OAKLAND ATHLETICS NOTES:
ABOUT THE A’S: Won the final two games in Pittsburgh for their third two-game winning streak of the season…have not won more than two straight since winning the final four games last year and the first game this year… won the three-game series at Pittsburgh and have won two of the last three series after winning just one of the first 17…are 4-5 (.444) over the last nine games but are 6-24 (.200) over the last 30…are 14-50 (.219) overall, which is tied for the third worst record by and AL, NL or FL team since 1900…it is the worst since the 1982 Twins also started the year 14-50…were swept in a three-game series at Miami last weekend and have been swept nine times.
OFFENSE: The A’s collected a season-high tying 17 hits on Wednesday at Pittsburgh (also May 5 at Kansas City) and added eight walks for a season-high 25 times on base…have 20 runs and 32 hits over the last two games and are batting .278 (59-for-212) with 30 runs scored in six games in June after hitting .208 with 87 runs in 29 games in May…overall, have the third lowest OPS (.665), batting average (.225) and slugging percentage (.359) in the majors and the sixth lowest on-base percentage (.298)…rank second in fewest runs (230) and extra base hits (157), tied for fourth in fewest doubles (89), fifth in most strikeouts (587) and ninth in fewest home runs (62)…lead the majors in hit by pitches (39) and are tied for second in sacrifice hits (12)… have been shut out eight times, which is tied for the most in the majors…A’s pinch hitters lead the majors in hits (15), are tied for the lead in walks (10) and tied for second in plate appearances (66).
PITCHING: The A’s have a 6.57 ERA, which is the highest in the majors…according to the Elias Sports Bureau, the highest ERA by an AL or NL team since the earned run became an official stat is 6.70 by the 1930 Philadelphia Phillies…also have the highest opponents OPS (.856), batting average (.278), on-base percentage (.370) and slugging percentage (.486) in the majors this year…lead the majors in most walks (297), home runs (102) and hit batters (43), have the second most wild pitches (31) and the fourth fewest strikeouts (476)…have surrendered six grand slams, which are the most in the majors and tied for fifth most in a season in Athletics history (8 in 1993 and 1999, 7 in 1954 and 1997)…also lead the majors with 13 walks with the bases loaded, which is the most by an A’s team since 2012 (13).
STARTING PITCHING: A’s starting pitchers have picked up the win in each of the last two games, marking just the second time this year they have done that (May 5-6 at Kansas City)…went 2-32 over the first 62 games and are 4-32 with a 6.96 ERA for the season…the ERA is the highest in the majors and no other team has fewer than nine wins from its starters…the fewest wins from a starting rotation in a full season in Major League history is 21 by the Pirates last year…A’s starters have the fewest innings pitched this year (297.1).
FOR OPENERS: The A’s are scheduled to use an “opener” for the fifth time this year today, all of which have come over the last 15 games…A’s openers are 0-2 with a 11.25 ERA (4.0 ip, 8 h, 5 r, 5 er, 4 so) and the “main” pitchers are 0-2 with a 6.00 ERA (18.0 ip, 21 h, 12 r, 12 er, 7 bb, 22 so)…have lost all four games…used an opener nine times in 2018 (all in September) and three times in 2019 (none after June 5).
THE BULLPEN: Trevor May recorded the save on Wednesday, snapping a 29-game streak without a save…that was the second longest single-season streak by an A’s team since the save became an official stat in 1969…it fell one short of the record of 30 (June 1-July 2, 1980)…the save was the A’s first since May 6 at Kansas City and the pen is 5-for-16 (31.3%) in save opportunities for the season…the A’s bullpen has the lowest save percentage and fewest saves in the majors and the 11 blown saves are 10th most…has the highest ERA in the majors (6.12) and the second most innings pitched (261.2)…has allowed 50-of-120 (41.7%) inherited runners to score, which is the fourth highest percentage…is tied for the second most inherited runners.
ON THE BASES: The A’s are 60-for-75 (80.0%) in stolen base attempts…rank fourth in the majors in stolen base attempts and fifth in stolen bases…opponents are 48-for-66 (72.7%), which is the sixth lowest success rate in the majors…the 18 caught stealings are second most…A’s pitchers are tied for second in the majors in pickoffs (6).
