Athletics' J.T. Ginn holds his head high despite devastating loss to Angels

Athletics starting pitcher J.T. Ginn began the ninth inning with a 1-0 lead and a chance to cement himself into the history books as he was three outs away from throwing a no-hitter. Sadly, for the 26-year-old, six pitches into the final frame, Ginn left a sinker hang out over the heart of the plate to which Los Angeles Angels shortstop Zach Neto didn't miss and won the game for the Halos (2-1).

According to Elias Sports, Ginn is only the second pitcher in the last 40 years to throw a complete game and allow a walk-off loss after allowing zero hits over the first eight innings. Left-hander Rich Hill was the other pitcher to do what Ginn did on Monday night, with Hill perfect through eight innings, and had a no-hitter through nine until allowing a home run to begin the bottom of the 10th on Aug. 23, 2017.

Athletics J.T. Ginn is staying positive after a heartbreaking loss

Ginn had every reason to be upset with how things turned out for him, but the Mississippi native held his head high after the game and is focusing on moving forward. 

“It’s just a crazy game that we play,” Ginn said to MLB.com's Martin Gallegos. “Obviously, a tough game. You just keep your head up and keep moving forward. It’s just the nature of the game that we play. I attacked the zone and I’ll live with that.”

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Athletics manager Mark Kotsay said his young right-hander "dominated" and that he had "full confidence" in Ginn to get through the inning despite entering with 99 pitches. 

“J.T. dominated all night,” Kotsay said to Gallegos. “For him to walk off the mound with a loss there, it hurts, obviously. He pitched probably the best game he’s pitched in his big league career. … I had full confidence in him that inning going out there at [99 pitches] and trying to get it done. It just didn’t work out.”

Ginn has been one of the Athletics' best starters this season, going 2-2 with a 2.98 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. Right-hander Aaron Civale is the only other pitcher on the staff who has an ERA in the 2.00's, going 5-1 with a 2.70 ERA in nine starts. 

Despite giving up the game-winning home run and walking off the field deflated, Ginn should feel confident for his next start, knowing that he had his best stuff against the Angels, and one bad pitch doesn't make an outing. 

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