BY RICK PORCARO
Pablo López struck out a career high 14 Oakland batters in a masterful eight inning performance to lead the Minnesota Twins to a 3-0 win and a series win over the A’s at the Coliseum Sunday afternoon.
Minnesota’s Pablo López releases a pitch against the A’s Sunday on the way to a 14 strikeout performance in a 3-0 win over Oakland.
López (7-6, 5.11), retired the first 17 batters he faced, only allowing two hits and a walk before Griffin Jax came on to slam the door on Oakland in the ninth in the brisk two hour and 10 minute affair. Oakland’s Lawrence Butler broke up the perfect game with a two out single in the sixth.
“I was aware of it,” López said of his attempt at perfection game. “I think any pitcher that would say he wasn’t would be lying. But it was about just one pitch at a time, like what can I do to win this pitch ?
Byron Buxton connects for a second inning home run off Hogan Harris during the Twins win over Oakland Sunday afternoon at the Coliseum.
Byron Buxton homered in the second off Oakland starter Hogan Harris (1-1, 2.72) and had an RBI double for the Twins in the seventh. Harris went six innings, allowing three runs on five hits with a pair of strikeouts. Miguel Andujar got the A’s other two hits, raising his average to .324.
Oakland departed after the game for a seven game road trip to Anaheim and Phoenix. Luis Medina (1-2, 4.71) is scheduled to take the mound for the A’s in the opener against the Angels Griffin Canning (2-8, 5.02).
