Brian Tallet continued his dominance over the A’s Saturday, as he limited them to one run on two hits over seven innings, as the A’s reverted back to the old, losing 6-4 to the Blue Jays. The A’s fall another game back in the division to 11-17.
Sean Gallagher (1-1) took the loss as he surrendered one run in the first, second, third and fifth inning. He allowed 10 hits, and struck out three in five innings of work. The other two runs were credited to reliever Jerry Blevins, both were earned runs. He now has an era of 23.14, bye bye Blevins.
Jason Giambi chose today to come out of his funk by driving in three runs for the A’s, with a solo home run off Tallet over the right field wall in the seventh, and a two-run shot to right in the bottom of the ninth. The offense had nine hits, five of which came in the ninth. Recently-added infielder Adam Kennedy added to the rally in the ninth, by driving a run in on a single.
I’ve never seen a team make a mediocre pitcher look son not once, but twice. If it wasn’t for the A’s, Tallet would have an era upwards of seven, but that’s not the case. The kryptonite for the A’s is a lefty pitcher, they’d have a better chance against Kansas City’s Zack Greinke than brian Tallet.
Something’s gotta give.
]]>If the A’s can pull it together offensively, and get some more good starts out of Josh Outman, Trevor Cahill, Brett Anderson, and Dallas Braden, can they gain some ground quick? Does anyone believe the team is in the early stages of breaking out?
I’ll give my personal opinion and everyone else can either break it down or come up with their own.
I’ll keep it short.
The pitching is coming around, I see Trevor Cahill’s last start more of what we will see the remainder of the year (excluding an off day here or there, everyone gets one), and Dallas Braden will continue to be very solid and keep the A’s in the game. Brett Anderson seems to be on the cusp of turning in some good starts as long as his blister doesn’t linger. Josh Outman throws hard and he was very encouraging in Seattle last time out, I don’t see him consistently getting too deep in the game though. That leaves the five spot, I’m not sure who’s going to be there past this weekend in Sean Gallagher, so I’ll leave that one out.
If the offense can string together some offensive performances in the five to six-run territory, I could see the A’s taking charge in the division. They will need Suzuki, especially Giambi, and the role players to stay hot, like Bobby Crosby. I’ve heard Crosby’s just trying to play his way out of Oakland, we’ll take it.
I’m not really worried about the bullpen as long as they are not over-worked, or as Bob Geren likes to do it, under-worked. Had to throw that in there. He should still be packing his bags!
The Angels, Rangers, and Mariners haven’t had many difficult teams to face early in the season, but all that changes in the next two weeks. The Angels and Mariners will be beating each other up severely, like Pacquiao did Hatton, as they face each other seven times in the next 19 games. Then the A’s host the Mariners, and after their beat-down by the Halos, the A’s will take it to them, which will be the turning point, it has to be.
And Holliday, keep hitting Insane, beef-eating home runs.
]]>Brett Anderson struggled early and was pulled after 42/3innings (only 72 pitches) after allowing five earned runs on nine hits, no walks, and zero strike outs. His last start was cut short becasue of a blister and it seemed to bother him some today, as you could see him picking at it between at-bats. Sean Gallagher-recalled from Sacramento today-came in a pitched 32/3 scoreless innings of relief, but the A’s never had a chance, as their inept offense continued.
Kurt Suzuki-the lone bright spot-stayed hot even after a change in the batter order (leadoff), however, Matt Holliday continued to look out of it as he had two chances with runners in scoring position and both times popped out foul to first base, he went 0-4 on the day as did Jack Cust, Travis Buck, Gregorio Petit and Rajai davis would have too if he had a fourth at-bat.
Who thinks it’s time Rajai Davis packs his bags? He’s more of a liability in the outfield than an asset at the plate or on the bases. When he comes up to the plate you know the end result before he takes his first swing.
]]>I must say, having Sean Gallagher as a long reliever scares me some. He has been very wild all spring. I’d rather have Gonzalez the long-reliever and Gallagher starting in Sacramento.
Also how about Andrew Bailey making the team straight from AA. He’s looked mighty impressive so why not give him a shot.
Bob Geren mentioned that his Saturday lineup will be opening day’s. Here it is for those of you who missed it:
RF Ryan Sweeney, SS Cabrera, 1B Jason Giambi, LF Matt Holliday, 3B Eric Chavez, DH Jack Cust, C Kurt Suzuki, RF Travis Buck and 2B Mark Ellis.
Let me know what you think of the decisions.
