Latest news with #MacIver
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Two rookies help snap the A's losing streak against MLB's best team. Here's how
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.
NBC Sports
26-05-2025
- Sport
- NBC Sports
A's catcher MacIver gets go-ahead hit, throws out runner to end game in big league debut at age 28
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Willie MacIver hit a go-ahead single in the eighth inning of his major league debut. Minutes later, the 28-year-old catcher threw out a runner trying to steal second for the final out that ended the Athletics' 11-game losing streak. 'I woke up hoping for a Gatorade bath at the end of the game and, man, I've never felt such a good feeling with such cold water,' he said after the A's beat Philadelphia 5-4 on Sunday and stopped the Phillies' nine-game win streak. MacIver was among five players brought up from the minors on Friday. He started Sunday in place of Shea Langeliers in the day game after a night game. 'This is part of the talk that we had in spring training, it was going to take the whole army that was in the room,' said manager Mark Kotsay, who watched the end from the clubhouse following his first ejection this season. MacIver, hitting .389 with two homers and 30 RBIs at Triple-A Las Vegas, grounded out in the second and fourth against Jesús Luzardo, then struck out in the sixth. After Trea Turner homered in the eighth off Hogan Harris for a 4-3 lead, another Friday call-ups sparked the rally. Logan Davidson walked and scored on Lawrence Butler's triple against Matt Strahm. MacIver fouled off a fastball, then drove a cutter into center field to bring home the go-ahead run. 'I'm always upset about walks,' Strahm said. 'I just feel like I've had too many too close together.' A day after blowing a ninth-inning lead, Mason Miller allowed a two-out single in the ninth to Alec Bohm. Johan Rojas pinch ran and MacIver, who had been in the minors since 2018, threw to shortstop Jacob Wilson, who tagged the sliding Rojas on an elbow. 'I had family here, friends, teammates, ex-teammates,' MacIver said. 'It's a dream come true. I can't even put it into words.' Rojas at 29.9 feet per second has the fifth-highest sprint speed in the majors among players with 10 or more opportunities, according to Statcast. MacIver was selected by Colorado in the ninth round of the 2018 amateur draft from the University of Washington. He played in the 2021 Futures Game with Bobby Witt Jr., Julio Rodríguez and Spencer Torkelson. MacIver became a minor league free agent last November and signed a minor league contract with the Athletics a month later. 'I'm so grateful for my family and for my support system,' he said. 'They've been everything to me and I obviously wouldn't be here without them and like I can't thank them enough. ... The fact that they could be here and see my first hit and how that game ended, man, it's awesome.' Davidson started at first a day after Nick Kurtz left the game because of a left hip issue. He had two hits and two RBIs a day after a forgettable debut. Davidson entered as a pinch runner for Kurtz in the 10th inning. He was thrown out at the plate, called for obstruction and ended a 9-6 loss by striking out. 'There's a lot of confidence that I have in this kid,' Kotsay said. 'I've invested a lot of time, we've had a lot of conversations through the last two seasons about what it was going to take for him to be a big leaguer and he has not backed down from anything that I've given him and to see the reward come today and just his first start and contributing and having such an impact to the win, was awesome.'
