Perez has an uphill climb to make the Opening Day roster, but today was a positive step.
Despite the lopsided score, there's always another game. The A's will host the Cleveland Guardians tomorrow for their first home game of Spring Training.
Veteran Luis Severino is set to start, likely pitching an inning similar to Perkins. He'll be followed by Luis Morales, Brady Basso, Michael Kelly, and prospect Kade Morris.
Let's see if tomorrow brings better fortunes. Baseball is back, and with it, the promise of a new season!