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Oakland Athletics Recap: Sean Manaea, A’s Lose to Angels

By Melson Varsovia

Nov 7, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Oakland Athletics pitcher Sean Manaea during the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars game at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Oakland Athletics pitcher Sean Manaea during the Arizona Fall League Fall Stars game at Salt River Fields. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Recap: Oakland Athletics Lose to Los Angeles Angels, 11-3; Bruce Maxwell Shines

The Oakland Athletics battled the Los Angeles Angeles to an 11-3 loss today in Hohokam Stadium, Mesa, Arizona. Sean Manaea allowed five runs (four earned) in four innings, striking out one. He allowed a home run to Mike Trout in the first inning.

The A’s allowed sixteen hits in today’s derby but did score seven of their own in the three runs they tallied. Two of Oakland’s runs came from solo home runs: Bruce Maxwell in the second inning and Coco Crisp in the fifth.

But the surge in A’s power came at a price.

The A’s committed four errors, one each by Manaea, Crisp, Marcus Semien, and Jake Smolinski. Crisp’s throwing error, committed in the fourth inning, was the most costly in that it allowed Yunel Escobar to advance on a flyout by Kole Calhoun. Escobar scored in the next at bat thanks to a Mike Trout single. In short, Crisp’s arm is only getting worse and worse, and he may no longer be an asset in center field for the Athletics.

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The A’s bullpen was worn down in this game, but there are some bright spots as Fernando Rodriguez, John Axford, and Ryan Madson all pitched one inning each without allowing any runs. Also, Josh Reddick hit a double and Jed Lowrie hit two.

Finally, Bruce Maxwell is looking more and more like the catcher of the future.

Not only did he energize the crowd of 10,112 with the aforementioned solo home run, but he caught eight innings and six different pitchers, owing to his flexibility at catcher. He owes his growth to doing more cardio and quitting alcohol.

Next: The Lesson Of Jim Johnson

Rich Hill, slated to pitch today’s game, pitched in a minor-league game. He will pitch again on March 30 against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Oakland’s final game at Hohokam Stadium in Mesa this year.

Saturday’s contest in Surprise Stadium features the A’s playing the Kansas City Royals. Chris Bassitt pitches against Chien-Ming Wang at 1:05 PT.