A’s continue Royals frustration with 5-4 victory at empty Coliseum

Shea Langeliers smashed a consecutive-day home run as the Oakland Athletics triumphed over the Kansas City Royals with a 5-4 victory, spoiling the return of former Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke on Tuesday night.

Aledmys Díaz contributed three RBIs for the A’s, and Brent Rooker maintained momentum with two hits following his game-ending home run the previous day.

In a game involving the league’s two lowest-ranked teams, a crowd of 4,021 gathered at the mostly quiet Coliseum, periodically chanting “Sell the team.”

Langeliers’ home run drew a more vibrant reaction from the crowd. The seasoned catcher has rapidly gained fan support since his acquisition from the Braves in March 2022 in exchange for slugger Matt Olson.

A’s manager Mark Kotsay acknowledged Langeliers’ progress and aptitude, comparing it to the development seen in Sean Murphy. Greinke, a six-time All-Star and 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner, returned to the mound after a two-week hiatus due to a right elbow injury. He pitched four scoreless innings, exhibiting his characteristic skill.

The Athletics, currently in the last position, secured their second consecutive win against the Royals, reflecting their relative success against the latter.

Despite an uneven performance by Hogan Harris, who conceded four runs in 3 2/3 innings, the A’s managed to secure the win. Trevor May sealed the deal with his 13th save.

Langeliers’ home run spanned 412 feet and marked his 14th of the season, with most exceeding 400 feet.

Díaz extended the lead with a two-run double that barely stayed inbounds, bouncing off the wall and back into play.

Salvador Perez’s two-run single in the fifth kept the Royals in the contest at 5-4.

Michael Massey’s exceptional defensive play in the seventh inning was a standout moment, preventing a hit by Ryan Noda.

In roster moves, the Royals optioned RHP Dylan Coleman to Triple-A Omaha to accommodate Greinke’s return. The Athletics sent RHP Tayler Scott to Triple-A Las Vegas, making room for Harris.

The next game will feature Royals’ LHP Cole Ragans (4-4, 4.08 ERA) facing the A’s for the fourth time in his career in the series finale. Ragans is still seeking his first win against the Athletics. The A’s are yet to announce a starter.

Andrew McCutchen’s two-run home run was the highlight of a five-run fifth inning against struggling Adam Wainwright, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 6-3 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night.

Wainwright, stuck at 198 career wins, has been grappling with a challenging season, marked by an 0-8 record and a 12.56 ERA in his last nine starts. Despite entering his 18th year of major league service, he couldn’t secure his 199th win.

Wainwright expressed his disappointment: “Getting 199 would be great. I need to get to 199 before I think about 200.” He plans to retire at the end of the season.

Pittsburgh capitalized on Wainwright’s struggles, with a five-run fifth inning that included contributions from Ji Hwan Bae, Bryan Reynolds, and McCutchen. This marked McCutchen’s 299th career home run.

The Cardinals’ frustrations were evident as catcher Willson Contreras and manager Oliver Marmol were ejected for arguing calls. Rookie Jordan Walker also experienced his first career ejection.

St. Louis continues to struggle, losing six of their last seven games and falling behind the Pirates in the NL Central.

Wainwright’s efforts fell short, as he was charged with six runs in 4 2/3 innings. McCutchen has had success against Wainwright in the past, with four homers in 26-for-83 matchups.

Johan Oviedo, previously with the Cardinals, earned his first win against his former team. He allowed one run and four hits in five innings.

Despite Richie Palacios’ home run and efforts from Contreras and Alec Burleson, the Cardinals couldn’t bridge the gap.

Plate umpire Brennan Miller ejected Contreras and Marmol for arguing a called third strike, with Walker also being thrown out for disputing a call.

The Cardinals dealt with injury setbacks as LHP Matthew Liberatore was placed on the 15-day injured list, and RHP Ryan Helsley’s MRI showed no structural damage. Outfielder Dylan Carlson received an injection for a lingering ankle issue.

In the upcoming game, LHP Zack Thompson is set to start for the Cardinals, while RHP Luis Ortiz will take the mound for the Pirates after joining the team from Triple-A Indianapolis. The Cardinals aim to avoid a sweep as they face the Pirates.

The MLB Scoreboard for Tuesday, August 22, 2023: 

American League:

Toronto Blue Jays 3, Baltimore Orioles 0 (10 innings)

• Winning Pitcher: T. Mayza (3-1)
• Losing Pitcher: M. Baumann (9-1)
• Save: J. Romano (31)
• Toronto Home Runs: B. Belt (14), D. Varsho (16)

Seattle Mariners 6, Chicago White Sox 3

• Winning Pitcher: J. Topa (3-3)
• Losing Pitcher: M. Clevinger (5-6)
• Save: A. Muñoz (8)
• Seattle Home Run: J. Rojas (2)
• Chicago White Sox Home Run: A. Benintendi (3)

Houston Astros 7, Boston Red Sox 3

• Winning Pitcher: J. Verlander (3-1)
• Losing Pitcher: T. Houck (3-7)
• Houston Home Run: K. Tucker (25)
• Boston Home Run: A. Duvall (13)

Oakland Athletics 5, Kansas City Royals 4

• Winning Pitcher: H. Harris (3-6)
• Losing Pitcher: A. Zerpa (1-2)
• Save: T. May (13)
• Oakland Home Run: S. Langeliers (13)

Interleague:

Detroit Tigers 8, Chicago Cubs 6

• Winning Pitcher: T. Holton (3-2)
• Losing Pitcher: D. Smyly (9-9)
• Save: A. Lange (19)
• Detroit Home Runs: A. Ibáñez 2 (9)
• Chicago Cubs Home Runs: D. Swanson (19), J. Candelario (18)

Tampa Bay Rays 12, Colorado Rockies 4

• Winning Pitcher: A. Kittredge (1-0)
• Losing Pitcher: B. Suter (4-1)
• Tampa Bay Home Run: O. Basabe (1)
• Colorado Home Run: M. Toglia (3)

Washington Nationals 2, New York Yankees 1

• Winning Pitcher: M. Thompson (4-4)
• Losing Pitcher: T. Kahnle (1-2)
• Save: K. Finnegan (22)
• Washington Home Runs: C. Abrams (13), C. Kieboom (1)
• New York Yankees Home Run: B. Rortvedt (2)

Cleveland Guardians 8, Los Angeles Dodgers 3

• Winning Pitcher: S. Hentges (2-2)
• Losing Pitcher: B. Miller (7-3)
• Cleveland Home Runs: K. Calhoun (2), O. Gonzalez (2)
• Los Angeles Dodgers Home Run: W. Smith (16)

Milwaukee Brewers 7, Minnesota Twins 3

• Winning Pitcher: B. Wilson (5-0)
• Losing Pitcher: D. Floro (1-1)
• Milwaukee Home Run: W. Adames (20)
• Minnesota Home Run: C. Vázquez (4)

Los Angeles Angels 4, Cincinnati Reds 3

• Winning Pitcher: G. Ashcraft (7-8)
• Losing Pitcher: L. Giolito (7-10)
• Save: A. Díaz (34)
• Los Angeles Angels Home Runs: B. Drury (18), M. Moustakas (8), L. O’Hoppe (5)
• Cincinnati Reds Home Run: M. McLain (14)

Arizona Diamondbacks 6, Texas Rangers 3

• Winning Pitcher: Z. Gallen (14-5)
• Losing Pitcher: J. Gray (8-7)
• Save: P. Sewald (6)
• Texas Home Run: M. Garver (10)