Oakland Athletics closer Mason Miller appears ready to dominate again entering Friday night’s opener of a three-game series against the host Toronto Blue Jays.
The right-hander pitched a perfect ninth inning on Wednesday to earn his 16th save of the season in a 3-2 win over the Chicago White Sox, as Oakland completed a 3-3 homestand.
The Athletics clinched their fifth series victory in their past seven and have an 18-12 record since the start of July.
The Blue Jays are coming off a series win over the visiting Baltimore Orioles after taking the decisive third game 7-6 on Thursday. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had a homer, a triple and a double with four RBIs to extend his hitting streak to 20 games.
Miller (fractured left pinky finger) was making his first appearance since July 22. He made 13 pitches, nine registered at 100 mph or faster.
“He picked back up where he left off,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said. “You don’t know what you’re going to get from a first outing. He didn’t go on a rehab assignment, so there’s those thoughts going through your head of how he’s going to come out and enter into competition. I think it was a great first outing for him.”
Miller said, “Obviously, you’re getting your sea legs back under you a little bit, but I felt good.”
In three career appearances against Toronto — two this season — he has four clean innings with six strikeouts. He is 1-0 with no saves.
During Miller’s stint on the injured list, Tyler Ferguson emerged as a late-inning option. He earned two saves in Miller’s absence.
Oakland is scheduled to start right-hander Mitch Spence (7-7, 4.40 ERA). He has no decisions and a 2.57 ERA in one career start against Toronto, a seven-inning outing (five hits, two runs) at Oakland on June 9.
Toronto is scheduled to start right-hander Jose Berrios (9-9, 4.11) on Friday. He is 2-3 with a 3.72 ERA in 10 career starts against Oakland, none this season.
Guerrero had his 23rd homer of the season in falling a single short of hitting for the cycle on Thursday.
He is 37-for-73 (.507) with 11 doubles, 10 home runs, 22 RBIs and 23 runs during the streak. His career-best hitting streak was 22 games, in 2022.
Guerrero’s father, Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, was at the game Thursday. It was the first time he had seen his son hit a home run live in a major league game. The two-run shot came in the fifth inning against Dean Kremer.
Guerrero pointed to his father as he crossed the plate.
“Once I hit it, I knew it was gone,” Guerrero said. “Not until I touched home plate and when I pointed at him, I was kind of like, ‘Wow, finally he saw one.'”
“He’s the best hitter in baseball right now,” said Toronto starter Kevin Gausman, who allowed two runs in eight innings. “I don’t know what I would do if I was facing him.”
Toronto catcher Alejandro Kirk continued his hot hitting on Thursday. He was 1-for-2 with an RBI and two walks. Over his past 18 games, he is batting .375 (24-for-64).
Toronto placed left-hander Genesis Cabrera on the paternity list on Thursday and added right-hander Tommy Nance, who was acquired from the San Diego Padres for cash considerations on Wednesday.
–Field Level Media
