While the A's were playing one-and-a-quarter games against the Detroit Tigers in Oakland on Friday, top prospect Jesus Luzardo was pitching in the Triple-A playoffs for the Las Vegas Aviators.
The 21-year-old Luzardo held the Sacramento River Cats to seven hits and one earned run over 5 2/3 innings pitched on Friday. Luzardo struck out seven in Las Vegas' 11-4 win.
Meanwhile in Oakland, the A's blew a two-run lead to the Tigers and lost 5-4 in 11 innings.
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After the A's loss, manager Bob Melvin was made aware of Luzardo's outing and asked if he could possibly help a bullpen that is struggling.
"We'll see what we do with Luzardo at some point," Melvin said.
If the A's decide to use Luzardo out of the bullpen when they do promote him, he will be a welcome sight. With Friday's blown save, Oakland now leads the major leagues with 28.
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For a team that hopes to go deep in the postseason, having a shaky bullpen is not ideal.