The Athletics saved their most chaotic performance for last.
Behind a breakout day from Drew Swift, the A’s erased a seven-run deficit and rallied past the White Sox 10-9 on Sunday at Hohokam Stadium, closing spring training with a 14-15 record ahead of Opening Day in Toronto.
Swift delivered the defining moment of camp in the fourth inning, crushing a grand slam to left-center that flipped momentum and sparked a comeback that never fully let go.
Swift’s spring surge continues
Swift finished 3-for-4 with a double, a grand slam and five RBIs, pushing his spring average to .692 with a 1.810 OPS. The 27-year-old has forced his way into the conversation with one of the hottest bats in camp.
His grand slam cut a 7-1 deficit to 7-5 and immediately changed the tone inside Hohokam Stadium.
Two innings later, Swift added an RBI single to give the A’s their first lead at 9-7, capping a stretch where Oakland scored nine runs across the fourth and fifth innings.
A’s offense erupts late
Oakland’s rally came in waves.
After being held quiet early, the A’s broke through with five runs in the fourth, then followed with four more in the fifth to take control. Michael Stefanic keyed the surge with a 3-for-3 day that included two doubles, an RBI and two runs scored.
Henry Bolte added a two-run double to tie the game in the fifth, while Joey Meneses drove in two runs and Tommy White reached base three times and scored twice.
The A’s finished with 12 hits and drew seven walks, continuing a trend of improved plate discipline late in camp.
Bullpen bends, holds late
The pitching was less clean.
Luis Morales struggled out of the gate, allowing three runs in the first and the A’s quickly fell behind 7-0 by the fourth. However, the bullpen stabilized just enough to give the offense time to respond.
J.J. Goss earned the win in relief, and a group that included Nick Anderson, Wander Suero and Joel Kuhnel helped navigate the middle innings.
In the ninth, the White Sox pushed across a run and brought the tying run to third. Geoff Hartlieb entered and recorded the final out to secure the save.
One last test before Opening Day
Chicago finished with 11 hits. Lenyn Sosa drove in four runs. Even so, the White Sox could not hold their early lead.
Instead, the A’s offered one more reminder of their offensive upside and volatility.
Now they head into the regular season with momentum at the plate. However, questions remain on the mound. Swift also made his case louder.
Opening Day is Thursday in Toronto.
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Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Vegas Golden Knights, Las Vegas Raiders, Athletics, and UNLV baseball and softball. He has 24 years of journalism experience, is also a senior reporter at Exhibit City News, and previously covered the Dallas Stars and Texas Rangers. Follow him on X or connect on LinkedIn.
