The Oakland Athletics are used to their rickety old ballpark, so when the lights go out, they just keep on going.
The A’s won their 10 straight game on Tuesday night against the Twins, a 1-0 affair in the Oakland Coliseum. It was the second game of a doubleheader, and the Athletics outscored the Twins 8-0 in 14 total innings.
But on the way to that accomplishment, the Coliseum had its say. The panel of lights above “Mount Davis” in left center field went out completely mid-game, causing a 25-minute delay.
Thankfully, at least a portion of the lights turned back on, and the officials decided it was good enough. For the A’s, it certainly was.
This isn’t the first time this portion of lights at the Coliseum have gone out. Mike Fiers pitched a no-hitter in such conditions, with an incredible hour and a half delay.
In spite of the Coliseum’s latest technical difficulty, Athletics starting pitcher Jesus Luzardo pitched 5.1 strong innings with six strikeouts, one walk and two hits on 65 pitches, 44 of them strikes. Relief pitcher Lou Trivino came in to finish the sixth inning and RP Jake Diekman closed the game, though not without a scare.
Just a loud out. That’s all that was.
It was a memorable night at the venerable Oakland Coliseum, that’s for sure. And for some icing on the cake, it was the first double shutout since 1974.
Plus, the Athletics are now tied for first place in the American League West. Though it’s early in the season, that’s a fantastic rebound from Oakland’s 0-6 record to start the campaign.
(Photo credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports)
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