A’s Bullpen Blows Yet Another Game

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 07: Nick Kurtz #16 of the Athletics scores on a double from teammate Tyler Soderstrom in the third inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on April 07, 2026 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) | Getty Images After a short three-game home stand, the Athletics flew back across the country to begin a three-game series against the New York Yankees. While it is still very early in the season, how the A’s play over the next few days against the perennial postseason contender Yankees could predict how they will fare the rest of the year.

Tonight followed the same predictable pattern as several of the A’s recent games. The team received a solid performance from its starting pitcher and enough offense to hold a lead for several innings only for its bullpen to blow another lead in the late innings. While some of the A’s pitchers are struggling, veteran right-hander Aaron Civale continues to excel.

The 30-year-old, who signed with the A’s in free agency this past offseason, pitched five innings of one-run ball with six strikeouts. He worked out of trouble in the first inning, striking out Giancarlo Stanton to strand two runners on base. The next inning, Civale allowed his lone run, Amed Rosario’s solo home run to left field.

The Yankees’ lead did not last long. In the third inning, the A’s became the first team this season to score runs against Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler. Third baseman Max Muncy and second baseman Jeff McNeil led off the inning with singles, center fielder Denzel Clarke sacrifice bunted the runners over and then they both scored on first baseman Nick Kurtz’s double to the right-center gap.