JP Sears, A’s look to avoid sweep Sunday against Mets

JP Sears will make his third start of the season Sunday afternoon as the Oakland Athletics try to avoid a sweep against the New York Mets. The A’s dropped the opener of the series in record fashion by issuing 17 walks in a 17-6 loss. Shintaro Fujinami turned in his best start of the season Saturday, but Oakland ultimately fell 3-2.

The A’s rotation struggles have been well chronicled, but in a relative sense, Sears has been one of their better performers. He’s allowed 11 hits and six runs over 9 2/3 innings, but has issued just two walks and has nine strikeouts. He was recently included in a group of seven pitchers that have showed improved fastballs this season by The Athletic’s Eno Sarris.…