Jacob Wilson has pretty much conceded the American League’s Rookie of the Year race to Athletics teammate Nick Kurtz.
“At this point, it’s just a race for second place,” Wilson told reporters Friday in Seattle, after the All-Star shortstop was activated from the 10-day injured list. “Kurtz has been incredible to watch. I’m super happy for him and just happy that the A’s will be able to win that award. At this point, I’m going to try to beat everybody for second place. But he’s been incredible and we’re really excited to be a part of this young core that we have.”
Despite Wilson’s run-scoring single in the ninth inning Friday, the A’s fell 3-2 at T-Mobile Park. The three-game series between the American League West rivals continues Saturday.
Wilson suffered what was believed to be merely a left hand contusion when hit by a pitch July 8. He kept playing and started for the American League in the All-Star Game in Atlanta.
But Wilson slumped badly after the Midsummer Classic and an MRI late last month determined he actually had a left forearm fracture.
“I was definitely in some pain for a little bit,” Wilson said. “I didn’t think anything was really wrong at the time. I thought it was just maybe some swelling. … I played through it trying to manage the pain just because I wanted to be part of the team and play the game I love. But sometimes, when something is bothering you to the point it’s affecting your play, you just have to take the time off to get healthy.”
Wilson’s last game before going on the injured list came July 25 in Houston — the day Kurtz went 6-for-6 with four homers and eight RBIs and tied Shawn Green’s major league record with 19 total bases.
With Kurtz, Brent Rooker and Tyler Soderstrom all mashing, Wilson provides the A’s with a different look.
“The vast majority of what Jacob does is bat-to-ball skill and his ability to put the ball in play,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said. “That’s a different element for this lineup. We’re excited to have him back and be a part of this.”
Rooker homered in the first game Friday, the lone hit the A’s managed in seven innings off Mariners starter Bryan Woo.
Eugenio Suarez, Josh Naylor and Jorge Polanco hit solo shots for Seattle.
“Three solo home runs beat us,” said Kotsay, who got six outstanding innings from rookie right-hander Luis Morales (one run on two hits).
The Mariners snapped a five-game skid and won for the 10th time in their past 11 home games.
“It was important to come in and set the tone after such a bad (2-7) road trip,” Woo said. “If you get off to a bad start today, it just kind of leaks a little bit. And I just wanted to make sure I came out with good energy and turn the page, make sure the road trip is over and get to take advantage of a homestand.”
A’s lefty Jeffrey Springs (10-8, 4.24 ERA) is set to take the mound Saturday against Mariners right-hander George Kirby (8-6, 4.22).
Springs is 3-0 with a 2.27 ERA in 13 career appearances against Seattle, including five starts. Two of those wins came this year. He beat the Mariners 7-0 on March 28 in Seattle, allowing three hits over six innings and striking out a season-high nine. On July 30 in West Sacramento, Calif., he gave up one run on two hits in six innings of a 5-4 victory.
Kirby is 5-0 with a 3.97 ERA in eight previous starts versus the A’s, though this will be the first time he has faced them this season.
–Field Level Media
