Andrew Bailey

Andrew Bailey rookie closer = All-Star.
Kurt Suzuki = A few days off.

Series 27 A's at Indians

Game 1 (33-44): A's are down 13-3 in the 5th inning. I think they are gonna lose - Yes, the A's did go on to lose 15-3. Interesting that the Indians had lost five straight games before running into the A's tonight. Even more interesting is that the Indians scored 13 runs in those five games combined!
Game 2 (33-45): It's Vin Mazzaro tonight. A's lose 5-something, and as usual thanks for nothing Matt Holliday.

Series 26 Tigers at Oakland

Game 1 Monday night (31-43): Before the game Jack Hannahan goes back to AAA to make room for Travis Buck coming up from AAA. Will Hannahan ever be back?
Mark Ellis and Ryan Sweeney both hit home runs. A's leading 7-1 in the 8th. A's pitching real solid tonight. Offense isn't so bad either, hey were only about 10 games out of first. If the A's go on a nice streak and everybody else in the division loses a bunch Oakland could be right back in it by the All-Star break. A's go on to win 7-1. Ryan Sweeney has three hits for the second night in the row. A's pitching gets 14 K's after getting 13 yesterday.
Game 2 Tuesday night (32-43): It's Gio time...and after the top of the 1st Gio is not looking too convincing. 2-0 Tigers. Good News though Detroits' starter Galaraga looks even worse. A's load the bases without getting a hit, but can't score. In the second Jack Cust made a silly little league play in the outfield. The kind we're getting used to from Cust. If Gio can settle down the A's should take care of this one...well, after three innings Detroit has six hits and A's have none. Orlando Cabreras' 12 game hitting streak is on the line.
Forth inning Ryan Sweeney triples, Nomar Walks, Jack Cust RBI single. 3-1 Detroit after four.
Matt Holliday could have tied it up in the 7th, or cold have at least got a hit or done something but he didn't. Edardo whoever Gonzaleaz gave up a run in the top of the ninth. Then the A's made a run for it in the bottom of the ninth but fell short again. A's lose 5-3. Cabrera has a 12 game hitting streak going. A's had chances and failed. Mark Ellis hit a home run the second day in a row.
Game 3 Wednesday (32-44): We're headed to this game, gonna watch the A's beat up on Justin Verlander.
Here's Sadie sportin' her new A's hat at the game today. (The only hat she will let stay on her head).

The A's were down 1-0 in the first inning and I was afraid it was gonna be more of the same. In the 4th Ryan Sweeney was on when, with two outs Jack Cust jacked one into the left field bleachers. 2-1 A's. In the sixth inning with Matt Holliday on second Jason Giambi jacked one out himself, to right center. I was afraid what the A's would do with a lead because I can't remember the last time they had one. Dallas Braden had a real nice day, but I noticed the last 4 or 5 outs were some warning track shots. Brad Ziegler to the rescue in the eighth and Andrew Bailey to close it out. A's win 5-1. The first time in five trips to the ballpark that I've seen the A's win this year. This was Sadies' fourth game and the first time she saw them win. She was gettin' pretty rowdy the second half of the game. I think Giambi and Cust were feeding off of her energy.(Orlando Cabrera got a hit in the first inning and in the second to extend his hitting streak to 13 games or so).

Series 25 Rockies at Oakland

Game 1 Friday Fireworks Night: The signal on the radio started to fade around the sixth inning and the A's were down by three or four runs so I knew it was a waste of time to go in and watch the end of the game on TV. A's go on to lose 4-2.
"And well-deserved boos cascading down on the field from the fans."-A's radio announcer Ken Korach.
Game 2 Saturday night: Trevor Cahill get the start for the A's...and just minutes into the game 2-0 Rockies. I blinked in the top of the second and it's 3-0 Rockies. Top of the third 5-0 Rockies, I'm beginning to see a pattern here. Bottom of the third Rajai Davis gets on. Adam Kennedy gets on and then steals second to set up Kurt Suzukis' two run single. 5-2 Rockies.
Top of the 4th 7-2 Rockies, I'm beginning to see a pattern here.
I hope Trevor Cahill is not on yor fantasy team.
3.2 IN, 8H, 7ER, 1B, 2K, 4HR
11-2 Rockies top of the sixth.
I stopped watching for a while and turned on the radio in the eighth and the A's made a mad run at them Rockies but it was too little too late. Rockies win 11-9.
Game 3 Sunday (31-42): Mark Ellis is back from the DL. He's playing second and they have Adam Kennedy at third. Daric Barton goes back to AAA Sacramento and Josh Outman goes on the DL.
If Ellis could put up some respectable offensive numbers Kennedy at third just might work.
Uneventful, unexcieting, boring game. A's lose 3-1 and thanks for nothing again Matt Holliday.

