OAKLAND - The second "bullpenning" experiment from the A's went a lot better than the first, but the result was still a loss. This defeat fell on the shoulders of the offense, as Oakland could only muster two hits in a 5-1 defeat Monday against Yankees starter J.A. Happ and the bullpen.
"We just didn't do enough offensively tonight," manager Bob Melvin said. "No matter what we give up, even if it's two runs, when you get two hits, you're going to have a tough time winning."
The two hits Oakland managed were the second-fewest this season. So, too, were the two men left on base.
"A betting man probably wouldn't bet that we were going to get just two hits tonight," Matt Chapman surmised. "Tip your hat sometimes. [Happ] pitched really well."
Liam Hendriks started -- or "opened" -- the game for Oakland, just as he did Saturday against Seattle. He pitched a perfect first inning and Daniel Mengden followed with 4 2/3 scoreless frames, allowing just one hit.
"I think it was a little easier for Daniel tonight because he knew exactly when he was coming in," Melvin said. "I thought he was great. He mixed his pitches really well."
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"The game plan was a little better this time around," Mengden added. "We had a plan going in and I think we executed it really well."
Unfortunately for the A's, they couldn't provide much run support. Happ kept them off balance through six innings, and the Yankees' strong bullpen closed it out with three hitless frames.
"[Happ has] good stuff," Chapman said. "He was able to command all three pitches. He didn't make too many mistakes over the plate, and if he did, we might have fouled them off or just missed them. He was able to establish both sides of the plate to righties and lefties. He kept the ball down and just did a really good job."
New York's win evens the series at a game apiece and sets up a compelling matchup in Wednesday's rubber match. Mike Fiers will take the hill for Oakland, looking to bounce back after his first poor outing in Green and Gold. The Yankees counter with their ace, right-hander Luis Severino, who enters with a 17-6 record and 3.32 ERA.
Wednesday's game will be the A's 20th in their last 20 days. They will try to finish the stretch 12-8, before getting a much-needed day off Thurdsay.
