Month: April 2014

A’s On Wrong Side in Extra Innings for First Time in 2014

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By Matthew Harrington

For the first time in 2014, the Oakland Athletics ended up on the wrong side of an extra innings affair. The A’s suffered a walk-off loss 5-4 against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium Wednesday night in their fourth game requiring more than nine innings this season. Despite a 4-1 lead on a three-run home run from right fielder Brandon Moss and a two earned run performance over six-plus innings from starter Tommy Milone, the A’s bullpen failed to hang on to the lead. The Angels comeback, capped by Chris Iannetta’s game-winning blast off Drew Pomeranz in the bottom of the 12th inning, rallied the Halos (7-8)to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Athletics.

Oakland (10-5) appeared to have the game wrapped up after taking a 4-1 lead in the top of the fourth inning on Moss’ second long ball of the season. The left-hander’s no-doubter to right  off Angels starter Tyler Skaggs plated Alberto Callaspo and Derek Norris with two outs in the inning. For Moss, who hit out of the eighth spot against the lefty Skaggs instead of his usual spot in the heart of the order, the dinger marked RBI’s number 13, 14 and 15 of the season, tops on the Athletics and the best mark in the American League. Moss matches fellow AL-er Chris Colabello of the Twins for third place in the major leagues.

Earlier in the top of the fourth inning, Callaspo doubled home Josh Donaldson for a one-out, game-tying double. Callaspo finished the night 1-for-4 after entering play flirting with a .400 batting average, good for the second best mark in the American League behind Chicago’s Alexei Ramirez.

In the previous half inning, the Angels opened the scoring after Erick Aybar lead off the inning with a single to center then scored on Mike Trout’s double with one out.

Milone opened the seventh inning by hitting Iannetta with a pitch that bounced in the dirt before skimming the LA backstop’s toe. After A’s manager Bob Melvin challenged the play, replay evidence proved inconclusive with crew chief Chris Segal rewarding Iannetta first base. The next batter, Collin Cowgill, singled on the first delivery from Millone, prompting Melvin to lift the left-hander in favor of reliever Dan Otero. Milone finished the night with only one strikeout and two free passes in six-plus innings of work.

Otero coaxed Aybar to ground into a fielder’s choice with second baseman Eric Sogard electing to force Cowgill out at second. J.B. Shuck reached base on an error by Callaspo, making just his second career appearance at first base, allowing Iannetta to cross the plate for a 4-2 A’s lead. Otero downed Trout on a full-count swing-and-miss but Albert Pujols wrapped a single up the middle to cut the A’s advantage to one run at 4-3 after Aybar came around to score. Pujols’ base knock was the only Angels base hit in 13 at-bats with runners in scoring position Wednesday evening.

After the A’s went down in order in the top half of the eighth, Otero, Fernando Abad and Ryan Cook combined to pitch a scoreless bottom half. Angels reliever Fernando Salas pitched his first of two scoreless innings to keep the home team down by one entering the ninth.

Luke Gregerson, Melvin’s top candidate in the closer-by-committee approach adopted by the A’s amidst deposed closer Jim Johnson’s struggles, entered the ninth seeking his third save in four opportunities. Instead, the righty blew his second save of the season, allowing back-to-back singles to Trout and Pujols. Gregerson then yielded a run-scoring force out on a failed game-ending double play chance after Howie Kendrick beat out Eric Sogard’s pivot to first to knot the game at four runs apiece.

Angels relief arms Michael Kohn and Yoslan Herrera held Oakland scoreless in an inning each to set up Joe Smith as the winning pitcher in the 12th. Smith (1-0, 5.14 Era) struck out Gentry to open the inning, then plunked shortstop Jed Lowrie with a wild pitch to put the go-ahead run on first. Donaldson, the hero in Tuesday night’s 11 inning A’s win, advanced Lowrie into scoring position but clean-up hitter Yoenis Cespedes struck out to end the inning and the scoring threat. The left fielder went 0-for-6 on the night to join Nick Punto and Sogard as the only members of the A’s starting line-up to be held hitless.

