Blown out by Blue Jays, Oakland A’s are back on record-loss pace

TORONTO — Any pleasant memories the A’s had of their seven-game winning streak earlier this month have long been forgotten.

Now the A’s are right back on pace to finish with the most losses in a season in the modern era of Major League Baseball.

The A’s gave up a leadoff home run to George Springer and things spiraled from there in a 12-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays on Sunday as Oakland wrapped up a road trip with a 1-5 record.

The A’s have the day off today and begin a three-game series against the New York Yankees on Tuesday. Their six-game homestand then continues with three against the Chicago White Sox.

Sunday, Tony Kemp hit a solo home run, his third, in what became the A’s 10th loss in 11 games following that season-long winning streak from June 6-13.

The Athletics are 40 games below .500 at 20-60, tying for the ninth-worst record through 80 games in major league history. It’s the worst 80-game start since Detroit opened 19-61 in 2003.

The 1962 New York Mets hold the record for most losses in a season with 120. Right now, with a .250 winning percentage, the A’s are on pace for 121 or 122 losses.

A’s starter Luis Medina (1-7) allowed four runs, three earned, and four hits in five innings. He struck out four and walked a career-worst seven. Medina walked seven total batters in four May appearances.

Springer’s homer came on a 1-0 pitch, as he drove it 392 feet.

“It was a weird outing,” Oakland manager Mark Kotsay said. “He had, at one point, seven 0-2 counts and quite a few four-pitch walks. Command was key today. He struggled, he fought himself with throwing strikes.”

Springer moved into second place on baseball’s career list with his 55th leadoff home run – still 26 behind Rickey Henderson – and Yusei Kikuchi pitched a season-high seven innings for the Jays and now has a 2.28 ERA in five June starts.

Springer has 16 leadoff home runs since joining the Blue Jays before the 2021 season, including three this season. The four-time All-Star set Toronto’s single-season mark with nine leadoff homers in 2022.

“It’s special, it’s cool,” said Springer, who went 2 for 3 with a walk and two RBIs, including a sacrifice fly. “You don’t really think of that as a kid or as a player, but it’s awesome. I’m happy about it.”

“When he’s swinging at the right pitch, he’s as dangerous as anyone,” Blue Jays manager John Schneider said. “He makes us go at the top of the lineup.”

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. had two hits and an RBI and Santiago Espinal reached base three times and drove in two for Toronto.

Cavan Biggio hit a three-run homer, his seventh, and Bo Bichette had two hits and an RBI as the Blue Jays won for the 10th time in their past 12 home meetings with the A’s.

Kikuchi (7-2) allowed one run and two hits. He walked two and struck out eight, winning for the first time since May 30 against Milwaukee.

“It’s always fun when he’s on the mound because he cares so much,” Springer said. “He’s been quietly very, very good.”