With two on, two out in the bottom of the eight inning, the A’s leading three to one, Ian Kinsler drives a pitch from Russ Springer to deep center field and Ryan Sweeney robbed Kinlser of what would of been a game- changing home run.Then in the top half of the ninth, Matt-oh I wish I could hit a home run-Holliday comes up and drives his first long-ball of the season to center field.

The A’s defeated the Rangers 4-2 Thursday.

Backed by some great situational pitching by Dallas Braden (3-2) and Andrew Bailey, the A’s held onto the win, setting their record at 8-11.

Braden’s pitch count forced his outing short, but he was effective once again, going five innings giving up zero runs, five hits, four walks while striking out six.

Check SportsCenter tonight because there will be plenty of “web gems” from the A’s defense including a nice throw from Holliday in left to get (greedy) Michael Young out at third with one out in the bottom of the ninth.

The offense had 11 hits, with Sweeney, Cabrera, Suzuki, and Crosby each tallying two. RBI’s from Cust (8), Holliday (12), Suzuki (8), and Powell (3).

Yeah boy!

Tonight’s game against the Rangers has been postponed due to rain.

Mark Ellis and Nomar Garciaparra have been placed on the disabled list as expected, after suffering similar calf injuries.

The A’s called up infielder Erik Patterson and reliever Kevin Cameron from Sacramento.

I’m sure no one is shocked by this news, but being the optimist that I am, I like the Patterson move. As of right now were not losing much because Ellis hasn’t been his defensive self this year and Patterson might be able to provide some offensive spark, and he can steal some bags.

Now the pessimistic side of me, however, hates to see Garciaparra placed on the DL, but who was he kidding. He’s just that type of player at this point in his career, whatever we get from him we’ll take it. They didn’t pay him much anyways.

What are your guys feelings now?

Four A’s players (Garciaparra, Ellis, Anderson, Casilla) left Tuesday’s game versus the Rangers with injuries, Garciaparra and Ellis with calf injuries, Anderson a blister, and Casilla an apparent leg injury.

By the way, the A’s (7-10) lost 5-4thanks to some spotty defense, and what I’m calling some awkward circumstances. Two pitchers left the game injured (Anderson, and Casilla) with at bats still in progress and both resulted in two runs, which proved to be the difference.

The A’s are more than on pace to meet last years 54 appearances on the DL, hope I’m worng.

The offense tonight did manage to get 10 hits, although they were all singles aside from Sweeney’s home run. Brett Anderson had a pitching line as such: five plus innings pitched, four runs (one earned), three hits, two walks, and five strikeouts. Too bad he had to leave early.  Orlando Cabrera went three for four, Ryan Sweeney, two for four with one RBI, and Bobby Crosby had two hits in three at bats.

Trends:

Matt Holliday’s inability to hit, Matt Holliday’s inability to hit, and… forget it, he just looks awful, and me using the Woosah phrase too much.

Wishful trends:

Ryan Sweeney hitting the long ball, Orlando Cabrera going three for four, and Brett Anderson pitching like a veteran, all on a consistent basis.

Don’t panick just yet, Woosah Woosah

The A’s won their second straight, and take the three-game series against the Rays in a final score of 7-1. The A’s record stands at 7-10 on the season.

Dana Eveland (1-1) finally came through with a decent 5 plus inning effort, yielding only one run on four hits, three walks, and three strike outs.

The offense, led by Kurt Suzuki’s three RBI, managed ten hits, two coming from shortstop Orlando Cabrera.

The A’s are back on the road to take on the free-swinging Texas Rangers, in what should be a high scoring affair, as it always is in Arlington.

Oh yeah, Chavez was out today with yet another injury, a strained elbow. He has to be the biggest gimp in baseball. Name one worse.

The A’s Saturday, defeated the Tampa Bay Rays 5-2, preventing what would have been their six straight loss.

Dallas Braden was mostly effective in 52/3 innings,  limiting the Rays to one run on four hits, with two strike outs and three walks.

The offense, although not great, came through in timely fashion, with Nomar Garciaparra driving in three with a three-run double in the fourth, an inning after Travis Buck striking gold with a solo home-run. Also Jason Giambi finally came through, with an insurance run in the seventh, hitting his first dinger, since rejoining the Athletics.

