Aug 23, 2021; Oakland, California, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Paul Blackburn (58) catches the ball during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports
It is not hyperbolic to say that Sunday was a must win for the Oakland A’s. They had snapped the Yankees 13 game winning streak, but in order to salvage their season, they needed to split the series. With Paul Blackburn on the mound, that seemed to be a tall task.
As it turned out, Blackburn was more than up to the challenge.