With the A’s bullpen pitching 7 1/3 innings in Tuesday’s barn burner, Melvin used Gregerson to pitch the tenth as well before handing the ball over to lefty Drew Pomeranz in the 11th. Pomeranz (1-1, 2.16 ERA), a starter-turned-reliever, pitched 2 and 2/3 innings Tuesday night before taking the hill in Wednesday’s game. Pomeranz allowed a Pujols single in an otherwise uneventful 11th inning then stayed in the game looking to hold the Halos off the board in the 12th.

Pomeranz started the 12th on strong footing, inducing a David Freese ground out and a Raul Ibanez pop out to retire the first two men to the plate on only eight pitches in the inning. Iannetta ended Pomeranz’s run on the first pitch he saw, rocketing a 91 mph fastball at the belt to center field just right of the 396-foot marker. Center fielder Craig Gentry leapt at the wall to try to pull the game-winning shot back in from the brink, but the ball grazed off the glove’s tip and into the grass at the base of the rock pile in beyond the fence.

For the Angels, Wednesday’s win helped to skew the numbers in their favor at their home turf. In the last 22 meetings at Angel Stadium, the A’s have been victorious a lop-sided 15 times. Oakland wrapped up a nine-game road trip, going 7-2 after sweeping Minnesota and taking two-of-three from Seattle and Los Angeles.

Oakland gets an off-day Thursday to travel home before opening a weekend series at the O.Co Coliseum against the Houston Astros who, after a hot start, once again find themselves in the American League’s basement in the standings. They’ll counter A’s Ace Sonny Gray with Zach Cosart in Friday’s series-opener.

W’s close season at Denver, win 117-112

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By George Devine, Sr.

The Warriors won the last game of the regular season, `116-112 at Denver, secure in their possession of a sixth-seed in the NBA playoffs. Knowing that this matchup would not affect their future, the visitors played their bench. Jason Crawford rose to the occasion, scoring a career-high 41 points (his previous mark was 39), and Harrison Barnes poured in 30. Klay Thompson was the only first-stringer to start; he played 8 minutes and scored 8 points. Draymond Green came in late in the game when Hilton Armstrong fouled out.

Steph Curry and David Lee were on the bench in street clothes, after coach Mark Jackson’s decision to rest both of them for this game.

Randy Foye was the high scorer for Denver with 32. Anthony Randolph hit his high for the season with 19.

This will be the second consecutive year of postseason play for Golden State. But after a cracked rib injury was diagnosed, it seems certain the team will be without the services of center Andrew Bogut as the dance begins. Though Bogut is good for an average of only 7.3 points per game, his 7-foot frame is an amazing deterrent in the paint and he typically contributes 10 rebounds. It would be safe to say he prevents more field goals than he scores.

The Warriors travel to Los Angeles to face the third-seeded Clippers in the Western Conference playoffs with the first round tipping off at 12:30 p.m. PDT on Saturday, April 19.

Bullpen saves day as Giants take series

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By Jeremy Harness

 

SAN FRANCISCO – This one wasn’t nearly as long, but it was every bit as dramatic. It’s the sort of thing you would expect when the Giants and Dodgers hook up.

 

The first two contests of this three-game series at AT&T Park has had a strong postseason feel to it, with each game being decided by a single run and being played between two eternal rivals. Thus far in this young season, the Giants have seized control, as they followed up a 12-inning victory by again turning away the Dodgers, 2-1, Wednesday night.

 

Pablo Sandoval, who entered the game hitting only .164, broke a 1-1 tie in the seventh inning by singling off Dodgers reliever J.P Howell. However, it was the bullpen that saved the Giants’ bacon to give Sandoval a chance to be the offensive hero.

 

The Giants were backed into a corner in the top of that inning, as starter Ryan Vogelsong hit Hanley Ramirez and gave up a single to Adrian Gonzalez to start the inning before being chased from the game.

 

Vogelsong went six-plus innings and gave up only a run on four hits, walking two and striking out another two.

 

Enter Jean Machi, who has been sensational this season, to right the ship. He started off by striking out Kemp but then surrendered an infield hit to Andre Ethier to load the bases. He then forced Juan Uribe into a grounder right back to him. He got the first out at home before Buster Posey threw to first in time to get Uribe and keep the game tied and bring much of the crowd at AT&T Park to its feet.

 

That set the stage for the bottom half of the inning, as Sandoval lined a two-out single up the middle. Joaquin Arias, who walked to lead off the inning, motored home from second to give the Giants a 2-1 lead.