Look for Buck to break out in the upcoming few games, I’m calling it. He just needs the at bats.

Anyone else have a break out prediction?

A’s lose again, in familiar fashion, extra-innings 9-7 to the Yankees.

It was in the bottom of the 14th, recently called up, ex-yankee, Dan Giese on the mound…home-run Yankees.

Poor Dan Giese has come to the A’s and has given up two walk-off shots, thanks to some more lackluster offense. It was pretty much all singles again for the A’s, aside from an early-and unlikely- three-run jack from catcher Kurt Suzuki.

If the chicks love the long-ball, then the A’s are still feeling lonley because they still can’t hit.

The A’s lost game one of a weather-shortened two game series to the Yankees 5-3.

Athletics record stands at 5-8, their worst record to start a season since 2001.

The tying run came up to the plate in the ninth, in Orlando Cabrera with one on and two out, and he chose to bunt, and popped out to the pitcher for the last out. Nice call there. Cant even bunt.

Dana Eveland gave up four runs (all earned) in the second inning, all while lasting a whole four innings, walking four, striking out three and giving up nine hits. I’m going to say it now, if this guy doesn’t get on track soon, he’ll be back in triple A in an exchange for someone who can go six innings.

The A’s offense failed-once again- to take advantage of what early reports suggested, a home-run friendly park, with a bunch of singles. So exciting! Three long balls all season folks, that’s all.

Kurt Suzuki had four of the A’s 12 hits.

The offense looks pretty terrible and adjustments are going to have to be made. Holliday for example looks awful, swinging at pitches in the dirt on a consistent basis, and Chavez is another story for another day, can I buy a hit, (3-28) this year guys.

Another thing, Rajai Davis! Please do not start this guy anymore. He really looks like a pitcher when he’s up to bat, no faith in him at all. Am I wrong about that? He’s only useful as a defensive replacement, or on-base replacement in need of a situational steal.

The Athletic’s have really failed to take advantage of a temporarily weak AL West.

Woosahhhh people, Woosahhhh.

Today’s game against the New York Yankees has been postponed due to weather concerns in the forecast. No makeup date has been scheduled.

Maybe the Yankees are actually moving the fences back so another struggling team doesn’t embarrass them.

Sorry for the absence, School has unfortunately occupied my life. Won’t happen again

The A’s today lost to the Blue Jays 1-0 putting their record to 5-7.

The story of today’s rubber-game for the Athletics was lack of hitting, which is becoming a trend, once again.

Dallas Braden, was great, but suffered the loss while surrendering only one run in 71/3 innings, and limiting the Jays to five hits, four strikeouts and three walks. The A’s have been without third-baseman Erik Chavez for nearly a week, he was in the lineup today, providing an 0-four as did Cabrera, Cust and Giambi. The A’s have had a tough time hitting left-handers this year, even from the right side, and it won’t get any easier when they head to New York to take on two more lefties, in Andy Petit and CC Sabathia.

The A’s offense provided five hits, two from Matt Holliday and one each from Ryan Sweeney, Mark Ellis, and Kurt Suzuki. The Offense is last in almost every offensive category in the American League. Home-runs and extra base hits have limited the offense to eight runs in the last three games.

So much for the philosophy, score a ton of runs while the young rotation struggles, the pitching has been the only bright spot.

The team is lucky to have a 5-7 record if you ask me, so hopefully there are better things to come.

Thanks for reading, stay positive A’s fans, home-run town comes Monday, guaranteed!

A’s lose 4-5 to Mariners

The Mariners didn’t do much aside from a five-run second inning, but it turned out to be just enough. Rookie pitcher Brett Anderson, pitched very well in his Major-League debut, but he takes the loss as he accounted for all five runs. Aside from the second inning, Anderson (0-1)looked sharp as he went six, allowing five runs on seven hits( four hits in second), while striking out two and walking two.

The Mariners bullpen did it’s job when it counted, escaping several bases-loaded jams.

The A’s had more than enough chances to score but failed to convert. The ball wasn’t carrying tonight as many balls were hit for what seemed to be home runs but fell short.

You had to love Mark Ellis’ grab in the ninth! Web-Gem for sure.

A’s will get em’ tomorrow