Athletics' Abraham Toro: Knocks in two runs Saturday
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Toro went 2-for-5 with a two-run single and three runs in a win over the Marlins on Saturday.
Toro extended Oakland's lead to 9-0 in the third inning with his timely single, pushing his RBI total to 13 to draw him into a tie with JJ Bleday for third place on the Athletics. The 27-year-old has been a steady offensive presence for the surprising A's, and he's now posted four consecutive two-hit tallies as part of an eight-game hitting streak overall.
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Athletics' J.D. Davis: Productive in second game back
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Davis went 2-for-4 with a run in a win over the Marlins on Saturday.
Davis returned from a stint on the injured list in the series opener Friday and went 0-for-3, but he authored one of seven multi-hit efforts for the Athletics in Saturday's 20-4 win. The veteran hadn't recorded more than one knock in a game since April 3, and Saturday's production snapped an 0-for-13 skid.
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Athletics' Shea Langeliers: Homers in lopsided victory
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Langeliers went 3-for-5 with a triple, a three-run home run and two additional runs scored in a win over the Marlins on Saturday.
Langeliers' 420-foot shot to left center with Kyle McCann and Lawrence Butler aboard in the eighth inning certainly wasn't necessary for the red-hot Athletics' victory, but it still had a bit of extra significance since it pushed Oakland's tally to 20 runs on the afternoon. Langeliers needed a prolific effort at the plate like Saturday's in the worst way, considering he'd come into the day with a .165/.222/.381 slash line. The three-bagger was also Langeliers' first of the season after he legged out four triples a year ago, and despite his significant struggles with batting average and on-base percentage, he's now knocked 11 of his 19 hits on the season for extra bases.
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Athletics' JJ Bleday: Drives in four Saturday
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Bleday went 3-for-5 with an RBI double, a three-run home run, a walk and an additional run in a win over the Marlins on Saturday.
Bleday was one of several Athletics hitters to put on a lights-out performance in the 20-4 rout, continuing a recent trend of improved play at the expense of the organization that drafted him in the first round of the First-Year Player Draft in 2019. Bleday has now left the yard on three occasions in the last four games, and the three-hit day tied a season best. Bleday also coaxed his OPS to an improving .775 with the prolific afternoon, with the fact he's laced 13 of his 28 hits on the campaign for extra bases playing a key role.
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Athletics' Brent Rooker: Homers twice in third inning
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Rooker went 3-for-5 with two home runs and five RBI in Saturday's 20-4 victory over the Marlins.
Rooker became the first Athletics player to homer twice in the same inning since Mark McGwire did it in September of 1996. He did it during Oakland's 10-run third inning Saturday, taking starter Trevor Rogers deep with a two-run shot and then reliever Darren McCaughan over the boards with a three-run blast. He also added a single and a walk. Rooker is up to eight home runs on the season even after going on the injured list last month. Of course, he's also hitting just .240 and striking out at a 36.5 percent rate, but fantasy managers knew what they were getting into with Rooker and should be satisfied with the returns 22 games in.
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Athletics' Brett Harris: Pops first two major-league homers
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Harris went 2-for-5 with the first two hits and home runs of his major-league career in Saturday's 20-4 win over the Marlins.
Harris went hitless in his major-league debut Friday, but on Saturday he played a big part in the rout of the Marlins. The rookie took Darren McCaughan deep both times, hitting a solo shot off him in the fourth inning before following with a two-run blast in the sixth. Harris also drew a walk and scored an additional run. The 25-year-old should continue to see pretty regular reps at third base for Oakland.
Athletics' Scott Alexander: Makes first rehab start
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Alexander (ribs) started Single-A Stockton's loss to Visalia on Friday, allowing an earned run on two hits over one inning. He struck out one.
Alexander pitched to some contact, but he located 12 of his 16 pitches for strikes and came away from his first game action in nearly two months feeling good, per MLB.com. The veteran right-hander is due for another rehab appearance with the Ports on Tuesday against San Jose, and if he remains free of setbacks, his rehab assignment will move to Triple-A Las Vegas.
