OAKLAND – Joey Estes allowed two runs in 5 2/3 innings and the Oakland Athletics scored 4 times within the fourth inning in a 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday, avoiding a sweep of the three-game series.
Estes (6-6) held the Brewers, who had scored 20 runs in the primary two games of the series, to simply two hits while allowing five strikeouts and a walk. Mason Miller recorded his twenty first save of the season when he entered the sport with two outs within the eighth inning and a one-run lead.
Estes, 22, said he placed his fastball effectively and his sweeper worked well as well.
“I feel like I was able to change the eye level a little bit and mess up the count,” Estes said.
Brewers starter Frankie Montas (6-9) gave the A's the lead in the primary three innings, but Oakland broke through within the fourth inning, scoring 4 runs when the primary five batters reached base.
“Our offense has struggled to score throughout the home game,” A's manager Mark Kotsay said, “so today was a great day because the pitchers took good care of us.”
Trailing 2-0, Lawrence Butler, Brent Rooker and JJ Bleday opened the inning with consecutive singles. Shea Langeliers walked with the bases loaded, Seth Brown tied the sport with a single, then Daz Cameron and Zack Gelof hit back-to-back sacrifice flies to offer the A's a 4-2 lead.
“We couldn't string those hits together or build those innings like we did today in the fourth,” Kotsay said. “Coming out of the All-Star break, we've done a better job of not just relying on the home run to win games. So that's a part of the offense that we talk about, that we work on (in batting practice) … and it's a good feeling to see it executed.”
Gary Sánchez hit a two-run homer for the Brewers within the second inning. Willy Adames cut Oakland's result in 4-3 with a solo home run within the seventh inning.
Montas was a pitcher for the A's from 2017 to 2022 and finished sixth within the 2021 Cy Young voting with 13 wins.
“After we went up 2-0, we didn't get the ball moving properly,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said. “If you don't do that, you lose games in the major leagues.”
The A's, who will play Sacramento next season before moving to Las Vegas in 2028, drew 15,961 spectators to the Coliseum.
Montas, who received a game ball after the sport, said it was “special” to pitch on the Coliseum one last time.
“I had my best season here at the Coliseum,” Montas said. “It will definitely always have a place in my heart.”
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TRAINING ROOM
Athletics: IF Tyler Soderstrom (left wrist) will increase his hitting this week. … IF Jacob Wilson (left hamstring strain) must have one other rehab outing at Triple-A Las Vegas on Sunday and can be evaluated after the sport, based on manager Mark Kotsay. … LHP Scott Alexander (left rotator cuff inflammation) worked a bullpen session Saturday and will face live hitters this week.
Next
Athletics: Oakland travels to Cincinnati to face the Reds in a three-game series starting Tuesday. RHP Mitch Spence (7-9, 4.67 ERA) is scheduled to begin the primary game.
Originally published:
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