Brent Rooker smashed a two-run homer in the fourth inning, helping the Oakland Athletics secure a 3-1 victory over the Miami Marlins on Friday night, extending their winning streak to five games.
“I’ve been happy with my approach, my at-bats, and how I’ve felt,” Rooker commented. “I’ve been seeing the ball well and making good swings. I thought if I stuck with it, the results would come, and tonight was a step in that direction.”
Esteury Ruiz also contributed with an RBI single in the fifth inning, providing support for left-handed pitcher JP Sears (2-2), who earned his first win in four starts.
“We just want to keep the momentum going,” Sears remarked. “We’ve been playing solid baseball.”
Last season, the A’s endured a challenging season, losing 112 games and not reaching their 16th win until June 10th. However, their fortunes have turned around this season, with the team now boasting a 16-17 record and on a winning streak. The game drew a crowd of 8,533 fans for the interleague matchup.
Before the game began, the Marlins announced a trade agreement with the San Diego Padres involving second baseman Luis Arraez. However, the deal was contingent on a review of medical information before finalization.
Consequently, Arraez was unexpectedly removed from the lineup shortly before the game commenced. He had been performing well, batting .299 with five RBIs and 22 runs scored in 16 games, with a solid .347 on-base percentage.
“When a player like that is removed from the lineup or possibly traded, it’s noticeable because he’s a great guy and a leader in the clubhouse,” manager Skip Schumaker remarked. “So, it’s a surprising change.”
Marlins pitcher Ryan Weathers (2-3) allowed three runs on five hits, striking out five batters without issuing any walks in six innings.
Miami had won three consecutive games before their last game at the Coliseum, as the Athletics will be based in Sacramento for the next three seasons while their new ballpark in Las Vegas is under construction.
In the second inning, Sears surrendered a one-out triple to Jazz Chisholm Jr. However, he managed to escape without allowing any runs by striking out Emmanuel Rivera and retiring Otto Lopez on a ground ball after a 10-pitch battle.
