It’s Over
Well a full wrap of the weekend games would be a bit depressing. As one of the fans in attendence, there isn’t much worse than seeing a team celebrating on the field knowing they are about to pop bottles in the clubhouse.
Looking back on the season, there are a lot of things that went wrong. The injuries, the blown close games, the lack of run support and the lack of power, but overall it was a great season. No one expected the A’s to be in the running at all this year, and while we may not have made the playoffs, at least we played tough and made the most of our season. The hunt for October is over, but lets win some games, have some fun and gear up for next year.
A’s Take First From Texas, 5-0
Dallas Braden became the third A’s Starter in double digits this season, as he held the Rangers to just 1 hit over 8 innings in the A’s 5-0 win at the coliseum.
Braden pounded away at the strike zone throwing 75 of his 114 pitches for strikes, notching 7 K’s in the victory. The A’s moved to 7 back, and the Rangers magic number remains at 4 with just 10 games left in the season. Click here for the box score, or the more for the wrap.
Bailey To Go Under Knife, Done for Year
Andrew Bailey is set to have season ending surgery, to clean up lingering elbow problems that have been bothering him all season. Bailey is reported to have a “couple of extra bones floating around,” not an unusual problem for someone who has had Tommy John’s surgery, which Bailey had in College.
The closer had an impressive year, making 47 appearances and posting an ERA and Whip of 1.47 and .96 respectively with 25 saves. The bullpen is pretty banged up in general with Wuertz and Blevins sidelined as well, although both are expected to return. Look to Craig Breslow to pick up the closer roll in Bailey’s absence.
Sheets Receives Jim “Catfish” Hunter Award
It seems ironic that a pitcher who hasn’t been on the mound since mid July is receiving an award named after one of the A’s great hurlers, but on Tuesday, Sheets was the recipient of the Hunter Award.
Sheets was given the award due to his positive clubhouse demeanor and his humerous attitude; it is basically a giant popularity contest. As we have stated before, Sheets is a very positive addition to the dugout, and while his on the field contributions may have been less than anticipated, his presence was always welcome around the club.
Crisp Done for the Season, but Next Year?
Coco Crisp is most likely done for the rest of the year due to a fractured pinky, a similar injury to what caused him to miss his initial 40 games of the season. Crisp mentioned Monday that if the A’s pull off a comeback he would pony up and play, but the odds of this are unlikely despite the fact that the A’s have picked up two games in a row.
A miraculous playoff appearance isn’t the only way to see Coco back in green and gold however, as he seems open to the idea of extending his contract.