Aaron Cunningham

Aaron Cunningham was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the sixth round of the 2005 Draft. He was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in June 2007. In December 2007 he was part of the trade with the A's that sent Dan Haren to the Diamondbacks. He got called up on August 30 2008. He played in 22 games, batted .250 hit a home run and stole a couple bases. I sent him this card sometime around then.

I didn't get it back though till after I sent a recieved back this card that I sent to spring training this year.

I guess he saved his mail from last year and sent it out in the spring. A week or so later I got this one.

I mistakenly sent him a second card to spring training, and he was nice enough to sign it. I like how the 2008 card was personalized to me. The first one back in 2009 was not. Then the third card seems to merge his name with mine. How much more personalized can you get?
Well, Cunningham didn't make the team out of spring, but the A's called him up last month. Since then he played in 16 games and is hitting .152 with 6 RBI's ans one home run.

Tastelikedirt Not On Twitter

Not gonna happen, thanks anyway.

Series 24 Giants at Oakland

Game 1 Monday night: Trevor Cahill went seven strong innings. Jack Cust stole a base. Orlando Cabrera hit a couple doubles. Bobby Crosby had a couple RBI's. Brad Ziegler 1-2-3 eighth inning. Rajai Davis stole a base early then in the eighth he hit a triple. Crosby knocked him in. Matt Holliday didn't do anything again. A's win 5-1 anyway.
Game 2 Tuesday night: Lincecum vs. Mazzaro. A's are wearing thier black tops. Those young pitchers love those black tops. A's went down 4-0 early. Jason Giambi hit a solo home run. It's 4-1 in the fifth. In the fifth and sixth inning the A's loaded the bases against Lincecum with one out. Hit into doubles plays both times. Lincecum is fun to watch pitch when he pitches against teams who are not called the Oakland A's. Lincecm pitches his second complete game against the A's this year. A's lose and thanks for nothing Matt Holliday.
Game 3 Wednesday night: Randy Johnson vs. Gio Gonzalez. It was 1-0 A's when I started eating dinner. It was 2-1 Giants when I finished dinner and by the time I doing the dishes it was 6-1 Giants. I better get desert quick before things get any worse.

Series 23 A's at San Diego

Game 1 Friday night: I listened to this while driving up and down the state of California. The radio was fading in and out. I kept hear the announcers calling Tony Gwynns name, I thought I had entered some time vortex thing. When the A's finally won I knew that I must have gone thru some kind of time warp.
Game 2 Saturday night: It was 3-3 around the middle of the game then the A's made it 4-3. Uncomfortable, then sometime arond the 7th Rajai Davis tried to end it early for a bunch of A's when he struck out and sent his bat sailing into the A's dugout. Lots of players and coaches went scrambling. Next up Adam Kennedy. Home run. Next up Jack Cust. Monster home run. Brad Ziegler got to pitch without giving up any runs then Andrew Bailey to close it out A's win 6-3. That's just how things are supposed to work. I guess it does work that way when you play the bad teams.(The Padres had the same record as the A's starting tonight(29-37).
Game 3 Sunday: The game got to the bottom of the 8th the A's were behind 2-1. Cabrerra, Cust and Holliday were coming up for the A's in the bottom of the ninth. Before I could even think about the A's having a chance to win this, Russ Springer gave up a two run home run. 4-1 Padres. Forget about it. Padres win.

Series 22 A's at Dodgers

Game 1: With Dallas Braden pitching a perfect game into the 5th inning, bt the score tied 0-0 I was worried. Then the A's went down 2-0. Then BOOM! my faith in the A's is renewed when Jason Giambi hit a 3 run home run in the 8th. Next at bat Bobby Crosby hit a home run too. My faith in the A's is back with a vengence...the A's go on to lose 5-4 in the bottom of the 10th.
A's are 9 and half games out of first place.
Game 2: Rajai Davis hits a home run, so does Jack Cust. Trevor Cahill is the first A's pitcher to get a hit this year. The A's do a little bit of this and a little bit of that to lead 5-1 in the bottom of the sixth. The A's manage to hang on and squeek out a week 5-4.
Game 3: Chris Denorfia was sent back to AAA to make room for Ryan Sweeney coming back off the DL. I just heard Rick Monday is the reason why the A's wear white shoes, or was at least the first to wear the white shoes or something like that. Who cares? A's get a 8-2-6 put out as the Dodgers score in the fifth, 2-1 Dodgers. Run Rajai Run! It's tied 2-2. Brad Ziegler comes into the game in the 7th and gets it done just like last night. Welcome back Ziggy. (Well, that's what I would have written if he had got the job done. Instead, Ziggy gives the go ahead run to the Dodgers and that Breslow guy comes in). There's a gas station in the parking lot a Dodger Stadium. A's go on to lose 3-2.

