The Athletics' pitching struggles continued Friday afternoon as the San Francisco Giants tagged Luis Morales for four earned runs in just 1.2 innings, sparking an 8-2 rout at Hohokam Stadium. Eric Haase led the offensive onslaught with a four-RBI performance, including a home run, as the Giants pounded out 15 hits against seven Athletics pitchers in what became a sobering reminder of the work still needed before Opening Day.
Second Inning Meltdown Dooms Athletics Early
What started as a scoreless pitchers' duel quickly unraveled in the second inning when Morales completely lost the strike zone. The right-hander issued two walks and surrendered six hits in the frame, putting the Athletics in a 6-0 hole they never threatened to escape. The damage was done by the time reliever Eduarniel Núñez entered with two outs – and Núñez only made things worse by serving up a homer to Haase that capped the six-run explosion.
It was a concerning performance from Morales, who needed 49 pitches to record just five outs. For a pitcher competing for a rotation spot, this outing did him no favors. The Giants, meanwhile, sent 11 batters to the plate in that decisive second inning, with Haase (2-for-3), Heliot Ramos (2-for-2), and Christian Koss (2-for-2) leading the charge.
Athletics Show Fight Despite Deficit
Credit where it's due – the Athletics didn't fold after that early barrage. Michael Stefanic continued his strong spring with a 2-for-2 showing that included an RBI, while Cade Marlowe provided the highlight for the home side with a triple and two runs scored. Tyler Soderstrom and Shea Langeliers each collected hits, with Langeliers ripping a double that showed the pop Athletics fans hope to see more of in 2026.
The bullpen also settled down after Núñez's rocky relief appearance. Tyler Ferguson struck out three in a hitless inning, while Hogan Harris and Scott Barlow each tossed clean frames with multiple strikeouts. Even in a blowout loss, those performances matter for pitchers fighting for roster spots.
Giants Depth on Full Display
Tyler Mahle earned the win despite working just one inning, striking out two while allowing only a walk. The Giants' depth was evident as they used seven different pitchers, with Trevor McDonald particularly impressive over two shutout innings with three strikeouts. San Francisco added two insurance runs in the eighth on a Jean Carlos Sio solo shot, proving they have offensive options throughout their lineup.
What's Next
This loss drops the Athletics' spring record and raises questions about their starting pitching depth. Morales will need to regroup quickly if he wants to factor into the rotation conversation, while manager Mark Kotsay will be looking for more consistency from his pitching staff as they prepare for the regular season. The Athletics will try to bounce back in their next spring training contest, knowing that while these games don't count in the standings, the lessons learned – both positive and negative – will carry into April.