Luis Medina makes dazzling season debut in Oakland’s 3-1 loss to the Braves

Luis Medina #46 of the Oakland Athletics throws during the first inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on June 2, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

By Bill Trocchi
The Associated Press

ATLANTA — Right-hander Luis Medina was outstanding for the A’s in his first start of the season, but it was to no avail Sunday as Oakland’s offense generated just two hits in a loss 3-1 against the Atlanta Braves.

Former A’s catcher Sean Murphy got the Braves going with a bloop double in the seventh inning. Murphy’s double down the right field line grounded Adam Duval for what proved to be the winning run and gave the Braves a 2-1 series win.

Atlanta’s Charlie Morton allowed one hit in six scoreless innings, but was left without a decision when the A’s tied the game in the top of the seventh inning on a Zack Gelof homer.

Despite the loss, A’s manager Mark Kotsay came away encouraged by what he saw from Medina, who lasted 5 2/3 innings and allowed two hits — including a double bloop by Austin Riley that hit the chalk down the right field line – and only one unearned. run. He had six strikeouts and two walks.

“It was a great outing for Medina,” Kotsay said. “Really going out there for the first time and being able to master his throws, he looked great out there. He looked at ease. We thought he would go about four innings, but for him to come in in the sixth and execute the game plan was really nice to see.

Medina began the season on the injured list with a sprained right knee. He played in three minor league games before starting Sunday.

Braves manager Brian Snitker was encouraged afterward, even though his team finished the home game 3-4.

“I look at things individually and see some positives offensively in guys, and that’s what we’re trying to do,” Snitker said. “We play good baseball. We just haven’t hit it, but I see a light at the end of the tunnel for a group of guys.

Morton had his best start to the season, walking five, striking out six and hitting a batter. The No A batter reached third base on his out.

“I had a really good command of the zone for the most part,” Morton said. “If you don’t give up a ton of hard-hit balls, you can afford to try to make pitches. That’s basically what we did today.

Marcell Ozuna went 1-for-3 with a double and reached base for the 26th straight game.

Dylan Lee allowed a long home run to Gelof in the seventh, but Joe Jimenez and Raisel Iglesias each pitched a scoreless inning. Lee (2-1) earned the win and Iglesias made his 15th save of the season.

Murphy’s shallow ball in the seventh landed right between right fielder Seth Brown, first baseman JD Davis and second baseman Gelof. Duvall scored from third in the game. Murphy had been 2 for 18 at bats since returning from the injured list.

Atlanta added an insurance run in the eighth when Ozzie Albies hit pinch runner JP Martinez with an RBI single.

The Braves were 13-14 in May and split their first two games of June.

“We don’t feel like everything is clicking,” Morton said. “I’ve been on teams where I felt like we were struggling. I don’t think this is a venue that will allow that to happen. The quality of people there is just too good.

Gelof crushed his fourth homer of the season against Lee to start the seventh inning. It was the first batter Lee faced after replacing Morton.