Series 21 A's at San Francisco

Game 1: Lincecum = A's lose.
Game 2: Randy Johnson gets Win #301.
Game 3: Matt Cain + Giants inside the park home run = A's swept.

Mariners at Oakland Photos

Here's a few photos from the A's and Mariners on May 27 2009.
Trevor Cahill

There's a link over there on the right side of the page and down a bit.

Grant Green

With the 13th pick of the 2009 draft the A's take USC Shortstop Grant Green. He had the third highest batting average in the PAC 10.

Series 20 Twins at Oakland

Game 1: Josh Outman gets the win. A's were behind 3-0 when Jack Hannahan hit a 3 run double. In the fifth inning with the scored tied Jack Cust hit a monster solo home run and that's all it took A's win 4-3. Thier seventh win in a row. The A's are only 4 games below .500 now and lookin good. Pitchig is solid and the offense is scoring a bunch of runs. Aaron Cunningham got hit in the helmet with a pitch, but he's OK. Daric Barton and Gregorio Petit both of who I saw play for the RiverCats two days go played for the A's tonght. Adam Kennedy played right field and made the finl out tonight. Andrew Bailey gets the save.

Gregorio Petit goes down Chris DeNorfia comes up because Aaron Cunningham got smacked in the head.

Game 2: In the sixth inning the A's are down 5-0. I don't think it's gonna be eight in a row. Not unless they get the Twins starting pitcher out of there and can rock the bullpen. The A's only have two hits so far. The Twins have ten. Sorry Brett Anderson.---Update--The A's were behind 10-0 in the bottom of the ninth and managed to score five runs and the bases were loaded with one out, but when you got guys like Rajai Davis, Daric Barton, Jack Hannahan, and Bobby Crosby coming up in those situations, can you really expect to win?

Game 3: Everything was going fine then around the 8th it started slipping away then in ninth Andrew Bailey fell apart. The A's were ahead 3-2 headed to the eight. The Twins tied it up with a home run. Then in the ninth A's end up losing 6-3. Andrew Bailey gets his first career loss.

Game 3 thursday day game: The A's won today the way good teams win. They were down 3-0. Then later they tied it up and then in the bottom of the ninth they won!

Sacramento RiverCats

Headed out to see the A's triple A Sacramento RiverCats tonight. There's lots of familiar faces on the team like Daric Barton, Gio Gonzalez, Dana Eveland and more. They're are playing against the Colorado Sky Sox who until just a few days ago had ex Athletic Carlos Gonzalez playing for them. That would be cool to see him again but he was promoted to the Rockies. I think ex Athletic Greg Smith is on the Sky Sox as well, but I do believe he is injured.

-James Simmons got the start for the RiverCats and he got the rocked too. Then they left him in to get rocked some more. Sacramento fell behind early but started to slowly make a comeback. Jerry Blevins and Jay Marshal came in relief. Ex Athletic Matt Murton played for the Sky Sox. RiverCats ended up losing 7-4.

Series 19 Baltimore at A's

Game 1: A's win big 9-1.
Game 2: I went to the RiverCats game tonight, but I do believe I saw on the scoreboard that the A's won 9-4.

Matt Holliday has a blog?

Game 3: Vin Mazzaro gets his second win in his second start. A's win 6 in a row.

Series 18 A's at White Sox

A's took 3 of the 4 games. Vin Mazzaro came up and made his big league debut and got a win. The A's offense is starting to come around. Being 10 games out makes things tough, but if they could close the gap a bit by the break and the pitching remains strong...anything could happen.

Series 17 A's at Rangers

Game 1 Double Header: A's lose 5-2 or so.
Game 2 Double Header: A's lose 6-3 or something like that.
Game 3: A's lose 13-1.
Game 4: A's win. They were ahead 4-0, but in the 8th inning the Rangers tied it up. In the top of the ninth Adam Kennedy hit a monster home run and that's all it took. A's win 5-4. I think the A's are about 10 or 11 games out of first place.

