Henry Bolte and Jeff McNeil each collected three hits as the Athletics scored five times over the final two innings Monday night. However, the comeback came too late in a 9-6 loss to the Minnesota Twins at Sutter Health Park.
The Athletics fell to 51-81 and returned to last place in the AL West. They remained a half-game ahead of Colorado, which owns the worst record in Major League Baseball.
Too much, too early
Jeffrey Springs struggled from the start. Byron Buxton walked and Ryan Jeffers singled in the first before Josh Bell doubled home Buxton for an immediate Minnesota lead.
Bell added an RBI groundout in the third. However, Lawrence Butler answered with a two-out RBI single in the bottom half, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
Minnesota began pulling away in the fifth. Ryan Kreidler opened the inning with his sixth home run, and Kody Clemens later singled home Buxton to make it 4-1.
That ended Springs’ night. The left-hander allowed four runs on seven hits over 4 2/3 innings, with two walks and three strikeouts.
Then the Twins broke it open against Hayden Juenger in the sixth. Luke Keaschall delivered a two-run double before Bell added a sacrifice fly against Kade Morris, pushing the lead to 7-1.
Juenger was charged with three runs in two-thirds of an inning. Meanwhile, Morris allowed two runs on five hits over 2 2/3 innings.
Bats arrive late
Minnesota starter Zebby Matthews gave the A’s little room to answer. He allowed one run on six hits across seven innings while striking out seven and walking one.
The Twins added two more against Morris in the eighth. Still, the Athletics finally began cutting into the deficit in the bottom half.
Bolte singled and Zack Gelof followed with another hit. After Butler walked to load the bases, Tommy White lifted a sacrifice fly that scored Bolte and made it 9-2.
Drew Rom then gave the offense one more opportunity. He worked a scoreless ninth, allowing only a Keaschall double before keeping Minnesota off the board.
One last push
The A’s made the Twins work for the final out.
Jonah Heim singled with two outs in the ninth, and Bolte followed with a walk. Next, McNeil doubled home both runners to cut the deficit to 9-4.
Gelof followed with an RBI double, then Butler doubled him home. Suddenly, a game the Athletics had trailed by eight runs was 9-6.
Minnesota turned to Andrew Morris at that point. He retired White on a line drive to first, ending the rally and earning his fourth save.
Bolte finished 3-for-4 with three runs and a walk. McNeil went 3-for-5 with two RBIs, while Butler finished 2-for-3 with two walks and two RBIs.
Up next
The three-game series continues Tuesday at Sutter Health Park. Gage Jump is scheduled to start for the Athletics against Minnesota right-hander Taj Bradley.
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Dice City Sports editor Mark Hebert covers the Las Vegas Aces, 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.
