A’s activate Denzel Clarke (hamstring) from IL

Bolte’s first four-hit game as a major leaguer put him at .279/.362/.407 through 455 plate appearances. His second double tonight left his bat at 115.1 mph, which is a new high for him. He previously topped out at 113.7 mph on a single against the Rays just last week.

Cortes entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning following the departure of left-handed starter Yusei Kikuchi. With a runner on, he cut into the Angels’ lead with a triple before scoring on a base hit. Cortes then put the A’s ahead with a two-run homer off Sam Bachman in the eighth inning. The 29-year-old outfielder has hit .257/.323/.408 with ten homers and 43 RBI across 368 plate appearances.

We’re not medical professionals, so we had to look this one up. Basically, Muncy is dealing with a cartilage issue under his kneecap and will miss the remainder of the season. The 24-year-old finishes with a .230/.296/.387 slash line with nine homers and three steals in 284 plate appearances.

Even if Clarke, Max Muncy and Tommy White aren’t necessarily among the Athletics’ best nine starters, it’s odd just how little playing time they’re getting down the stretch here. Clarke, perhaps the game’s best defensive center fielder, entered today with one plate appearance in nine days. He actually did really well on his rehab assignment last month (.353/.463/.588 in 11 games for Las Vegas), and it would have made sense for the A’s to give him all the time he could handle to figure out whether he should in their 2027 plans. As is, he’s 2-for-14 with two walks and two strikeouts since being activated on Sept. 1.

The A’s appear to be easing Langeliers back into action following his return from the injured list on Saturday. He’s expected to finish out the season exclusively as a designated hitter for the Athletics. Max Muncy is functioning in that role on Sunday and will bat fifth against Mariners’ right-hander Bryce Miller.

Bolte has been on a tear and is up to four home runs and five stolen bases since September began. Wednesday’s round-tripper followed a monstrous game on Monday in which he homered and swiped three bases. He now has 10 homers and 19 steals, and he’s hit leadoff in every game for the A’s since August 18. Their lineup has been ravaged by season-ending injuries this year, but Bolte is taking advantage of the favorable home park down the stretch. He’ll likely enter 2027 with some sleeper appeal, though it’s fair to wonder if he’ll still fit that description given how hot he’s been to close the year.

Clarke was included in the lineup against lefties in his first two games back from the IL last week, but he’s since started just one of seven games. If he’s not going to play much this month, with the A’s missing most of their best players, it doesn’t bode well him claiming a spot in the 2027 outfield. He might be the league’s best defensive center fielder, but his bat leaves a great deal to be desired.

Cortes provided one of only two runs the A’s could score against José Soriano on Tuesday, taking him deep for a solo home run in the fourth inning. The 29-year-old outfielder is hitting .261/.328/.405 with nine homers and 40 RBI across 341 plate appearances.

The A’s won the game in the bottom of the ninth on a Jeff McNeil infield single off Louis Varland with the bases loaded and two outs. Bolte had drawn his third walk just prior to that hit. His homer was a 341-foot opposite field shot off Dylan Cease. He was actually on base all five times up tonight, since he reached on an Ernie Clement throwing error after his 103-mph grounder in the seventh. Blessed with a great deal of power and speed and cursed with one of the highest groundball rates in the league, Bolte is going to be a fascinating pick in fantasy leagues next spring. First, he might win some leagues for people this month if he keeps running like this. He’s 5-for-5 stealing bases in September and is up to 19 steals in 102 games on the season.

With Tommy White needing a break, Muncy has started three straight games, including the last two at DH, and he’s homered in back-to-back contests. The success might get him some extra playing time after White returns; the 24-year-old is not necessarily one of the Athletics’ best options, but there isn’t much reason to play Donovan Walton and Michael Stefanic over him.