The A’s faced off against the Seattle Mariners on Thursday night, falling short in front of a record-breaking Spring Training crowd of 10,876. With just a week to go until Opening Day, the A’s let a late lead slip away, despite fielding their starting lineup and seeing a standout performance from their starting pitcher.
Pitching Duel Early On
Aaron Civale took the mound for the A’s in his final warm-up before the regular season, while the Mariners countered with Randy Dobnak, a minor league acquisition likely headed for Triple-A. Both pitchers were locked in, trading zeros through the first three innings. Civale navigated a minor jam in the second and struck out the side in the third, showcasing his readiness for the season.
A’s Jump Ahead
As the lineup turned over, the A’s offense came to life. Nick Kurtz and Shea Langeliers sparked the scoring with back-to-back doubles.
Brent Rooker added to the tally with an RBI single, and a passed ball by Seattle’s catcher brought in another run, giving the A’s a solid lead. Tyler Soderstrom provided a scare when he was hit by a pitch, but he managed to stay in the game, easing concerns as the regular season nears.
Mariners Rally
Civale, armed with a lead, was in command, retiring six straight batters and finishing with six shutout innings, 11 strikeouts, and no walks over 81 pitches. His performance was a clear signal that he’s ready for the regular season, despite some fans questioning his spot over younger prospects.
With Civale done, the bullpen was tasked with preserving the lead. JT Ginn, who had shown promise earlier in camp, struggled mightily.
After hitting the first batter, he was unable to recover, giving up five hits and another hit-by-pitch, allowing Seattle to surge ahead 6-3, highlighted by Cal Raleigh’s bases-clearing double. Brooks Kriske stepped in to stop the bleeding, but the damage was done.
Late Efforts Fall Short
The A’s attempted a comeback, scratching across a run in the eighth, but couldn’t muster enough offense to close the gap. Despite bringing the tying run to the plate in the ninth, they couldn’t deliver the decisive hit, marking their 15th spring loss.
Looking Ahead
Despite the loss, there were bright spots. Civale’s impressive outing cements his role in the rotation, while Lawrence Butler continued his strong spring with a hit and a walk. Nick Kurtz and Shea Langeliers showed they’ll be formidable at the top of the order.
The A’s will look to bounce back in their next game against the Chicago Cubs, who will feature veteran Jameson Taillon on the mound. The A’s starter remains unannounced, adding a bit of intrigue as Spring Training winds down.