The Oakland Athletics bid farewell to the Coliseum with a victorious game against the Texas Rangers, clinching a series victory. The sellout crowd of 46,889 witnessed memorable moments as JJ Bleday’s RBI single and stellar catch in center field, along with Shea Langeliers’ sacrifice fly, contributed to the 3-2 win. The atmosphere was a mix of emotions and nostalgia, with fans chanting phrases like “Sell the team!” and “Let’s go Oakland!”
Bleday and Zack Gelof provided standout defensive plays that thrilled the audience in the last scheduled game at the Coliseum. The ninth inning was eventful, with fans storming onto the field, bottles being thrown, and smoke bombs set off. Despite the chaos, manager Mark Kotsay expressed gratitude towards the fans in a post-game speech, ending with a final round of “Let’s go Oakland!”
Following their departure from the Coliseum, the Athletics are set to play in Sacramento for the next three years with plans for a new ballpark in Las Vegas by the 2028 season. The stadium’s outfield railings were adorned with green “SELL” banners, adding to the nostalgic ambiance. The game also featured appearances by former players like Barry Zito, Rickey Henderson, and Dave Stewart, enhancing the trip down memory lane.
On the field, Bleday’s impressive diving catch to deny Carson Kelly a hit and Mason Miller’s dominant pitching performance were highlights of the game. The A’s starting pitcher J.T. Ginn received a standing ovation after a solid performance, with the bullpen securing the win. Miller, the flame-throwing closer, recorded his 28th save of the season, maintaining a streak of 16 consecutive successful save opportunities.
Despite the celebratory atmosphere, the game also marked the likely last appearance of former A’s star Marcus Semien in front of his family and friends. The Texas Rangers’ Kumar Rocker had a decent outing, striking out two batters over 4 2/3 innings. Adolis García, who had a knee injury the day before, returned to the lineup as the designated hitter for the Rangers.
Looking ahead, the Athletics will finish the season against the Seattle Mariners, while the Rangers’ RHP Jacob deGrom is set to start against the Los Angeles Angels. As the baseball season progresses, fans can anticipate more exciting matchups and stellar performances from their favorite teams.