Series 16 Mariners at Oakland

Game 1 Memorial Day: A's wore red caps and won. I think Bobby Crosby started this game at shortstop. His first start at shortstop all year.
Game 2 tuesday night: A's went down 2-0 in the first inning not too much going on since then. The most excitement of the night came in the top of the 7th when I saw King Buzzo sitting behind the Mariners bullpen in some pretty sweet field level seats.
The Buzz sighting turned out to be a good luck charm because the A's scored four runs in the bottom of the 7th to take the lead and go on to win 4-3. The first time this year that the A's have won three in a row.

Game 3 Wednesday Day Game: Went to the game. We thought it would be fun to watch Giambi pop out in person a few times. A's lose 6-1. Sadie thinks this is what happens when you go to A's games. They lose, you go home sad, disappointed and depressed. She a trooper though it hasn't seemed to effect her.

Series 15 Diamondbacks in Oakland

Game 1 friday: I listened to this for ever. As the radio reception got worse and worse the A's chances to win got worse and worse. I couldn't hardly understand anything by the bottom o the ninth, but I could understand that the A's lost. Matt Holliday hit a home run when it actually seemed to matter then nothing ever happened for the A's again. They lost 2-1 or 3-1 somthinh like that.
Game 2 saturday night: Jack Cust hit a home run early offo Dan Haren. A couple innings later Jason Giambi hit his 400th career home run. Then, back to back style, Adam Kennedy hit a home run off of Haren. Later on Nomar hit a home run. I think it may have been off of Haren. It was 5-1 or so headed to the 7th. I think the A's will win, but the radio is fading out...Adam Kennedy has been real hot since he ended up on the A's.
...are you kidding me? I just turned on the TV to hear Fosse saying "Here we go to the bottom of the ninth", meaning the A's were not ahead anymore. Tied 5-5 headed to the 10th. #56 Breslow is pithing for the A's. They just picked this guy up a couple days ago. Some other teams cast off. Nice double play to end the top half of the 10th for the A's. sixth extra inning game for the A's out of just 40 total games this year.
At one point the A's were up 4 runs. Santiago Casilla comes in top of the 11th all of a sudden it's 8-5. I can't watch anymore...A's made it interesting and the score was 8-7 bottom of extras. With one out and runners on the A's promptly hit into a double play to lose the game.
Game 3 Sunday afternoon: Landon Powell hit his first MLB home run. Jason Giambi hit his 401st. A's won 4-1 or 5-2, something like that.

Series 14 A's at Tampa Bay

Game 1: Things have gone from bad to worse. I hope this is rock bottom because I don't think I could handle much more of this. "Third worst start in Oakland A's history", that's what I heard on the radio at some point during the game. The A's were ahead in the top of the first and it was all downhill from there or maybe uphill. I think the Rays scored five or six time in bottom of the first. Sean Gallagher was terrible so Gio Gonzalez got a chance to get his foot in the door and slide right into the pitching rotation. Instead Gio was terrible too. A's lost 11-2 or something like that.
Game 2: Yeah, things had to get better. They did. Josh Outman had a nice start.(His second in a row, the A's can build on this. Nowhere to go but up). The game went to extra innings 0-0. It still seems strange to see the A's trying to steal bases and bunt...ultimately it was the three run home run from Matt Holliday that won it for the A's.
Game 3: First half of the game momentum belonged to the A's. Second half was all Tampa Bay. With time running out the Rays go deep to the end zone only to be intercepted by Ryan Sweeney as time runs out. A's win. A's win!
Brett Anderson gets his first Major League win. Jason Giambi is still sitting on 399 home runs. He's been up in plenty of sitiations where it could have been an exciting moment for 400, but he usually just pops out. Aaron Cunningham got his first hit of the year a RBI double.
Alright! two wins in a row. This is the beginning of the big turn around.
Yeah, they gotta figure this pitching thing out. I heard they're bringing up Edgar Gonzalez for the weekend. We'll see what he can do. The A's are gonna throw every pitcher on the wall and see what sticks.
Game 4: Game was tied 3-3 headed into the ninth. A's scored a couple times. 5-3 headed to the bottom of the ninth. Rays score 3 times. A's lose. The A's left the bases loaded twice, so it didn't really have to turn out like this.

Series 13 A's at Detroit

Game 31:The Tigers had two Grand Slams in this game. The A's scored one run. The Tigers scored 13. There were rain delays the A's were down 5-0 in the first inning. Oakland had a bunch of errors. Everything about this game was ugly.
Before the game Aaron Cunningham was called up from AAA Sacramento. I think this means trouble for Travis Buck who has not been hitting well. Santiago Casilla was re activated from the DL as well. I think Jeff Gray and another pitcher (Jerry Blevins) was sent down.
Game 32: I listened to the first half of the game on the radio and watched the last half on TV either way it sucked. A's lose 9-1.
Game 33: By the time I turned on the game on the radio the A's had already had a 6-0 lead and had also lost it by the fifth inning (or earlier). A's go on to lose.

