J.P. Sears gave the Athletics’ overworked bullpen a break Friday night, but offense was in short supply in a 4-2 road loss to the Atlanta Braves.
Sears (4-4) pitched a season-high seven innings, giving up four runs on six hits with two walks and five strikeouts. HIs 97 pitches were the second-most he’s thrown this season, and came with the A’s short of relievers with Lucas Erceg on the injured list and Mason Miller unavailable after throwing 32 pitches Thursday night.
Given that A’s relievers have thrown a major league high of 228 2/3 innings going in to the game, manager Mark Kotsay was grateful, having seen his team play into extra innings three times in the previous eight games.