A’s Pitcher’s Mental Gaffe vs. Nationals Perfectly Sums Up Team’s Miserable Season

It’s been a long season in Oakland.

The Athletics’ 2023 campaign has certainly been one for fans to forget and the team’s struggles were perfectly summed up in one humiliating moment during Saturday’s game against the Nationals.

Oakland entered play as MLB’s worst team, sporting a 33–83 record. Early into the game, starting pitcher Luis Medina made an unthinkable mental mistake as he seemingly forgot to record an out.

After a 100 mph fastball was hit back to the mound, Medina made an impressive play defensively in order to stop the ball. When it came time to throw the ball to the first baseman, however, it seems as if Medina let his mind wander.

Rather than throw the ball or even run to step on the bag, the right-hander could be seen nonchalantly trotting over towards the base. Washington shortstop Ildemaro Vargas noticed the lack of hustle from Medina and jetted towards first base, edging out what was ruled as an infield single.

2023 Oakland A’s ladies and gentlemen pic.twitter.com/RUN1iESdi0

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) August 12, 2023

Oakland first baseman Tyler Soderstrom could be seen gesturing in confusion as Medina elected to hold onto the ball rather than flip it over for the easy out.

Vargas went on to score on a fielder’s choice, giving the Nationals an early 1–0 lead. 

Anyone wondering why the Athletics have struggled so mightily in 2023 need only look as far as this play from the 24-year-old pitcher. The A’s are MLB’s only team with a sub-.300 winning percentage, and making costly mental mistakes such as the one from Medina is definitely not a recipe for improvement.