Athletics 5, Guardians 1: Springs Dominates, Kurtz Homers for A's

Saturday, June 21st, 2025

WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. - The Athletics defeated the Cleveland Guardians by a score of 5-1 on Friday, June 20, 2025.

Pitching Performance

Jeffrey Springs (6-5) earned his first win since May 13, allowing just three hits and one earned run over a season-high 7 1/3 innings for the Athletics. He struck out six and walked one, throwing 104 pitches. His only blemish was a solo home run by Angel Martínez.

Guardians starter Tanner Bibee (4-7) took the loss, surrendering five runs, four of which were earned, on 11 hits over eight innings. Bibee recorded season highs in both innings pitched and strikeouts with 10.

Michael Kelly recorded the final two outs in the eighth inning. Mason Miller pitched a scoreless ninth to close out the four-hitter for the Athletics. Center fielder Denzel Clarke contributed with a dazzling catch in the ninth.

Offensive Highlights

Rookie Nick Kurtz continued his power surge, hitting a two-run home run to give the Athletics the initial lead against Guardians starter Tanner Bibee. The homer, Kurtz's 10th of the season, came after a two-out single by Brent Rooker and marked the third straight game Kurtz has gone deep.

The Athletics added to their lead in the second inning. Tyler Soderstrom led off with a single, and two straight fielding errors by Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez loaded the bases. Lawrence Butler followed with a single, increasing the lead to 3-0.

Wilson added a run with a two-out RBI single in the seventh inning, extending the lead to 4-0.

The Athletics scored their final run in the eighth when Tyler Soderstrom singled, stole his fifth base, and came around to score on a single by Luis Urias, making the score 5-1.

With this win, the Athletics have won six of their last eight games.

Key Moment

Cleveland never recovered after Nick Kurtz's home run, which was his fifth in his last six games and ninth in his last 15.

Key Stat

Nick Kurtz, who debuted on April 23, holds unique distinctions this season. He is the only player to hit four home runs in the ninth inning or later across a five-game span in a single season. He is also one of just five players aged 22 or younger to record two walk-off home runs in a calendar month.

Up Next

The Cleveland Guardians and Athletics continue their series on Saturday. The Guardians are scheduled to start Right-Hander L.L. Ortiz (3-8, 4.64 ERA), while the Athletics will counter with Right-Hander Mitch Spence (2-1, 3.50 ERA).

In summary

Here is a summary of the Cleveland Guardians at Athletics MLB game from June 20, 2025:

- The Athletics defeated the Cleveland Guardians with a final score of 5-1.

- Athletics starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs earned the win, allowing only one run over 7 1/3 innings.

- Guardians starter Tanner Bibee took the loss.

- Rookie Nick Kurtz hit his 10th home run, his third in as many games, contributing to the Athletics' lead.

- The Athletics scored runs in the second, seventh, and eighth innings.

- The Guardians' only run came via a solo home run by Angel Martinez.

- The Athletics' bullpen, including Michael Kelly and Mason Miller, closed out the game.

- The Athletics have won six of their last eight games.

- The series continues Saturday with L.L. Ortiz pitching for Cleveland and Mitch Spence for the Athletics.

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