Mark Teixeira’s three-run homerun, his 30th of the season, was more than enough offense for the Yankees to beat the Oakland A’s at Yankee Stadium Tuesday night. Vin Mazzaro allowed all New York’s runs as the Athletics dropped a 9-3 decision to the Bombers in the Bronx. Teixeira’s fourth inning bomb resulted in the final tallies for the Yankees and was one of three New York homeruns. It was enough to make All-star starter, Phil Hughes, a winner for the 16th time this season. The victory also netted New York a first place spot in the AL East. The Yankees have sole possession of the division and lead by one game over Tampa.
Hughes wasn’t golden, but needed just five innings to defeat the A’s. The pinstriped hurler allowed two runs on four hits as Oakland dropped their seventh contest against New York in eight tries this season. The Bombers capitalized on a Mark Ellis error in the first inning to go ahead by three runs. Brett Gardner led the offense with a base hit and stole second before Derek Jeter drew a walk. Gardner and Jeter pulled off a double steal before Ellis’ error plated both sparkplugs. Jorge Posada tripled in Nick Swisher for the third and final run of the first frame. It was the first triple by the Yankee catcher since 2008.
The Yankees gave one back in the third on Kurt Suzuki’s sacrifice fly. New York answered in the bottom half of the third with two more tallies. Swisher rocketed a 3-0 offering from Mazzaro to stretch the Yankee lead to 5-1. The two-run drilling, in which Swisher had the green light the entire way, was his 25th of the season. It marks the second straight year the former Oakland outfielder has reached the 25 homerun mark.
The A’s scored a run on two hits in the top of the fourth. Kevin Kouzmanoff tallied a run on a Rajai Davis RBI groundout to close the gap to three runs. New York’s offense exploded in the bottom of the fourth and essentially put the game out of reach. Curtis Granderson clubbed a solo shot and Teixeira completed the scoring for the home team with his 30th long ball. Oakland added a run in the seventh off Chad Gaudin. Daric Barton slugged a solo homerun off the Yankee reliever, accounting for the only run allowed by the Bomber bullpen. The A’s fell to 4-4 on their current road trip and will to win again against New York this evening.
Parting Points: The Cincinnati Reds are amazing.
Showing posts with label Oakland Athletics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Oakland Athletics. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Record Rolling Rays
Tampa Bay is a major league best 15-5, a franchise record for April, following an 8-6 hammering of the Oakland A’s Tuesday night. The Rays have won 12 of their last 14 games and are off to the best 20 game start since the 2005 White Sox. They reached the fifteen win mark by weathering a shaky five innings from starter, Wade Davis. The right-hander buckled down his second win of the season after Pat Burrell’s three-run homerun snapped a 4-4 tie in the third inning. Reid Brignac added a solo shot as the number nine hitter for Tampa in the fourth. The A’s scored a pair of runs in the latter innings to trim the deficit to two, but Rafael Soriano tossed a perfect ninth to secure his fifth save.
Bay area newcomer, Ben Sheets, gave up four runs in the second inning as the Rays battered the $10 million Oakland starter. Sheets is 1-2 with a meteoric 8.0 ERA on the year. He allowed nine hits total and was charged with all eight runs. Meanwhile, the Rays’ new arrival is hardly having a rough time roping the ball in the hitter-friendly American League. The former Philly, Burrell, has keyed many rallies for the Rays so far this season. The first place Rays used a complete team effort in taking down the AL West’s top team. Jason Bartlett and John Jaso had monster nights at the Trop, with three hits each. The Rays are 5-0 with Jaso behind the plate, and the catcher is slugging .500 through eight contests. B.J. Upton tapped a pair of singles and scored twice in the win, and Burrell delivered the biggest blow to the Bay area ballclub. Carlos Pena put Tampa on board in the second with a single and scored on Jaso’s double to right field. Barlett’s single off Sheets punched home two more runs as the Rays took a 4-0 lead after two frames. Davis erased his team’s lead back during a 41 pitch third inning. He allowed four hits and walked two as Oakland tied the game. Davis walked Eric Patterson on a full count and issued an infield single to a hustling Adam Rosales to begin the frame. Cliff Pennington preceded by planting a poorly located 1-2 fastball into the seats for three tallies. Oakland right fielder, Gabe Gross’s sacrifice fly knotted the game even. Pennington and Rosales were the shining stars at the plate, with four hits apiece, for the Athletics. Pennington pounded two doubles in addition to the three run shot.
