Two rookies help snap the A's losing streak against MLB's best team. Here's how

Yahoo

26-05-2025

The A's had every opportunity to break through and end their losing streak Saturday night against baseball's hottest team. They failed to close the game in the ninth inning or score a run with the bases loaded and no outs in the 10th before succumbing to the Philadelphia Phillies.
That loss was perhaps their most frustrating of their 11-game losing streak, which was the longest in the Major Leagues through the first two months of the season.
But it made Sunday's win 5-4 win over first-place Philadelphia that much sweeter, fueled by contributions from rookies getting their first chance in the big leagues.
'We went through a stretch, for sure,' A's manager Mark Kotsay said. 'And today showed that even through that tough stretch, they still believe they have the confidence that they can win games.'
Rookies Willie MacIver and Logan Davidson drove in three of the A's five runs, with Davidson scoring the tying run during a decisive eighth inning rally before MacIver's RBI-single scored the go-ahead run. The win ended the Phillies' nine-game winning streak.
MacIver, a catcher, and Davidson, someone the A's believe can play all over the field, were making their first career starts at catcher and first base, respectively. Each will remember their first hits in the major leagues for driving in runs in a one-run win over a club with the majors' best record.
'Best day of my life,' MacIver said afterwards.
MacIver was an offensive hero, but also made the game's final play defensively when he threw out speedy pinch runner Johan Rojas trying to steal second base to get in scoring position with two outs in the ninth inning. Rojas was initially called out, but it was a close play and Phillies manager Rob Thompson challenged the call.
As replays showed in the stadium, fans and players were conflicted on what the call should be. Ultimately, it was upheld.
'I hope it's confirmed, that's what I was thinking,' MacIver said. 'I went out to the mound, and Mason (Miller) said, 'I don't know, he might have gotten in there. And then Willy (Jacob Wilson) said, 'I got him.' And when Willie said I got him, I was like, oh, we're good.'
MacIver said he bought 23 tickets for friends and family members coming from his home town of Pleasant Hill, roughly an hour drive from West Sacramento. He signed with the A's in December after spending seven seasons in the Colorado Rockies' minor league system.
'I had a bunch of family and friends there — that's who I'm doing this for,' MacIver said. 'They've had my back the whole time, my whole grind up the minor leagues, college, high school, travel ball. My dad coached me until I was in high school. I couldn't be more thankful for my family and everything, and I was just so happy I could do something cool in front of them.'
Davidson was starting at first base for fellow rookie Nick Kurtz, who left Saturday's game in extra innings with a hip flexor issue. Kotsay said Kurtz will undergo further testing before a prognosis is given on the injury and whether he'll need to go on the injured list.
Davidson drove in two runs with a double in the first inning, part of his two-hit day in which he walked and scored a run. He was a first-round pick in 2019 but had a long road to the A's. He made his debut at 27 after being in the minors for six seasons, including parts of the last three years in Triple-A.
He made the start Sunday after a rough first showing on Saturday when he was thrown out at the plate trying to score on a sacrifice fly in extra innings before getting called for obstruction on Kyle Schwarber's RBI-double that proved to be the difference in the game in the 11th.
'Coming out today was like a fresh start. Getting the start at first (base) was awesome,' Davidson said. 'Just kind of a clean slate. ... We finally came out on top.'
MacIver and Davidson joined the A's this weekend during a roster shakeup that included adding fellow rookies Denzel Clark and CJ Alexander from Triple-A Las Vegas.
Kotsay was able to smile about getting ejected from the game after he celebrated the win with his players in the clubhouse in left field.
He was thrown out by home plate umpired Roberto Ortiz in the seventh inning for arguing balls and strikes just before Miguel Andujar struck out with two runners on. Andujar struck out swinging, and was also ejected by Ortiz after some choice words while heading back to the dugout.
And because the clubhouse is beyond the outfield wall, Kotsay had to make the first in-game walk for a manager down the left-field line after being ejected. It was the first time a manager had been ejected since the A's moved to Sutter Health Park.
'There was a moment where I thought, should I jog?' Kotsay quipped. 'Actually, no, I think (Jesús) Luzardo could use a little break.'
Kotsay did not look eager to get to the clubhouse after the ejection. His unofficial time from home plate to the left field corner was 48 seconds, as timed by a reporter.
The A's flew to Houston following Sunday's game where they will begin a two-game series against the Houston Astros before a four-game set in Toronto against the Blue Jays.