Oakland Athletics Seize Memorable Win in Coliseum’s Farewell Game

Unforgettable Contributions by Bleday and Langeliers

In a game pulsating with emotion and nostalgia, JJ Bleday and Shea Langeliers left their mark on the Coliseum’s final scheduled game. Bleday’s RBI single and astonishing center field catch, coupled with Langeliers’ sacrifice fly, helped the Oakland Athletics seal a 3-2 victory against the Texas Rangers, thus securing a series win on Thursday.

Bleday, along with Zack Gelof, demonstrated stellar defensive prowess, bringing immense joy to the capacity crowd of 46,889 who had gathered under the clear, blue September sky. Their performance stirred up a wave of emotions, echoed through mixed chants of “Sell the team!” and “Let’s go Oakland!” from the crowd.

A Farewell Full of Emotion

The farewell game was a spectacle of excitement and fanfare, with two supporters hopping fences to run onto the field, and smoke bombs being tossed into right field. Amidst the chaos, manager Mark Kotsay shared a heartfelt message of gratitude to the fans and the staff who had dedicated their lives to the Oakland A’s.

The A’s now plan to spend the next three seasons in Sacramento, awaiting the opening of their new ballpark in Las Vegas, slated for the 2028 season. Fans at the Coliseum were given a nostalgic treat, with green “SELL” banners hanging from the outfield railings and baseball legends Barry Zito, Rickey Henderson, and Dave Stewart making an appearance.

A’s Leave Lasting Impressions

Current A’s players, too, delivered memorable performances. Bleday’s diving catch, robbing Carson Kelly of a hit in the seventh, and the crowd’s final glimpse of closer Mason Miller’s fiery pitches, lingered in the minds of the fans.

A’s starter J.T. Ginn, after allowing two runs on five hits over 5 1/3 innings, was greeted with an overwhelming standing ovation. The Oakland bullpen followed suit with 3 2/3 scoreless innings. Miller, who leads all major league rookies with his 28th save, has converted his last 16 opportunities since June 18.

Final Thoughts From A’s and Rangers

In a post-game interview, Miller expressed his joy and honor at being part of such a historic game. On the other hand, Bay Area native and former A’s star Marcus Semien, who went 0 for 4 in his likely final game at the Coliseum, expressed disappointment at the Rangers’ performance but acknowledged the strong community support for the A’s in Oakland.

Rangers right-hander Kumar Rocker struck out two and didn’t walk a batter, surrendering three runs on seven hits over 4 2/3 innings. Adolis García, who had recently tweaked a knee, played as the designated hitter.

What’s Next for Both Teams

The Athletics will conclude their season at Seattle, while RHP Jacob deGrom gears up for his third and final start of 2024 against the Angels on Friday.