(Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA -- With both the Oakland and Cleveland bullpens battling, Brad Hand was the first reliever to make a mistake and he payed for it. In the bottom of the 12th inning Hand came into the ballgame to relieve right hander Nick Wittgren, and the very first batter he faced launched the game winning home run. Oakland third baseman Matt Chapman worked a full count before launching a no-doubt blast to left field, as the Athletics edged out the tribe 4-3 in an extra innings thriller.
Indians starter Cody Anderson's struggles continued tonight, only going 3 full innings giving up 3 runs. In Anderson's last inning of work, he walked the bases loaded on two walks and a hit batter, but was able to get out of the jam on a Ramon Laureano strikeout. Before giving up the game winning homer, the Indians bullpen provided 7 innings of relief giving up zero runs. The Indians once again struggled to drive in runs tonight, only scoring three runs on ten hits. Cleveland's first run came off of back-to-back doubles by Carlos Gonzalez and Jake Bauers, the other two runs came off of a Lindor sac-fly and a Kevin Plawecki double play ball.
Frankie Montas took the ball for the Athletics tonight and had an impressive start. After giving up two early runs to the tribe, Montas settled into his own, keeping Oakland in the game. While Montas was not given the win, the Oakland clubhouse will be beyond satisfied with his performance, as the young starter went 6.0 innings, giving up 2 earned runs on 8 hits, striking out 7 Indians. Joakim Soria was given his first win of the season, as he provided 2 full innings of work giving up zero hits.
The Cleveland Indians will look to bounce back in an afternoon game tomorrow in Oakland. Cleveland will give the ball to the youngster Jefry Rodriguez, as he will be facing off against Daniel Mendgen. First pitch is set for 4:07 PM ET at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California.