Tampa’s defense and bullpen was on the mark as the Rays’ bats came through to bailout Davis and regain the lead in the bottom of the third. The league leaders in runs scored added three more in the third. Upton’s single scored Pena to break the tie and Burrell’s blast gave the Rays a comfortable advantage. The Rays’ DH has 12 RBIs, including five go-ahead RBIs. Brignac tacked on another run to add to the Tampa lead in the fourth. Randy Choate retired all four batters he faced after Lance Cormier coughed up a run in relief of Davis. Pennington picked up his first double off Cormier and contributed a second double in the eighth off 32 year old reliever, Grant Balfour. Rosales’ RBI single in the eighth off Balfour made it a two-run game, but that was as close as visiting Oakland would come to a win. Both teams stranded eight runners, but it was high fives all around for the Rays as they continue to do nothing but win.
Parting Points: Washington’s Mark Emmert is the new NCAA President.
The Mets are hot. I am sure they will forget how to play come September.
The Lakers can’t lose again the way they routed Oklahoma City 111-87 last night. It won’t be easy to close out the series on the road, but I don’t expect L.A. to lose this one.
I wouldn’t mind seeing Alex Ovechkin and the Caps go down to Montreal tonight.
Bay area newcomer, Ben Sheets, gave up four runs in the second inning as the Rays battered the $10 million Oakland starter. Sheets is 1-2 with a meteoric 8.0 ERA on the year. He allowed nine hits total and was charged with all eight runs. Meanwhile, the Rays’ new arrival is hardly having a rough time roping the ball in the hitter-friendly American League. The former Philly, Burrell, has keyed many rallies for the Rays so far this season. The first place Rays used a complete team effort in taking down the AL West’s top team. Jason Bartlett and John Jaso had monster nights at the Trop, with three hits each. The Rays are 5-0 with Jaso behind the plate, and the catcher is slugging .500 through eight contests. B.J. Upton tapped a pair of singles and scored twice in the win, and Burrell delivered the biggest blow to the Bay area ballclub. Carlos Pena put Tampa on board in the second with a single and scored on Jaso’s double to right field. Barlett’s single off Sheets punched home two more runs as the Rays took a 4-0 lead after two frames. Davis erased his team’s lead back during a 41 pitch third inning. He allowed four hits and walked two as Oakland tied the game. Davis walked Eric Patterson on a full count and issued an infield single to a hustling Adam Rosales to begin the frame. Cliff Pennington preceded by planting a poorly located 1-2 fastball into the seats for three tallies. Oakland right fielder, Gabe Gross’s sacrifice fly knotted the game even. Pennington and Rosales were the shining stars at the plate, with four hits apiece, for the Athletics. Pennington pounded two doubles in addition to the three run shot.
Tampa’s defense and bullpen was on the mark as the Rays’ bats came through to bailout Davis and regain the lead in the bottom of the third. The league leaders in runs scored added three more in the third. Upton’s single scored Pena to break the tie and Burrell’s blast gave the Rays a comfortable advantage. The Rays’ DH has 12 RBIs, including five go-ahead RBIs. Brignac tacked on another run to add to the Tampa lead in the fourth. Randy Choate retired all four batters he faced after Lance Cormier coughed up a run in relief of Davis. Pennington picked up his first double off Cormier and contributed a second double in the eighth off 32 year old reliever, Grant Balfour. Rosales’ RBI single in the eighth off Balfour made it a two-run game, but that was as close as visiting Oakland would come to a win. Both teams stranded eight runners, but it was high fives all around for the Rays as they continue to do nothing but win.
Parting Points: Washington’s Mark Emmert is the new NCAA President.
The Mets are hot. I am sure they will forget how to play come September.
The Lakers can’t lose again the way they routed Oklahoma City 111-87 last night. It won’t be easy to close out the series on the road, but I don’t expect L.A. to lose this one.