 

From there, Santiago Casilla, Javier Lopez and closer Sergio Romo combined to shut down the Dodgers’ vaunted lineup, as Romo struck out both Adrian Gonzalez and Matt Kemp – who had a game to forget – to seal this series for the Giants.

 

Defensively, the teams showed up on opposite ends of the spectrum in the first inning. On one side, Arias made a beautiful stop of a hot grounder by Ramirez while second baseman Brandon Hicks fired to first to finish off an inning-ending double play.

 

Meanwhile, Kemp wasn’t quite as skillful in center field. He hauled in a fly ball at the warning track by Hunter Pence, only to have it pop out of his glove as he looked up at the sky. Pence wound up at second on the play, but the Giants were unable to advance him.

 

Kemp’s woes then shifted to the basepaths. After drawing a two-out walk in the second, he was quickly picked off by Vogelsong. The Dodgers challenged the play, but after nearly five minutes of review, the call was upheld.

 

The Giants got on the board in the third, as Buster Posey’s single brought Pence home from second.

 

Vogelsong, who had been cruising right along for five innings, was just about out of the sixth until he gave up a two-out walk to Paul Maholm, his pitching counterpart, and that ended up costing the Giants in a big way.

 

The next batter, second baseman Dee Gordon, lined one over Pence’s head in right center for a triple that scored Maholm and tied the game.

 

Notes: Ramirez was hit on the left hald, which forced him to leave the game for a pinch runner. X-rays taken on the injured hand were negative, according to the Dodgers.

Kings End Season on Sour Note

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By Tony Renteria

The Sacramento Kings (28-54) ended the 2014 season by losing to the Phoenix Suns (48-34) on a warm Wednesday night Sleep Train Arena.  The Kings took a lead into the fourth quarter but they were unable to hold on and lost 104-99.

The Kings were led by rookie Ben McLemore who scored 31 points and chipped in five rebounds and five assists. DeMarcus Cousins did not play, Isaiah Thomas and Rudy Gay played limited minutes.

The Suns head into the playoffs behind reserve guard and rookie Archie Goodwin who scored 29 points.

The Kings will look toward the draft and free agency to add to a roster that has potential for 2015.

Donaldson’s Double In 11th Lift’s A’s Over Angels 10-9

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ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 15: Josh Donaldson hits an RBI double in the 11th inning against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 15, 2014 in Anaheim, California. All uniformed team members are wearing jersey number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The Athletics defeated the Angels in eleven innings. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – APRIL 15: Josh Donaldson hits an RBI double in the 11th inning against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on April 15, 2014 in Anaheim, California. All uniformed team members are wearing jersey number 42 in honor of Jackie Robinson Day. The Athletics defeated the Angels in eleven innings. (Photo by Jeff Gross/Getty Images)

By Kahlil Najar

Anaheim – The Oakland Athletics (10-4) defeated the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (6-8), 10-9 Tuesday night in extra innings on a game winning double by Josh Donaldson in the top of the 11th.

A’s starting pitcher Dan Straily struggled as he gave up seven hits and six runs in 3 2/3 innings and was only able to strike out one. A collective of five other A’s pitchers came in to seal the win with the winning pitcher being the recently relieved closer Jim Johnson (2-2). Johnson threw for two innings and only surrendered one hit.

“Jim Johnson was terrific,” said Oakland manager Bob Melvin. “That was huge. I didn’t have Gregerson or Abad tonight, so it was his game. He knew it, and that was impressive.”

Donaldson echoed his coaches sentiments on Johnson. “It’s so early… so quick to jump to any conclusions about a guy. He didn’t save 100 games the past two years for no reason. The guy’s good.”

The Angels took the first lead of the game when Mike Trout drove home Kole Calhoun on a double to left field. Then two batters later, Howie Kendrick smacked a single to center and drove in Trout to give the Angels a 2-0 lead.

The A’s took the lead from the Angels in the third when Eric Sogard got his first hit of the game and drove in Josh Reddick who had walked to start off the inning. Jaso followed with a ground out to first but was able to score Gentry from third and Jed Lowrie got his second double of the year and drove in Sogard to make it a 3-2 Oakland lead.

In the fourth the Angels put up a four spot on a double from Chris Iannetta and homer to Kole Calhoun and gave the Angels the lead again 6-3.

