MIAMI — In a remarkable major league debut, Gunnar Hoglund led the Oakland Athletics to a commanding 6-1 triumph over the Miami Marlins on Friday night, worsening Miami’s losing streak to six games.
Hoglund, a 25-year-old right-handed pitcher from the University of Mississippi, demonstrated impressive control on the mound. Over six innings, he struck out seven batters without issuing a single walk, giving up one run on six hits. The sole run came from a leadoff home run by Dane Myers in the sixth inning.
Originally picked by the Toronto Blue Jays as the 19th overall choice in the 2021 amateur draft, Hoglund became part of the Athletics’ roster after being traded for third baseman Matt Chapman in March 2022.
Hoglund’s debut was highlighted by 81 pitches; his arsenal included 34 four-seam fastballs averaging 93.6 mph. Across these, he achieved six swings and misses with his fastballs, complemented by three misses on changeups and two on sinkers.
Former Marlins rookie JJ Bleday contributed to the Athletic’s offense by hitting his third home run of the season. Bleday’s solo homer in the third inning widened Oakland’s lead to 3-0 against Marlins’ pitcher Valente Bellozo, who dropped to 0-2 after surrendering five runs, four hits, and four walks over 4 2/3 innings.
Continuing their strong road performance, the Athletics, now 18-15, boast the best away record in Major League Baseball at 12-6. They took the lead in the second inning thanks to Nick Kurtz’s RBI single and Jacob Wilson’s walk with the bases loaded.
A pivotal moment occurred when Hoglund secured a strikeout against Max Mervis with a well-placed 1-2 changeup, leaving Marlins’ runners stranded at the corners in the fourth inning.
Throughout their last six games, Miami has been outscored 61-22, a clear indicator of their current struggles.
The Athletics will send right-hander Osvaldo Bido, sporting a 2-2 record with a 4.31 ERA, to the mound on Saturday. He will face off against Marlins’ right-hander Max Meyer, who holds a 2-3 record with a 3.18 ERA.