For the second time in three games the Oakland Athletics came out on the losing end of a walk-off hit as the Philadelphia Phillies won 1-0 Friday night on a single in the ninth. Guillermo Moscoso pitched seven brilliant innings but the offense struggled once again and Brian Fuentes dropped to 1-8 with the walk-off single. Wins and losses are not particularly indicative of a relief pitcher’s worth, but it definitely seems like Fuentes has pitched like a 1-8 pitcher for long stretches this season.
A’s starter Guillermo Moscoso and Phillies starter Vance Worley both put together strong starts as they each took a no-hitter into the sixth inning. Of course, Worley’s was probably a little less impressive not because of the four walks he issued, but the fact that the A’s offense is just not very good.
Both no-hitters were broken up in the sixth inning but neither team could get runs on the board heading into the ninth. The A’s went down in order, at which point Brian Fuentes came on in relief of Joey Devine. Shane Victorino worked a tough lead-off walk and then advanced to second on a Domonic Brown one-out single. Both runners advanced on Brian Schneider’s ground out to first, which brought up pinch-hitter Ben Francisco.
After working a 2-0 count, Francisco bounced a grounder down the third base line. Sizemore had been playing right near the edge of the grass, possibly looking for a sly attempt at a bunt. Instead, the bouncer shot up over Sizemore’s head into left field allowing Victorino to easily score. Had Sizemore been playing back he probably easily makes the play, but that doesn’t really take Fuentes off the hook for putting the defense in that position in the first place. Either way, the A’s walk away with their third straight loss.
The A’s and Phillies are back in action Saturday at 4:05pm pacific on CSN California. Trevor Cahill will square off with Cole Hamels as the A’s look to snap their losing streak.