The A’s the scored six unanswered runs with clutch hitting again from Sogard, Brandon Moss, Alberto Callaspo and Derek Norris to make it a 9-6 lead going into the bottom of the eighth.

In the bottom of the eighth, Howie Kendrick was walked by Ryan Cook and then Dan Otero gave up back to back singles with the scoring hit going to David Freese and made it a 9-7 Oakland lead.

After a scoreless top of the ninth for the A’s, Sean Doolittle was up to face Calhoun. On a full count, Calhoun took Doolittle’s fastball to left field and landed himself at second and brought up Mike Trout who represented the tying run. Then on the fourth pitch of his at bat, Trout took the ball deep and out to left center field and tied the game at nine a piece.

“I threw a thigh-high fastball in the middle — that’s never good,” said Doolittle, “There’s nothing to say. I messed that up.”

After a scoreless tenth, Lowrie came up for the A’s in the 11th and hit a line drive single to left field and brougt up the streaking Donladson.  On the very first pitch, Donaldson smacked his fourth double fo the year to left field and scored Lowrie from first and gave the A’s a 10-9 lead.  Jim Johnson grabbed three ground outs and sealed the victory for the A’s.

The A’s go for the sweep on Wednesday when they send Tommy Milone to the mound against Tyler Skaggs.

Sanchez with the walk-off in extras

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By Jeremy Kahn

SAN FRANCISCO-Hector Sanchez came up as a pinch hitter in the bottom of the ninth inning, and stayed in the game for Buster Posey and everyone is glad he did stay in the game.

Sanchez lined a single to right-center field in the bottom of the 12th inning off of Brandon League to score Brandon Crawford from third base, as the San Francisco Giants came back to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 3-2 before a sellout crowd of 42,469 at AT&T Park.

Crawford singled to center field with one out, advanced to second on a wacky ground out off the bat of Brandon Hicks, that bounced off of Juan Uribe at third, over to Hanley Ramirez at shortstop, who in turn threw to Adrian Gonzalez at first base for the second out of the inning.

After a wild pitch by League that allowed Crawford move to third base, Sanchez delivered the game-winning hit that sent the remaining Giants fans home happy.

Justin Turner hit a Javier Lopez pitch up the middle just past Crawford and into centerfield with two outs in the top of the seventh inning to give the Dodgers a 2-1 lead over the Giants.

The Turner basehit off of Lopez scored Uribe, who doubled to leadoff the inning against Jean Machi.

It was the second run of the evening scored by Uribe, as he got the Dodgers on the board in the top of the second inning with one swing of the bat.

Uribe hit a solo home run off of Tim Lincecum with two outs in the top of the second inning to get the Dodgers on the board.

In all, Lincecum went five innings, allowing just that one run on five hits, did not walk a batter and struck out five on the evening.

Josh Beckett also pitched five innings for the Dodgers, as he did not allow a run, just two hits, walked five and struck out four.

The Giants blew multiple chances to get on the board, as they left the bases loaded in both the fourth, fifth and tenth innings respectively.

It must have been something in the air, as the Dodgers also left the bases loaded in the top of the fourth inning against Lincecum.

After a Hunter Pence single to lead off the bottom of the sixth inning, Michael Morse hit what looked like to be a sure fire double play; however Hanley Ramirez’s throw to Dee Gordon at second base was low and Pence was safe at second.

Pence then advanced an extra 90 feet, as reliever Chris Withrow’s pitch got by Tim Federowicz, while Morse stayed on first.

That was a huge 90 feet that Pence advanced, as Brandon Crawford then hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield and Pence jogged in from third base without a throw to tie up the game.

In honor of the 67th anniversary of Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball, all on-field personnel wore Robinson’s number 42 that was retired by Major League Baseball in 1997.

Prior to the game, Giants Hall of Famer broadcaster Jon Miller, and Dodgers Hall of Fame announcer Vin Scully, who is in his 65th season with the Dodgers announced the starting lineups.

Also during the on-field ceremony, a letter was read by public address announcer Renel Brooks-Moon via former Giants outfielder Monte Irvin, who was unable to make it to the game.

Martin leaves Tennessee to coach the Golden Bears

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By Morris Phillips

Purdue man leaves Tennessee to coach the Golden Bears. 

Must be a story there. 

 

And there is.

