Athletics' Mitch Spence: Takes loss in season finale
Rotowire
Spence (8-10) allowed six runs on seven hits and struck out five without walking a batter over 4.1 innings to take the loss Sunday versus the Mariners.
Spence hadn't allowed more than three runs in any of his previous six starts, but he struggled late in his outing Sunday. The Mariners put up two runs in the fourth inning and another four runs in the fifth, capped off by a Cal Raleigh home run. There were some promising stretches for Spence, but the 26-year-old rookie also had some struggles, ending the year with a 4.58 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 126:44 K:BB over 151.1 innings across 35 appearances (24 starts). Spence should have a good chance of making the Athletics' rotation in 2025.
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Athletics' Mitch Spence: Can't make it to five innings
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Spence did not factor into the decision in Tuesday's win over the Rangers, allowing three runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out two over 4.2 innings.
Spence found himself with traffic on the bases in every inning but the second, leading to runs for the Rangers in the first, fourth and fifth innings. He has now gone fewer than five innings in two of his last four starts and has allowed a homer in three straight after Nathaniel Lowe took him deep in the fourth. Spence has also allowed 29 hits in his last 21 innings, but he has only given up eight runs over that span. The 26-year-old now owns a 4.35 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 121:44 K:BB in 147 innings and tentatively lines up for one final start against the Mariners this weekend.
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Athletics' Mitch Spence: Nabs eighth win
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Spence (8-9) picked up the win in Tuesday's 4-3 victory over the Cubs, giving up two runs on seven hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out six.
It's the right-hander's first win since July 27. Spence didn't pitch poorly during that eight-start winless streak, however, posting a 4.01 ERA, 1.45 WHIP and 35:13 K:BB over 42.2 innings. He lines up to make his final start of 2024 at home next week against the Rangers.
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Athletics' Mitch Spence: Goes seven innings vs. Houston
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Spence allowed two runs on seven hits across seven innings in a no-decision Thursday against the Astros. He struck out two.
Spence was sharp Thursday, with both Houston runs coming on a Jason Heyward homer in the second inning. The 26-year-old Spence has pitched to a 3.66 ERA over his last 10 starts (54 innings), lowering his ERA on the season to 4.33 with a 1.35 WHIP and 113:41 K:BB across 137.1 innings. Spence currently lines up for a road matchup with the Cubs in his next outing.
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Athletics' Mitch Spence: Takes no-decision versus Tigers
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Spence allowed a run on eight hits and struck out six without walking a batter over 4.1 innings in a no-decision Friday versus the Tigers.
Spence was a little generous with the contact, but he was able to effectively limit the damage. He threw 70 pitches (48 strikes) in his shortest start since a 2.2-inning mess versus the Mets on Aug. 15. The right-hander is at a 4.42 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 111:41 K:BB through 130.1 innings over 31 appearances (20 starts) this season. His next outing is projected to come in Houston.
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Athletics' Mitch Spence: Yields two runs
Rotowire
Spence allowed two runs on five hits and three walks over five innings in a no-decision Sunday. He struck out five during the extra-inning loss to Texas.
Spence allowed a run in each of the first and third innings but otherwise kept the Rangers in check. He threw just 47 of 87 pitches for strikes and walked at least three batters for the sixth time in his last nine outings. Spence is 0-3 with a 4.60 ERA since the start of August and hasn't earned a win since July 27. He's currently in line for a home matchup against the Tigers.
Athletics' Mitch Spence: Allows one run in no-decision
Rotowire
Spence did not factor into the decision in Tuesday's 5-4 win against the Reds, allowing one run on five hits and three walks with three strikeouts over 5.1 innings.
Spence generated only six swinging strikes on 84 pitches but limited the Reds to just one extra-base hit. The 26-year-old has been inconsistent in his past 10 starts, yielding two earned runs or fewer in six outings but surrendering 19 total earned runs in his other four. On the year, he owns a 4.54 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 100:38 K:BB across 121 innings and lines up to face the Rangers on Sunday.
Athletics' Mitch Spence: Season-high 10 strikeouts in loss
Rotowire
Spence (7-9) was charged with the loss against the Rays on Wednesday, allowing four runs on seven hits and one walk over seven innings. He struck out 10.