HOME AND AWAY: The A’s are 2-4 on this nine-game road trip to Miami (0-3), Pittsburgh (2-1) and Milwaukee (three games)…the win on Tuesday at Pittsburgh snapped a 15-game road losing streak, which matched the longest in Oakland history (May 24-June 23, 1986)…this is the first of two three-city road trips this year…went 0-7 on the last road trip to Houston (0-3) and Seattle (0-4) and are 7-26 (.212) on the road, which is the worst road record in the majors…return home following the game Sunday for a seven-game homestand against Tampa Bay (four games) and Philadelphia (three games)…went 2-4 on the last homestand against Houston (0-3) and Atlanta (2-1) and are 7-24 (.226) at home, which is the lowest home winning percentage in the majors…have compiled a 5.71 ERA at home compared to 7.48 (226 er in 272.0 ip) on the road.
DEFENSIVE DOINGS: The A’s have committed just one error over the last 10 games but have 36 for the season, which is tied for seventh most in the majors…are tied with the Rangers for the most outfield assists (13).
WINNING LATE: The A’s have scored the winning run in their final at bat in eight of their 14 victories…have five walk-off wins, which is tied for the most in the majors…are 9-46 when tied or trailing after seven innings compared to 5-4 when leading after seven innings…only Atlanta (11) has more wins when tied or trailing after seven and no other team has fewer than 14 wins when leading after seven…are 3-4 (.429) in extra inning games…are tied for third in the majors in extra inning losses, tied for seventh in games (7) and tied for eighth in wins.
RUN DIFFERENTIAL: The A’s have a run differential of +13 over the last two games and are -1 over the last nine games…however, are -200 for the season, which is the lowest in the majors…had a run differential of -202 all last year, which was second lowest in Oakland history (-287 in 1979)…are 8-11 (.421) in one-run games…are tied for sixth in the majors in one-run losses and tied for eighth in games (19)…are 6-39 (.133) in games decided by two or more runs, including 1-14 in games decided by six or more runs.
THIS AND THAT: The A’s are 12-25 (.324) in night games, 2-25 (.074) in day games…are 12-11 when scoring four or more runs, 2-39 when scoring fewer than four runs…have employed 45 players, which is the most in the majors (Brewers, 44)…have used 29 pitchers, which is second most (Rays, 30)…have used 12 rookies and seven players have made their Major League debuts… have used the injured list 15 times, including 11 times for pitchers…currently have seven players on the IL, including six pitchers…have an average time of game of 2:45, which is the longest in the majors…however, have not averaged under 2:53 per game since 2010 (2:43).
A’s IN MAY: The A’s went 6-23 (.207) in May after going 5-23 (.179) in April… both records were the worst in the majors…set an Athletics record for losses in May after matched the A’s total from April this year for second most in any month in Oakland history (24 in June, 1979)…the May winning percentage was second lowest in May in Athletics history (4-17, .190 in 1919)…compiled a 5.54 ERA in May after posting a 7.97 ERA in April, both of which were the highest in the majors…surrendered 49 home runs, which are second most in any month in Oakland history (50 in April, 2023)…batted .208, which was the lowest mark in the majors and second lowest for any month in Athletics history (.207 in Aug. 1906).
A’S VS. BREWERS
- The A’s travel to Milwaukee for the first time since 2016 when they were swept in a two-game series…the only other time the two clubs played in this ballpark was in 2013 when Oakland won two of three.
- Last met in 2019 when the A’s won two of three in Oakland.
- Are 8-5 in four seasons series since the Brewers moved to the National League.
Year Home Road Totals
2023 0-0 0-0 0-0
2019 2-1 0-0 2-1
A’s vs. Brewers: 181-159
at the Coliseum (since 1970): 106-66
at American Family Field: 2-3
A’s vs. Brewers/Pilots: 194-164
TODAY’S TIDBITS
Ramón Laureano has hit safely in each of his last nine games (10-for-29, .345)…Ryan Noda leads Major League rookies in on-base percentage (.415) and walks (42), ranks third in OPS (.888) and fifth in runs (32)…Esteury Ruiz leads ML rookies in stolen bases (29) and hit by pitches (12), is tied for third in hits (64) and tied for fifth in doubles (14).
