The Milwaukee Brewers were the first major-league team to secure a postseason spot on Wednesday when the Athletics defeated the Cubs 5-3. Tyler Soderstrom went 2 for 4 with a home run and Zack Gelof got a double to grab the lead in the eighth inning.
The Brewers, who won the National League Central Division for the third time in four years, are assured of a postseason spot thanks to Chicago’s defeat.
The 22-year-old Soderstrom helped Oakland defeat the Cubs in a series for the first time since 2013. He batted in two runs and scored two more. Brent Rooker walked twice and went 2 for 3 with an RBI.
After throwing a hitless seventh inning, Tyler Ferguson (4-2) earned the victory, and Michel
and in the eighth inning, Michl Otañez struck out two. Mason Miller set a franchise rookie record with his 27th save of the season.
A’s manager Mark Kotsay praised Miller, noting, ‘Coming into the season and throughout spring training, we observed his confidence, demeanor, and ability to manage high-pressure situations. We started him in the closing role right from the beginning, and he’s had an outstanding season. The team’s confidence in handing him the ball feels really good.’”
With a record of 67-86, Oakland currently ranks third worst in the American League. Despite their struggles in 2024, the A’s have found some optimism following a 5-4 road trip against the Astros, White Sox, and Cubs, as well as a 30-25 record since the All-Star Break. The players are eager to finish the season on a high note and build momentum for 2025.
“Given that we’re out of playoff contention, it would be easy to just give up in the fifth or sixth inning and focus on getting back home,” said Rooker. “But that’s not the character of this team. We’re committed to fighting until the last out and trying to win every game, which is what we did.”
In just his fourth game back from a left wrist injury, Soderstrom hit a home run in the fourth inning, his first since June 28, giving Oakland a 1-0 lead.
The Cubs managed only two hits through the first four innings, but they broke through in the fifth. With the bases loaded, Dansby Swanson and Seiya Suzuki each hit RBI singles, followed by a sacrifice fly from Cody Bellinger, making it 3-1.
The Cubs’ hitting streak ended Brady Basso’s outing after 4⅔ innings, where he allowed three runs on six hits and two walks, while striking out five.
In the seventh inning, Soderstrom and Tyler Nevin both singled, with Lawrence Butler and Rooker driving them home to tie the game.
Gelof’s RBI double in the eighth inning put Oakland back in the lead. He advanced to third on the throw, allowing him to score on Soderstrom’s hard-hit grounder to second, making it 5-3.
Justin Steele had a brief outing in his first game back from elbow tendinitis, pitching just 2⅔ innings. He allowed two hits, three walks, and recorded one strikeout before being replaced after loading the bases in the third. Ethan Roberts came in to finish the inning, and no earned runs were charged to Steele. Cubs manager Craig Counsell mentioned before the game that he anticipated Steele’s start on Wednesday would be short as he gradually eased him back into play.
Nate Pearson (2-2) took the loss, giving up two runs in 1⅓ innings.
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