Frank Thomas was back with the Oakland Athletics on Thursday as they pounded the Minnesota Twins 11-2.  As the A’s put up 11 runs and 15 hits, Thomas went 0-3 with two walks.  The A’s chased Twins starter Francisco Liriano out of the game before the end of the first inning as they put up six quick runs on the Twins starter.

Donnie Murphy led the A’s by going 3-5 and picking up four RBI.  Murphy had solo home runs in the fifth and sixth innings.  Kurt Suzuki, Emil Brown, and Mike Sweeney all had two RBI each in the game.  Chris Denorfia chipped in with one RBI.

Greg Smith picked up his second in of the season as he tossed seven innings for the A’s.  Smith gave up seven hits but only two runs in the game.  A very good quality start for Smith as he pitched great.  Andrew Brown and Joey Devine pitched the last two innings and gave up one hit each.

Athletics Blog

The Oakland Athletics let a two run lead slip away in the bottom of the 8th inning, and then regained that lead on a Ryan Sweeney triple that scored Kurt Suzuki in the 9th inning as they went onto beat the Toronto Blue Jays 9-8.

Sweeney collected two RBI, while, Travis Buck, Mark Ellis, Daric Barton, Mike Sweeney, Jack Cust, and Suzuki all collected one RBI.  Talk about spreading the offense up and down the lineup!

Alan Embree picked up the win for the Athletics and Huston Street picked up his first save of the season.

Athletics Blog

The Oakland Athletics have signed veteran first basemen / designated hitter Mike Sweeney to a minor league contract.  Sweeney will also be invited to spring training, where he will work at getting a spot on the major league roster.  Sweeney will be taking a huge pay decrease after earning $11 million dollars each of the last 5 seasons in Kansas City. 

Sweeney will be battling for at bats against Dan Johnson, Jack Cust, and Daric Barton.  Sweeney should be able to get some at bats against left handed pitchers atleast.