Series 12 Kansas City at Oakland

Game 29: The Royals come to town and are the third series in a row where the A's have played a first place team. Not that any of those teams have really been very convincing as a first place team. It's been more like tha A's are not living up to thier potential and are losing games they should be winning. The A's are next to last in MLB in runs scored so far this year. It's Trevor Cahill tonight.-A's scored seven times in the second. With two outs in the bottom of the second, A's are ahead 8-0. A's go on to score 12 times on 13 hits and win 12-3. Jack Cust hit a 3 run home run. Orlando Cabrera went 3-5 with 4 RBI's. Cahill started out looking kinda rough but settled down.

Game 30: Tight game thru six innings or so then the A's boke it wide open in the 7th. Jack Cust has 4 RBI's thru seven. A's lead 7-1.-A's hang on to win. Josh Outman was super solid. He gave up just 3 hits and on run in six innings to get his first win of the year.

Off Day

The A's didn't play today, but here's a photo of Matt Holliday hitting a home run in the ninth inning May 5th.

Last Saturday The Oakland A's brought up right handed pitcher Jeff Gray from AAA Sacramento. Infielder Gregorio Petit was sent back to Sacramento and outfielder Ben Copeland who was a rule 5 draft pick was designated for assignment. Adam Kennedy came to the A's for a player to be named later. Later they named Joe Dillon to be that player and sent him to Tampa Bay.

TEAM W L % GB
Texas 17 14 .548 -
Los Angeles 16 14 .533 0.5
Seattle 16 16 .500 1.5
Oakland 11 18 .379 5.0

Streaks: L2
Last 10: 3-7
Home: 6-10 Road: 5-8
Runs Scored: 121
Runs Against: 131

Series 11 Blue Jays at Oakland

Game 26: The first place Blue Jays come to town. Josh Outman gets the start for the A's. He did well his last time out, and not so well his last time out against the Blue Jays. Toronto scored three runs early and it looked like things were gonna suck. The A's had six hits and scored five runs in the second and all of a sudden things didn't suck so bad. A's bullpen was solid. Andrew Bailey comes in in the 8th. Six up six down and Bailey gets his first big league save. A's win 5-3.
Game 28: None of the A's looked too good today. In the ninth inning Jason Giambi hit a home run and the A's started putting some hits together. Too little too late. A's lose.

Yesterday the A's traded with the Rays to get Adam Kennedy for a player to be named later. Mostly because the A's really, really hate Bobby Crosby, who coincidently has been one of the better players on the team lately.

Dallas Braden gets the start Sunday.

Game : Game was not on TV here, so I ended up listening to the last three innings on the radio. The last three ininngs of the A's getting shut out.

Jeff Gray came in in relief...I don't even know when he was added to the roster, but he's on the team now.

Series 10 Rangers at Oakland

Game 24: Two of my local radio stations that carry the A's didn't have thme on tonight. I don't know what the deal is with that, but I did get to see the bottom of the ninth on TV. A's lost 3-2. The post game highlight said Dan Giese pitched well and Giambi made a nice defensive play.
Game 25: A's are 2-7 in one run games this year. Trevor Cahill gets the start today against the first place Rangers. in the bottom of the 4th Texas walked the bases full and with no out Jack Cust hits a grand slam deep into the right field bleachers. Matt Holiday hits a three run home run in the 5th and Trevor Cahill picks up his first win as the A's go on to win 9-4.

Matt Holliday

Finally somebody did what I'd like to do. Hit Matt Holliday in the chest with a 90 mph fastball. I hope whoever takes him off our hands in june has a nice time with him.
Holliday is batting .227 has 18 strike outs with just 22 hits. Five walks and three home runs.

Dana Eveland was sent to AAA Sacramento today. Dan Geise gets the fill in start against the Rangers tonight.

The A's are 9-15. The worst record in the American League, but they're only 4 1/2 games out of first so they could turn things around real fast. I think expectations were a bit higher at the start of the season, for the offense at least. Frustrations have been building for the fans though. Escalating a lot in the last week or so I would say.

Series 9 Angels at Oakland

Game 22: A's lost. Game sucked.

Gio went back to Sacramento after one day with the A's. Sean Gallagher came up along with Jerry Blevins. I can't remember the other person who went down.

