Jacob Wilson set his eyes on the field at Dodger Stadium more times than he could remember while growing up less than an hour\u2019s drive away. And yet he never imagined this.<\/p>\n
In his first game played at the major league ballpark closest to his hometown of Thousand Oaks, Calif., the 23-year-old Athletics rookie delivered the first multi-homer game of his career Tuesday and had four hits.<\/p>\n
In the process, the son of former major-leaguer Jack Wilson set the bar high heading into Wednesday night\u2019s middle game of a three-game series against the host Los Angeles Dodgers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve been here many times,\u201d Wilson said after the A\u2019s earned a convincing 11-1 victory over the Dodgers on Tuesday. \u201cYou know, you\u2019re growing up 45 (minutes) an hour away, we\u2019ve been here a lot, especially with my dad playing, then coming back here right after his career and seeing a couple of teammates and coaches. And being able to come out here and get that first win (of the series) is pretty awesome.\u201d<\/p>\n
The younger Wilson has 16 multi-hit games this season. His .363 batting average is second in the American League to Aaron Judge\u2019s .410 mark. And his nine strikeouts are easily the lowest total among the 19 major leaguers batting at least .300.<\/p>\n
While left-hander Jeffrey Springs was the benefactor of double-digit run support Tuesday, A\u2019s right-hander Gunnar Hoglund (1-0, 2.38 ERA) hopes for more of the same.<\/p>\n
Hoglund is set to take the mound Wednesday for his third career start. He is having a promising beginning to his career, giving up one run on six hits with seven strikeouts in six innings of his debut May 2 to earn the win in a 6-1 victory over the Miami Marlins.<\/p>\n
He followed that last Wednesday by allowing two runs on five hits in 5 1\/3 innings of a no-decision in his team\u2019s 6-5 loss to the Seattle Mariners.<\/p>\n
The Dodgers will have their best pitcher on the mound Wednesday in right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto (4-3, 1.80 ERA).<\/p>\n
With three starters on the injured list, including right-hander Roki Sasaki, who was shut down Tuesday due to a right shoulder impingement, the Dodgers hope to get as much as possible out of Yamamoto in order to preserve the bullpen.<\/p>\n
Sasaki\u2019s injury has manager Dave Roberts planning on a bullpen game Thursday. On Saturday, left-hander Clayton Kershaw will make his season debut after offseason surgeries on his left big toe and left knee.<\/p>\n
On top of the pitching concerns, the Dodgers\u2019 offense was virtually nonexistent against Springs, who gave up a run on six hits in seven innings. Los Angeles did get three doubles from Michael Conforto and three hits from Will Smith, but otherwise there was no continuity throughout the lineup.<\/p>\n
Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman combined to go 0-for-9 with two walks.<\/p>\n
\u201cI thought this was, as far as collectively, as forgettable a compilation of team offense as we\u2019ve seen in quite some time,\u201d Roberts said. \u201cOutside of Will and Michael, there wasn\u2019t much else. We\u2019ll respond (on Wednesday). We\u2019ve got Yamamoto going. We\u2019ve got all the guys in the bullpen ready to go. So (Tuesday) is one I just want to turn the page on.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2013Field Level Media<\/p>\n
More Athletics coverage on Sactown Sports<\/p>\n
Rookie Jacob Wilson delivered four hits along with the first multi-home run game of his career in his homecoming, left-hander Jeffrey Springs went seven strong innings and the visiting Athletics earned an 11-1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Wilson, a native of nearby Thousand Oaks, Calif., hit the fourth and fifth home runs of his career while finishing with his 16th multi-hit game this season. Nick Kurtz, Miguel Andujar and JJ Bleday also hit home runs for the Athletics.<\/p>\n
Springs (5-3) gave up one run on six hits as the A\u2019s continued their success on the road while improving to 14-7 as the visitor. They are 8-13 in the first season at their temporary home in West Sacramento, Calif.<\/p>\n
Read More:<\/p>\n
Jacob Wilson homers twice as Athletics thump Dodgers<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n What\u2019s next for the A\u2019s?<\/p>\n Tuesday, May 13th \u2013 Thursday, May 15th\u00a0\u2013 @ Los Angeles Dodgers Thank you for reading\u00a0SactownSports.com<\/a>. Follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Google News<\/a>, and subscribe to our\u00a0YouTube<\/a>\u00a0channel.<\/p>\n
\nFriday, May 16th \u2013 Sunday, May 18th\u00a0\u2013 @ San Francisco Giants
\nMonday, May 19th \u2013 Thursday, May 22ns\u00a0\u2013 vs. Los Angeles Angels
\nFriday, May 23rd \u2013 Sunday, May 25th\u00a0\u2013 vs. Philadelphia Phillies
\nTuesday, May 27th \u2013 Wednesday, May 28th\u00a0\u2013 @ Houston Astros<\/p>\n