The Milwaukee Brewers defeated the Oakland Athletics 15-14 in a 12-inning game on Monday at Las Vegas Ballpark, opening a six-game series with a wild contest.
Brice Turang scored the winning run on an errant throw home by Jeff McNeil during a fielder's choice.
The game featured 11 combined home runs, with the Athletics hitting six.
Oakland catcher Shea Langeliers opened the scoring with a leadoff solo home run on the first pitch of the team's first at-bat.
The Athletics built an early lead but allowed four runs in the late innings. Milwaukee tied the game in the ninth on an Andrew Vaughn two-run double.
The Brewers then took a four-run lead in the tenth before Oakland rallied to extend the game.
Managers and Players React
"It's definitely an offensive game tonight on both sides," said Athletics manager Mark Kotsay. He noted both teams performed well offensively but expressed disappointment with the outcome.
"They swung the bats, we swung the bats. It's unfortunate that we just couldn't push another run across to keep the game going," Kotsay said.
Kotsay praised his team's resilience after overcoming a late deficit. "Anytime you cough up a lead late, it's tough," he said.
"Our guys rallied. We're down four with one out left, but that just shows the fight.
Both teams grinded this game out. There's got to be a winner and we ended up on the losing side."
Kotsay identified defensive execution and limiting free bases as critical areas for the series.
"Our offense is an offense that can generate runs, so we've got to make plays and not give free bases away," he said.
"That was the biggest issue I think going into this series."
Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers reflected on the unusual momentum shifts. "Just all around a crazy game," Langeliers said.
He expressed surprise at the explosive offense in the tenth inning.
"For both teams to score four runs in the 10th inning and the game to keep going and a shutdown 11th was just kind of wild."
Langeliers credited both squads for maintaining high intensity. "All around, both teams battled all night.
It was a great baseball game," he said.
Oakland starting pitcher Jeffrey Springs went five innings and left with a 7-4 lead, receiving a no-decision.
"I felt like my stuff was OK given the adjustments to the ballpark and where we're at," Springs said.
He expressed dissatisfaction with his performance. "Honestly, not good enough.
It's been the same thing for a handful of (starts). It was a grind to get through five innings.
I feel like I just need to do a better job."
The game also marked the return of Athletics infielder Max Muncy, activated from the injured list after a left hand injury.
He contributed a two-run play in the third inning.
The three-game series continues Tuesday evening at Las Vegas Ballpark.