Game 23: Headed to the game. Thanks Shawn for the tickets!

Dallas Braden tonight.209.

Series 8 A's at Mariners

Game 19: A's were ahead 6-1 in the third inning, but Dana Eveland didn't pitch so well tonight. A's go on to lose 8-7. Bobby Crosby had a three run triple his second time doing that this year. Matt Holliday hit his second home run of the year after hitting his first yesterday. Ryan Sweeney made a highlight reel awesome catch in centerfield just like he did last night.

Eric Chavez went on the DL and Gregorio Petit was called up from AAA Sacramento.

Game 20: Good game tonight. Trevor Cahill pitched well. Andrew Bailey ended up with the win. Three plays at the plate including Bobby Crosby crashing into the catcher in the top of the ninth to take the lead 3-2. Gregorio Petit = player of the game. Jason Giambi had two RBI's. Ryan Sweeney again made a nice catch in the outfield. Jack Cust stole second. His first ever stolen base. The teams wore 1939 PCL uniforms tonight. The Oakland Oaks against the Rainiers.

Trevor Cahill/AP Photo

Santiago Casilla went on the DL before the game and Gio Gonzalez was called up from AAA Sacramento.

Game 21: Extra Innings.--A's lose 8-7 in the 15th inning. Some people will blame Gio Gonzalez for this. A's had a three run lead in the bottom of the 13th.

DL

The A's have used the disabled list almost 50 times in the last two years. Nomar Garciaparra and Mark Ellis were put on the DL wednesday. Oakland called up infielder Eric Patterson and relief pitcher Kevin Cameron from AAA Sacramento. Patterson came to the A's in the Rich Harden trade last year. Patterson didn't do so well when he played in the bigs at the end of last year, but he's got the best numbers of the dudes playin' in Sacramento right now. Cameron pitched for the Padres the last couple years and was a non roster invitee to the A's spring training this year.

Rain Out

The A's and Rangers game was rained out today, so here's a photo of Nick Swisher from a few years ago. Today Swisher hit two home runs for the Yankees. One from each side of the plate.

Series 7 A's at Texas

Game 17: A's have four players leave with injuries and lose the game 4-5. Say hello to last place.
Game 18: Dallas Braden pitched well. Good all around team effort. A's win.

Series 6 Rays at Oakland

Game 15: The Rays started tee-ing off of Trevor Cahill in the third inning. The score was 7-0 when he was pulled with two outs in the third.

Before the game Jack Hannahan (INF) was called up from AAA Sacramento. Sean Gallagher (P) was sent down yesterday.

Game 16: Dallas Braden pitched well. Travis Buck was a stud. Jason Giambi finally hit a home run and Nomar had a big hit. A's win 5-2.

Series 5 A's at Yankees

Game 13: Dana Eveland didn't pitch so good. The A's had about 11 hits and so did the Yankees. The Yankees won. The score was 5-2 or somewhere around there.
Game 14: The game went 14 innings. Dan Giese for the second time on this road trip gave up a home run to lose the game in extra innings.

A's at Yankees Rained Out

So here's Bobby Crosby.

Series 4 A's at Toronto

Game 10: With the Blue Jays leading 5-1 Josh Outman was out of the game after 4 innings. Bobby Crosby hit a bases loaded triple then he scored on a wild pitch. 5-5. The A's got a few more hits. Scored a few more runs and won. A's bullpen was super solid.
Game 11: Lyle Overbay hit his first career walk off home run off of Dan Giese in the bottom of the 12th. A's lose 4-2. Before the game The A's sent Jerry Blevins to AAA and brought up recent acquisition Dan Giese.
Game 12: Dallas Braden pitches into the 8th inning and only gives up one run. The A's get five hits and no runs. A's lose 1-0.

Lots of 42's and Lots of Zeros

Went to the A's Red Sox game today. Everybody everywhere wore the #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson. With the Red Sox facing a sweep in Oakland, Tim Wakefield pitched a no hitter into the 8th inning. He ended up giving up 4 hits and pitched a complete game. A's lost.

Tim Wakefield

Matt Holliday

Here's Kurt Suzuki breaking up the no hitter.

I took a few other photos at the game. I'll post them at the game photos links over on the right. Soon.

Headed To The Game

Sadie heard it was Jackie Robinson day on wednesday so we're headed to the game. With a win the A's will sweep the Red Sox. We hope to see Brett Anderson get his first MLB win.

