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The Oakland Athletics’ forgettable season continues. The team recently lost a matchup to AL West rival Seattle despite their starting pitcher throwing a no-hitter.
Fans were quick to post their reactions to manager Mark Kotsay’s decision to remove his starter late in the midst of a fantastic game as his bullpen would promptly give up the lead.
Oakland rookie Mason Miller made his third start of the season on Tuesday, which would be his best to date. The right-hander threw seven scoreless innings, striking out six Seattle batters and holding the Mariners’ offense hitless.
Despite his superb performance, Miller was pulled from action after closing out the seventh frame. When he left the game, his team led, 1-0.
It wouldn’t take long for that lead to disappear.
In the eighth, Seattle plated a pair of runs to take a 2-1 advantage. The decision to remove his starting pitcher from action was immediately criticized.
Why would a pitcher be pulled during a no-no? pic.twitter.com/VnGx93PSrS
— goodshotgreen (@1goodshotgreen) May 3, 2023
“And then the bullpens promptly blows it! SMH,” one fan wrote.
Another said, “Seven no-hit innings by your rookie starter who then gets pulled and the bullpen immediately allows a game-tying homer. That’s the most Oakland A’s thing to happen so far all season.”
Mark Kotsay’s made the decision due to his rookie pitcher’s pitch count, which sat at exactly 100 pitches.
With the loss, the A’s fell to just 6-24 on the season. Their starting pitchers have yet to record a win this season, combining to go 0-15 through 30 contests, an MLB mark they continue to build upon with each passing game.
The A’s starting pitchers still haven’t recorded a win all year.
— Coliseum Sewage (@ColiseumSewage) April 29, 2023
In each of Oakland’s last two defeats, the A’s have blown leads in the eighth and ninth innings as the bullpen continues to be an issue (6.86 ERA).
The A’s next opportunity to break the spell will be on Wednesday in another meeting with the Mariners.