CHICAGO — Shea Langeliers hit two home runs, including a powerful solo shot that sailed into left field at Wrigley Field, and the Athletics beat the Chicago Cubs 4-3 on Tuesday night.
Langeliers’ third multi-home run of the season, the fifth of his career, brought his season total to 28, extending his career best.
Both homers came from Cubs starter Jordan Wicks (2-4), who allowed four runs and seven hits in five innings.
“Obviously, (Wicks) had a really good changeup. So he was just looking to get the right pitch in the strike zone and be aggressive on the fastball, hoping you recognize the rest of it,” Langeliers told NBC Sports California.
“I’ve kind of refined my approach and pitch recognition, and I feel like I’ve done a much better job this year in that area.”
Lawrence Butler also put in a solid effort for Oakland, helping the team snap a three-game losing streak that included a loss to the MLB-worst White Sox.
Of the A’s 613 runs scored this season, 308, or 50.2%, have come on home runs. That’s the highest percentage in the major leagues and in Oakland history. The previous highest percentage for the A’s was 48.8% in 2017.
“We don’t preach about hitting home runs. We preach about hitting the ball hard, and we go the other way and … we see the results,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said. “We see the buy-in from the guys, and it’s gratifying to know that they’re not focused on hitting home runs. They’re really focused on hitting the ball hard, and it’s been fun to see the success of that strategy.”
Ian Happ hit two solo homers for the Cubs (77-74), who finished six games behind the New York Mets for the National League’s final wild card with 11 games remaining.
Happ’s 25th home run, a one-out single to left on a 103.2 mph fastball from All-Star closer Mason Miller, brought Chicago within one run in the ninth inning. But Miller retired Dansby Swanson on a grounder to first base before striking out Seiya Suzuki for his 26th save.
Oakland native Nico Hoerner singled three times for Chicago, and Michael Busch drove in a run.
Oakland rookie Mitch Spence (8-9) pitched five effective innings for his first win since July 27. He allowed two runs and seven hits.
“He did a good job of limiting the damage,” Kotsay said. “It wasn’t his best outing tonight, but then again, in the fifth inning, he throws a 97-mph sinker, and I had a conversation (with him) in the dugout after that. Where has he been all year?”
“He did a good job. He was able to finish five innings and we left the ball to the bullpen.”
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