OAKLAND – It’s not often there’s a game in late May between two last place teams that can be considered a classic, but that’s what happened Thursday at the Coliseum when the Athletics scored five times in the 11th inning for an improbable 10-9 win over the Colorado Rockies.
Held scoreless through six innings, the A’s scored their runs in the seventh through 11th and literally walked it off when pinch hitter Tyler Soderstrom took four straight pitches out of the strike zone from reliever Peter Lambert with the bases loaded and two out.
That prompted an on-field celebration and in the stands from what was left of a crowd that was announced at 6,886. It gave the Athletics a series win over Colorado and improved their record to 21-31, with Colorado falling to 16-33.
The A’s got a home run from J.D. Davis, his third, in the eighth inning to bring them within 4-3. Then a game-tying shot from newcomer Daz Cameron, who led off the ninth with a home run. In the 11th, JJ Bleday launched a two-run shot against Matt Koch, his seventh of the season.
Oakland won despite closer Mason Miller showing he wasn’t invincible after all, getting touched up for three hits and five runs – three of them earned – with a walk and one strikeout.
“Man, that was just crazy,” Bleday said. “It was exhausting going back and forth. I’m just glad we came out on top. We showed fight this whole series and it shows our character, that we’re never going to give up and we’re going to do our best not go give away at-bats.”
Oakland Athletics’ JJ Bleday #33 celebrates with teammate Abraham Toro #31 after hitting a two-run home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Matt Koch #54 to tie the game at 9-9 in the eleventh inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Colorado had sent many of the remaining fans to the exits by scoring four times in the top of the 11th against Miller and Brandon Bialek, who got the win by getting the last hitter out.
The A’s erased not one, but two four-run deficits. The most dramatic came in the 11th, when Colorado plated four in the top half to go up 9-5.
But leadoff batter Max Schuemann doubled in free runner Cameron against Koch to make it 9-6. Abraham Toro grounded a single to right to score Schuemann, and claw within two. Bleday followed with a two-run shot to right center and the A’s had tied it 9-9 without making an out.
Lambert (2-3) replaced Koch and got Brent Rooker to fly out for the first out, with Seth Brown following with a single. J.D. Davis struck out while Brown was stealing second, and Zack Gelof hit a single that was knocked down by shortstop Ezequiel Tovar.
Kyle McCann was intentionally walked to load the bases, Soderstrom was sent up to hit for Cameron, and he drew the walk on four pitches.
Ballgame.
“These guys in there, they don’t quit,” Kotsay said. “Today’s an example of that. They’ve stuck together, created teamwork, and the culture today came out.”
Oakland Athletics’ Daz Cameron hits a solo home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Tyler Kinley #40 in the ninth inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Cameron’s eventful debut
Cameron, 27, left Seattle at 5:30 after getting the word he’d been promoted from Triple-A and gave Kotsay a “blank stare” when informed he was starting.
His first two at-bats, Cameron left five runners on base with shallow fly balls. He later had a chance at diving catch and it ticked off his glove. But he did have an infield single preceding Davis’ home run, and then the game-tying shot in the ninth.
“Things like that happen during the course of the game and you move on to the next one,” Cameron said.
As for his home run, Cameron said, “Ever hear of snap, crackle, pop? That’s what it felt like, the ball off the wood on that part of the bat. It was a good feeling.”
Picking up Miller
Miller hadn’t been scored on in 15 appearances and has mostly made big-league hitters look foolish. It was inevitable that even with his fastball breaking 100 miles per hour he’d hit a rough spot. Yes, he came in with free runners in both innings, but he also gave up some legitimately hard contact including a line drive double play that Davis caught at first base at 101 miles per hour.
“He left a lot of pitches in the middle of the plate,” Kotsay said. “Even though he’s got dominant stuff, there’s going to be days when hitters hit fastballs that are center cut and sliders that are up. You’re going to have days like that. Now it’s all about bouncing back.”
Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Joey Estes #68 throws against the Colorado Rockies in the first inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Estes pounds the zone
A’s starter Joey Estes pitched seven innings and did better than four earned runs would suggest. He was let down by his defense on a couple of pop-ups that fell for hits and ended up throwing 73 strikes in 93 pitches.
In the fourth and fifth innings he threw 17 pitches combined. He had no walks and six strikeouts. He gave up two runs and three doubles in the first inning, but settled in nicely.
Estes had given up eight earned runs in 3 2/3 innings in his last outing in Houston.
“That was the plan coming out of the chute, attack the hitters, make them feel uncomfortable so I can put them away,” Estes said.
Houston is next
The A’s host the Astros in a three-game series after being outscored 22-4 in a four-game sweep on the recently completed 1-9 road trip.
“We’re going to enjoy this one. This one feels too good,” Kotsay said. “We want another opportunity to play this team. They’ve had our number for a little while.”
Notable
— McCann was 3-for-4 with two doubles, the first three-hit game of his career, and his hitting .440 (11-for-25) at home).
— Schuemann (3-for-6) also had the first three-hit game of his career.
— Brown was 3-for-6 with a double and his hitting .411 (7-for-17) over his last five games.