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Athletics' Esteury Ruiz: Removed with wrist injury Saturday
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Ruiz suffered a wrist injury on a diving catch in the sixth inning of Saturday's win over the Marlins and was removed from the game, MLB.com reports.
Ruiz appeared to hurt his glove hand and remained down for a brief time following the catch, cradling his left wrist as he exited the field with team trainers. Seth Brown replaced him in left field, and Ruiz could well be headed for a day off in Sunday's series finale, at minimum.
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Athletics' Paul Blackburn: Tames Miami on Saturday
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Blackburn (3-1) registered the win Saturday against the Marlins, yielding just one run on four hits and a walk over seven innings. He struck out three.
Blackburn was perfect through the first three innings and then really got to put it on cruise control after the Athletics offense spotted him a 12-0 lead. A leadoff home run by Nick Fortes in the sixth inning represented the only scoring off Blackburn. It's a nice bounce-back performance from the veteran right-hander after he allowed 13 runs over his previous three outings. Blackburn is slated to take on the Mariners in Seattle next.
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Athletics' Lawrence Butler: Idle against southpaw
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Butler isn't in the Athletics' lineup for Saturday's game versus Miami.
The Marlins will send left-hander Trevor Rogers to the mound for the beginning of Saturday's contest, meaning the lefty-hitting Butler will be forced to step out of the lineup. Tyler Nevin will fill the opening in right field, batting second.
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Athletics' Seth Brown: Sitting again versus lefty
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Brown isn't in the Athletics' lineup for Saturday's game against the Marlins.
Brown will take a seat Saturday as the A's prepare to face a left-handed starter for the second game in a row. He will be replaced in left field by Esteury Ruiz, who will lead off Oakland's lineup.
Gelof (oblique) threw across the infield before Friday's game against the Marlins, the Associated Press reports.
Gelof was cleared for baseball activities Wednesday, when he began fielding grounders and playing catch. His ability to do some more aggressive throwing Friday is encouraging, but it remains unclear when he'll be ready to pick up a bat again.
Rooker went 1-for-3 with a two-run homer in Friday's win over the Marlins.
Rooker opened the scoring Friday night, crushing a titanic 440-foot homer off Ryan Weathers in the fourth inning to give Oakland the lead. Despite sporting a .211 batting average, the Athletics designated hitter has provided plenty of power with six homers while slugging .507. Rooker may be heating up along with the spring weather, as he's hit .269 (7-for-26) with two homers and eight RBI over his last eight games.
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Athletics' Lucas Erceg: Collects second save
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Erceg picked up the save Friday against Miami. He pitched a 1.1 innings with three strikeouts, allowing one run on two hits and no walks.
In a semi-surprising development, Oakland manager Mark Kotsay allowed Erceg to collect the save Friday night instead of Mason Miller. However, Miller pitched back-to-back nights Tuesday and Wednesday and may have required additional rest. In earning his second save, Erceg appears to be the next reliever in line for save opportunities.
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Athletics' JP Sears: Strikes out six in victory
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Sears (2-2) earned the win Friday against the Marlins, allowing four hits and one walk over 6.1 shutout innings. He struck out six.
Sears took care of business Friday night against a weakened Marlins squad, scattering two singles, a double and a triple in his 95-pitch performance. The 28-year-old lefty also produced his third straight start with six or more strikeouts, lowering his season ERA to 3.89. Sears is scheduled to face the Rangers at home in his next start.
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Athletics' Lawrence Butler: Sits down against lefty
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Butler isn't in Oakland's lineup for Friday's game against Miami.
The lefty-hitting Butler will retreat to the bench Friday as Ryan Weathers prepares to start on the bump for the Marlins. Tyler Nevin will replace Butler in right field and bat second.
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Athletics' JJ Bleday: Idle against southpaw
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Bleday isn't in Oakland's lineup for Friday's game against the Marlins.
With lefty Ryan Weathers set to toe the slab for Miami, Bleday will step out of the lineup. Esteury Ruiz will take over in center field and bat in the leadoff spot.
