Athletics' Jacob Lopez survives shaky start against Mets

Left-hander allows 5 runs but gets the win as Oakland offense powers past New York

Apr. 12, 2026 at 12:36pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a baseball pitcher's delivery broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in shades of green, brown, and blue, conceptually representing the dynamic, multi-faceted nature of the sport.A cubist interpretation of an Athletics pitcher's mechanics captures the fractured, dynamic nature of the game.Oakland Today

Oakland Athletics pitcher Jacob Lopez struggled with his command on the mound, allowing 5 earned runs on 7 hits and 3 walks over 5 innings, but his team's offense was able to power past the New York Mets in an 11-6 victory. Lopez has had issues with walks and runs allowed in each of his 3 starts so far this season.

Why it matters

The Athletics' starting rotation has been a weak spot early in the season, with Lopez being one of the underperforming pitchers. Despite the shaky outing, the team was still able to secure the win, showing the importance of run support for their struggling starters.

The details

Lopez struck out 5 batters but had difficulty keeping runners off the bases, allowing 7 hits and 3 walks over his 5 innings of work. He has now posted a 7.43 ERA and 2.18 WHIP through his first 3 starts of the year, with a concerning 0.85 K/BB ratio.

  • The game was played on Saturday, April 12, 2026.

The players

Jacob Lopez

A left-handed starting pitcher for the Oakland Athletics who has struggled with command issues to start the 2026 season.

Mark Kotsay

The manager of the Oakland Athletics, overseeing a starting rotation that has been a weak spot for the team early in the year.

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What they’re saying

“Lopez has struggled with command issues on the mound to begin the season, allowing three or more earned runs and walking three or more batters in each of his three starts.”

— Chris Schommer, Athletics Correspondent

The takeaway

Despite another shaky outing from Jacob Lopez, the Athletics' offense was able to power the team to victory over the Mets. However, the starting rotation remains a concern for Oakland as they look to get more consistent production from their pitchers.