Young Arms Struggle to Close | Oakland Athletics News

The Athletics fell short in a 10-6 loss to the Rays, but Jacob Lopez shined with a gutsy seven-inning start that left them up. The bullpen’s collapse in the eighth exposed a recurring issue: young arms struggling in high-leverage moments. Manager Mark Kotsay acknowledged the frustration and impact on morale, spotlighting pitchers like Alvarado, Basso, and Johnson. Still, he praised their effort and growth. Bright spot? Zach Galef returned strong, driving in runs and energizing the offense. Despite the loss, Kotsay believes the team’s heart remains intact — they just need to tighten up when it matters most. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/965553d764fddb48