Oakland Athletics Reliever Austin Adams Finds Redemption Against Former Team
On February 6, the New York Mets designated right-handed reliever Austin Adams for assignment, a move that saw him dropped from the 40-man roster. However, Adams' career quickly found new life as he joined the Oakland Athletics through a cash deal during spring training.
Adams Flourishes in Oakland
Since joining the Athletics, Adams, 33, has proven to be a resilient and reliable force in the bullpen. His performance has been impressive, boasting a 3.92 ERA and 53 strikeouts over 41 1/3 innings. He solidified his standing with the team, turning potential into consistency.
Clutch Performance at Citi Field
Tuesday night at Citi Field marked a significant moment for Adams and the Athletics as they defeated the Mets 9-4. Adams delivered one of his most notable performances of the season against his former team. Facing a high-pressure situation with runners on first and second and no outs in the fifth inning, Adams managed to escape unscathed.
With surgical precision, he struck out Francisco Alvarez to end the inning, a pivotal moment in the game. After the strikeout, Adams celebrated by mimicking the Mets' "OMG" celebration, inspired by Mets infielder Jose Iglesias' song "OMG."
"Honestly, I looked up and was so surprised I got out of it. I was like, 'Oh my gosh,'" Adams shared with the New York Post. "And then it dawned on me, I was like, 'Oh my gosh.' So then I did it. I mean, that song is sick. Iglesias is a good dude. So hopefully no one is offended. Just having fun."
Mixed Reactions to Adams's Celebration
The celebration, typically performed by Mets players after hitting home runs, stirred reactions from both teams. While Adams expressed that his actions were in the spirit of fun, the Mets did not take it lightly.
Edwin Díaz, closer for the Mets, commented on the incident, stating, "He crossed a line because that's something we do when we hit a homer or something. He (can) do it always, that's fine. But he can't get mad if we do something to him the next couple of days."
Athletics Extend Winning Streak
The victory over the Mets marked Oakland's third consecutive win, showcasing their growing momentum. In contrast, the Mets faced their fourth straight loss, further complicating their pursuit of a wild-card spot. The team now sits two games behind the third wild-card position.
Adams reflects on his journey and the emotional intensity of the moment, stating, "I pitch on emotion. I maybe need to do a better job of not doing that. But at the end of the day, big time situation in a game. Got some big outs, got the team a win. You know, when you get DFAed you're told you're not good enough to play for a team anymore. You know it sucks, so yeah had a little extra juice today."
Adams's path from being designated for assignment to becoming a crucial part of the Athletics' bullpen is a testament to his resilience and determination. As the season progresses, both he and the A's will be looking to build on their recent successes, continuing their upward trajectory.