Oakland Athletics' Tyler Soderstrom #21 is congratulated by third base coach Brett Harris, #77 JJ Bleday #33 and Brent Rooker #25 after being walked on four pitches with bases loaded for the winning run in the eleventh inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland Athletics' Tyler Soderstrom #21 takes the fourth ball in a row from Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Peter Lambert #20 to walk in the winning run in the eleventh inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland Athletics' outfielder Seth Brown #15 and teammates celebrate their 10-9 extra inning MLB win over the Colorado Rockies at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland Athletics' Seth Brown #15 is safe under the tag of Colorado Rockies' Brendan Rodgers #7 after stealing second base in the eleventh inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland Athletics' Abraham Toro #31 hits an RBI single off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Matt Koch #54 in the eleventh inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland Athletics' Max Schuemann #12 scores on an RBI single by Abraham Toro #31 in the eleventh inning of their MLB game against the Colorado Rockies at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Matt Koch #54 reacts after giving up a two-run home run to Oakland Athletics' JJ Bleday #33 to tie the game at 9-9 in the eleventh inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland Athletics' Max Schuemann #12 hits an RBI double off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Matt Koch #54 in the eleventh inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland Athletics' JJ Bleday #33 celebrates after hitting a two-run home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Matt Koch #54 to tie the game at 9-9 in the eleventh inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland Athletics' Zack Gelof #20 follows through on a single off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Matt Koch #54 in the eleventh inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland Athletics' Daz Cameron #28 scores past Colorado Rockies catcher Jacob Stallings #25 on an an RBI double by Max Schuemann #12 in the eleventh inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Colorado Rockies' Jake Cave #11 hits an RBI single off Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Mason Miller #19 in the eleventh inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Colorado Rockies' Charlie Blackmon #19 scores on a double by Brendan Rodgers #7 in the eleventh inning of their MLB game against the Oakland Athletics at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Mason Miller #19 throws against the Colorado Rockies in the eleventh inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Colorado Rockies' Brendan Rodgers #7 forces out Oakland Athletics’ Kyle McCann #52 at second base after Oakland Athletics' Daz Cameron #28 hit into a double play in the eleventh inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Colorado Rockies' Brenton Doyle #9 hits an infield single off Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Mason Miller #19 in the eleventh inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Colorado Rockies' Elias Díaz #35 scores past Oakland Athletics catcher Kyle McCann #52 after an n RBI single by Jake Cave #11 in the eleventh inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Colorado Rockies' Jake Cave #11 is congratulated by Colorado Rockies' first base Kris Bryant #23 after scoring on an infield single by Brenton Doyle #9 in the eleventh inning of their MLB game against the Oakland Athletics at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland Athletics' Daz Cameron hits a solo home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Tyler Kinley #40 in the ninth inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Colorado Rockies' Brenton Doyle #9 celebrates his RBI double in the first inning of their MLB game against the Oakland Athletics at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Colorado Rockies' second base Alan Trejo #13 strikes out swinging against Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Joey Estes #68 in the second inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
A batting average of .500 shows on the board for Oakland Athletics' Daz Cameron #28 in the ninth inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. Cameron was just called up from the minor leagues and his father is former All-Star outfielder Mike Cameron. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland Athletics' Max Schuemann #12 hits an RBI single off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Victor Vodnik #38 in the seventh inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland Athletics' Max Schuemann #12 is congratulated by teammate Abraham Toro #31 after hitting an RBI single off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Victor Vodnik #38 in the seventh inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland Athletics' Daz Cameron hits a single off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Victor Vodnik #38 in the seventh inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Colorado Rockies' Brendan Rodgers #7 is congratulated after scoring on a single by Jordan Beck #27 in the tenth inning of their MLB game against the Oakland Athletics at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland Athletics' JJ Bleday #33 hits a two-run home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Matt Koch #54 to tie the game at 9-9 in the eleventh inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland Athletics' J.D. Davis #5 is congratulated by teammate Seth Brown #15 after hitting a two-run home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Tyler Kinley #40 in the eighth inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Michael Kelly #47 throws against the Colorado Rockies in the ninth inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland Athletics' J.D. Davis #5 hits a two-run home run off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Tyler Kinley #40 in the eighth inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland Athletics fans display sell the team signs as they sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” in the seventh inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Colorado Rockies' Ryan McMahon #24 hits an RBI fielder’s choice single off Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Joey Estes #68 in the sixth inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Colorado Rockies' Ezequiel Tovar #14 is congratulated after scoring on a fielder’s choice RBI single by Ryan McMahon, #24 off Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Joey Estes, #68 in the sixth inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Ryan Feltner #18 throws against the Oakland Athletics in the first inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Colorado Rockies' Ryan McMahon #24 scores past Oakland Athletics catcher Kyle McCann, #52 after an RBI single by Jacob Stallings, #25 off Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Joey Estes #68 in the sixth inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland Athletics' Max Schuemann #12 is congratulated by teammates after hitting an RBI single off Colorado Rockies relief pitcher Victor Vodnik #38 in the seventh inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland Athletics' J.D. Davis #5 hits a single off Colorado Rockies starting pitcher Ryan Feltner #18 in the second inning of their MLB game at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Colorado Rockies' Ezequiel Tovar #14 is congratulated after scoring on a throwing error by Oakland Athletics center tfielder JJ Bleday #33 in the first inning of their MLB game against the Oakland Athletics at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland Athletics left fielder Daz Cameron #28 in the dugout before their MLB game against the Colorado Rockies at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
Oakland Athletics left fielder Daz Cameron #28 warms up with second baseman Zack Gelof #20 and right fielder Seth Brown #15 before their MLB game against the Colorado Rockies at the Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, May 23, 2024. (Jane Tyska/Bay Area News Group)
