Harris nails down save as A’s beat Twins; bullpen committee remains in place after Miller trade
Oakland’s bullpen again did the heavy lifting in a 6-3 win over Minnesota on Tuesday, with Harris locking down the final frame for his first save of the season. He retired the Twins’ 6-7-8 hitters in order to seal the victory after Justin Sterner worked two scoreless innings in relief.
Harris, who rejoined the MLB roster on Aug. 9, has logged 6.2 scoreless innings since returning. He and Sean Newcomb have been the Athletics’ only relievers to record saves since Mason Miller was dealt to San Diego, underscoring the team’s continued reliance on a bullpen-by-committee approach for late-inning opportunities.
What this means for Oakland going forward
– The A’s appear committed to a committee for late-inning duties, rather than a single closer, as they navigate roster changes and evaluate which arms best handle high-leverage moments.
– Harris’s solid return run—6.2 shutout innings since Aug. 9—suggests he can be a trusted option in save situations, especially against right-handed-heavy late-lineups.
– Newcomb’s presence as another save candidate, alongside Harris, provides flexibility for matchup-based decisions in the ninth inning.
Key takeaways
– Harris earned his first save of the year with a clean, perfect inning to finish off a 6-3 victory over the Twins.
– Sterner contributed two scoreless frames earlier, reinforcing the bullpen’s depth on a night when Oakland needed multiple relievers.
– The team’s late-inning strategy remains a committee-style arrangement following Miller’s departure to San Diego, with Harris and Newcomb leading the charge.
Overall, the win reinforced Oakland’s bullpen flexibility and resilience as they adapt to roster moves and seek consistency in late innings. The continued success of Harris and Newcomb in save opportunities will be watched closely as the Athletics finalize their approach for closing out games.