Cuonzo Martin is leaving the Tennessee Volunteers to replace Mike Montgomery at Cal.  Martin spent three years in Knoxville following four years as head coach at Missouri State.   The former Purdue player appeared to be staying with Tennessee after leading the Vols on a season concluding run and an NCAA Sweet 16 appearance. But discord ran deep between Martin and Tennessee fans who campaigned loudly that he not be retained for a fourth year.
While others like former Warriors coach Eric Musselman and former UCLA coach Ben Howland were mentioned in the search, Martin was not. It wasn’t until Xavier coach Chris Mack apparently turned down the job that the Tennessee coach was seriously considered.
The Bears return David Kravish, Jabari Bird, Jordan Mathews and Tyrone Wallace to a team that finished tied for fourth in the Pac-12 and made an NIT appearance.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: African American player numbers at it’s lowest 7% on 67th anniversay of Jackie Robinson

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by Amaury Pi Gonzalez

#42 Honored today at all MLB parks on it’s 67th anniversary

ANAHEIM–All Major League teams today will honor Jackie Robinson’s legacy as the first African-American player in Major League Baseball, by wearing Robinson’s number 42.

Sixty-seven years after Jackie Robinson played on April 15, 1947 at Ebbets Field, Brooklyn. Brooklyn Dodgers played the Boston Braves.

Jackie Robinson batted second in the lineup, played first base, and got a hit in three at bats. The attendance at Ebbets Field, 26,623, Dodgers won the game 5-3.

Here below the lineup for the Dodgers on that historic day:

Eddie Stanky 2B

Jackie Robinson 1B

Pete Reiser CF

Dixie Walker RF

Gene Hermansky LF

Bruce Edwards C

Spider Jorgensen 3B

Pee Wee Reese SS

Joe Hatten P

Starting today’s action in Major League Baseball among the 30 teams, there are a total of 67 African-American players, 7.8% of all players, with a high of 18.7% in 1981, according to the Society for Baseball Research(SABR).

Three teams today do not have an African-American player on their roster, Arizona Diamondbacks, St Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants. The 7.8% percent today is the lowest since 1958.

Major League Baseball is trying to revitalize the game among young African-Americans across the country. With six urban academies, there are 220,000 kids playing in reviving Baseball in Inner cities programs.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez is the Vice President of the Major League Baseball Hispanic Heritage Museum and does News and Commentary each week for Sportstalk

Keys to critical Dodgers-Giants series at AT&T Park

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By Morris Phillips

The Dodgers-Giants rivalry resumes tonight at AT&T Park and nothing says drama more succinctly than stating the Giants won a couple of world titles prompting the Dodgers to spend billions to make sure the Giants’ success ceases and the Dodgers’ reign resumes.
Adding to the major storyline is the fact that both teams have broken out on top in the NL West and no time is better than the present to make a statement that could affect the almost 150 games remaining in 2014.
The Dodgers have won seven of their last 10 games despite operating without Clayton Kershaw, Brian Wilson, Carl Crawford and for most of that stretch, without Yasiel Puig as well. The Dodgers are obnoxiously deep illustrated by the contributions of newly-acquired Dan Haren (2-0) and incumbent speedster Dee Gordon (.400). If the Giants want to think dismissively, they could point to fact that the Dodgers are 5-0 against the lowly D’Backs and 4-4 against everyone else (Tigers, Giants, Padres). If they want to think practically, the Giants would admit the Dodgers are inevitably heating up, winning seven of their first eight road contests.
The Giants have scored more runs than Big Blue with an offensive attack that so far has been impressive. While the Dodgers hold a slight advantage in hits and team batting average, the Giants have hit more home runs and hold the better slugging percentage. Of course, everyone knows the Giants’ pitching has to hold up to beat the Dodgers and so far, their pitching hasn’t been exceptional. The Giants rank in the middle of the NL with a 3.69 team ERA and questions surrounding their starting rotation. San Francisco’s defense hasn’t been great either, responsible so far for eight unearned runs.
The Dodgers without Kershaw has been a mixed bag as well, but L.A. ranks higher than the Giants in ERA, runs allowed and wins. Of course, with the Dodgers, it’s who you face, and the Giants appear to get a break with Paul Malholm, Josh Beckett and Hyun-Jin Ryu scheduled for this series as opposed to Haren and Zach Grienke (combined 5-0).
Looking for a key to deciding a close game in this series? Probably have to look at the threats at the top of the respective orders in Gordon and the Giants’ Angel Pagan (.412). Both players have energized their lineups with their consistent hitting, but can they keep it up over the next three games. Even early in the season, .400 hitters are more likely to cool off than heat up, especially with the emphasis on getting either player out this week.

