The A's send out Coliseum in style in their final home game, beating the Rangers 3-2

Associated Press

OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — JJ Bleday hit an RBI single and made a great catch in center field, Shea Langeliers had a sacrifice fly and the Oakland Athletics emerged victorious by beating the Texas Rangers 3 in their final scheduled game at the Coliseum :2 on Thursday for a series win.

Bleday and Zack Gelof delivered defensive performances, delighting a sellout crowd of 46,889 under a cloudless blue September sky. Fans alternated between chanting “Sell the team!” and “Let's go to Oakland!” amid the mixed emotions and nostalgia at the Coliseum, where the A's have played since 1968 and have experienced so many unforgettable moments.

In the ninth inning, two fans jumped the fences to run onto the turf, bottles were thrown into center field, and smoke bombs were ignited and thrown to right. Toilet paper and other debris also fell before manager Mark Kotsay took the microphone after the game to warmly thank fans and say one final round of “Let's go to Oakland!”

The A's plan to play in Sacramento for the next three years, with hopes of opening a new ballpark in Las Vegas before the 2028 season.

Green “SELL” banners hung from the outfield railing as fans took a trip down memory lane. Former left-hander Barry Zito sang the national anthem to great applause while Rickey Henderson and Dave Stewart threw ceremonial first pitches.

The current A's also entertained.

Bleday made a diving catch to his right side to deny Carson Kelly a hit on his line drive in the seventh. And hometown fans got another chance to see flame-throwing closer Mason Miller on the mound.

A's starter JT Ginn (1-1) left the game to a loud standing ovation after allowing two runs on five hits in 5 1/3 innings, and the pitcher then applauded right at the ball by clapping his glove.

Oakland's bullpen followed him with 3 2/3 scoreless innings, with Miller recording the final four outs for his 28th save, which leads all major league rookies. He has converted his last 16 chances, dating back to June 18th.

Miller clenched his fist after striking out Nathaniel Lowe for the first time in the ninth, then play was briefly halted as Leody Taveras struggled as two fans ran onto the field separately and were removed by throngs of security guards. Miller also struck out Taveras, then retired Travis Jankowski with a grounder to third base, ending the game that lasted 2 hours, 29 minutes.

Former A's star and Bay Area native Marcus Semien went 0 for 4 in what was likely his final game here in front of family and friends.

Rangers right-hander Kumar Rocker (0-2) pitched two strikeouts and didn't walk a batter. He gave up three runs on seven hits over 4 2/3 innings, making his third career start.

TRAINING ROOM

Rangers: Designated hitter Adolis García struggled in cleanup after suffering a knee injury in right field in Wednesday's 5-1 win.

NEXT

RHP Jacob deGrom (0-0, 1.35 ERA) makes his third and final start of 2024 in the series opener on the road against the Angels on Friday. The A's finish the season in Seattle, sending LHP JP Sears (11-12, 4.43) to the mound against the Mariners. He is the first A's pitcher to make 32 starts in consecutive seasons since Gio Gonzalez in the 2010-11 season.

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