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A’s Luis Medina Set for Season Debut Against Braves
Oakland right-hander Luis Medina is set to make his season debut on Sunday as the meeting A’s face the Atlanta Overcomes in the definitive round of their three-game series.
Series Recap and Upcoming Challenge
The Braves took the principal round of the series 4-2 on Friday, yet the An’s answered with a 11-9 triumph on Saturday. A success on Sunday would permit Oakland to complete their excursion with a .500 record (3-3) and imprint the second back to back year they’ve won two of three against the Braves in MLB.
Medina will face off against veteran right-hander Charlie Morton (3-2, 4.29 ERA).
Luis Medina’s Return
Medina was expected to be a urgent piece of Oakland’s revolution subsequent to posting a 3-10 record with a 5.42 Period in his tenderfoot season in 2023. Nonetheless, he experienced a MCL sprain in his right knee throughout a spring preparing game and has been on the harmed list since Walk 28.
He made a rehab start for Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday, pitching 3 2/3 innings, allowing two runs, and striking out six. After a successful bullpen session on Thursday, he was cleared to return to the rotation.
Medina will be the 11th pitcher to start for the A’s this MLB season. This will be his first time facing the Braves.
“It’s just a next-guy-up mentality,” Oakland pitching coach Scott Emerson said. “Guys have to go out and make the most of those opportunities. That’s where we’re at right now. We’ve got to find a way out of this, and when we do, we’ll be fine.”
Charlie Morton’s Recent Performance
Morton will be making his 11th start of the season, coming off a challenging outing against the Washington Nationals last Monday where he allowed eight runs on 12 hits and two walks, while striking out seven in 5 2/3 innings of an 8-4 loss.
“Any time you surrender that many hits, that numerous baserunners and toss that many contributes the main inning, in any inning, it’s simply a fight from that point,” Morton expressed, considering his last beginning where he surrendered four runs in the primary inning and extra runs in the second and third innings.
“Truly, it’s a drudgery since you’re accustomed to going 10 to 20 pitches an inning, then you toss 30-something contributes an inning, from that point you’re not as sharp and your stuff isn’t as fresh, area isn’t as great, it’s a fight.”
In seven career starts against Oakland in MLB, Morton has a 2-1 record with a 2.97 ERA. He last faced the A’s in 2019.
Offensive Highlights and Adjustments
Oakland’s offense was potent on Saturday, generating 16 hits. Max Schuemann broke an 0-for-9 slump by going 4-for-4. Miguel Andujar was 4-for-5, scored three runs, and hit his second homer of the MLB season, while Brent Rooker went 2-for-5 with his 12th homer. Andujar and Rooker each had four RBIs.
Atlanta’s offense showed signs of revival, scoring more runs than they have since May 22 at Wrigley Field. Marcell Ozuna went 2-for-5 with a home run and four RBIs on Saturday, extending his on-base streak to 25 games, during which he’s batting .330 with 17 homers and 53 RBIs.
Austin Riley, who had been 2-for-20 since returning from a 13-game absence due to an intercostal strain, went 2-for-4 with a double and scored twice on Saturday.
Looking Ahead
Both teams will have Monday off. The Braves will start a nine-game excursion with two games in Boston beginning Tuesday, while Oakland will get back for a six-game homestand, beginning with three games against the Seattle Sailors in MLB.
