By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Soderstrom blasts first career homer at Dodger Stadium as A’s get swept
Soderstrom first homer
Oakland Athletics' Tyler Soderstrom (37) hits a home run during the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Los Angeles on Thursday (AP Photo/Ashley Landis).

For the Oakland Athletics, it was a series to forget with the Dodgers, as they were on the wrong end of a three-game sweep that was capped off on Thursday night in Los Angeles. The A’s lost their games by scores of 7-3 on Tuesday, 10-1 on Wednesday and 8-2 on Thursday. Nevertheless, it will forever be a series remembered by Tyler Soderstrom, Zack Gelof and their families.

Despite not coming away with a win and Oakland’s record dropping to an MLB-worst 30-80, the rookie duo of Soderstrom and Gelof showed glimpses of what many A’s fans and organization members hope is a brighter future.

In the three games at Dodger Stadium, the 23-year-old Gelof went 4 for 11 with two home runs, a walk and two RBI. His second long ball came in the sixth inning of Thursday’s series finale and improved his season total to five. It wouldn’t be long until the Turlock native Soderstrom joined his good friend in sending a ball into the stands.

With the score sitting at 6-1 in the eighth inning in Thursday’s game, Soderstrom turned on a 97-MPH fastball from Dodgers reliever Emmet Sheehan, sending it 414 feet into the right field pavilion at Dodger Stadium for his first big league home run. It came in his 14th game and 50th plate appearance.

“It was really special,” Soderstrom told Martin Gallegos of MLB.com. “To hit one at Dodger Stadium in front of a lot of fans for my first one is pretty cool.”

The Dodger fan who caught the ball didn’t think it was so cool, though, as the ball was thrown back onto the field. Luckily, Dodgers All-Star right-fielder Mookie Betts realized the milestone moment for the 21-year-old, and quickly retrieved the ball threw it towards the Athletics dugout, where it was secured by A’s veteran Tony Kemp.

“Mookie Betts getting the ball back for me was pretty awesome, too” Soderstrom continued. “Shoutout to him. It’s definitely one to remember.”

After fielding the ball from Betts, Kemp decided to have some fun with the rookie, gesturing that he was going to his home run ball back into the stands. Luckily for the Turlocker and his family, Kemp tucked the ball back into his arms and gave it to MLB officials, who immediately authenticated the ball and later returned it to Soderstrom after the game.

Soderstrom is now slashing .200/.280/.267/.547 with nine hits, five walks, one home run and three RBI in 45 at-bats and 50 plate appearances. Meanwhile, Gelof is slashing .242/.306/.561/.867 with 16 hits, five walks, five home runs and eight RBI in 66 at-bats and 72 plate appearances.

The Athletics are back in action at home at the Oakland Coliseum for the final two games of the storied Bay Bridge Series against the San Francisco Giants. Saturday’s game is scheduled for 4:07 p.m. while Sunday’s matchup is slated for 1:07 p.m.