Mark Fidrych

"That ball has a hit in it, so I want to get back in the ball bag and goof around with the other balls in there. Maybe it'll learn some sense and come out as a pop-up next time." - Mark Fidrych
Mark Fidrych died today and that's a bummer. Harry Kalas died today as well. Sad start to the 2009 baseball season.

Series 3 Red Sox at Oakland

Game 7: Dallas Braden had a solid night against Jon Lester. Lester got rocked. Home runs from Jack Cust and Nomar Garciaparra plus a bunch of hits and runs by the A's. Oakland had 12 hits on the night and went on to win 8-2. Jason Giambi was all over the place tonight as well. He got to slide into home twice. I've already seen and heard a few Jeremy jokes. (You know what I'm talkin' about).
-On a side note Nick Swisher pitched an inning for the Yankees tonight. He stuckout 1. He also hit a homerun.
Game 8: Both Dana Eveland and Dice K threw over 40 pitches in the first inning. Dice K was out of the game after the first inning. Tonight was really cold and windy. Travis Buck with the bases loaded in the bottom of the 12th, hit a high chopper over the pitcher mound and the A's win 6-5. Solid team effort. A's had 11 hits, played mostly solid defense and bullpen was sharp.
Game 9: A's go for the sweep and send out 21 year old Brett Anderson to face the 42 year old Tim Wakefield. Anderson pitches a fine game, but Wakefield throws a no hitter into the 8th inning. A's lose. Landon Powell started at first base.

Series 2 Mariners At Oakland

Here's a couple photos from the home opener. Later I hope to add a few more at the photo links on the right side of the page.
Brett Anderson

Jason Giambi

Game 4: Brett Andersons MLB debut. A's leave 14 runners stranded on base and the A's lose.
Game 5: Catcher Landon Powell hit a two RBI double in his first Major league at bat. A's lose.
Game 6: Trevor Cahill pitched very well. He gave up one run and that didn't come till the 7th inning, but that's all it took. The A's lose 1-0. The A's had just three hits. In front of about 12,000 fans on Easter Sunday.

Headed To The Home Opener...

...Sadies' going to her first baseball game. Her second trip to the Coliseum in a week.
Twenty one year old Brett Anderson in his Major League debut gets the start for the A's. Ryan Rowland-Smith from Sydney Australia will be starting for the Mariners.

Nick Adenhart

I watched the A's and Angels game last night. Nick Adenhart was the starting pitcher for the Angels. I remember he came up in the middle of last season. He was the Angels #1 pitching prospect. He was really young when they brought him up last year. He was pitching pretty well last night, the A's would get a hit here and there, but he kept getting out of innings without giving up any runs. He walked a few guys and every inning it seemed like he had guys on base and all six innings that he pitched and didn't give up a single run. It must have been stressful but he pulled it off. He left the game with a 3-0 lead. A few hours after the game he was in a car accident and died. That makes me upset and sad.

Stockton Port Alternative Logos

"The Ports will be utilizing a new, alternative branding line that celebrates the team's affiliation with Oakland, by combining the Ports and A's brands in an identity mash-up. In 2009, there are more former Ports (9) on the A's Opening Day roster than any previous year. The Ports are excited to supplement their brand identity and highlight their strong relationship with the A's through these new logos, which will be used primarily on apparel and other merchandise. The logos will appear in both the A's classic "Green & Gold" colors as well as the Ports traditional "Red & Blue" colors. Fans will be able to wear a new alternative cap that resembles the A's batting cap, with a "P" script in place of the A, and an anchor in place of the "s"."- Stockton Ports.com

Series 1 A's at Angels

Game 1: Dallas Braden gave up 9 hits, but only 3 runs. The A's had 3 hits total. Where all that offense the A's picked up in the off season? Angels win 3-0. Andrew Bailey made his MLB debut in relief. It was 3 up 3 down for Bailey. In the third inning the A's tried a double steal. The lead runner Mark Ellis was thrown out though. The A's and stealing bases really have not been mentioned in the same breath the last few years.
Game 2: Trevor Cahill got the start for the A's. The 21 year old Cahill pitching in his MLB debut was pitching by the seat of his pants. He walked a few and ending up leaving 7 Angels stranded in the first 4 innings. The Angels only scored one run in each of the first two innings. It seemed like it could have gotten really ugly at any moment but Cahill kept his composure and didn't give up another run till the 5th inning. The A's offense was looking pretty frustrated until they managed to string together a few hits in the third and take the lead 3-2.
Michael Wuertz came in relief in the 6th and kept the score tied 3-3 headed to the 7th. The A's managed four hits and two more runs in the top of the seventh. The A's putting together a bunch of hits is not something A's fans are used to. Bottom of the 7th Santiago Casilla comes in, 3 up 3 down. Casilla pitched the 8th no problems. The A's got more hits and scored a few more runs. With the A's leading 6-3 Brad Ziegler came in to close it out. He gave up a run and the A's win 6-4.
A's end the night with 16 hits.
Game 3: Great game. Down 4-0 after 7inning the A's come back with three runs in the 8th, three more in the 9th and end up winning 6-4. Dana Eveland did OK. He gave up three runs in the 4th. Russ Springer came in and gave up one run. Andrew Bailey pitched a inning and ended up with the win. Brad Ziegler closed out the 9th. Kurt Suzuki came up with two outs and the bases loaded twice and could not get a hit either time. The A's ended up with 15 hits. Bobby Crosby played right field in the bottom of the ninth. Eric Chavez has made some really nice plays at third in each of the first three games of the year.

