Athletics Continue Win Streak, Blank Mets

Joel Kuhnel and Shea Langeliers of the Athletics celebrating a win and sweep over the Mets

Photo by Caean Couto/Getty Images

April 12, 2026

Athletics 1, Mets 0

A third-inning solo home run from 2025 AL Rookie of the Year Nick Kurtz was all the Athletics needed to defeat the New York Mets, 1–0, Sunday afternoon at Citi Field.

Athletics starter Aaron Civale scattered four hits across 5 2/3 scoreless innings, walking none and striking out three to get the road victory. He outdueled Mets starter Freddy Peralta, who allowed four hits with three walks and six strikeouts over six innings. His lone blemish was the Kurtz homer.

This win gave the Athletics a series sweep of the Mets for the first time in franchise history. They have now won five straight and eight of their past eleven.

Athletics – Mets Game Summary

The Mets had two reach in the bottom of the first. Francisco Lindor led off with a single and was thrown out at second on a strike-him-out-throw-him-out double play, with Jorge Polanco as the strikeout victim. Jared Young also singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch, but a strikeout by Bo Bichette quelled the threat.

The Athletics had two reach in the top of the second. Carlos Cortes led off with a single and advanced to third on a pair of groundouts. A two-out walk and stolen base by Darell Hernaiz put two runners in scoring position. But Denzel Clarke stranded them when he struck out looking.

After the Kurtz homer gave the Athletics a 1–0 lead, they squandered a chance to tack on in the fourth. A one-out walk by Max Muncy, followed by a Jeff McNeil double, put runners on second and third with one out. However, Hernaiz struck out swinging and Clarke flied to center, stranding two more.

A Complete Shutdown

Meanwhile, Civale mowed down 13 straight Mets hitters, beginning with the Bichette strikeout. Luis Torrens broke the streak when he smacked a leadoff single in the sixth. He advanced to second on a one-out single by Lindor. Polanco followed with a two-hopper to second. McNeil gloved it and fired to second for the force, but Polanco beat out Hernaiz’s relay to first, preventing the inning-ending double play. With runners on the corners and two outs, Hogan Harris took the mound to pitch to Mark Vientos. An end-of-the-bat fly to straightaway right ended the inning and stranded both runners.

Harris combined with Scott Barlow, Elvis Alvarado, and Joel Kuhnel to stymie the Mets the rest of the way. Only one runner even reached base — a two-out Tyrone Taylor walk in the eighth. Alvarado, relieving Barlow, rendered it harmless when he got Lindor to ground to second.

What Went Right for the Athletics

Starting Pitching

Civale delivered 5 2/3 scoreless innings by attacking the zone early and forcing the Mets into contact they couldn’t elevate. His 13 consecutive hitters retired, beginning with the Bichette strikeout in the first, made the lone run hold up. He didn’t walk a hitter and avoided extended innings.

Relief Pitching

Harris, Barlow, Alvarado, and Kuhnel combined for 3 1/3 scoreless innings and allowed only one baserunner. Harris handled the highest‑leverage moment by stranding runners on the corners in the sixth. Barlow retired two before issuing a walk, but Alvarado erased it by inducing a Lindor groundout. Kuhnel finished the ninth on four pitches.

Decisive Swing from Kurtz

Kurtz picked a great time to end his season-opening homerless drought. On most days, one run wouldn’t have been enough to win. But on this one, it was all the Athletics needed to win.

What Went Wrong for the Athletics

Runners Left in Scoring Position

The Athletics stranded runners on second and third in both the second and fourth innings.

Only Reached Scoring Position Twice

Not counting the homer, the Athletics only reached scoring position twice all game — the second and fourth innings.

Very Little Offense

Kurtz drew a one-out walk in the fifth. Normally, that wouldn’t be notable. However, that was the last time in the game that any Athletics hitter reached base.

Looking Ahead

Civale (2–0) earned the win as Peralta (1–1) took the loss. Kuhnel notched his second save with a 1-2-3 ninth.

The Athletics (8–7) and Mets (7–9, fifth in NL East) both head to Calfornia for Monday-night games. At Dodger Stadium, the Mets will face the two-time defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers (11–4, first in NL West). Mets lefty David Peterson (0–2, 6.14 ERA, 14 2/3 innings in three starts) will square off against Dodgers lefty Justin Wrobleski (1–0, 4.00 ERA, nine innings combined from one start and one relief appearance). First pitch will be at 7:10 pm Pacific.

The Athletics took five of six on the New York road trip and are now tied for first in the AL West. They will open a seven-game homestand Monday. First up is a four-game set against the team they are tied with for the early division lead — the Texas Rangers. Athletics right-hander Luis Severino (0–1, 5.40 ERA, 13 1/3 innings in three starts) will take the hill against Rangers righty Nathan Eovaldi (1–2, 7.98 ERA, 14 2/3 innings in three starts). First pitch will be at 6:40 pm Pacific.