- The Washington Times - Sunday, May 5, 2024

The Oakland Athletics, playing their final season in the Bay Area, gave fans a game to remember on Saturday: a 20-4 beatdown of the Miami Marlins.

The Athletics draw the smallest crowds in MLB and boast the cheapest payroll in the league. That didn’t deter the players on the diamond on Saturday. 

In front of 7,800 fans, the Athletics racked up 20 runs against the hapless Marlins. Oakland scored 10 in the third inning, powered by a pair of home runs by outfielder Brent Rooker. Third baseman Brett Harris sent another two souvenirs into the stands in his MLB debut. 

OptaSTATS noted that no team had ever accomplished those offensive feats in the same season. The 2024 Athletics did it in one game. 

Their sixth-consecutive win boosted the Athletics to 17-17 on the season. It marks the first time the team has reached the .500 mark since they were 1-1 at the start of 2023. They haven’t held a winning record this late in the year since the end of the 2021 season. 

• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.

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