The Athletics would get toppled in their second-to-last game of the season.
After a strong showing in Game 2, the Athletics slowed significantly on Saturday and lost 13-2. But with one more game left in both the series and the season, the Athletics have a chance to end things on a high note. If not, this could be a very long offseason.
Jul 12, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Athletics shortstop Joshua Kuroda-Grauer (44) during the first inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Joshua Kuroda-Grauer, since coming back from injury, has yet to record a hit. While no one really expected much, this lack of production is eerie if it continues past this series. In Kuroda-Grauer's last seven at-bats, he has just one walk. Hopefully, he has a chance to do something in the season finale.
Considering the Athletics will likely move on from Jeff McNeil this offseason , Kuroda-Grauer should be the first in line for second base. But with Donovan Walton and Alika Williams also proving to be reliable lately, we could see JKG in a different role next season.
Sep 15, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; Athletics starting pitcher Jack Perkins (50) throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays in the first inning at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Jack Perkins - for the most part - has been the Athletics' best pitcher since Sept. 15, when he posted a 0.71 ERA over his last 12.2 innings prior to this start. While some might have expected Perkins to struggle against a highly motivated Astros team, this start might have ended his chances of being a starter next season.
However, he isn't entirely to blame. Look back on the Yordan Alvarez home run in the fifth inning. Perkins would have been credited with a strikeout if there had been an ABS challenge, but instead, Alvarez would have hit a 401' home run to open this game up for the Astros. Unlucky.
Sep 26, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics pitcher Yunior Tur (70) throws a pitch against the Houston Astros during the seventh inning at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Lee-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Coming back from 6-1 is not easy at all. It would require both the offense and the bullpen to step up. In this game, neither party really answered the call that well - especially the bullpen. In 4.0 innings, the combination of Scott Blewett , Drew Rom , and Yunior Tur would give up 11 hits and seven earned runs.
To be fair to Blewett, he wasn't the problem: in 0.2 innings, he allowed just two hits while striking out two batters. But the same cannot be said about Tur and Rom, who completely imploded and further reinforced the idea that a few bad apples ruin the bunch.
This article was originally published on www.si.com/mlb/athletics/onsi as Athletics Get Slammed: Key Takeaways From Loss vs. Astros .