I wouldn’t mind seeing Alex Ovechkin and the Caps go down to Montreal tonight.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Athletics Ascension
The hottest start of the baseball season may belong to San Francisco Giants, but their Bay Area neighbors from the junior circuit have also been gigantic. The Oakland A’s got six shutout innings from 31 year old, Ben Sheets in a 6-2 thumping of the 1-9 Baltimore Orioles at the Coliseum. Oakland improved their record to 7-4, good for first place in the AL West. Sheets, Oakland’s newly acquired ace, allowed five hits and struck out four for his first win since in over one year.
Ryan Sweeney, right fielder for Oakland, had an RBI groundout and fifth inning double to help send the listless Orioles to their seventh straight loss. Sweeney extended his 10 game hitting streak to start the season with the hit. Baltimore’s opponents are outscoring them 55-29 and the offense is .135 with runners in scoring position. The O’s didn’t light up the Coliseum scoreboard until Nick Markakis’ sacrifice fly in the seventh inning. Adam Jones added a triple in the ninth off Oakland’s Jerry Blevins. Orioles’ starter, Dave Hernandez, took the demoralizing defeat after giving up five runs in as many innings. Hernandez allowed seven hits in recording his second loss of the season.
The A’s bounced back after losing two of three against Seattle. The hitting began early Thursday for Oakland. Sweeney’s RBI in the first frame put Oakland up by one before Kevin Kouzmanoff added to the lead with a sacrifice fly. Kouzmanoff showed his defensive prowess in the top of the first when he made a diving grab of Miguel Tejada’s hotshot to third to save a run. Oakland’s leadoff hitting centerfielder, Rajai Davis, was instrumental in the opening two innings. Davis delivered an infield shot to lead off the game and scored the first Oakland run. His second hit came in the second inning to give the A’s a 3-0 lead. Davis has five multi-hit games so far this year.
The Orioles were 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position Thursday, including four of the six innings Sheets toed the rubber. They were just as ineffective in the field. Ty Wigginton botched a routine Cliff Pennington grounder in the fourth to put the O’s in a 4-0 hole. Prior to Wigginton’s error, Adam Jones missed two cutoff men, turning Adam Rosales’ double into a triple. Rosales had two hits and his extra base proved costly for the O’s. Eric Chavez contributed a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth to score Sweeney for Oakland’s fifth run following Davis’ stellar outfield play in the top half of the inning. Davis robbed Felix Pie of a hit with a backhand sliding snag. To add insult to injury, Pie left the game after scoring Baltimore’s first run in the seventh. The left fielder suffered a left shoulder injury that could land him on the disabled list.
Oakland was alert on the base paths and at the plate, scattering nine hits and stealing a pair of bases against Baltimore pitching. Pennington pounded a double to score Jack Buck in the eighth. Buck stole a base to set up the sixth Oakland run. The A’s succeeded in getting their leadoff man on in four of the five innings Hernandez tossed. Considering the A’s have played 14 consecutive days without a break, their record is impressive. Oakland finished in last place in the AL West a season ago. They are the surprise first place team in this young season and are in a good position to add to the win column in the next two days with Baltimore in town. Southpaw Vic Braden throws for Oakland against righty Kevin Millwood this evening.
Parting Points: Classic film to end the work week- “His Girl Friday”.
More Bay area sports news- Ted Ginn, Jr. was traded to the Niners.
Ryan Sweeney, right fielder for Oakland, had an RBI groundout and fifth inning double to help send the listless Orioles to their seventh straight loss. Sweeney extended his 10 game hitting streak to start the season with the hit. Baltimore’s opponents are outscoring them 55-29 and the offense is .135 with runners in scoring position. The O’s didn’t light up the Coliseum scoreboard until Nick Markakis’ sacrifice fly in the seventh inning. Adam Jones added a triple in the ninth off Oakland’s Jerry Blevins. Orioles’ starter, Dave Hernandez, took the demoralizing defeat after giving up five runs in as many innings. Hernandez allowed seven hits in recording his second loss of the season.
