Jesse Hahn’s predictable pitches part of A’s 4-1 loss to Brewers

MILWAUKEE - Jesse Hahn knew exactly why the Milwaukee Brewers beat him.

Chase Anderson pitched 62/3 strong innings, Scooter Gennett drove in three runs and the Brewers beat the short-handed A’s 4-0 on Wednesday night.

Hahn (2-4) allowed four runs on eight hits with two walks and a strikeout in 32/3 innings in his fifth start since being recalled from Triple-A Nashville on May 17.

A’s manager Bob Melvin said that Hahn became too predictable with his pitches, especially the fastball.

“He’s having a tough time, at times, with his curveball and with his off-speed stuff,” Melvin said. “He’s got a good fastball. It’s got some movement and pretty good velocity, but when you know it’s coming, guys are going to (get) decent swings off it.”

Hahn agreed with his manager’s assessment.

“When I got down a little bit today, I got a little frustrated and tried to be overaggressive and just come right back with heaters,” said Hahn, who slipped to 0-3 with a 13.97 ERA on the road this season.

“Obviously, it was a little predictable. So, I have to do a better job of mixing pitches.”

Gennett keyed the offense off Hahn with a run-scoring single in the first and a two-run base hit in the fourth. Ramon Flores hit a sacrifice fly in the second, but the Brewers blew a chance to pad the lead when they left the bases loaded. Hahn retired Gennett on a fly ball to end the threat.

“I’ve got to do a better job being more efficient,” Hahn said. “Getting ahead of hitters and limiting the damage in some of these innings. The last two starts, I let the innings blow up on me and I can’t do that.”

Oakland was missing a couple of big bats from its lineup.

Danny Valencia (.343 batting average) and Khris Davis (14 home runs, 36 RBIs) sat for the second straight night. Valencia is battling a stomach bug while Davis is recovering from numbness and tingling in his left hand after getting hit in the elbow with a pitch on Saturday against Houston. Both could have pinch hit.

The loss extended the Athletics’ losing streak on the road to a season-high seven games.

They are 0-5 on this eight-game road trip, losing three to Houston before coming to Milwaukee. The Athletics head to Cincinnati for three games, starting Friday.

Anderson (4-6) retired the first nine batters before Coco Crisp reached on first baseman Chris Carter’s error leading off the fourth. Anderson stranded Crisp, retiring the next seven batters before pinch-hitter Jake Smolinski beat a shift in the sixth and broke up the right-hander’s second notable no-hit bid this season.

“He used the pool stick and got the cue ball where he is supposed to get it,” Anderson said.

VILLAR MAKES IT 22

Jonathan Villar singled in the first, stole his major league-leading 22nd base and scored on Gennett’s base hit.

HILL TO MISS START

LHP Rich Hill will miss his scheduled start on Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds. Manager Bob Melvin said Hill experienced trouble with his groin strain during a bullpen session. “We’ve got to be sure he’s good enough to pitch,” Melvin said. “It was still bothering him a little bit. So, he will not pitch this weekend.”

Melvin said that putting the big lefty on the disabled list was a definite possibility. Hill leads the staff with an 8-3 record and 2.25 ERA in 11 starts.

RHP Kendall Graveman (2-6, 5.49 ERA) will be moved up to pitch Saturday. LHP Sean Manaea (2-4, 6.20 ERA) will start on Sunday.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Athletics: Three pitchers on the disabled list are scheduled to make rehab starts. RHP R.J. Alvarez (right elbow surgery) goes Thursday and RHP Liam Hendriks (right triceps strain) Friday for Nashville. RHP Henderson Alvarez (right shoulder surgery) pitches Monday for Class A Stockton.

Brewers: RHP Matt Garza (right lat) makes a rehab start today with Class A Wisconsin. He is expected to throw about 75 pitches in his fourth start overall. He has yet to pitch in the majors this season.

UP NEXT

Athletics: RHP Sonny Gray (3-5, 5.77 ERA) makes his second start Friday since coming off the 15-day disabled list Sunday. He faces the visiting Cincinnati Reds for the first time in his career. He is 3-2 with a 3.21 ERA in eight career interleague?appearances, including seven starts.