Scoreless stretch ends, but Blackburn (1.08 ERA) guides A's in finale

OAKLAND -- Paul Blackburn had a date with destiny.

No pitcher in the Modern Era has begun a season with four consecutive scoreless starts. Entering Wednesday, the runs allowed column on Blackburn’s 2024 stat line remained spotless through his first three outings.

Blackburn came up short in his pursuit of history after he allowed three runs in the fourth inning of a 6-3 A’s victory over the Cardinals at the Coliseum. But he still goes down in the record books after snapping what was an ongoing Oakland record season-opening scoreless streak at 22 1/3 innings.

With this season marking the final year of A’s baseball in Oakland -- the club announced earlier this month that it will play its home games in West Sacramento from 2025-27 before its planned relocation to Las Vegas in 2028 -- there is a special significance for Blackburn in holding such a record. The right-hander grew up in nearby Brentwood and attended several A’s games at the Coliseum as a fan.

“The situation we’re in with this being our last year here, it is cool being a Bay Area native from here and having that,” Blackburn said. “I never thought I’d have any type of big league record, if we’re being honest. Having that to my name is cool.”

If you count Spring Training, Blackburn had not allowed a run in his last 36 innings dating back to a Cactus League outing against the Cubs on March 20.

In terms of A’s franchise history, which spans back to 1901, Blackburn’s season-opening scoreless streak ranks second just behind Harry Krause’s 23 consecutive scoreless frames in 1910 with the Philadelphia A’s.

“Going out there and being able to put up zeroes every single time, that’s a starting pitcher’s dream,” Blackburn said. “Being able to consistently put up zeroes and keep the offense in the dugout builds a little momentum.”

More important to Blackburn, though, is a different streak. The A’s remain undefeated in his four starts.

Prior to Wednesday, it was Blackburn carrying the load with his run of dominance that was usually complemented by just enough run support. This time, the A’s offense was backing him with some early support.

First was a two-run blast in the third from Esteury Ruiz, who after getting recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday has now homered in two of his first three games back. Then came a three-run fifth highlighted by an RBI double by Shea Langeliers.

“We can’t expect [Blackburn] to never give up a run for 30-something starts,” said A’s right fielder Tyler Nevin, whose career-high three-hit day included an RBI single in the sixth. “He battled the entire time he was out there and kept us in it against a really good lineup with a lot of tough outs. That was a quality outing in my book.”

Blackburn uncharacteristically lacked command of his six-pitch mix for really the first time all season. That was evident by his five walks, which were the most he’s issued in a single start since May 25, 2022, at Seattle.

Battling as best he could with what he had to work with, Blackburn still struck out seven batters and held St. Louis to three runs on six hits in 5 2/3 innings, bringing his ERA to 1.08 on the season.

“Paul could have easily been an Opening Day starter for us this season,” manager Mark Kotsay said. “I think putting him in that fourth spot behind JP [Sears] and giving the two veteran guys the first and second positions really solidified for Paul that he just has to be himself. That’s what he’s done all season. He’s executing all his pitches. He’s really comfortable and he’s got some confidence right now.”

Mason Miller’s scoreless ninth to notch his fourth career save capped a 3-3 homestand for Oakland. Now 8-11 on the season, this young A’s squad will get a stern test in the form of a 10-game, three-city road trip against the Guardians, Yankees and Orioles, beginning Friday night in Cleveland.

“We’re playing great baseball right now,” Blackburn said. “The energy is at an all-time high right now for us. It’s not just coming from guys that are in the game. It’s coming from everyone. It’s definitely a group effort right now, and it shows.”