The A’s bounced back after losing two of three against Seattle. The hitting began early Thursday for Oakland. Sweeney’s RBI in the first frame put Oakland up by one before Kevin Kouzmanoff added to the lead with a sacrifice fly. Kouzmanoff showed his defensive prowess in the top of the first when he made a diving grab of Miguel Tejada’s hotshot to third to save a run. Oakland’s leadoff hitting centerfielder, Rajai Davis, was instrumental in the opening two innings. Davis delivered an infield shot to lead off the game and scored the first Oakland run. His second hit came in the second inning to give the A’s a 3-0 lead. Davis has five multi-hit games so far this year.
The Orioles were 0-for-8 with runners in scoring position Thursday, including four of the six innings Sheets toed the rubber. They were just as ineffective in the field. Ty Wigginton botched a routine Cliff Pennington grounder in the fourth to put the O’s in a 4-0 hole. Prior to Wigginton’s error, Adam Jones missed two cutoff men, turning Adam Rosales’ double into a triple. Rosales had two hits and his extra base proved costly for the O’s. Eric Chavez contributed a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth to score Sweeney for Oakland’s fifth run following Davis’ stellar outfield play in the top half of the inning. Davis robbed Felix Pie of a hit with a backhand sliding snag. To add insult to injury, Pie left the game after scoring Baltimore’s first run in the seventh. The left fielder suffered a left shoulder injury that could land him on the disabled list.
Oakland was alert on the base paths and at the plate, scattering nine hits and stealing a pair of bases against Baltimore pitching. Pennington pounded a double to score Jack Buck in the eighth. Buck stole a base to set up the sixth Oakland run. The A’s succeeded in getting their leadoff man on in four of the five innings Hernandez tossed. Considering the A’s have played 14 consecutive days without a break, their record is impressive. Oakland finished in last place in the AL West a season ago. They are the surprise first place team in this young season and are in a good position to add to the win column in the next two days with Baltimore in town. Southpaw Vic Braden throws for Oakland against righty Kevin Millwood this evening.
Parting Points: Classic film to end the work week- “His Girl Friday”.
More Bay area sports news- Ted Ginn, Jr. was traded to the Niners.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Oakland's Overpowering, Outstanding Outman
Josh Outman won his fourth game and St. Paul native, Jack Hannahan hit a key clutch three-run double to give the Oakland A’s their seventh straight win. The A’s bested the Twins behind another young pitcher and are now a team on the rise after a few good wins. The seductive Outman had a strangle-hold on Minnesota’s top hitters in the 4-3 Monday night shutdown. A’s starters have the longest winning streak since a stretch of eight victories in June of 2006. Their prim pitchers are boasting a 1.55 ERA through seven starts. It’s been a wacky and wonderful week for last place Oakland. Last night, it continued with the pitching of the 25 year old with a 3.17 ERA.
Outman went 1-2 in 25.2 innings for the gold and green last year during only 6 games. This season, he is undefeated in five appearances and has emerged as the most reliable starter on the A’s staff. His 4-0 record comes packaged with 49 strikeouts, 24 walks and 46 hits allowed in 59 innings pitched. Outman held the Twins to three runs over six innings in the A’s 4-3 melting of Minnesota. The St. Louis pitcher smeared seven and outside a hiccup with two outs in the fourth, shut down the Twins. Outman has seven quality starts for Oakland since returning from a bullpen stint. The rookie improved to 3-0 on June 4th by holding the Chicago White Sox to three runs over 6 2/3 innings. He was excellent in diversifying his pitches and scattering seven hits. The young southpaw fanned nine on May 29th against archrival, Texas. He followed a two-run first inning by only allowing one more hit over six innings during the contest. Prior to his Rangers start, Outman outlasted the Diamondbacks. He limited Arizona to two ones, one earned, in an inter-league clash. The hurler tossed 7 2/3 strong inning to record his second win of the year that Sunday. Outman is effective in pitching out of jams despite walking batters. He only had one pass in a no-decision Athletics victory on May 20th over the Rays. Through six innings, Outman blanked Tampa but left the game after a scoreless sixth. The A’s went on to win in extra-innings and Outman finished by whiffing six Rays. Josh held the Royals to one run over six innings for his very first 2009 win in mid-May. Outman gave up three hits, all in the second inning, to Kansas City. The A’s are counting on their young staff to rework the pitching and rejuvenate the club. So far, they have stepped up to right the wrongs in Oakland.
