A’s erase six-run deficit against Yankees, but lose close one in ninth inning

OAKLAND — The Oakland A’s entered Thursday’s game sinking in a four-game losing streak, on the outside looking into the playoff picture. The New York Yankees came into town riding an 11-game winning streak, a 2.5 game cushion atop the wild card standings. The A’s losing streak extended to five games in a 7-6 loss on Thursday night, falling 2.5 games back of the Boston Red Sox for the second wild card spot.

Decked out in Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson’s jersey — the Oakland jersey — to “bring some good mojo,” Matt Chapman confronted a difficult truth his team is facing. With just 34 games left in the season and a postseason spot slipping away, this five-game losing streak has been a series of gut punches. In the thick of a low point, the team points to previous postseason runs as something they can lean back on. This group has been through rough stretches — badly timed ones like this one, too.

“It hurts. There have been some really tough finishes,” Chapman said. “From the Giants series to the Mariners. Seems like we’re right there and in the game and sometimes we’re getting big hits, but we’re not getting through right now as a team. I know that you can’t let this get you too down…We’ve been through times like this.”

The Thompson jersey brought some positive mojo. While their previous four losses were listless from an offensive standpoint, the A’s put up a valiant fight to erase an early six-run deficit.

A’s starter James Kaprielian struck out in the side in the first inning but was greeted with a barrage in the second and third innings: solo home runs from Giancarlo Stanton and Brett Gardner — Stanton’s banging off the concrete above the center field suite windows.

In the third, Anthony Rizzo hit an opposite field double off Josh Harrison’s glove in left field to score another. Joey Gallo hit what felt like a knife twist, a three-run home run. What looked like an insurmountable 6-0 deficit turned into a heartening comeback.

Chapman and Sean Murphy hit back-to-back solo homers in the third inning off Yankees starter Jameson Taillon. Then loaded the bases with a pair of walks and Harrison’s single the next inning. Chapman’s walk scored the first run, then on an 0-2 count, Elvis Andrus knocked a two-run single to cut the Yankee’s lead to one run.

Harrison’s home run in the fifth inning tied it up and started a whole new ballgame.

“After what we’ve been going through, down 6-0, come storming back like that with that kind of fight, it’s a good feeling,” manager Bob Melvin said. “At this point, you’re looking for some small victories. Obviously losing the game is the most important thing, but I did like the fight after being down six runs.”

How did they lose?

Both teams were locked in a dead heat after Harrison’s game-tying blast until the ninth inning bit Lou Trivino again. Despite getting two quick outs, Trivino issued a four-pitch walk to Anthony Rizzo and it came back to bite when pinch runner Tyler Wade stole second, then took third on a wild throwing error by Murphy behind the plate. He scored on Judge’s bloop single to give the Yankees the ultimate lead.

It marked Trivino’s third straight loss, disrupting a near-pristine season in which he hadn’t blown a save since June 30. Melvin said Trivino just ran into some bad luck again with Judge’s flare on a decent pitch.

Until then, both bullpens were locked in.

Yusmeiro Petit and Andrew Chafin pitched scoreless innings. Sergio Romo loaded the bases on Aaron Judge’s double and two walks with one out, but escaped it by forcing a pop out and ground out to end the inning.

The A’s couldn’t gain any momentum on the Yankees’ sterling bullpen. After Taillon’s departure 3 2/3 innings into the game, they threw out some of their best. Jonathan Loaisiga ate two innings and Aroldis Chapman closed it out.

James Kaprielian’s outing

Kaprielian matched a season high with six runs allowed, but wasn’t as hard on himself after this outing than he has after previous ones. He struck out eight and walked one batter on 99 pitches.

The rookie starter made a few mistakes, got in a handful of inopportune counts, but said a growing ability to tip his cap to the hitter rather than fixate on his errors is allowing him to mature on the mound.

“To be honest, I’m bummed with the way it went but proud of the way I competed because I felt like I made some good pitches and my stuff was decent tonight and they put some swings on me,” Kaprielian said. “I’m learning you have to tip your cap and those guys were swinging the bat pretty good. But I got punched in the face, and it was important for me personally to show the staff, front office and teammates that I want to go back out there and compete and put up a zero for them.”