Local boys Joe Ryan and Trevor Larnach enjoy the Twins’ final series in Oakland

OAKLAND, Calif. – When the Twins opened the second half of the season at the Oakland Coliseum last July, “I really gave it my all to pitch in that series, and I’m glad I did,” said Joe Ryan, who grew up in nearby Marin County.

Ryan pitched 5⅓ innings, allowed three runs and struck out seven players in front of dozens of friends and family members, and accomplished a lifetime goal.

“In high school, our division championship game was here, so playing at the Coliseum was the Holy Grail. It was this big deal – ‘Let’s go to the Coliseum!'” Ryan said. “But I never got there.”

And he never will again, not if the A’s move to Sacramento and eventually Las Vegas next year. It was that urgency that made Trevor Larnach so happy to find himself in fourth place in Friday’s series opener.

Larnach grew up in Pleasant Hill, about a half-hour drive from Oakland, and had never played a professional game in the Bay Area, so Friday will be one he remembers for a long time.

“This is my first time playing here. I came here in 2022 but was on the (injured list), watching the games and warming up,” Larnach said. “There’s a lot of family here. It’s cool to see everyone and be back.”

On Friday, he even scored a run with a ground out in the first inning and narrowly missed a home run in the fourth inning that died down on the warm-up track.

“I was hoping the ball would go out when I hit it in the middle,” said Larnach, “but it’s obviously not being well received here.”

He and Ryan love this stadium very much, even though they both grew up as Giants fans, each attending a game or two a year and dreaming of better days.

“My dad used to come here a lot. When there was the Battle of the Bay in 1989, when Oakland and the Giants were playing crazy, he was here and watched those games in a sold-out crowd,” Larnach said. “I would have loved it if it was packed, but I feel like it could get loud and crazy. But that was a while ago.”

One of Ryan’s catchers in high school “was a big A’s fan, and so was his dad. There were different people on that side, and that created a little rivalry. And so it was fun,” Ryan said. “We went to the A’s games – they were cheap. I love the green and gold. What’s happening here, I feel sorry for their fans.”

Yes, their fans will be left behind when the A’s move to Sacramento and eventually Las Vegas next season.

“I definitely find it kind of sad. Three years in Sacramento, I feel for the players too because I played there too,” Larnach said. “It won’t be the same at all.”

Farmer finds his rhythm again

Kyle Farmer has struggled to get to bat more than a few times a week lately. On Saturday, he struck out two in one inning, was hit by a pitch and hit a single in the second inning.

Still, Farmer said he felt better at bat after a three-hit game against the Rockies on June 12.

“When you get to that point, you just have to have a can’t-give-a-fuck mentality and just go out there and do your best,” said Farmer, whose .202 batting average marks the first time all season that he has risen above .200.

“It took its toll,” said the all-round infielder.

“It’s extremely tough. Getting older makes it tougher – I’ll be 34 in August,” Farmer said. “There’s a lot to be said about getting more opportunities to hit and being more comfortable. But not being around as often is definitely tough. But that’s my role now. I’ve got to deal with it. I’ve got to stay positive and keep going.”

Etc.

• The Twins started a left-hander on Saturday, but Baldelli said that wasn’t the reason Max Kepler, who suffered a stiff neck on Thursday, stayed in the lineup. “No, he probably would have needed another day no matter who pitches today. But he’s getting better.”

• The Twins “could get to the point,” Baldelli said, where they would consider skipping a start by Chris Paddack after he reported feeling a “dead arm” and throwing at a lower velocity during Friday’s start. “There’s nothing acute going on here. We’ll look today and tomorrow to see where we are and what we can do to help him between starts as well.”