Ok now that I’ve brought you up to date on Mr. Outman, here is how last night played out in Oakland Coliseum. The Twinkies were in town for the first of a four game series against their West Coast foes from the Golden State. The A’s turned back the Twins, rallying from an early 3-0 deficit. The Twins had a lead and gave it right back during this American League inter-divisional affair. The game seemed up for grabs, and it was Oakland snagging the W. Minnesota scored three runs in the top of the fourth off Outman on odd combinations. Two singles were sandwiched around a walk to fill the bases. Carlos Gomez walked with the bases loaded, and slumping slugger, Matt Tolbert, tallied a two run single. Tolbert was 0 for his last 12 and in a funk at the plate. The Minnesota lead was short-lived. The Athletics countered in the bottom half of the fourth with three of their own runs. Matt Holiday and Jason Giambi walked back-to-back. Hannahan hammered a double to centerfield, scoring Giambi, Kurt Suzuki and Aaron Cunningham. One hit, three runs. Very productive and efficient for the Oakland offense.
The Twins pitching wasn’t as effective as the A’s. In his fourth Minnesota audition, Anthony Swarzak was untouchable as he faced the Oakland lineup the first time. Swarzak did not survive after the erratic fourth inning where the A’s squandered Minnesota’s three run lead. He lost his control completely and was throwing the ball all over the place. The left-hander issued three walks and threw nine consecutive balls to open the frame. Next was a plunking pitch. Swarzak unintentionally beaned Cunningham with a fastball off the left side of the helmet. The rookie stayed in the game long enough to score but was removed in the fifth and sent to the hospital. Oakland was dealt a blow when they learned Cunningham suffered a concussion on the 91 mph drilling. The A’s are short on outfielders but used Adam Kennedy to replace Cunningham defensively. Gregorio Petit substituted for him in the Oakland batting order.
Minnesota’s bullpen faired better than starter Swarzak. They held the A’s to only two more hits. One of those blasts was a towering and explosive crush by Jack Cust. Cust’s 10th homerun of the season came off right-handed reliever, Luis Ayala. The bottom of the fifth bullet was off the first pitch Ayala threw to Cust. It seems like Cust just keeps hitting go-ahead homeruns for about-face scores. The three all tie was retracted with the solo shot and Outman sustained the one run lead the rest of the way. He seemed to get stronger as the game went on. After the blip in the fourth inning, Outman set down the final seven Twins who stepped to the plate. Delmon Young was punched out in the sixth as Outman’s last victim.
The lefty maintained his approach and set the pace to keep the A’s clicking in the wins department. Outman had Oakland swimming above water with devastating deliveries. He was a splash after a slight sinking. The sweeping slider tumbled away from left-handers, who are batting just .128 against the rookie. Justin Morneau, one of the Twins leading hitters, struck out three times. No single pitcher has done that to Morneau since 2004. Joe Mauer was able to get to Oakland pitching. He singled twice for Minnesota to raise his batting average to a startling .413.
The Athletics used four relievers after Outman left the game. Combined, they threw three scoreless innings to deny the Twins any more scoring opportunities. Michael Wuertz struck out two Twins to bring his total to 27 on the year. The 28 year old former Twin, Craig Breslow, allowed the only hit. Brad Ziegler, the second year reliever, faced two batters, throwing five of his seven pitches for strikes. Andrew Bailey drew his fifth save in eight chances after pitching the ninth for Oakland. The A’s seven game streak is the longest current run in the majors and the team has outscored opponents 42-11 during the span.
I am not sure whether the A’s can recuperate in time to capture a division title. They may just be playing for next season by July. But, I am smitten with their starters and hope they hassle the competition into the All-star break and second half of the season. You might remember I predicted the A’s to make it to the World Series. They have a very, very high hill to climb before they even sniff the playoffs, let alone the Fall Classic. But I am encouraged by the pitching and the way they were able to lift themselves over the Twins last night. The starters that currently occupy the rotation are resilient at worst. The low-key bullpen with Wuertz, Breslow, Ziegler and Bailey is brilliant too. Even Kennedy made a sliding game-ending grab as a fill-in for the injured rookie Cunningham. The A’s pinched out a win during a game they were down.