TODAY’S MAIN PITCHER: Luis Medina (0-5, 8.19 ERA)
FOR STARTERS: Is scheduled to make his seventh appearance of the season… has made five starts and this will be his second outing following an opener (Waldichuk on May 28 vs. Houston)…was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas May 11 for his second stint with the A’s this year and is 0-4 with a 7.30 ERA (24.2 ip, 26 h, 20 r, 20 er, 11 bb, 20 so, 8 hr) in five games, including four starts, since his return…was called up for the first time on April 25, started and lost the next day at Los Angeles (AL) in his Major League debut, and was optioned back to Las Vegas on April 27…was 0-1 with a 7.42 ERA in five games, four starts, with the Aviators.
THREE OR MORE RUNS: Has allowed at least three runs in all six appearances and the career-opening streak of six games with three or more runs allowed matches the longest such streak in Oakland history…joins Mike Morgan (June 11, 1978-July 7, 1979) and Dillon Overton (June 25-Sept. 15, 2016)… the last pitcher in Athletics history to have a career-opening streak of at least seven games with three or more, is Johnny Gray, who did it in his first nine games from July 18-Aug. 19, 1954.
THE LONG BALL: Did not allow a home run in his last start, which marks the first time in his career he has not allowed a home run…15 of the 28 runs he has allowed this year have scored on home runs…has yielded at least one home run five times, including two or more four times…has surrendered 10 home runs in 29.2 innings for the season, an average of 4.25 per nine innings.
THIS AND THAT: Has started the season 0-5 and is one of four Oakland pitchers this year to start the season 0-4 or worse…Rucinski and Fujinami also started the year 0-4 and Kaprielian was 0-6…opponents are batting .243 (18-for-84) with the bases empty, .340 (16-for-47) with runners on…has not allowed a run in the first inning (5.0 ip)…the A’s are 0-5 in his starting assignments.
LAST START: He was the losing pitcher in the A’s 12-1 loss at Miami last Saturday…allowed a single and a walk in the first inning but did not allow a run… then yielded four runs in the second inning on a Davis two-run double, an Arraez RBI single and a De La Cruz sacrifice fly…walked the first two batters in the third inning and was relieved by Long, who allowed both runners to score.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS NOTES:
Today’s Transactions
RHP Tyson Miller was recalled from Triple-A Nashville…..LHP Bennett Sousa was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to June 8, with left shoulder nerve irritation….. RHP Jake Cousins was placed on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to June 4, with right shoulder inflammation….. RHP Jason Alexander will begin a rehab assignment with the Rookie ACL Brewers tonight.
It’s Been A-ges
The Brewers are hosting the Athletics at American Family Field for just the third time (2013, ’16 and ’23)…..the team is 3-2 all-time here against Oakland, including sweeping a 2-game series in 2016.
Field of Wiems
Joey Wiemer has hit safely in a career-high 9 straight games, batting .452 (14-for-31) with 3 HR and 9 RBI…. his 9-game hitting streak is tied with Oakland’s Ramón Laureano for the longest active streak in the majors.
The Joey Show
Among players with at least 30 plate appearances in June, Joey Wiemer ranks among Major League leaders in the following categories:
Category …………………………MLB Rank
OPS (1.457)………………………………………1st
SLG (.926)………………………………………..1st
HR (3)………………………………………………T1st
2B (4)………………………………………………T1st
Runs (6)………………………………………….T1st
AVG (.444) ……………………………………..2nd
OBP (.531)……………………………………….2nd
Hits (12)…………………………………………T2nd
RBI (9)………………………………………………3rd
For Starters
Brewers starting pitchers enter tonight’s game having thrown 16.0 consecutive scoreless innings, the longest run by the starting staff since a streak of 21.0 straight scoreless innings from 9/28-10/1, 2022.
Four Goodness Sake!
The Brewers are a Major League-best 30-4 (.882) when scoring at least 4 runs in a game.
One and Done
The Brewers are 10-3 (.769) in 1-run games…..the Marlins at 16-4 (.800) are the only team better in MLB.
Devinly Body
Devin Williams has gone 10-for-10 in save opportunities…..he is unscored upon in 19 of his 20 outings, posting a 0.44 ERA…..opponents are batting just .114 (8-for-70, 1hr) and he has a 0.82 WHIP with 28 K in 20.2 innings
TONIGHT’S GAME: Is game 4 (2-1) of a 6-game homestand against Baltimore (2-1) and Oakland (3g)…..following this homestand and an off day on Monday, the team takes a 2-game trip to Minnesota…..their next homestand covers 6 games from June 16-21 against Pittsburgh (3g) and Arizona (3g).
