Matt Olson hit a grand slam, Mitch Moreland homered twice to back Sean Manaea's shutout and the Athletics slugged past the depleted Minnesota Twins 7-0 Tuesday in the first game of a doubleheader for Oakland's ninth straight victory.
Moreland connected for a two-run homer in the second inning and a solo drive in the fourth off Matt Shoemaker (1-1).
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Matt Olson hit a grand slam, Mitch Moreland homered twice to back Sean Manaea's shutout and the Athletics slugged past the depleted Minnesota Twins 7-0 Tuesday in the first game of a doubleheader for Oakland's ninth straight victory.
Olson made it 7-0 with his fourth-inning slam through a blustery wind.
The Twins' scheduled series opener in Oakland was delayed, forcing the doubleheader. Minnesota missed games Saturday and Sunday against the Angels in Anaheim.
TRYING TIMES
Baldelli called this “one of the most emotional periods of time that I’ve spent in the game, and I mean that in a pretty broad-spanning way.”
"That’s crazy, you don’t see that a lot,” Donor, of San Bruno, said.
Athletics: Oakland reinstated LHP Reymin Guduan from the injured list and he was added as the 27th man for the doubleheader. ... OF Piscotty returned from the paternity list. The A's designated OF Ka’ai Tom for assignment. “We'd like to keep him obviously but at this time there just weren't very many at-bats for him,” manager Bob Melvin said. ... LHP A.J. Puk has played catch but “hasn't felt great yet, he's felt some lingering stuff,” Melvin said. Puk is yet to throw off a mound as he works back from a strained biceps in his pitching arm. ... RHP Mike Fiers (right hip) was set to throw for the last time with the club's alternate site and if all goes well could be activated soon. ... OF/INF Chad Pinder, sidelined by a sprained left knee, is still working to add more baseball activities.
On Wednesday, RHP Kenta Maeda (1-1, 3.07) pitches for Minnesota and the A's counter with RHP Frankie Montas (2-1, 4.91).
The left-handed Manaea (2-1) allowed six hits, struck out seven and walked one over seven innings, throwing 95 pitches for his second career complete game and shutout — he no-hit the Red Sox at home on April 21, 2018.
Oakland Athletics' Mitch Moreland watches his solo home run against the Minnesota Twins during the fourth inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, April 20, 2021. (AP PhotoJeff Chiu)
Olson made it 7-0 with his fourth-inning slam through a blustery wind.
The A's matched the longest winning streak in the majors this year with Boston, which won nine in a row from April 5-14. Oakland is 10-1 since starting the season 0-6.
Minnesota finally got back on the field following three postponements because of COVID-19 protocols.
Oakland Athletics' Matt Olson hits a grand slam home run against the Minnesota Twins during the fourth inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, April 20, 2021. (AP PhotoJeff Chiu)
The Twins' scheduled series opener in Oakland was delayed, forcing the doubleheader. Minnesota missed games Saturday and Sunday against the Angels in Anaheim.
The Twins have had at least four positive coronavirus tests in the past week — Andrelton Simmons, Kyle Garlick, Max Kepler and a team staff member.
“We want to get out there and be safe and we want to get out there and play baseball,” manager Rocco Baldelli said.
Oakland Athletics third baseman Matt Chapman throws out Minnesota Twins' Jorge Polanco during the fourth inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, April 20, 2021. (AP PhotoJeff Chiu)
TRYING TIMES
Minnesota, which also spent pregame time Tuesday closely monitoring the Derek Chauvin verdict back home in the case of George Floyd’s killing last year, was eager to get back to playing baseball.
During this trying stretch, the Twins also dealt with the death of bench coach Mike Bell last month.
Oakland Athletics' Matt Olson, right, watches his grand slam home run in front of Minnesota Twins catcher Mitch Garver during the fourth inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, April 20, 2021. (AP PhotoJeff Chiu)
Baldelli called this “one of the most emotional periods of time that I’ve spent in the game, and I mean that in a pretty broad-spanning way.”
SOUVENIR BALLS
A’s fans Mike Floyd and Rodrigo Donor, both seated in section 215, secured consecutive foul balls from Stephen Piscotty in the fourth.
Minnesota Twins' Miguel Sano walks to the dugout after striking out against the Oakland Athletics during the fourth inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, April 20, 2021. (AP PhotoJeff Chiu)
"That’s crazy, you don’t see that a lot,” Donor, of San Bruno, said.
“This is my first foul ball ever,” said Oakland’s Floyd.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Twins: Kepler is out with COVID-19, Baldelli said before the doubleheader. Kepler and others remain quarantined in Anaheim hotel. LHP Caleb Thielbar is there and out as a close contact. Those with positive tests are experiencing only mild symptoms, according to Baldelli.
Oakland Athletics' Sean Manaea pitches against the Minnesota Twins during the fourth inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, April 20, 2021. (AP PhotoJeff Chiu)
Athletics: Oakland reinstated LHP Reymin Guduan from the injured list and he was added as the 27th man for the doubleheader. ... OF Piscotty returned from the paternity list. The A's designated OF Ka’ai Tom for assignment. “We'd like to keep him obviously but at this time there just weren't very many at-bats for him,” manager Bob Melvin said. ... LHP A.J. Puk has played catch but “hasn't felt great yet, he's felt some lingering stuff,” Melvin said. Puk is yet to throw off a mound as he works back from a strained biceps in his pitching arm. ... RHP Mike Fiers (right hip) was set to throw for the last time with the club's alternate site and if all goes well could be activated soon. ... OF/INF Chad Pinder, sidelined by a sprained left knee, is still working to add more baseball activities.
UP NEXT
Lefty Jesús Luzardo (0-1, 8.31 ERA) was set to start Game 2 opposite RHP José Berríos (2-1, 3.38).
Oakland Athletics third baseman Matt Chapman throws out Minnesota Twins' Jorge Polanco during the fourth inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, April 20, 2021. (AP PhotoJeff Chiu)
On Wednesday, RHP Kenta Maeda (1-1, 3.07) pitches for Minnesota and the A's counter with RHP Frankie Montas (2-1, 4.91).
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Minnesota Twins shortstop Jorge Polanco, top, throws to first base after forcing out Oakland Athletics' Jed Lowrie at second base on a double play hit into by Matt Olson during the third inning of the first baseball game of a doubleheader in Oakland, Calif., Tuesday, April 20, 2021. (AP PhotoJeff Chiu)