So goes Travis Buck, making it 10 times the A’s used the DL this year according to Slusser of the SfGate. How excited can we get when Cunningham gets the starting nod but Petit is sat over “can’t handle an off-speed pitch” Hannahan. Even if it’s a righty pitching.

Maybe Geren is taking a turn for the better, his previous philosophy-I recall-was to put the recently called guys in the lineup immediately? Sorry guys, I’m still in the denial phase.

I’m calling it, the A’s put up seven runs tonight but give up nine. Any takers?

The A’s (9-14)  lost the first of a three-game series versus AL West “rival” Anaheim Angels (11-13) 5-2.

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.

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?

The A’s fell to the Angels 0-3 on opening night in Anaheim California. Starter Dallas Braden, I would have to say, did his job, surrendering three runs on eight hits, while walking one and striking out three. It was the offense that failed to get anything started, mustering a whole three hits (two off opposing starter Joe Saunders) while striking out twice.

New-comer, Matt Holiday and Orlando Cabrera, each went one for four while Jason Giambi and surprise starter Nomar Garciaparra failed to get hits.

The story was Angels Starters Joe Saunders, going sixth and two-thirds, yielding two hits, walking two and striking out two.

The side story for me was Nomar starting at first.

Oakland manager shifted the lineup from what was expected to showcase Travis Buck in right but instead elected to have Garciaparra in the lineup, forcing Buck to the bench.

This move proved costly as Garciaparra botched a throw in the dirt from shortstop Cabrera that resulted in another run making the game 2-0 Angels.

Why would Geren force Buck to the bench and Cust to right field?

This to me is forcing the issue of having Garciaparra in the lineup, and results in spotty defense in right. The philosophy is put up runs and play good defense behind the un-proven pitching, right??

Also can anyone explain to me why Geren would elect to have Garciaparra playing first over Giambi? I know Giambi’s defense isn’t great but he’s a better defender at the corner than is Garciaparra.

The A’s offense will click, don’t worry but Geren must be careful on the lineups he’s putting in there, or it could lead to some heartbreaking games for the green-horn pitchers.

Let me know what you think of the opening day roster and the first game.

Go A’s!

Let’s forget about today’s home opener shall we.

The A’s leaving nine on base leaves an acrid 2008-like taste in my mouth, anyone else? Chavez wasn’t even in the lineup (add two to three more). At least we saw Matt Holiday and promising prospect Aaron Cunningham drive in runs and the important pitchers mostly doing their jobs.

The A’s took the loss Friday eight to five to the Brewers in their spring home opener.

The goods: Dana Eveland going two innings without surrendering a hit.

The surprise: Jerome Williams going two giving up only one hit.

And the bad: A’s hitters with men on base (obviously).

If a trend is emerging early out of camp, it’s the Oakland starters. They’re doing an impressive job early on, while the relievers in many cases are not. Obviously most relievers showcased so far are long shots to make the club so fear not worry warts, it’s just spring training. After all If we look at last years spring training record, and how the A’s finished in the 2008 regular season, we might want to see them lose more often. Well at least until I get down there.

All sarcasm put to the side, Chavez’ health will probably determine the fate of the offense. If Chavez proves healthy, we could conceivably looking at four 25 plus homer seasons in the starting lineup. Holliday, Giambi, Cust, Chavez, and Crosby could make it five, but don’t take my word on the last guy.

The lineup to my likes ( baring any trades):

1.Ryan Sweeney

2.Mark Ellis (if healthy)

3.Jack Cust

4.Matt Holliday

5.Jason Giambi (AKA “the bouncer)

6.Erik Chavez (if healthy)

7.Bobby Crosby

8.Travis Buck

9.Kurt Suzuki
Now it’s possible the A’s acquire Orlando Cabrera and Aaron Cunningham wins the starting spot over Buck so keep that in consideration. This lineup if healthy will score runs no doubht, but is it better than the Angels? I say yes. tell me what you think.

As the first day of official spring ball wrapped up, Josh Outman has the edge for the final spot in the rotation. Today’s starter Outman (as I reported earlier) went two strong innings allowing a hit while fellow fifth spot competitor Gio Gonzalez didn’t fare as well, giving up an earned run on two hits with a strike out.

Crosby began his quest today, (remember the whole vendetta thing?) to change the minds of his doubters, by hitting a home run in his first at bat. Crosby finished the day with one hit in two at bats with a strikeout.

Travis Buck hit a two-run homer and dark horse candidate Vin Mazzaro held the Bre-Crew scoreless in an inning of relief. Does anyone think Mazzaro has a shot at winning the fifth spot out of camp?

The game ended in a tie, three after ten innings.

On Monday night the Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers played 11 innings with the A’s coming out on top with a 4-3 victory. The A’s had blown the save in the bottom of the ninth inning, so it was nice to see them battle back and still get the victory.

Brad Ziegler blew the save when he gave up a solo home run to Hank Blalock in the bottom of the ninth inning. Alan Embree ended up being the winning pitcher in the game after throwing the tenth inning. Santiago Casilla got his second save of the year when he finished off the Rangers in the eleventh inning. Greg Smith had started the game for the A’s but only lasted five innings as he gave up six hits and two runs.

At the plate for the A’s, Travis Buck had the game winning hit when he singled and Cliff Pennington scored. Pennington also had a rbi single of his own while Jack Cust had a rbi double. There wasn’t much offense for the A’s but on Monday night it was enough to get the victory.

Athletics Blog

The Oakland Athletics completed a three game sweep of the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday with a 10-2 victory.  The A’s were finally able to get things going in the middle innings and force Tigets starting pitcher Nate Robinson out of theg ame and then took advantage of a weak Tigers bullpen.

Carlos Gonzalez led the team with three rbi in the game and was followed by Bobby Crosby who had two rbi.  Travis Buck went deep and had one rbi as did Jack Hannahan, Daric Barton, and Rob Bowen.

Justin Duchscherer picked up the win and is now 5-4 on the season.  Duchscherer tossed 6 2/3 innings and only gave up three hits and two runs in the game.  He did walk five however, and that was the reason he was pulled after six plus innings.

Alan Embree, Brad Ziegler, and Kiko Calero finished things up in the game for the A’s and only gave up one hit.  It was a good job all the way around for the Athletics.  They will hope to continue playing this good on Friday when they begin a huge series with the Los Angeles Angels.

Athletics Blog

Jack Cust hustled to first base with the bases loaded and two outs in the 11th inning and made it safely as the Oakland Athletics defeated the Detroit Tigers by the score of 5-4.  Cust barely made it and probably shouldn’t have if Tigers relief pitcher Feddy Dolsi would have got to the bag like he should.  A win is a win however, the A’s will gladly take it.

Eric Chavez hit his third home run of the season in the fifth inning to lead the A’s with three rbi in the game.  Travis Buck and Cust both had one rbi to help out as well.

On the mound, Chad Gaudin earned the victory after throwing the tenth and eleventh innings of the game.  Gaudin is now 5-3 as he has seen a lot of action out of the A’s bullpen this year.

Starting A’s pitcher Dana Eveland did not have his best stuff as he only lasted 4 1/3 innings.  Eveland didn’t have good control at all as he gave up three hits, three runs, and walked seven batters.  Eveland was very lucky to come away with a no decision in this game.

Alan Embree gave up one run in relief but four other Athletics pitchers threw scoreless innings to pick him up.  Brad Ziegler, Keith Foulke, Huston Street, and Gaudin all did a great job out of the bullpen for the A’s.

Athletics Blog

Frank Thomas is back with the Oakland Athletics.  Thomas and the Athletics have agreed on a contract as Thomas will mostly be the A’s designated hitter.  Jack Cust will now see more action in left field while Emil Brown will get some at bats against left-handed pitchers.

The Athletics also placed Travis Buck on the 15-day disabled list and moved Eric Chavez to the 60-day disabled list.