SEATTLE – There weren’t many roles Hogan Harris had not filled for the Athletics over his first three big league seasons. This past week, however, has presented an endeavor unlike anything he’d previously experienced.
In the aftermath of their blockbuster trade that sent All-Star closer Mason Miller to the Padres last month, the A’s have opted to fill that role by committee based on matchups.
Harris is part of that group, and in Saturday night’s extra-inning affair, the 28-year-old left-hander was called upon with one out and a runner on in the bottom of the 10th and responded impressively.
Holding a one-run lead following a go-ahead double by Shea Langeliers in the top of the 10th, Harris induced a ground ball from J.P. Crawford that would have been a game-ending double play until it was bobbled by shortstop Jacob Wilson, who recovered in time to record one out at second base. After a walk loaded the bases for Randy Arozarena -- who had already homered off starter Jeffrey Springs earlier in the game -- Harris fell behind in the count but managed to get the Mariners slugger to ground out, securing a 2-1 victory at T-Mobile Park.
“Hogan’s got ice in his veins,” manager Mark Kotsay said. “He’s experienced so much with us, especially over the last two-plus years of going up, going down, pitching in different roles. He’s just accepted, ‘When I pitch, I pitch.’ Whatever inning it is doesn’t affect him. He handled it great tonight.”
It was Harris’ second career save, and both have come on this current six-game road trip -- he recorded his first in Tuesday’s win over the Twins. Before that, his only other save had occurred during his freshman year at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, nearly a decade ago in 2016.
As opposed to Tuesday's save, though, which saw him enter a clean ninth with a three-run lead, Saturday’s pressure-filled spot brought out emotions in Harris that he’d never previously felt on a baseball field.
“You can’t make up that adrenaline,” Harris said. “You never practice it. The feeling is kind of tough to describe. But it’s super cool. Especially here in Seattle against one of our rivals.”
Since debuting in 2023, Harris has done it all for the A’s, from joining the rotation as a top prospect to performing every non-closer bullpen role imaginable. Now, he’s one of several high-leverage relievers who have emerged as candidates to close out games.
On Saturday, it was the foursome of Michael Kelly, Sean Newcomb, Tyler Ferguson and Harris combining for 4 2/3 scoreless frames in relief of Springs, who held Seattle to one run across 5 1/3 innings.
Of course, having a set closer is the preferable route for any club, and the A’s are hopeful that one of these arms in their current bullpen can seize that role. For now, Kotsay has found a game plan to maneuver the late innings, with six different pitchers responsible for the team’s last seven saves.
“From the sixth inning on, you start to look at where guys are going to land in the lineup and start thinking about the different matchups that you can create if things go well,” Kotsay said. “It’s a formula that’s been working. We’re prepared for those situations.”
If the Mariners, who entered the day second in the American League West and in possession of a Wild Card spot, are a measuring stick for this young A’s squad, the results are encouraging. The two division rivals are now 6-6 against each other, and of those 12 head-to-head matchups, 10 have been decided by two runs or fewer.
“We just want to ruin their day,” Harris said. “And then, who knows? I mean, we’ve been playing really well. It could give us a shot at something.”
Playoff talk might be a stretch – the A’s are 9 1/2 games back of a Wild Card spot – but there is no doubting they are playing like one of the best teams in baseball as of late, with their 18-9 record since July 24 the third-best in MLB over that period.
“If we keep playing the way we are, we’re getting four or five wins a week, it can turn into something pretty cool,” Harris said. “It’s a fun combination of ruining their days and making ours."