Pitchers:
49 Brett Anderson
48 Andrew Bailey
13 Jerry Blevins
51 Dallas Braden
53 Trevor Cahill
44 Santiago Casilla
30 Dana Eveland
39 Sean Gallagher
55 Josh Outman
36 Russ Springer
48 Michael Wuertz
31 Brad Ziegler
Catchers:
35 Landon Powell
8 Kurt Suzuki
Outfielders:
6 Travis Buck
32 Jack Cust
11 Rajai Davis
5 Matt Holliday
15 Ryan Sweeney
Infielders:
18 Orlando Cabrera
3 Eric Chavez
7 Bobby Crosby
14 Mark Ellis
1 Nomar Garciaparra
16 Jason Giambi
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On another note.
I cant seem to wonder why the A’s are giving Ben Copeland (acquired in 2008 Rule 5 Draft) any at bats. We already have Rajai Davis! To have more than one recycled Giant outfielder (not hating Giants fans) is borderline insanity, especially when they have Aaron Cunningham waiting in the wings. I know it might seem biased to base my reasoning on the fact that he was once a Giant, but common. The last known successful ex-Giant was who…thinking…and some more…Jeff Kent and his ex team mate Pedro Feliz. honesty that’s about it in the last 10 to 15 years.
Back to today’s game
Jack Cust got back to doing what he does best, hit home runs, meanwhile Sean Gallagher had a promising outing. He started the game and went two innings, giving up 3 hits, a walk, and two strikeouts. I must say, if this guy can perform like many baseball experts have predicted, it would provide a much needed boost for the young and unproven rotation.
The question of the day. What will Gallagher’s numbers be like come the all-star break? I think he is the biggest question mark of the rotation and I wouldn’t be surprised to see some correlation between the A’s success and Gallagher’s.
]]>There wasn’t a ton of offense for the A’s but they did push across two runs in the first inning to jump out to a 2-0 lead and then added three more in the fourth inning. In the first, Ryan Sweeney and Jack Cust both hit solo home runs off of Armando Galarraga. In the fourth inning, Eric Patterson started the scoring off with a rbi single and then Aaron Cunningham knocked in two runs with a two run single.
Sean Gallagher got the start on the mound but only lasted four innings as he had control issues. Gallagher gave up six walks while striking out six others. He did not allow a run but didn’t pitch five innings to qualify for the win. Huston Street was the winning pitcher for the A’s and is now 6-5. Brad Ziegler pitched the ninth inning and now has eight saves for the year.
The A’s will kick off a four game series with the Texas Rangers on Thursday. Check back for our update about that game late Thursday night or Friday morning! A’s Blog
]]>A’s starting pitcher Sean Gallagher lasted only four innings as he was taken out after giving up four hits and three runs. Gallagher had problems with control as he walked four batters and struck four others out. Dan Meyer and Brad Ziegler both allowed earned runs in the game out of the bullpen. It was the first earned run allowed by Zigler as he had tossed 39 scoreless innings. Santiago Casilla who took the loss was charged with two runs in the twelfth inning. Casilla gave up a solo home run to Tony Pena and then rbi single to Dioner Navarro.
Daric Barton and Carlos Gonzalez both had two rbi while Frank Thomas chipped in with one rbi himself. Thomas was the one that tied the game in the ninth inning with a rbi single to deep right field. The A’s offense left 26 runners on base while taking eight walks and striking out ten times.
The A’s will now welcome in the Chicago White Sox for a three game series this weekend.
]]>Huston Street took the loss for the A’s as he gave up a rbi sac fly to Jose Guillen in the 11th inning. Street pitched 1 2/3 innings and was possibly left in the game just a little bit too long in my opinion. Starting pitcher Sean Gallagher was charged with five hits and three runs over five innings.
The A’s first got on the scoreboard in the second inning when Bobby Crosby had a rbi single to score Mark Ellis. Ryan Sweeney then added a rbi single that scored Jack Hannahan to make it 2-0 A’s. The Athletics would not score again until the seventh inning when Crosby had another rbi single that scored Emil Brown.
Tough series for the A’s and I don’t see things turning around to be honest. I should also mention that I will not be around until August 12th as I will be at a conference out of town. If there is an A’s fan out there that would like to cover the games and do some blogging please use the contact us link and email me for details.
Thanks – Cliff
]]>The A’s jumped on the scoreboard with single runs in the first and second innings and that was all the runs that they ended up needing. Emil Brown had a rbi single in the first that scored Ryan Sweeney and then Donnie Murphy had a rbi sac fly that scored Kurt Suzuki in the second inning. That was all the scoring the A’s could come up with but it was enough the way Duchscherer threw the ball.
Now onto the trade that happened. Billy Beane sent Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin to the Chicago Cubs for Matt Murton, Eric Patterson, Sean Gallagher, and Josh Donaldson. Gallagher is the prize of this trade in my opinion as he can be thrown right into the rotation and start pitching. Murton is a decent corner outfield that just didn’t have a spot on the Cubs roster to get full playing time. Patterson is an iffy player while Donaldson was the Cubs second round pick last year and plays at the catching position.
We will see how the A’s do without Harden, but so far so good. Athletics Blog
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