San Francisco Chronicle
26-05-2025
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
A's catcher MacIver gets go-ahead hit, throws out runner to end game in big league debut at age 28
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Willie MacIver hit a go-ahead single in the eighth inning of his major league debut. Minutes later, the 28-year-old catcher threw out a runner trying to steal second for the final out that ended the Athletics' 11-game losing streak. 'I woke up hoping for a Gatorade bath at the end of the game and, man, I've never felt such a good feeling with such cold water,' he said after the A's beat Philadelphia 5-4 on Sunday and stopped the Phillies' nine-game win streak. MacIver was among five players brought up from the minors on Friday. He started Sunday in place of Shea Langeliers in the day game after a night game. 'This is part of the talk that we had in spring training, it was going to take the whole army that was in the room,' said manager Mark Kotsay, who watched the end from the clubhouse following his first ejection this season. MacIver, hitting .389 with two homers and 30 RBIs at Triple-A Las Vegas, grounded out in the second and fourth against Jesús Luzardo, then struck out in the sixth. After Trea Turner homered in the eighth off Hogan Harris for a 4-3 lead, another Friday call-ups sparked the rally. Logan Davidson walked and scored on Lawrence Butler's triple against Matt Strahm. MacIver fouled off a fastball, then drove a cutter into center field to bring home the go-ahead run. 'I'm always upset about walks,' Strahm said. 'I just feel like I've had too many too close together.' A day after blowing a ninth-inning lead, Mason Miller allowed a two-out single in the ninth to Alec Bohm. Johan Rojas pinch ran and MacIver, who had been in the minors since 2018, threw to shortstop Jacob Wilson, who tagged the sliding Rojas on an elbow. 'I had family here, friends, teammates, ex-teammates,' MacIver said. 'It's a dream come true. I can't even put it into words.' Rojas at 29.9 feet per second has the fifth-highest sprint speed in the majors among players with 10 or more opportunities, according to Statcast. MacIver was selected by Colorado in the ninth round of the 2018 amateur draft from the University of Washington. He played in the 2021 Futures Game with Bobby Witt Jr., Julio Rodríguez and Spencer Torkelson. MacIver became a minor league free agent last November and signed a minor league contract with the Athletics a month later. 'I'm so grateful for my family and for my support system,' he said. 'They've been everything to me and I obviously wouldn't be here without them and like I can't thank them enough. ... The fact that they could be here and see my first hit and how that game ended, man, it's awesome.' Davidson started at first a day after Nick Kurtz left the game because of a left hip issue. He had two hits and two RBIs a day after a forgettable debut. Davidson entered as a pinch runner for Kurtz in the 10th inning. He was thrown out at the plate, called for obstruction and ended a 9-6 loss by striking out. 'There's a lot of confidence that I have in this kid,' Kotsay said. 'I've invested a lot of time, we've had a lot of conversations through the last two seasons about what it was going to take for him to be a big leaguer and he has not backed down from anything that I've given him and to see the reward come today and just his first start and contributing and having such an impact to the win, was awesome.' ___
Fox Sports
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
A's catcher MacIver gets go-ahead hit, throws out runner to end game in big league debut at age 28
Associated Press WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Willie MacIver hit a go-ahead single in the eighth inning of his major league debut. Minutes later, the 28-year-old catcher threw out a runner trying to steal second for the final out that ended the Athletics' 11-game losing streak. 'I woke up hoping for a Gatorade bath at the end of the game and, man, I've never felt such a good feeling with such cold water,' he said after the A's beat Philadelphia 5-4 on Sunday and stopped the Phillies' nine-game win streak. MacIver was among five players brought up from the minors on Friday. He started Sunday in place of Shea Langeliers in the day game after a night game. 'This is part of the talk that we had in spring training, it was going to take the whole army that was in the room,' said manager Mark Kotsay, who watched the end from the clubhouse following his first ejection this season. MacIver, hitting .389 with two homers and 30 RBIs at Triple-A Las Vegas, grounded out in the second and fourth against Jesus Luzardo, then struck out in the sixth. After Trea Turner homered in the eighth off Hogan Harris for a 4-3 lead, another Friday call-ups sparked the rally. Logan Davidson walked and scored on Lawrence Butler's triple against Matt Strahm. MacIver fouled off a fastball, then drove a cutter into center field to bring home the go-ahead run. 'I'm always upset about walks,' Strahm said. 'I just feel like I've had too many too close together.' A day after blowing a ninth-inning lead, Mason Miller allowed a two-out single in the ninth to Alec Bohm. Johan Rojas pinch ran and MacIver, who had been in the minors since 2018, threw to shortstop Jacob Wilson, who tagged the sliding Rojas on an elbow. 