Jaso’s Pinch-Hit Heroics Continue A’s Dominance in Anaheim

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By Matthew Harrington

Jesse Chavez once again produced a quality start, his third of the season, Monday night in Anaheim, but yet again the converted reliever-turned-starter headed off to the showers without a chance at being named the winning pitcher. Just like his previous two starts, Chavez’ offense rallied in its last at-bat to give the Athletics (9-4) a win. The A’s, owners of the best record in the American League, triumphed in their starter’s previous two efforts in extra innings.

Backed by a pinch-hit, two-run home run by John Jaso in the top of the ninth inning, Oakland stole a 3-2 come-from-behind victory to open up a three-game series against the Angels (6-7)at Angel Stadium. Yoenis Cespedes also homered, deposed closer Jim Johnson (1-2, 9.95 ERA) pitched a scoreless eighth inning for his first win in green and gold and Luke Gregerson’s one-two-three ninth-inning save closed the door.

Chavez struggled in the bottom of the first, surrendering a two-strike single to leadoff hitter Kole Calhoun. The lefty caught phenom Mike Trout watching a nasty curveball for strike three, but Calhoun had already advanced to second when miscommunication between catcher Derek Norris and Chavez resulting in a passed ball earlier in the at-bat. Albert Pujols laced a single through the left side to plate Calhoun for a 1-0 lead.

Chavez cruised through the rest of his appearance, pitching seven innings, surrendering four hits and only one earned run on nine strikeouts. The lone earned run came off the bat of Pujols who crushed a homer to center field in the third inning, his 496th long ball of his career. Pujols now moves into lone possession of 26th place on the all-time long fly list.

Angels starter Hector Santiago countered Chavez, pitching seven innings of one-run ball with five hits and three punch-outs. Cespedes’ third homer, a solo shot to right center to make it 2-1 Angels in the fourth inning proved the lone blemish to Santiago’s ERA. The A’s outfielder now has home runs in consecutive games after going yard off Charlie Furbush in the A’s 3-0 win in Seattle Sunday.

The Halos Joe Smith and Oakland’s Johnson pitched scoreless eighths for their respective clubs, opening the door for Jaso’s fireworks in the ninth. Josh Donaldson, owner of a now eight game hitting streak, welcomed Angels closer Ernesto Frieri to the top of the ninth with a single. Cespedes then hit a deep fly out to center for the first out on a 2-2 count. Cespedes had asked for time from home plate Tim Welke, but was denied his request on the pitch. A’s manager Bob Melvin then called on Jaso to pinch hit for Norris after the backstop went 0-for-3 against Santiago.

Last season, Oakland finished dead last in batting average for pinch hitters with 20 hits in 139 substitute at-bats. Jaso entered Monday hitting .200 as a pinch hitter with a lone home run. He turned on a 1-2 offering from Frieri and deposited deep in the right field bleachers to put the A’s ahead 3-2. With Frieri (0-1, 6.75 ERA) lifted after his first blown save of the season, Jose Alvarez finished off the final two-thirds of the ninth.

Melvin tabbed Gregerson to be the closer-by-committee candidate Monday evening, and the right-hander reward his manager with a perfect inning. Gregerson produced ground outs by Ibanez and Howie Kendrick, the latter of which came on a bang-bang play challenged by Angels Manager Mike Scoscia but upheld after replay proved inconclusive to overturn the out call on the field. Gregerson coaxed a fly out from former World Series MVP (then with the St. Louis Cardinals)David Freese to notch his second save of the campaign and pick up the A’s 14th win in their last 20 games at Angel Stadium.

Oakland and Los Angeles faceoff in game two of the three-game set Tuesday night, with Dan Straily (1-1, 2.77 ERA) tabbed by Melvin to take the slab. He’ll be countered by Garret Richards (2-0, 0.75 ERA) who enters play Tuesday with only one earned run allowed over 12 innings.