Soderstrom's Power Surge Leads Athletics to 14-3 Victory Over Twins

Tyler Soderstrom showcased his power at the plate with a grand slam and a two-run homer, leading the Oakland Athletics to a commanding 14-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday. This win marked a significant turnaround for the Athletics, ending a frustrating nine-game losing streak.

Brent Rooker also made a notable contribution, recording three hits, driving in three runs, and crossing home plate three times himself. His performance was instrumental in the Athletics' offensive explosion.

On the mound, David Festa (0-1), who had just been recalled from Triple-A St. Paul earlier that day, struggled significantly. He lasted only 3 2/3 innings, surrendering seven runs to the Athletics. The situation worsened for Minnesota when Jorge Alcala entered the game; after Lawrence Butler drew a two-out walk in the fourth inning, Alcala allowed a single to Jacob Wilson. Rooker's subsequent walk set the stage for Soderstrom's grand slam, pushing the score to 11-0.

Mitch Spence (2-1) delivered a solid performance for Oakland, allowing just one run on three hits over five innings. His efforts helped maintain the large lead built by the Athletics' offense.

Wilson initiated the scoring frenzy with a lead-off homer, followed by Soderstrom's two-run blast in the third inning that extended the lead to 7-0. The Twins managed to respond with a solo shot from Matt Wallner in the fourth inning, but it was not enough to shift momentum.

In the seventh inning, Ty France added an RBI double, and Brooks Lee contributed with a run-scoring single. Notably, infielder Jonah Bride made his MLB pitching debut during this game, giving up two runs in two innings of work.

Injury concerns arose when Shea Langeliers exited the game after fouling off a pitch in the sixth inning. Meanwhile, Butler continued his impressive streak, reaching base safely in 17 of his last 18 games. He led off the first inning with a single and later scored on Rooker's hit, while Muncy's two-out homer solidified an early 4-0 lead.

This victory allowed the Athletics to break free from their worst 21-game stretch (1-20) since August 1943 when they lost 23 of 24 games. Looking ahead, RHP Bailey Ober (4-1, 3.48) is slated to start for the Twins as they return home after a lengthy road trip. They will face the Blue Jays in a three-game series, while the Athletics prepare for their own three-game home series against Baltimore, with RHP Dean Kremer (5-5, 4.70) expected to take the mound for the Orioles.