The Oakland Athletics seem to have two persistent problems this season: lack of a consistent offense and a bullpen that is much squishier than either the team or their fans would like. Both of these problems reared their heads on Tuesday, as the A's dropped their second straight game to the Minnesota Twins by a final score of 3-2.
Both starting pitchers kept the game scoreless into the seventh inning. The A's put a man on second with one out in the top of the seventh, prompting Minnesota to go to their bullpen. With two outs, Collin Cowgill hit a single through the left side to score a run and put the A's on top 1-0.
The A's added an insurance run in the top of the eighth, with another two-out RBI single, this time by Coco Crisp.
In the bottom of the ninth, Brian Fuentes came into the game to get the save, but gave up a leadoff single, followed by a walk. Fuentes retired the next two Twins batters, but Josh Willingham hit the second pitch he saw to center field for a home run for a walk-off win.
Oakland starter Jarrod Parker went six innings, giving up no runs on four hits and four walks.
With the loss, the A's have now lost five in a row. They will attempt to avoid the sweep on Wednesday.
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