CLEVELAND BASEBALL

Oakland stuns Cleveland 5-4 on Jed Lowrie's walk-off home run

Joe Stiglich
The Associated Press
Oakland Athletics' Jed Lowrie (8) is congratulated by teammates after hitting the game-winning home run against Cleveland during the ninth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Friday, July 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

OAKLAND, Calif. — Jed Lowrie hit a game-ending, two-run homer in the bottom of the ninth inning and the Oakland Athletics rallied past Cleveland 5-4 on Friday night.

It appeared Cleveland was in line for a comeback win after erasing a 3-0 deficit. But then Lowrie drilled a 1-1 pitch over the right field wall off Emmanuel Clase (3-5) with one out, after Elvis Andrus led off the ninth with a single.

Cleveland's Bradley Zimmer watches his home run next to Oakland Athletics' Sean Murphy during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Friday, July 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

Bradley Zimmer hit a go-ahead homer in the seventh for Cleveland, which had its three-game winning streak snapped. Roberto Perez also went deep for Cleveland.

Mitch Moreland homered for Oakland, and Matt Olson and Andrus each had three hits, but the A’s were mostly held silent at the plate after building an early 3-0 lead.

Cleveland's Eli Morgan throws to an Oakland Athletics batter during the first inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Friday, July 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

Sergio Romo (2-0) struck out two in a scoreless ninth to earn the win.

Zimmer, hitting ninth in Cleveland’s lineup, hadn’t homered since July 28 of last season. But he got an 0-1 changeup from Yusmeiro Petit and drilled it over the center field wall to snap a 3-all tie in the seventh.

Cleveland's Franmil Reyes follows through on an RBI single next to Oakland Athletics' Sean Murphy during the sixth inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Friday, July 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

A’s starter Sean Manaea, who hasn’t won since June 14, was charged with three runs over 5⅓ innings.

Oakland took an early 3-0 lead, getting a homer from Moreland in his first game back from the injured list.

The A’s are 13-2 against AL Central opponents this season, and 78-22 versus the division dating to June 23, 2017.

Cleveland's Amed Rosario slides for the ball on a single hit by Oakland Athletics' Elvis Andrus during the first inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Friday, July 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

Trainer's room

Cleveland: OF Jordan Luplow, working back from a sprained left ankle, will continue his progression of minor league rehab assignments by joining Triple-A Columbus on Monday “if all goes well,” manager Terry Francona said.

Oakland: OF Mark Canha went through an on-field workout and both manager Bob Melvin and Canha were optimistic he'll be able to come off the injured list this weekend. He's dealing with inflammation in both hips. ... The A’s reinstated Moreland from the injured list and designated 1B/DH Frank Schwindel for assignment. Moreland went on the IL on July 4. ... RHP Chris Bassitt, who pitched in relief during Tuesday night's All-Star Game, is likely to start Sunday's series finale.

Cleveland's Bradley Zimmer runs the bases after hitting a home run against the Oakland Athletics during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Oakland, Calif., Friday, July 16, 2021. (AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)

Up next

Cleveland RHP Cal Quantrill (1-2, 4.23 ERA), a first-round draft pick by the Padres out of nearby Stanford in 2016, makes his ninth start and 27th appearance of 2021 looking to win consecutive outings. RHP Frankie Montas (8-7, 4.41) pitches for Oakland.