The Oakland Athletics had 16 hits and scored six runs in the first two innings of the game and then held on to beat the Los Angeles Angels 6-5 on Wednesday evening. With the one run victory, the A’s and Angels split the four game series.

Six differen’t A’s pitchers pitched in the game as Gio Gonzalez only lasted three inning. Gonzalez gave up three hits and four runs and then the bullpen was called into action. Huston Street ended up picking up the win as he pitched 1 2/3 innings of relief. Brad Ziegler recorded his sixth save of the season as well in the game as he shut the door on the Angels in the ninth inning.

Emil Brown led the way at the plate with three rbi. Brown had a rbi single in the first inning and then a two run home run in the second inning. Bobby Crosby was right behind Brown in the rbi column as he had a two run double for two rbi’s. Eric Patterson added a rbi single to finish up the scoring for the A’s.

The A’s will now begin a four game series with the Minnesota Twins on Thursday night. A’s Blog

Pitchers Gio Gonzalez and Greg Smith have been optioned to Triple-A Sacramento by the Oakland Atheltics.  Both young pitchers are highly regarded in the Athletics minor leagues, and both will be on the big league roster this year or next year I’m pretty sure.

Instead of having them sit on the bench or out in the bullpen, they will be getting their full innings down in the minor leagues.  Look for one of the two to be called up the first time the Athletics call up a starting pitcher.  My guess would be on Smith over Gonzalez right now.

Athletics Blog

Billy Beane continues to rebuild the Oakland Athletics as he traded away Nick Swisher today to the Chicago White Sox.  In return, the Athletics will receive three minor league players from the White Sox.

Pitchers Gio Gonzalez, Fautino De Los Santos and outfielder Ryan Sweeney are all headed to the Athletics.  Gonzalez is a pretty good pitcher who should be be up in the big leagues in a few years as long as he stays healthy.  De Los Santos will be a littler farther away as he mostly pitched in class A last year before getting called up to double and posted a 9-7 combined record.  Sweeny on the other hand I can see coming in and making the roster in 2008.  He batted .270 with 10 home runs and 47 RBI in 105 games at Class AAA Charlotte in 2007 and has some major league experience as well.

Athletics Blog