Athletics cruise past Giants 11-2 with six scoreless innings from Sears
Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson catches a line drive hit by San Francisco Giants' Willy Adames during the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, July 4, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)
Athletics' Nick Kurtz points to the sky while running the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Friday, July 4, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)
Athletics pitcher JP Sears throw to the San Francisco Giants during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, July 4, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)
Athletics pitcher JP Sears throw to the San Francisco Giants during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, July 4, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)
San Francisco Giants' Brett Wisely celebrates in the dugout after hitting a solo home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Athletics Friday, July 4, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)
Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson catches a line drive hit by San Francisco Giants' Willy Adames during the sixth inning of a baseball game Friday, July 4, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)
Athletics' Nick Kurtz points to the sky while running the bases after hitting a two-run home run during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, Friday, July 4, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)
Athletics pitcher JP Sears throw to the San Francisco Giants during the second inning of a baseball game Friday, July 4, 2025, in West Sacramento, Calif. (AP Photo/Sara Nevis)
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — JP Sears pitched six scoreless innings, Nick Kurtz and Denzel Clarke hit home runs, and the Athletics cruised past the San Francisco Giants 11-2 on Friday night.
Jacob Wilson and Brent Rooker both drove in two of six early runs off Justin Verlander as the Athletics took a 6-0 lead after three innings.
Advertisement
Sears (7-7) allowed three hits and two walks, striking out six. Rookie Jack Perkins gave up two runs — one earned — in three innings for his second save in his third appearance.
Verlander (0-6) was tagged for six runs on seven hits in three innings but fanned five.
After Lawrence Butler singled in the first and scored on Rooker's single, the Athletics used four doubles in the second to score four times.
Tyler Soderstrom and Max Muncy had two straight leading off for the first run. Wilson followed with a two-out, two-run double before scoring on a double by Rooker for a 5-0 lead.
Zack Gelof — on the injured list since spring training — hit a sacrifice fly in the third.
Advertisement
The game was delayed in the middle of the sixth when home plate umpire Andy Fletcher left after taking an earlier foul tip off his mask. Tripp Gibson finished behind the plate.
Clarke tripled when play resumed and scored on Butler's single. Two outs later rookie Kurtz hit his 13th home run for a 9-0 lead. Clarke's two-run shot in the seventh capped the A's scoring.
Brett Wisely homered in the eighth and the Giants got an unearned run in the ninth.
Key moment
Wilson's two-out double to left in the four-run second came on a 0-2 pitch from Verlander.
Key stat
Verlander is 262-152 in his career but winless in his first 14 starts with the Giants. He hasn't won since his final start for the Astros last season, beating the Guardians 4-3 on Sept. 28.
Up next
Giants RHP Logan Webb (7-6, 2.61 ERA) starts Saturday opposite Athletics RHP Luis Severino (2-9, 5.09).
___
AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
New York Giants training camp: 6 takeaways from Day 4
The New York Giants battled poor air quality and overcast skies on Sunday morning on Day 4 of their 2025 training camp. Regardless, they held practice outdoors. Here are some takeaways from Sunday's workout. Wilson is opening up the offense The Giants have been one of the NFL's least potent offenses the past two seasons. They signed veteran quarterback Russell Wilson, the NFL's most proficient deep thrower last year, to get their passing game back on track. It looks as if he's doing that after just one week. Wilson is going up top to all of his receivers these days, and his "moonball" has never looked better. "He looks 25 again" Not to make this all about Wilson, but he appears to be just what this sagging Giants offense needs. Not only is he reenergizing the passing game, but the 36-year-old is making plays with his legs, too. Holland the pirate Wilson didn't have his way with the Giants' secondary all day. They got their shots in as well. On this play, slot corner Dru Phillips deflects a Wilson pass into the hands of safety Jevon Holland, who returns it for a touchdown. The Giants' goal on defense this year is to focus on ball-hawking. So far, so good. Skattebo is gaining in popularity Looking for a player to root for this season? Look no further than rookie running back Cam Skattebo. He is a high-energy player who is already making his mark with the Giants as both a rusher and a receiver. The fans in attendance at camp are already taking to him. Abdul Carter is a menace The first full padded practice isn't until Monday, so we won't know exactly how good rookie linebacker Abdul Carter is. So far, he's been blowing by everyone. If he continues to do that when the hitting starts, the Giants have a monster in their midst. Dart's best day yet The Giants' other first-round pick, quarterback Jaxson Dart, is also heating up. On Sunday, he looked comfortable and in charge, hitting on several deep throws. This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants training camp: 6 takeaways from Day 4
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Cowboys sign tight end Jake Ferguson to a 4-year, $52 million extension
OXNARD, Calif. (AP) — The Dallas Cowboys signed tight end Jake Ferguson to a four-year, $52 million extension Sunday. The deal includes a $12 million signing bonus. A fourth-round pick in 2022, Ferguson is entering the final year of his rookie deal. He had 59 catches for 494 yards but did not have a touchdown reception last season. The previous year, he posted career highs with 71 catches for 761 yards and five TDs. Ferguson dealt with knee and concussion issues last year but still started 14 games. This deal comes as two-time All-Pro defensive end Micah Parsons remains in negotiations for his own extension, entering the final season of his rookie deal. Parsons said recently he had not seen much progress in those talks. ___ AP NFL:
Yahoo
17 minutes ago
- Yahoo
5 Bruins Who Could Thrive Playing For Marco Sturm
After a long head coaching search this off-season, the Boston Bruins officially named Marco Sturm their new bench boss on June 5. Sturm had been connected to Boston's head coaching job for several weeks before landing it, so it was not necessarily surprising to see the former Bruin hired for the role. However, it also makes a lot of sense that he is the Bruins' new head coach.
