Logan Gilbert wasn’t going to let a pitch ruin an outing. After allowing a two-run homer in the first inning, the A’s got the full “Walter” experience.
Gilbert’s pitching alter-ego took over. He allowed just one base runner the rest of the game and the Mariners provided just enough offense, powered by Ty France’s two homers, to complete a four-game sweep of the A’s with a 3 win. -2 Thursday.
Gilbert pitched eight innings, allowing two runs on three scoreless hits and six strikeouts. He was remarkably efficient, throwing just 77 pitches, with 59 strikes.
A vocal segment of the fan base on social media had their hands wrung, saying France were back in training so soon after what appeared to be a serious injury at the time. They cited wrist injuries that resulted in falls, although France and the Mariners repeatedly said the wrist was uninjured.
France quieted complaints in his first plate appearance, tossing a breakaway pitch from A starter JP Sears into the top deck of Edgar’s Cantina for a solo homer.
And if there were still residual doubts about the health of France, he erased them in the sixth inning against the pitcher who touched him in the hand on Tuesday.
Right-hander Trevor May, a notable and longtime Kelso High Mariners fan, left a fastball on the inside half of the plate France lit and homered almost to the same spot as his explosion during the first run.
The Mariners finally put Gilbert in line for the eighth inning victory. Eugenio Suarez never attempted a swing while working a loaded five-base walk to force the go-ahead run.
But Gilbert didn’t have a chance to finish the game despite the low pitch count.
Closer, Paul Sewald pitched a scoreless ninth inning to score his 11e save in 11 attempts.