IN THE TRAINER’S ROOM: RHP Jason Alexander (right rotator cuff), LHP Aaron Ashby (left labrum), RHP JB Bukauskas (neck), RHP Matt Bush (right rotator cuff), RHP Jake Cousins (right shoulder), LHP Eric Lauer (right shoulder), LHP Wade Miley (left lat), OF Garrett Mitchell (left shoulder), 1B Darin Ruf (right knee), LHP Bennett Sousa (left shoulder), OF Tyrone Taylor (right elbow), LHP Justin Wilson (left elbow), OF Jesse Winker (neck) and RHP Brandon Woodruff (right shoulder) are on the injured list….. Alexander, Ashby, Mitchell, Ruf, Wilson and Woodruff are on the 60-day IL.
SERIES-LY SPEAKING: The Brewers are 10-10-0 in series play
Game 1: 9-11, Game 2: 13-7, Game 3: 10-10, Game 4: 2-1
Sweep Wins (3): vs. NYM (3g, 4/3-4/5), at SEA (3g, 4/17-4/19), vs. KC (3g, 5/12-5/14)
Sweep Losses (1): at COL (3g, 5/2-5/4)
AT HOME: The Brewers are 18-13 at home, going 6-4-0 in series play…..the team went 46-35 at home last season, going 15-8-4 in series play.
ON THE ROAD: The Brewers are 16-16 on the road, going 4-6-0 in series play…..the team went 40-41 on the road last season, going 9-12-5 in series play.
LET’S GO TO THE VIDEO TAPE: The Brewers have made 12 replay challenges this season, going 6-6…..their last challenge (won) came on 6/7 vs. Baltimore as a safe call at first base involving Josh Lester was overturned.
TONIGHT’S STARTER: #37 – RHP ADRIAN HOUSER (6gs, 2-1, 3.45)
HOUSER AT A GLANCE: Adrian Houser, 30, will be making his seventh start…..Houser last started last Sunday at Cincinnati and earned a 5-1 win (7ip, 6h, 1r, 1er, 0bb, 2k, 1hr, 92 pitches)…..the team is 4-2 in his starts…..he has 2 quality starts…..opponents are batting .299 (38-for-127, 2hr)…..Houser began the season on the 15-day injured list with a right groin strain…..he was sent to Triple-A Nashville on rehab assignment on April 14, where he made 4 starts…..Houser was acquired from Houston, along with LHP Josh Hader, OF Brett Phillips and OF Domingo Santana, in exchange for OF Carlos Gómez, RHP Mike Fiers and International Signing Bonus Slot #76 on 7/30/15.
LAST SEASON: Houser went 6-10 with a 4.73 ERA in 22 games/21 starts last season…..the team went 9-12 in his starts…..he made 6 quality starts…..opponents batted .258….. he posted a 2.98 ERA over his first 8 starts of the season (42.1ip, 14er) and a 6.17 ERA over his last 13 starts (58.1ip, 40er)…..he was on the 15-day injured list from 7/1-8/23 with a right flexor strain and from 9/28 through the remainder of the season with a right groin strain.
CAREER: Is 25-30 with a 3.94 ERA in 112 games/82 starts (459.1ip, 201er)…..is in his seventh Major League season, all with the Brewers (2015, 2018-23)…..has gone 20-30 with a 4.24 ERA as a starter (403ip, 190er) and 5-0 with a 1.76 ERA in relief (56.1ip, 11er)…..underwent “Tommy John” surgery on his right elbow on 7/21/16.
CAREER AT AMERICAN FAMILY FIELD: Is 9-14 with a 3.45 ERA in 56 games/39 starts (222ip, 85er)…..is 1-0 with a 2.89 ERA in 2 starts this season (9.1ip, 3er).
CAREER ON THE ROAD: Is 16-16 with a 4.40 ERA in 56 games/43 starts (237.1ip, 116er)…..is 1-1 with a 3.68 ERA in 4 starts this season (22ip, 9er).
CAREER vs. ATHLETICS: His only career outing against the A’s came in a start on 7/30/19 at the Oakland Coliseum (5ip, 3h, 1r, 1er, 1bb, 6k, 1hbp, 1wp)…..he received no decision in the Brewers’ 3-2, 10-inning loss.
