A’s stomped by Yankees 11-5
I had an eerie feeling after the A’s 3 run top of the first, and unfortunately I was spot on. The A’s just could not keep the Yankee’s off the scoreboard as the pitching was uncharacteristically bad.
For the first time all season Trevor Cahill let up more than 7 hits in a game, and he was saddled with 8 earned runs over just 4 innings of work. Making matters worse, Texas won last night as well to drop us to 8 1/2 games back again. Click here for the box score, or the more for a wrap.
Dear Ben Sheets, Come Onnnn
Now I will be the first one to defend Ben Sheets performance this year and I have done so on many occasions. He may not have pitched very well for us, going 4-9 over 20 games with a 4.53 ERA, but he was a great dugout presence. He was often seen pushing younger pitchers, and he never lost his competitive spirit, which is a whole lot coming from a guy who is really struggling.
Now is $10 million worth all that? No, not a chance, and for that I feel like Sheets owes us. Now by all of my observation, which is cursory at best, it appears that Sheets is a good guy. Unlike Matt Holliday, who endured his stint in Oakland like a disgruntled 8 year old at a Birthday Party they had to go to, Sheets actually seemed to care about this team. For that reason I say Ben, why don’t you do us a favor, and come out next year at league minimum. (more…)
Braden Kills It
If it wasn’t for El perfecto, last night would have been Braden’s best start of the year, and you know what, it was a scorcher. While the line lacked K’s, it also lacked hits, coming in at 9 IP, 4 Hits, 1 K, 0 bb and 0 er. Braden became the first pitcher to shut out Texas in Arlington this year and it was a beauty.
The offense did their job too, with Daric Barton providing the impetus behind all of the A’s runs including a home run for the second straight night, and Kurt Suzuki finally snapping out of it and going 4 for 5. Click here for the box score or the more for the break down.
Big Wheel Keep on Turnin
Well the A’s won yet again and it was not even fair. Putting up 5 runs in the first inning is a way to really send a message, especially when the big hit comes from Kevin Kouzmanoff, who has been struggling of late.
The A’s are really starting to pick up steam, and while Texas won as well, a 4-3 squeaker over Minnesota, what’s important is that we are atleast giving ourselves a chance to contend. We have some rough games on the road ahead, so let the momentum carry us. Click here for the box score, or the more for the wrap.
Westward Expansion: A’s Take out The Tribe
Anyone tired of our good pitching? I mean honestly it is getting a little ridiculous. We’re talking about 16 games in a row with A’s starters lasting at least 6 innings and allowing 3 runs or less, or as baseball would call it, 16 quality starts in a row. That’s more than Madison Bumgarner has in his career.
To be blunt, last nights game against the Indians was one of my favorite all year, and not because I am insulted by Cleveland as a city, but by the way we won. Click here for the box score or the more for the obligatory handshakes.
