Brent Rooker gave the Athletics an early spark, but Cleveland controlled the middle innings and pulled away late.
The A’s led twice Friday night before the Guardians surged past them for an 8-5 win at Sutter Health Park. Rooker drove in three runs, yet Cleveland answered with three in the fifth and three more in the seventh to take the opener.
Early edge fades
The Athletics struck first in the opening inning. Shea Langeliers singled, and then Brent Rooker launched a two-run homer to left-center for a 2-0 lead.
Cleveland answered in the second. With two outs, Chase DeLauter doubled to right, bringing home two runs to tie the game.
The A’s pushed back ahead in the fourth. Darell Hernaiz and Tyler Soderstrom drew walks, and Colby Thomas moved them over with a bunt. Then Zack Gelof singled to left, scoring both runners to make it 4-2.
Cleveland flips the script
The game turned in the fifth inning.
J.T. Ginn issued three walks to load the bases. Then Rhys Hoskins lined a two-run double to tie it. Soon after, Angel Martínez added a sacrifice fly, and Cleveland moved in front 5-4.
The Guardians added on in the seventh. Hoskins opened with a solo homer, and later Bo Naylor and Brayan Rocchio delivered run-scoring doubles. That stretch pushed the lead to 8-4.
Missed opening late
The Athletics had one last opening in the seventh.
Jacob Wilson singled, Langeliers walked, and Nick Kurtz walked to load the bases. Rooker followed with an RBI single to cut the deficit to three, with no outs.
However, Cleveland escaped. Erik Sabrowski struck out Darell Hernaiz and Tyler Soderstrom, then got Colby Thomas to fly out and end the threat.
Numbers that mattered
Rooker finished 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs. Zack Gelof added two RBIs, while Jeff McNeil collected two hits.
Still, the Athletics went 2-for-13 with runners in scoring position and left 10 on base. Cleveland went 3-for-15 but turned its chances into decisive innings.
Ginn allowed five runs on five hits and five walks in 4 1/3 innings to take the loss.
Meanwhile, Nick Kurtz drew a walk and extended his streak to 20 straight games with a walk. He is the first player since Barry Bonds in 2002-03 to reach that mark and now sits two games shy of Roy Cullenbine’s Major League record of 22, set in 1947.
Up next
The series continues Saturday at Sutter Health Park. First pitch is set for 1:05 p.m. PT.
Jacob Lopez is scheduled to start for the Athletics against Cleveland right-hander Slade Cecconi.
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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.
