Tonight the 24th perfect game was thrown Domingo German of the New York Yankees against the Oakland Athletics.
Was it surprising for A’s fans? No. Maybe the perfection part, yet being no-hit? No. In fact there are likely more to come with their current lineup. Only good thing was that at least it was a blow out, Yankees scored 11 runs. German finished with nine strike outs and lowered his ERA to 4.54 on the season. It was also fitting that Estuery Ruiz grounded out to third basemen Josh Donaldson a former Athletic for the final out of the game.
Still if Major League Baseball had a competent commissioner, a perfect game tonight does not likely happen. The current roster for the Athletics is the worst in baseball and it is not surprising the team is 40 games under .500. It is made up of one talented prospect Ruiz, Shea Langeliers who was acquired in the trade that sent Matt Olson to the Atlanta Braves has struggled and has failed to impress offensively, and the remainder are either utility infielders or Triple-A talented outfielders.
With the exception of Carlos Perez who has done surprising well in his limited action as backup catcher. Similar to the season Christian Bethancourt had in 2022.
Pitching the Athletics have three starting pitchers with eras that are well above six, opening day starter also acquired in the Olson deal struggled mightily and continues to in Triple-A, Paul Blackburn has pitched well since returning from the injured list, Sears before tonight had a decent 4.10 era, and Hogan Harris has been up and down as the team’s long reliever. Luis Medina has not been good as a starter or as a reliever and his era is 6.84.
Japanese pitcher Shintaro Fujinami is one of the highet paid players on the Athletics roster. He failed as a starter and is now in the bullpen yet he continues to struggle though his era is actually at its lowest of the season at 10.04.
Sam Moll and Sam Long have done well as the lefty relievers in the bullpen, Richard Lovelady was as well before ending up on the injured list. Austin Pruitt has done reasonably well, Trevor May has been solid since returning with a 2.70 era and four saves since May 23. Their most impressive pitcher has been Lucas Erceg who has a 2.25 ERA and has struck out 25 in 20 innings of work in 16 appearances since being purchased from the Milwaukee Brewers.
So with the pitching struggles and less than stellar talent offensively, expect a few more no hitters to get thrown against the Athletics.