Marlins strive to regain last month's mojo in opener vs. A's

Marlins strive to regain last month's mojo in opener vs. A's

The Miami Marlins had a sensational 20-6 record in June, and observers started to overdose on midseason optimism and talk about a possible postseason berth.

Then the Marlins received a huge reality check by starting July with two consecutive setbacks to the Colorado Rockies.

The Marlins will look to get back on the winning track when they face the Athletics on Friday night at West Sacramento, Calif.

Miami was outscored 20-7 while losing the final two contests of a four-game series with the host Rockies. Thursday's finale saw the Rockies rout the Marlins 14-4.

Miami won 10 of 12 games before the last two losses, and the franchise has made just two postseason appearances (2020, 2023) since winning the 2003 World Series.

Manager Clayton McCullough said he understands why the playoff chatter has increased, but he also knew a 10-run loss marked the right time to deliver a message.

"We can all get caught up in what could happen months from now," McCullough said. "Again, it's months from now. We need to go into a new series and get as best prepared as we can for the A's and try to win a series.

"All our focus needs to be on and should be on us. All the other discussions don't matter right now. It's about playing good baseball and trying to win a series."

After being shellacked in Denver, the Marlins will find themselves in another great hitter's ballpark for the three-game set in West Sacramento.

"Sacramento, you can really hit (there)," McCullough said. "It will be trying to limit damage, limit the big inning."

Miami's Otto Lopez had a homer among three hits on Thursday to raise his major-league-best average to .336.

The Athletics, meanwhile, just lost two of three home games to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Wednesday's 7-1 victory was just the third in the past 11 games overall for the A's.

Shea Langeliers belted his 20th homer of the season -- his fourth straight season of hitting at least 20. He leads American League catchers in homers and hits (87).

"For everyone out there that feels like Shea needs to be doing more, that's a great reminder for all those," Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said. "He's got 20 right now before the break. He's been the catalyst of our offense since April, and it's hard as a catcher to sustain the performance he put on in April. He's done a great job. ...

"The main goal is to keep Shea healthy and get him to the All-Star Game, which, I'm pretty confident that he's going to be that guy."

The A's have been hit hard by injuries, with shortstop Jacob Wilson (right thumb), infielder Zack Gelof (right hand) and left fielder Tyler Soderstrom (left hip) on the injured list.

In addition, designated hitter Brent Rooker (left knee) soon will undergo season-ending surgery.

"This is a big blow," Kotsay said. "It's a middle-of-the-order bat. It's a guy that produced for us offensively for the last three seasons with 30-plus homers."

The Athletics will start Jack Perkins (2-3, 6.00 ERA) against Miami's Tyler Phillips (1-3, 3.02) in a battle of right-handers on Friday.

Perkins, 26, has received four straight no-decisions since losing to the Houston Astros on June 5. On Saturday, he gave up two runs and four hits over five innings against the Los Angeles Angels. The A's lost 5-2.

This will be Perkins' first career outing against Miami.

Phillips, 28, is 0-2 over his last three turns. He lost 2-1 to the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday when he gave up two runs and six hits over 7 1/3 innings.

Phillips is 1-0 with a 4.00 ERA in two career appearances (one start) against the A's. Langeliers is 1-for-4 against Phillips.

--Field Level Media