A’s try – The Athletics’ three-game winning streak ended in San Diego last night, but they still hold first place in the AL West. Tonight’s second game of the weekend series starts with right-hander J.T. Ginn, who enters after an eight-no-hit outing that ended on a walk
San Diego still feels fresh from last night, the kind of game that lingers because it didn’t end the way it began.
The Athletics’ three-game winning streak snapped in the first game of this weekend series down in San Diego. They remain in first place in the AL West, but the crash came at the worst time—right before the second game, with the Padres ready to respond.
Tonight’s starter for the Athletics is right-hander J.T. Ginn. He’s coming off a tough-luck loss last time out. when he carried an eight no-hit innings before allowing a single and. ultimately. a walk-off two-run home run that ruined his evening. The setback is the one fans remember. The numbers are the one team leaders can’t ignore: Ginn’s 2.98 ERA leads the Athletics’ rotation. The right-hander is 26 and will be making his ninth start of the season. The question hanging over tonight is simple—whether that extended outing changes anything for him when the second game begins.
The lineup for tonight is set and presented to fans by Mark Kotsay, as the Athletics prepare to meet a Padres opponent who doesn’t just bring experience—he brings a different kind of timing.
On the mound for the Padres is Lucas Giolito, a veteran right-hander who only recently joined San Diego. The longtime White Sox starter signed on with the Padres at the end of April after the team dealt with a slew of injuries to its starting staff. His path to the big leagues has been uneven in the past. and it’s part of why the early look with the Padres has been watched closely. After taking some time to ramp up. he was promoted to the big league team last week and delivered a solid debut: five innings of three-run ball against the Mariners.
San Diego’s offseason decision also has a built-in personal angle. In four career starts against the A’s, Giolito has a 5.01 ERA, giving the Athletics some history on their side as they step into this matchup.
Tonight’s batting order is also set for the Padres, though the specifics aren’t listed here. What is clear is what both teams are chasing after last night’s turning point: the Athletics want to keep the AL West lead from feeling like it came with a crack in it. and the Padres want to build on the momentum of the game that ended Ginn’s night on a walk-off two-run swing.
Athletics A’s Padres San Diego J.T. Ginn Lucas Giolito AL West baseball