The Athletics kicked off an inter-league series against the Philadelphia Phillies at home tonight at Sutter Health Park in West Sacramento. Lefty Jacob Lopez, 0-1 with a 3.86 ERA in 2025 got the start for the A’s against the Phillies ace Zack Wheeler.
On just the fourth pitch of the game, Lopez gave up a solo homer to Phillies leadoff hitter Trea Turner giving Philadelphia a quick 1-0 lead. It didn’t take long to see why A’s Nation has been clamoring for Denzel Clarke. With one out in the top of the first, Nick Castellanos hit a ball into the left centerfield gap, and with the ease and grace of a true centerfielder, he made the play look simple.