Spence looked sharp early, shutting out the Rays over the first four innings while allowing just two singles in that span. The right-hander would begin to struggle in the fifth, however, allowing back-to-back hits to open the frame, along with an RBI double with two outs from Yandy Diaz as Tampa Bay took a 2-1 lead. Spence would also cough up a two-run shot to Jose Siri in the seventh, marking the third consecutive start in which he's given up at least one home run. On a positive note, Spence generated 16 whiffs in the contest en route to tallying a season-high 10 strikeouts. It also marked only the second time this season that he was able to make it through seven innings, with the previous one coming back on June 9 against Toronto.
Spence allowed five runs on four hits over 2.2 innings in a no-decision Thursday against the Mets. He struck out one.
Spence allowed a run on a wild pitch in the second inning before surrendering four runs in the fourth, highlighted by Mark Vientos' two-run homer. However, the A's would rally to overcome the 5-0 deficit, getting Spence off the hook in an eventual 7-6 win. The 26-year-old Spence hadn't allowed more than two runs in any of his previous four starts, posting a 2.78 ERA in that span (22.2 innings). Overall, he's 7-8 on the year with a 4.64 ERA, 1.34 WHIP and 87:34 K:BB across 108.2 innings. Spence will look to get back on track in his next start, currently scheduled for next week at home against Tampa Bay.
Spence (7-8) took the loss against the Blue Jays on Friday, allowing two runs on eight hits and no walks with two strikeouts over 5.2 innings.
Spence surrendered a leadoff homer to George Springer and was pulled an out shy of a quality start after allowing three hits and a run in the sixth. The rookie has pitched well since the All-Star break, yielding two earned runs or fewer and working into the sixth frame in each of his four outings. On the season, he owns a 4.33 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 86:31 K:BB across 106 innings and lines up to face the Mets on the road next week.
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Athletics' Mitch Spence: Fans six in loss
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Spence (7-7) took the loss against the Dodgers on Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks over 5.2 innings while striking out six.
Both runs charged to Spence came across in the top of the third when the right-hander walked Cavan Biggio to open the frame before then surrendering back-to-back hits with two outs. The 26-year-old pitched well outside of that frame, however, generating 13 swings and misses in the contest while reaching the six-strikeout mark for only the fourth time this season. Spence has now allowed two or fewer runs in three consecutive starts, surrendering just one home run over that stretch. On the downside, he's also walked multiple batters in four straight outings.
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Athletics' Mitch Spence: Nabs second straight win
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Spence (7-6) picked up the win over the Angels on Saturday, allowing one run on three hits and two walks over six innings while striking out three.
Spence allowed two men to reach in the opening frame but was able to work his way out of the jam before going on to allow a solo homer from Nolan Schanuel in the third. That would be the only run allowed by the right-hander on the night as he induced 11 whiffs en route to securing his second straight win. Spence has allowed two or fewer runs in three of his last five starts and now has three wins in July. However, he's also walked multiple batters in three straight, posting a 12:10 K:BB over that stretch.
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Athletics' Mitch Spence: Earns sixth win
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Spence (6-6) earned the win over the Angels on Saturday, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks with three strikeouts over 5.1 innings.
Spence allowed a run in the third inning and was pulled at 85 pitches after yielding another in the sixth. He generated only six swinging strikes but limited hard contact and received plenty of early run support. On the season, the 26-year-old owns a 4.67 ERA, 1.33 WHIP and 75:26 K:BB across 88.2 innings and lines up for a rematch with the Angels next week.
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Athletics' Mitch Spence: Hit hard early in loss
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Spence (5-6) took the loss against the Phillies on Saturday, allowing six runs on five hits and five walks with six strikeouts over 3.2 innings.
Spence struggled to throw strikes and served up a season-high three home runs before being pulled with two outs in the fourth inning. The righty's five walks were also the most he's yielded in a game this season, and the Phillies made him pay. He will take a 4.75 ERA, 1.32 WHIP and 72:23 K:BB across 83.1 innings into the All-Star break.
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Athletics' Mitch Spence: Hit hard early
Rotowire
Spence (5-5) took the loss Sunday against Baltimore, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits and a walk across six innings. He struck out five.
All four runs charged to Spence came in the first inning, when he allowed a solo home run to Anthony Santander and a three-run home run to Heston Kjerstad. Spence was able to settle in afterward, and would have kept the Orioles off the scoreboard if it weren't for a dropped flyball with two outs in the third inning that allowed a run to score. Since the start of June, Spence owns a 5.01 ERA and a 32:6 K:BB across 41.1 innings. He's tentatively scheduled to face the Phillies in Philadelphia next weekend.