The best part about Outman’s outing is he wasn’t even as sharp as his colleagues were in the past week. Vin Mazzaro, Brett Anderson and Trevor Cahill are pitching more like formidable starters than inexperienced amateurs. They are attacking the strike zone and putting hitters away. Mazzaro was money on the mound again for the A’s against the Orioles on Sunday. The 22 year old righty made his major league debut last week. He earned the win against the White Sox, leaving with a standing ovation in the eighth inning. The results are revealing for these rookies. During a four-game streak, Oakland starters had not walked a batter. Outman’s passes changed that last night and one of them resulted in a run. But, he overcame the mishap to maneuver and exercise an excellent excursion. Pitching produces the plot for ball clubs, and the Athletics’ aces are acknowledged anecdotes.
Parting points: It’s a great sports night. NBA Finals Game 3, NHL Finals Game 6, Yankees-Red Sox, and Mets-Phillies. Brad Lidge to the DL, Scottie Reynolds to return to Villanova, Tiger tuning up, the MLB draft toning up and Favre doing who knows what next.
I’m already excited about the upcoming college football season. Check out this cool Ohio State player database: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/buckeyextra/database/index.html
Outman went 1-2 in 25.2 innings for the gold and green last year during only 6 games. This season, he is undefeated in five appearances and has emerged as the most reliable starter on the A’s staff. His 4-0 record comes packaged with 49 strikeouts, 24 walks and 46 hits allowed in 59 innings pitched. Outman held the Twins to three runs over six innings in the A’s 4-3 melting of Minnesota. The St. Louis pitcher smeared seven and outside a hiccup with two outs in the fourth, shut down the Twins. Outman has seven quality starts for Oakland since returning from a bullpen stint. The rookie improved to 3-0 on June 4th by holding the Chicago White Sox to three runs over 6 2/3 innings. He was excellent in diversifying his pitches and scattering seven hits. The young southpaw fanned nine on May 29th against archrival, Texas. He followed a two-run first inning by only allowing one more hit over six innings during the contest. Prior to his Rangers start, Outman outlasted the Diamondbacks. He limited Arizona to two ones, one earned, in an inter-league clash. The hurler tossed 7 2/3 strong inning to record his second win of the year that Sunday. Outman is effective in pitching out of jams despite walking batters. He only had one pass in a no-decision Athletics victory on May 20th over the Rays. Through six innings, Outman blanked Tampa but left the game after a scoreless sixth. The A’s went on to win in extra-innings and Outman finished by whiffing six Rays. Josh held the Royals to one run over six innings for his very first 2009 win in mid-May. Outman gave up three hits, all in the second inning, to Kansas City. The A’s are counting on their young staff to rework the pitching and rejuvenate the club. So far, they have stepped up to right the wrongs in Oakland.
Ok now that I’ve brought you up to date on Mr. Outman, here is how last night played out in Oakland Coliseum. The Twinkies were in town for the first of a four game series against their West Coast foes from the Golden State. The A’s turned back the Twins, rallying from an early 3-0 deficit. The Twins had a lead and gave it right back during this American League inter-divisional affair. The game seemed up for grabs, and it was Oakland snagging the W. Minnesota scored three runs in the top of the fourth off Outman on odd combinations. Two singles were sandwiched around a walk to fill the bases. Carlos Gomez walked with the bases loaded, and slumping slugger, Matt Tolbert, tallied a two run single. Tolbert was 0 for his last 12 and in a funk at the plate. The Minnesota lead was short-lived. The Athletics countered in the bottom half of the fourth with three of their own runs. Matt Holiday and Jason Giambi walked back-to-back. Hannahan hammered a double to centerfield, scoring Giambi, Kurt Suzuki and Aaron Cunningham. One hit, three runs. Very productive and efficient for the Oakland offense.
