In Seattle, they started calling it the “king’s treatment”.
This is in reference to former ace “King Felix” Hernandez, who spent most of his sailors career hampered by poor running support
Starting Seattle seems to be getting the same treatment this season.
THE sailors open a three-game series with the lowly Oakland Athletics Monday night at T-Mobile Park with a .226 batting average per team, the second-worst in the majors after San Diego’s .222
Seattle spoiled another quality start from George Kirby on Sunday in a 3-2 loss at Atlanta that capped a nine-game road trip. THE sailors had one hit in the first six innings against rookie Jared Shuster, who earned his first major league win
“It’s time to go home” sailors said manager Scott Servais. “Obviously, we haven’t done enough offensively yet (Sunday)
“It’s hard to overcome when you don’t put the ball in play. Whether it’s, you know, more changes than we expected or more life on the fastball, whatever, at some point. , you have to reduce your swing and put the ball in play.”
THE sailors‘ only Sunday runs came on solo runs from Jarred Kelenic and rookie Jose Caballero
Seattle fell to 5-16 in scoring three or fewer runs and is 4-12 in one-point games. It was the 10th time this season that sailors were held to two runs or less and the 21st time they struck out 10+ times
Highlighting Seattle’s struggles, reigning American League rookie of the year Julio Rodriguez has a .204/.280/.656 slash line.
Collectively, the sailors have a .681 on-base plus slugging percentage, tied for 26th among MLB’s 30 teams with Oakland, which is on course to finish 34-128 this season
The A’s lost 2-0 Sunday at Houston as Framber Valdez threw a four hit.
It’s the third time Oakland has been shut out in its last 10 games and the seventh time this season.
The A’s have lost four in a row, seven of eight and 12 of their last 14 games.
“I think we can build on this series,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said on Sunday. “I know the wins weren’t there. From the point of view of improving us and keeping us in games, they did that over the weekend, and if we can keep doing that it will lead to more of success.”
Seattle swept a three-game series at Oakland May 2-4.
The A’s could get a boost with the return of outfielder/first baseman Seth Brown, who has been out since suffering a Grade 2 left oblique strain on April 8 during a check swing.
Brown, who led the A’s in home runs (25) and RBIs (73) last season, went 5 for 13 in four rehab games — three with Class A Stockton and another with Triple-A Las Vegas .
Kotsay said Brown is expected to meet the big league club on Monday when it will be determined if he is ready to be activated.
Oakland left-hander Kyle Muller (1-3, 7.71 ERA) is expected to start the series opener against M right-hander Luis Castillo (2-2, 3.31). Muller will face Seattle for the first time; Castillo is 1-2 with a 5.17 ERA in three career starts against the A’s.
–Field-Level Media