August 30th 2024.
In a thrilling game at Great American Ballpark, the Cincinnati Reds faced off against the Oakland A's. The A's had won the first two games of the series and were looking for a sweep, but the Reds had other plans. Despite A's outfielder Lawrence Butler hitting three home runs in the game and a total of five in the series, it was a Bay Area native who helped the Reds avoid the sweep.
TJ Friedl, a star player from Pleasanton's Foothill High, came through for the Reds with a game-winning, two-run single in the bottom of the ninth inning. The Reds rallied from behind with three runs in the ninth, capping off an exciting comeback and securing a 10-9 victory. The A's, who had a five-run lead at one point in the game, saw their four-game winning streak come to an end.
A's manager Mark Kotsay acknowledged the disappointment of losing a game after scoring nine runs, but also praised his team for their ability to come back. The A's had relied on closer Mason Miller in the first two games, but with a five-run lead in the ninth, Kotsay decided to give rookie pitcher Grant Holman a chance for his first big league save. Unfortunately for the A's, the Reds were able to rally against Holman and secure the win.
It was a back-and-forth series with both teams answering each other's runs. TJ Friedl, who had a significant role in the Reds' comeback, summed up the intensity of the series and the determination of his team to keep fighting until the end. Despite being out-hit 14-8, the Reds were able to capitalize on walks and hit by pitches from the A's pitchers.
Butler, who had already homered in the first two games of the series, continued his impressive performance with two more home runs in the game. He finished the series with seven hits, eight RBIs, and five runs scored. Butler's three home runs in one game marked his second three-homer game of the season.
Butler's teammate JJ Bleday also had a strong series, hitting two home runs in the game and five overall. The two players are tied for third on the team in home runs, behind Brent Rooker and Shea Langeliers. The A's had a 6-1 lead at one point in the game, thanks in part to Butler's two-run homer in the second inning and Bleday's solo shot in the fourth.
But the Reds didn't give up, and their determination paid off in the end. They were able to score two runs in the ninth inning to tie the game, and then Friedl's game-winning single sealed the deal. The Reds also got contributions from Tyler Stephenson, who hit his 18th home run of the season, and Will Benson, who hit his first homer of the year.
The A's had a chance to win the game in the ninth, but their closer Mason Miller gave up a game-tying home run to Butler. They then brought in Emilio Pagán, a former A's reliever, to try and stop the Reds' momentum. But the Reds were able to score two more runs off Pagán, securing the win and avoiding the sweep.
In addition to the win, the Reds also had some tough news to deal with. The A's left fielder Miguel Andujar, who had been playing through pain for the past few weeks, will undergo season-ending muscle core surgery. Andujar had been a valuable player for the A's, with a .285 batting average and 70 games played. In his place, infielder Nick Allen was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas.
Despite the loss of Andujar, the A's will continue their season and look to bounce back against the Texas Rangers in their next series. The Reds, meanwhile, will enjoy their comeback victory and look to build on their success in their upcoming games.
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