Long (3-3) allowed a run on one hit and one walk while striking out three over 1.1 innings to take the loss versus Atlanta on Saturday.
Long gave up a walk-off solo home run to Travis d'Arnaud in the ninth inning. September has been a little rough for Long -- he's allowed seven runs over 11.1 innings, though he has an 11:3 K:BB in that span. The southpaw reliever has a 3.16 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 44:17 K:BB through 42.2 innings, making him a decent option for a spot in the Royals' postseason bullpen.
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Royals' Sam Long: Takes second loss
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Long (3-2) allowed three runs on three hits and struck out one over two-thirds of an inning to take the loss Monday versus the Tigers.
Long allowed a two-run double to Wenceel Perez in the sixth inning, and John Schreiber allowed an inherited runner to score the decisive run, which stuck Long with the loss. While he's generally been steady this year, Long has faded in September, allowing five runs over seven innings this month. The southpaw is now at a 3.29 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 38:16 K:BB with one save and six holds through 38.1 innings this season.
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Royals' Sam Long: Picks up win in Game 2
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Long (3-1) allowed a hit and a walk while striking out two over 1.1 scoreless innings to earn the win in Game 2 of Monday's doubleheader versus the Guardians.
Spot starter Alec Marsh was unable to complete five innings, leaving the win to Long after the Royals took the lead in the top of the fifth. Long has allowed two runs with a 6:6 K:BB over 7.1 innings in August, earning a win and two holds. Overall, he has a 2.37 ERA despite a 1.25 WHIP and 33:14 K:BB over 30.1 innings this year, and he's added one save and five holds while mostly seeing low-leverage work.
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Royals' Sam Long: Snags first save of season
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Long struck out two in a perfect ninth inning Tuesday to record his first save of the season in a 4-3 win over the White Sox.
With James McArthur having coughed up eight runs in his last three appearances and trade-deadline acquisition Lucas Erceg not yet having joined the team, Long got a look in the ninth and carved up Chicago's 6-7-8 hitters. The southpaw has given up only one run in 8.1 July innings with a 9:1 K:BB, and while he's unlikely to see many additional save chances, Long appears to be establishing himself as the top option from the left side in the Kansas City bullpen.
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Royals' Sam Long: Earns second win
Rotowire
Long (2-1) walked one and struck out four over 1.2 scoreless innings to earn the win Thursday over the Guardians.
Long worked in the sixth and seventh innings after a strong start from Michael Wacha. The Royals pulled ahead 2-1 in the sixth inning, and Long did his part to keep the score there. The southpaw has been scored on in just three of his 14 appearances this season, pitching to a 1.98 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 15:7 K:BB over 13.2 innings in a low-leverage role. The Royals' bullpen has been a weak spot this year, so it's possible Long could find himself in a more prominent role if he continues to have success.
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Royals' Sam Long: Picks up win Thursday
Rotowire
Long (1-1) allowed two walks and struck out one over one scoreless and hitless inning to earn the win Thursday over the Guardians.
Long took a loss in his previous outing, but he bounced back to get the win this time around. While he wasn't sharp with the two walks, he was able to keep runs off the board. Long hasn't been charged with an earned run yet, allowing two unearned tallies on one hit and three walks with six strikeouts over 6.1 innings this season. He's been pitching in close games recently, but he still sees most of his action in the middle innings, so it's unlikely he gets a look for save chances any time soon.
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Royals' Sam Long: Takes first loss
Rotowire
Long (0-1) allowed two unearned runs on one hit and one walk while striking out one over two-thirds of an inning to take the loss Tuesday versus the Guardians.
Long put two runners on base before giving way to Angel Zerpa in the seventh inning. A Bobby Witt error would allow three runs to score, including the two on Long's line that sent him to the loss. He still hasn't given up an earned run over 5.1 innings this season, and he's generally pitched well with a 5:1 K:BB in a low-leverage role since he was brought up to the majors May 20. Long has previous experience as a starter, but none of his six big-league appearances this year have exceeded one inning. He went longer than an inning in eight of his 15 outings for Triple-A Omaha prior to his call-up, so he could still be called on to provide length out of the bullpen.
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Royals' Sam Long: Contract selected
Rotowire
The Royals selected Long's contract from Triple-A Omaha on Monday.
