Oakland A’s snap 8-game losing streak; Kotsay ejected for 4th time
Jul 19, 2023, 7:49 AM | Updated: 11:10 am
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA - JULY 18: Oakland Athletics manager Mark Kotsay argues with home plate umpire Adam Hamari #78 after Hamari called Tony Kemp #5 out at home plate for running out of the base path in the first inning of their game against the Boston Red Sox at RingCentral Coliseum on July 18, 2023 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
A day after striking out a season-high 18 team, the Oakland A’s were able to flip the switch against the Boston Red Sox and shut them out Wednesday.
After manager Mark Kotsay was ejected in the first inning, the Athletics settled in, led by pitcher Luis Medina. Two home runs and three total runs in the second inning were all it took, to break an eight-game losing streak. The A’s have a chance to take the series Wednesday night.
Medina led the A’s pitching staff, only allowing three hits in just under six innings. Sam Long, Shintaro Fujinami and Sam Moll held the Sox to only one hit until reliever Trevor May stepped up to the mound in the ninth inning. Along with his seventh save of the season, May also recorded his 500th career strikeout.
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Congratulations on 500 career strikeouts, @IamTrevorMay! 👏 pic.twitter.com/Lto5ujgKlm
— Oakland A's (@Athletics) July 19, 2023
Another ejection for the Oakland A’s
In game one of the A’s series against the Red Sox, first baseman Ryan Noda was ejected for drawing a line in the dirt.
On Tuesday, Oakland suffered another ejection.
In the first inning, Tony Kemp attempted to score on a wild pitch, but as he ran toward home plate, he was called out by the home plate umpire for running outside the base path. Kotsay attempted to protest the call and was tossed for his efforts.
Mark Kotsay was ejected after Tony Kemp was ruled out of the baseline on this acrobatic play at the plate pic.twitter.com/43kif0q8kJ
— A's on NBCS (@NBCSAthletics) July 19, 2023
After the game, A’s outfielder JJ Bleday said their manager’s ejection fired them up.
“Crazy play, but yeah, it definitely got us fired up. It woke us up a little bit, kind of a strange play but we were able to get the momentum going, stack some AB’s [at bats] and get some runs,” Bleday said.
This was the fourth time this season Kotsay was ejected. After the game, he said he watched the rest of the game from his office.
“My argument was he established his base path inside the baseline and that he didn’t go outside the three feet. We’re not going to agree on it. There might not be a right decision because it’s subjective, but I also know that my reaction was aggressive and a little maybe unwarranted to this extent. But, big moment in the game, big momentum shifter and obviously trying to get the guys a little fired up. I think Tony was doing the same, trying to create something there and I took the heat for it, so I’m alright with that.”
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