by Jerry Feitelberg

What an interesting game the A’s played Wednesday night against the lowly Houston Astros. The A’s won the game 9-7 as the A’s led 7-0 after four innings on the strength of two home runs off the bat of Yoenis Cespedes. Cespedes drove in five runs and he made it look like he was participating in a Home Run Derby. The A’s continued to have their way with former Athletic, Brad Peacock. Peacock gave up seven runs on seven hits in just 3 and 2/3rds innings of work. The A’s starter, Jesse Chavez, pitched well giving up two runs on four hits before he left the game in the top of the sixth with two outs. Ryan Cook relieved and Cook did not allow a hit or any runs in 1 and 1/3rd inning of work.

The A’s in the meantime, increased the lead and led 9-2 at the end of seven innings. Then came the fateful eighth inning. A’s manager, Bob Melvin, brought in Jim Johnson to pitch. The fans started to get nervous as Johnson has had a terrible year so far with Oakland. However, the bullpen needed some rest and the A’s had a big lead so what could go wrong. Well, it did not go well for Johnson. Jose Altuve, Houston’s great second baseman and All-Star, hit a ground ball to third. Josh Donaldson’s throw to first was offline and Brandon Moss tried to tag to tag Altuve but that tactic went awry. Moss did tag Altuve but Altuve, running hard, nearly took Moss’ left arm off. His glove was knocked off his hand and the ball dropped to the ground and Altuve was credited with a single. Did this unnerve Johnson? Probably. Johnson’s struggles are well known and he must have been thinking “here we go again. What will go wrong now?”

Big League players have to have confidence that they can do the job and relievers have to believe they are invincible. Someone once said baseball is 50% physical and 90% mental. In any case, Johnson proceeded to give up three more hits and could not get anyone out. The A’s brought in Dan Otero to pitch and he gave up 2 hits and one run. Johnson was charged with four runs on four hits and the Astros sent ten men to the plate in the inning scoring five runs and the game was suddenly a 9-7 contest.

Otero got one man out and the A’s brought in Luke Gregerson to restore order. Gregerson retired the two men he faced to end the inning and closer Sean Doolittle put the Astros down in order in the ninth to seal the win.

There were a lot of positives in the game. Yoenis Cespedes had a big night as did John Jaso who had three hits and a walk as well as a sacrifice fly. Right fielder Josh Reddick had two hits and really had good swings in his first game back from the DL. Jesse Chavez pitched well as he picked up his eighth win of the year. On the negative side, Cespedes injured himself while batting and suffered a sprain in his right thumb. Brandon Moss also was hurt and he may not play Thursday as he had a biceps stinger in his left arm. The biggest negative of the night was the pitching of Jim Johnson. Johnson had 100 saves over the last two seasons with the Baltimore Orioles and the A’s brought him here to be their closer. He also was given a ten million dollar contract but he has not done enough to earn the money and he was bombarded with boos as he exited the game

The A’s conclude the Series Thursday afternoon at 12:30pm at the O.co Coliseum Jeff Samidzija will pitch for the A’s before they start a six game road trip against the Texas Rangers and three more with the very same Houston Astros.

The A’s improve their record to 62-38 and continue to lead the Los Angeles Angels by two games in the AL West.