The Twins pitching wasn’t as effective as the A’s. In his fourth Minnesota audition, Anthony Swarzak was untouchable as he faced the Oakland lineup the first time. Swarzak did not survive after the erratic fourth inning where the A’s squandered Minnesota’s three run lead. He lost his control completely and was throwing the ball all over the place. The left-hander issued three walks and threw nine consecutive balls to open the frame. Next was a plunking pitch. Swarzak unintentionally beaned Cunningham with a fastball off the left side of the helmet. The rookie stayed in the game long enough to score but was removed in the fifth and sent to the hospital. Oakland was dealt a blow when they learned Cunningham suffered a concussion on the 91 mph drilling. The A’s are short on outfielders but used Adam Kennedy to replace Cunningham defensively. Gregorio Petit substituted for him in the Oakland batting order.
Minnesota’s bullpen faired better than starter Swarzak. They held the A’s to only two more hits. One of those blasts was a towering and explosive crush by Jack Cust. Cust’s 10th homerun of the season came off right-handed reliever, Luis Ayala. The bottom of the fifth bullet was off the first pitch Ayala threw to Cust. It seems like Cust just keeps hitting go-ahead homeruns for about-face scores. The three all tie was retracted with the solo shot and Outman sustained the one run lead the rest of the way. He seemed to get stronger as the game went on. After the blip in the fourth inning, Outman set down the final seven Twins who stepped to the plate. Delmon Young was punched out in the sixth as Outman’s last victim.
The lefty maintained his approach and set the pace to keep the A’s clicking in the wins department. Outman had Oakland swimming above water with devastating deliveries. He was a splash after a slight sinking. The sweeping slider tumbled away from left-handers, who are batting just .128 against the rookie. Justin Morneau, one of the Twins leading hitters, struck out three times. No single pitcher has done that to Morneau since 2004. Joe Mauer was able to get to Oakland pitching. He singled twice for Minnesota to raise his batting average to a startling .413.
The Athletics used four relievers after Outman left the game. Combined, they threw three scoreless innings to deny the Twins any more scoring opportunities. Michael Wuertz struck out two Twins to bring his total to 27 on the year. The 28 year old former Twin, Craig Breslow, allowed the only hit. Brad Ziegler, the second year reliever, faced two batters, throwing five of his seven pitches for strikes. Andrew Bailey drew his fifth save in eight chances after pitching the ninth for Oakland. The A’s seven game streak is the longest current run in the majors and the team has outscored opponents 42-11 during the span.
I am not sure whether the A’s can recuperate in time to capture a division title. They may just be playing for next season by July. But, I am smitten with their starters and hope they hassle the competition into the All-star break and second half of the season. You might remember I predicted the A’s to make it to the World Series. They have a very, very high hill to climb before they even sniff the playoffs, let alone the Fall Classic. But I am encouraged by the pitching and the way they were able to lift themselves over the Twins last night. The starters that currently occupy the rotation are resilient at worst. The low-key bullpen with Wuertz, Breslow, Ziegler and Bailey is brilliant too. Even Kennedy made a sliding game-ending grab as a fill-in for the injured rookie Cunningham. The A’s pinched out a win during a game they were down.
The best part about Outman’s outing is he wasn’t even as sharp as his colleagues were in the past week. Vin Mazzaro, Brett Anderson and Trevor Cahill are pitching more like formidable starters than inexperienced amateurs. They are attacking the strike zone and putting hitters away. Mazzaro was money on the mound again for the A’s against the Orioles on Sunday. The 22 year old righty made his major league debut last week. He earned the win against the White Sox, leaving with a standing ovation in the eighth inning. The results are revealing for these rookies. During a four-game streak, Oakland starters had not walked a batter. Outman’s passes changed that last night and one of them resulted in a run. But, he overcame the mishap to maneuver and exercise an excellent excursion. Pitching produces the plot for ball clubs, and the Athletics’ aces are acknowledged anecdotes.
Parting points: It’s a great sports night. NBA Finals Game 3, NHL Finals Game 6, Yankees-Red Sox, and Mets-Phillies. Brad Lidge to the DL, Scottie Reynolds to return to Villanova, Tiger tuning up, the MLB draft toning up and Favre doing who knows what next.
I’m already excited about the upcoming college football season. Check out this cool Ohio State player database: http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/buckeyextra/database/index.html
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