A weekend in Anaheim, became a stage for the A’s offense to break free, unleash chaos, and showcase a young rotation that might just be the core of 2026’s success. Game 1 exploded in the third inning: down 4–2, the A’s sent 13 men to the plate in a seven-run outburst. JJ Bleday’s three-run homer ignited it, Lawrence Butler added a late solo shot, and Mason Barnett, after a shaky start, locked it in to earn his first MLB win.

The fireworks didn’t stop there. Game 2 saw a 17–4 blowout, featuring four homers—from Nick Kurtz, Colby Thomas, Carlos Cortes, and JJ Bleday—and a bullpen that folded the Angels for eight more runs. Still, despite the onslaught, the sweep slipped away. In Game 3, despite homers from MacIver and Soderstrom, the A’s bullpen melted down. Osvaldo Bido couldn’t hold it, Travis d’Arnaud delivered a go-ahead double, and Kenley Jansen shut the door in the ninth for a 4–3 Angels win. A rollercoaster weekend: epic peaks and a gut-punch finish.

A's vs Angels September 2025 Athletics Angels series recap A’s Anaheim series highlights Mason Barnett first MLB win JJ Bleday three-run homer A’s offense explosion Young A’s pitching breakouts A’s vs Angels game recap Athletics 17–4 win A’s bullpen collapse Angels

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