by Jerry Feitelberg
The A’s returned home Thursday night to start an eleven game homestand. Chris Bassitt (0.3, 2.94 ERA) was on the hill for the A’s, and he was opposed by the Indians Carlos Carrasco (10-8, 4.25ERA.) Carrasco was dominant. He gave up two hits and one run in the first inning, and that was it. Carrasco did not allow a hit the rest of the way and he pitched a complete game. Indians win 3-1. Chris Bassitt pitched well for Oakland but not well enough. Bassitt gave up three runs and four hits in the first inning but allowed just two more hits in seven innings of work.
The Indians jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. A’s starter, Chris Bassitt, was roughed up for four hits to start the game. The Indians would have had four runs, but a base running blunder by Jason Kipnis cost the Tribe a run. Kipnis singled to left to start the game. The next batter, Francisco Lindor, attempted a bunt but missed the ball. Kipnis was running on the play but couldn’t get back to first safely and was tagged out. Lindor reached on a single. Left fielder Michael Brantley doubled down the left field line driving in Lindor and Brantley advanced to third when Sam Fuld let the ball get by him for an error. As it turned out, it didn’t matter as the cleanup hitter, Carlos Santana, deposited his twelfth homer of the year over the left-field fence to put the Indians up by three. The A’s scored a run in their half of the inning. Billy Burns singled to get it going. Burns stole second when Sam Fuld struck out. The next batter, the red-hot Josh Reddick, doubled to right field driving in Burns to make it 3-1 after one complete. Final 3-1 in favor of Cleveland.
Game notes- The A’s managed just two flyball outs against Carrasco. The Indian outfielders had a great time watching Carrasco’s dominant performance. Carrasco has won all ten games this year when given the lead. Carrasco retired the last sixteen A’s in a row.
Game two of the four-game set will start at 6:35 at the O.co Coliseum. There will be a firework display after the game.
Kendall Graveman will go for Oakland and he will be opposed by the Indians’ Danny Salazar.
KPIX meteorologist Roberta Gonzalez threw out the first pitch Thursday night. Time of game was 2 hours and fifteen minutes and 13,173 were on hand to watch the A’s go down to defeat.
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