Long earns a look with the big club after putting up a 1.31 ERA and 23:5 K:BB over 20.2 innings at Omaha. The left-hander holds a career 4.92 ERA over 80 appearances (12 starts) at the major-league level.
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Royals' Sam Long: Inks minors pact with Royals
Rotowire
Kansas City signed Long to a minor-league contract Thursday.
Long was outrighted off the 40-man roster in Oakland at the end of the 2023 regular season after struggling to a 5.60 ERA and 32:21 K:BB across 45 innings. The 28-year-old left-hander joins the Royals as organizational bullpen depth for the 2024 campaign.
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Athletics' Sam Long: Loses 40-man roster spot
Rotowire
Long cleared waivers and was outrighted to Triple-A Las Vegas on Thursday.
The Athletics needed to do some 40-man roster maneuvering and felt Long's spot could be put to better use. He put up a 5.60 ERA and 32:21 K:BB over 45 innings out of Oakland's bullpen this season.
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Athletics' Sam Long: Sent down to Triple-A
Rotowire
Long was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Wednesday.
Long was knocked around for four runs (three earned) over 1.2 relief innings in Tuesday's loss to the Blue Jays. He'll be replaced by a fresh bullpen arm.
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Athletics' Sam Long: Recalled to MLB bullpen
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Oakland recalled Long from Triple-A Las Vegas on Friday.
Long will give the Athletics some extra bullpen depth with rosters expanding from 26 to 28. The 28-year-old left-hander has posted a 5.27 ERA and 32:18 K:BB in 42.2 major-league innings this season.
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Athletics' Sam Long: Optioned to Triple-A
Rotowire
Long was optioned to Triple-A Las Vegas on Saturday.
Long had been in the big leagues since the Athletics acquired him from the Giants in late April. He's struggled to a 5.27 ERA in 42.2 innings, striking out just 17.3 percent of opposing batters. Francisco Perez was called up to take his place in the bullpen.
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Athletics' Sam Long: Takes first loss Friday
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Long (0-1) took the loss as an opener against the Red Sox on Friday, allowing three earned runs on three hits and a walk over one-plus inning. He struck out two.
Long's considerably busy line is the byproduct of two very different frames. The left-hander got through the opening inning unscathed, working around a Justin Turner single. However, Long failed to retire any of the three hitters he faced to open the second inning, leaving the bases loaded for Luis Medina. All three inherited runners eventually came across, saddling Long with his second three-earned-run tally in the last four outings. Despite the occasional hiccup, Long has contributed two saves and two holds along with a serviceable 4.36 ERA across 26 appearances.
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Athletics' Sam Long: Opening Friday
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Long will serve as the Athletics' opener Friday in Boston, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.
Right-hander Luis Medina is set to handle the bulk of the innings for the A's, but it will be the southpaw Long first out of the chute. Left-handed batters are hitting only .200/.293/.314 off Long this season.
Long picked up the save Sunday against the Brewers. He allowed one hit over one-third of a scoreless inning.
Long was thrust into a bases-loaded situation with two outs and four runs of cushion but managed to shut down the Brewers' comeback efforts to claim his second save of the season. Though Long gave up a single to Abraham Toro that plated two runs, he managed to retire his next batter to improve to a perfect 2-for-2 in save opportunities in 2023.
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Athletics' Sam Long: Gets first save Saturday
Rotowire
Long recorded his first save in Saturday's extra-inning win over the Brewers, firing a perfect 10th inning.
Long breezed through his one frame on 15 pitches, 10 which he threw for strikes. The southpaw and first-year Athletic has mostly been a bright spot for manager Mark Kotsay, and he's now allowed just one run over seven innings covering his last four appearances while also recording a hold in addition to Saturday's save.
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Athletics' Sam Long: Headed to Oakland
Rotowire
Long was traded from the Giants to the Athletics on Sunday in exchange for cash considerations.
Long was designated for assignment by San Francisco on Wednesday, but he'll have an opportunity to carve out a role with the Athletics. The southpaw began the season at Triple-A Sacramento and posted a 9.90 ERA and 1.90 WHIP in 10 innings over four relief appearances, and it wouldn't be surprising to see him head to Triple-A Las Vegas to begin his time with his new club.
