SEATTLE — The misfortune of one A’s pitcher Friday night led to an opportunity for another.
As the A’s were left to digest their 10th loss in 11 games, 5-1 to the Mariners, right-hander Zach Neal continued turning heads with a strong late-season performance. Entering in relief of starter Raul Alcantara, who lasted just two-plus innings, Neal retired all 15 hitters he faced in a sterling five-inning relief outing.
“He had two days off, and he gives us five innings of nothing against a team that looked like they were gonna score 30 runs in the first couple of innings,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said.