OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Matt Chapman leads the Athletics with 11 go-ahead home runs this season. His latest, a two-run shot against Josh Hader, ruined Brewers manager Craig Counsell’s plans to milk a third consecutive day out of his struggling All-Star closer.
Chapman homered off Hader in the eighth inning to break out of a long slump and Oakland beat the Milwaukee 5-3 Thursday.
“Opportune times against a tough pitcher,” said A’s third base coach Matt Williams, who filled in for manager Bob Melvin postgame. “It was a good series for us.”
The A’s trailed 3-2 when Robbie Grossman walked leading off the eighth against Hader, an All-Star reliever who pitched for a third consecutive day for the first time in his career. Chapman, who had one hit and 13 strikeouts in his previous 30 at-bats, crushed a first-pitch home run to straightaway center. Jurickson Profar added a sacrifice fly off Jay Jackson.
Chapman was hitless in 16 consecutive at-bats before his 24th home run, which traveled an estimated 432 feet. It was also his first hit off Hader between the minors and one at-bat in the majors.
“I believe that was the first time I ever put a ball in play off of him,” Chapman said. “I would probably say that was my fifth at-bat. I’m pretty sure he struck me out four times, so I think maybe I was due.”
It’s the third blown save and 11th home run allowed by Hader (1-5). He also gave up Matt Olson’s walkoff home run on Tuesday. Hader has a 5.40 ERA and five homers allowed in 11 appearances since July 1.
“He’s one of the best, and both of those guys rose to the occasion,” Williams said.
Hader was happy to take on the extended work after throwing 18 pitches over the previous two games. It was the location of his pitch to Chapman that bothered the reliever.
“I got behind and walked a batter, and then I made a mistake,” Hader said. “I was trying to go away with Chapman and he made me pay. We wanted to go down, and it was more outside. That’s his wheelhouse.”
Chad Pinder also went deep and Mark Canha added three hits to help the A’s win their fourth in five games.
Christian Yelich doubled to extend his hitting streak to a career-high 19 games for Milwaukee, matching the longest streak in the majors this season. Mike Moustakas added two hits, and Trent Grisham had a sacrifice fly in his major league debut with the Brewers.
Blake Treinen (6-3) retired three batters to win, and Liam Hendriks pitched the ninth for his 10th save.
Oakland began the day a half-game behind Tampa Bay for the second AL wild card.
HADER-METRICS
Hader has allowed 26 hits this season. Eleven have landed over the outfield fence. Hader gave up nine home runs total in 2018.
STARTING OFF
Oakland’s Homer Bailey struck out five in six innings but had three walks and allowed two runs in his fourth start for the A’s since being traded from Kansas City on July 14.
Brewers starter Chase Anderson struck out five, walked two and allowed two hits in six innings. He got Profar to ground out with a runner at third to end the second, gave up Pinder’s homer leading off the third, then settled in to retire 12 of the final 15 he faced.
HOME COOKING
Melvin took off after the game to catch a flight to Phoenix. He plans to spend Friday’s day off at his home there before rejoining the team Saturday.
MOVES AND DEBUTS
Grisham went 0 for 3 after being called up from Triple-A San Antonio but collected his first RBI with a sacrifice fly off Bailey in the fourth. Milwaukee right-hander Taylor Williams and infielder Taylor Saladino were optioned to San Antonio. Pitcher Jacob Barnes was designated for assignment.
TRAINERS ROOM
Brewers: Gio Gonzalez threw a bullpen and was cleared to start Saturday against the Cubs. Gonzalez left his previous start against Chicago with tightness in his left shoulder and there was concern he might have to go on the injured list.
Athletics: Stephen Piscotty had two hits and scored a run in a rehab start with Triple-A Las Vegas and is expected to rejoin the big league club in time for Saturday’s game against his former team St. Louis. Piscotty has been out with a sprained right knee since June 30. … Marco Estrada (lumbar strain) said before the game that he might make one more rehab start with Class A Stockton. The right-hander hasn’t pitched since April 16.
UP NEXT
Brewers: RHP Zach Davies (8-4, 3.56 ERA) faces the Chicago Cubs for the fourth time this season in the series opener at Wrigley Field on Friday. Davies, who lost to the Cubs last Sunday, has allowed seven runs in each of his previous two starts overall.