A's 2009 Opening Day Line Up

CF Ryan Sweeney
SS Orlando Cabrera
DH Jason Giambi
LF Matt Holliday
1B Nomar Garciaparra
3B Eric Chavez
C Kurt Suzuki
RF Jack Cust
2B Mark Ellis

P Dallas Braden

Fan Appreciation Workout Day 2009

Last Cuts - 2009 Opening Day Roster

Jack Hannahan IF
Cliff Pennington IF
Chris Denorfia OF
Gio Gonzalez P
Daric Barton 1B

Hannahan and Pennington, probably as soon as Orlando Cabrera and Nomar Garciaparra showed up, knew they were on the way out. Denorfia had a nice WBC and ST but probably knew as soon as Matt Holiday and Giambi showed up there wasn't going to be much room for him. Gio was hurt most of the spring so that was that. Daric Barton had a terrible 2008 and that should have been that. Then he had a nice spring this year, but Giambi was back in town so that's all there was to that.

Opening Night Line Up.

Ryan Sweeney CF
Orlando Cabrera SS
Jason Giambi 1b
Matt Holliday LF
Eric Chavez 3b
Jack Cust DH
Kurt Suzuki C
Travis Buck RF
Mark Ellis 2b

Bob Geren say when the A's face a left handed starter Nomar will start at third.

Nomar Garciaparra INF
Bobby Crosby INF
Landon Powell C
Rajai Davis OF

Starting Rotation

Dallas Braden LH
Trevor Cahill RH
Dana Eveland LH
Brett Anderson LH
Josh Outman LH

Bullpen

Gallagher
Wuertz
Casilla
Bailey
Springer
Blevins
Ziegler

Andrew Bailey snuck in here by only giving up 1 run all of spring training.

Gio Gonzalez A's #4 Prospect

Gio Gonzalez started the 2008 season as the #1 prospect in the A's organization and one of the top left handed pitching prospects in all of baseball.
After the 2005 season Gio went to the White Sox from Philadelphia as part of the trade for Jim Thome. After the 2006 season Gio was traded back to the White Sox along with Gavin Floyd for Freddy Garcia. After the 2007 season Gio was traded to the A's as part of the Nick Swisher trade. After starting 2008 at AAA Sacramento Gio was called up to Oakland in August after Justin Duchscherer was injured. He had a rough time and ended up being sent to the bullpen by the end of the year. Gio was going to be battling for a spot in the starting rotation this year, but got hurt this spring. He pitched in relief tonight against the Giants. So it's probably just a matter of time. Thanks a lot for signing my card Gio!

Starting Rotation Announced

1. Dallas Braden LH
2. Trevor Cahill RH
3. Dana Eveland LH
4. Brett Anderson LH
5. Josh Outman LH

Sean Gallagher who came to the A's in the trade that sent Rich Harden to the Cubs is competing for a bullpen spot. Gallagher was thought to be a sure thing as far as being in this years rotation, but a rough Spring and his velocity being down let some young guys squeeze in. Nobody in this rotation is over 25 years old. Anderson and Cahill will be rookies when the season starts.

Cuts

Edgar Gonzalez P
Chris Schroder P
Gregorio Petit INF
Corey Wimberly INF
Aaron Cunningham OF
Joel Galarraga C

There was speculation that Edgar Gonzalez would be in the rotation simply because he has big league experience. His ERA this spring just continued to balloon, which probably led to him getting cut today. Aaron Cunningham is a young stud who probably would have made it on the starting day roster just a year or two back, but now a days the A's are pretty crowded in the outfield and at DH. Cunningham will probably be the first one the A's call when...they need him.