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Athletics pitcher JT Ginn was poised to make history Monday night, but the moment escaped him in the final inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels.
Ginn went scoreless in the ninth inning, hoping to become the first pitcher to throw just one since Blake Snell did so for the San Francisco Giants on August 2, 2024, and the first to complete one since three Chicago Cubs pitchers combined for one on September 4, 2024.
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Athletics pitcher JT Ginn throws a pitch during the first inning against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, California on May 18, 2026. (William Liang/AP)
The Angels were able to break the no-no in the bottom of the ninth when Adam Frazier singled. Then Zach Neto came to the plate and hit a home run, giving the Angels a 2-1 lead in dramatic fashion.
In almost an instant, Ginn’s shot was ruined.
“It was obviously a tough game,” Ginn said after the game. “Just keep your head up and keep moving forward. That’s just the nature of the game we play. I attack the zone and live with that.”
Frazier lined a pitch over the shortstop facing an 0-2 count. Neto led 2-0 in the count when he hit the game-winning home run.
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Zach Neto of the Los Angeles Angels is sprayed with liquid after hitting a home run in the ninth inning against the Athletics in Anaheim, California on May 18, 2026. (William Liang/AP)
“It’s just a crazy game to play,” Ginn said. “I got behind 2-0, threw a good sinker, and he was waiting on it and put a good swing on it. So tip your cap to him.”
Ginn threw a career-high 105 pitches and struck out 10 batters. He became the sixth major league player since 1974 to give up no hits or runs in the first eight innings of a game and lose. Rich Hill last made his mark with the Los Angeles Dodgers in August 2017.
“JT dominated all night. For him to leave the mound with a loss there, it obviously hurts,” Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said. “He probably threw the best game he’s pitched in his big league career, and to have the opportunity to score without a hit, and two hits later you come away with a loss, it’s tough. I had full confidence in him going into that 100-pitch inning and trying to get there. It just didn’t work.”
The A’s scored their only run in the top of the ninth when Lawrence Butler drove in Zack Gelof. The A’s managed to record seven hits against the Angels.
Tyler Soderstrom of the Athletics reacts during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Los Angeles Angels in Anaheim, California, May 18, 2026. (William Liang/AP)
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Los Angeles has not been affected since September 11, 1999.