'I had family here, friends, teammates, ex-teammates,' MacIver said. 'It's a dream come true. I can't even put it into words.' Rojas at 29.9 feet per second has the fifth-highest sprint speed in the majors among players with 10 or more opportunities, according to Statcast. MacIver was selected by Colorado in the ninth round of the 2018 amateur draft from the University of Washington. He played in the 2021 Futures Game with Bobby Witt Jr., Julio Rodríguez and Spencer Torkelson. MacIver became a minor league free agent last November and signed a minor league contract with the Athletics a month later. 'I'm so grateful for my family and for my support system,' he said. 'They've been everything to me and I obviously wouldn't be here without them and like I can't thank them enough. ... The fact that they could be here and see my first hit and how that game ended, man, it's awesome.' Davidson started at first a day after Nick Kurtz left the game because of a left hip issue. He had two hits and two RBIs a day after a forgettable debut. Davidson entered as a pinch runner for Kurtz in the 10th inning. He was thrown out at the plate, called for obstruction and ended a 9-6 loss by striking out. 'There's a lot of confidence that I have in this kid,' Kotsay said. 'I've invested a lot of time, we've had a lot of conversations through the last two seasons about what it was going to take for him to be a big leaguer and he has not backed down from anything that I've given him and to see the reward come today and just his first start and contributing and having such an impact to the win, was awesome.' ___ AP MLB: recommended
Winnipeg Free Press
26-05-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
A's catcher MacIver gets go-ahead hit, throws out runner to end game in big league debut at age 28
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — Willie MacIver hit a go-ahead single in the eighth inning of his major league debut. Minutes later, the 28-year-old catcher threw out a runner trying to steal second for the final out that ended the Athletics' 11-game losing streak. 'I woke up hoping for a Gatorade bath at the end of the game and, man, I've never felt such a good feeling with such cold water,' he said after the A's beat Philadelphia 5-4 on Sunday and stopped the Phillies' nine-game win streak. MacIver was among five players brought up from the minors on Friday. He started Sunday in place of Shea Langeliers in the day game after a night game. 'This is part of the talk that we had in spring training, it was going to take the whole army that was in the room,' said manager Mark Kotsay, who watched the end from the clubhouse following his first ejection this season. MacIver, hitting .389 with two homers and 30 RBIs at Triple-A Las Vegas, grounded out in the second and fourth against Jesús Luzardo, then struck out in the sixth. After Trea Turner homered in the eighth off Hogan Harris for a 4-3 lead, another Friday call-ups sparked the rally. Logan Davidson walked and scored on Lawrence Butler's triple against Matt Strahm. MacIver fouled off a fastball, then drove a cutter into center field to bring home the go-ahead run. 'I'm always upset about walks,' Strahm said. 'I just feel like I've had too many too close together.' A day after blowing a ninth-inning lead, Mason Miller allowed a two-out single in the ninth to Alec Bohm. Johan Rojas pinch ran and MacIver, who had been in the minors since 2018, threw to shortstop Jacob Wilson, who tagged the sliding Rojas on an elbow. 'I had family here, friends, teammates, ex-teammates,' MacIver said. 'It's a dream come true. I can't even put it into words.' Rojas at 29.9 feet per second has the fifth-highest sprint speed in the majors among players with 10 or more opportunities, according to Statcast. MacIver was selected by Colorado in the ninth round of the 2018 amateur draft from the University of Washington. He played in the 2021 Futures Game with Bobby Witt Jr., Julio Rodríguez and Spencer Torkelson. MacIver became a minor league free agent last November and signed a minor league contract with the Athletics a month later. 'I'm so grateful for my family and for my support system,' he said. 'They've been everything to me and I obviously wouldn't be here without them and like I can't thank them enough. … The fact that they could be here and see my first hit and how that game ended, man, it's awesome.' Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. Davidson started at first a day after Nick Kurtz left the game because of a left hip issue. He had two hits and two RBIs a day after a forgettable debut. Davidson entered as a pinch runner for Kurtz in the 10th inning. He was thrown out at the plate, called for obstruction and ended a 9-6 loss by striking out. 'There's a lot of confidence that I have in this kid,' Kotsay said. 'I've invested a lot of time, we've had a lot of conversations through the last two seasons about what it was going to take for him to be a big leaguer and he has not backed down from anything that I've given him and to see the reward come today and just his first start and contributing and having such an impact to the win, was awesome.' ___ AP MLB:
