Not the way the Oakland Athletics wanted to start their series with the Cleveland Indians as they lost 4-0. The A’s were in the game until the bottom of the eighth inning when it was only a 1-0 game, but then Ryan Garko hit a three run home run to extend the Indians lead to 4-0.
Justin Duchscherer tossed 6 2/3 innings to take the loss even though he only gave up four hits and one run. He pitched well enough to get the win, there was just no run support behind him. Alan Embree pitched one inning of relief and gave up two runs. Andrew Brown gave up the big three run home run to Garko in the game and was charged with that one run while the other two runners were charged to Embree. That isn’t how you want to pick up your teammates.
Ryan Sweeney was the only Athletics hitter to have two hits. They struck out seven times in the game as they couldn’t ever get a good rally going and come up with a big hit to drive in a run or two.
