by Jerry Feitelberg

It wasn’t pretty nor was it a very exciting game but the A’s ground out a 4-1 win over the visiting Colorado Rockies. Jessie Hahn wasn’t at his best but he was good enough to pick up his sixth win of the year against six losses. The Rockies’ starter Chad Bettis took the loss and his record dropped to 4-3. Drew Pomeranz and Tyler Clippard were quite effective out of the bullpen to preserve the win for Oakland.

The A’s took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second. A’s designated hitter Billy Butler lined a shot of the wall in deep left. Rockies’ left fielder Rafael Ynoa hit the wall and crumpled to the ground in pain. Butler made it to third with his first triple since 2012. Ynoa was able to get to his feet and after he was checked by the Rockies’ trainer, he resumed his position in left. Eric Sogard hit a sacrifice fly to left to drive in Butler with the run.

The A’s added a run in the third inning. Billy Burns lined a ball down the right field line that went for a triple. Rockies’ starter Chad Bettis retired Vogt and Zobrist. He did not get out of the inning unscathed as Josh Reddick drilled a single to right field to drive in Burns with the run. Reddick has driven in 32 when hitting with two out in an inning. 2-0 after three.

The Rockies scored a run in the fourth. With two out, back-to-back doubles by Ben Paulsen and Nick Hundley made it a one-run game. A’s still lead 2-1 heading into the bottom of the fourth.

The A’s had a chance to blow the game open in the fifth. They, however, had to settle for just one run. Billy Burns slashed a double down the left field line with one out. After, Stephen Vogt fllew out to left, Bettis walked Zobrist and Reddick to load the bases. Butler singled to right to drive in Burns but the ball was fielded quickly by Carlos Gonzalez and his throw home was on the mark. Ike Davis had an opportunity but he ground out to end the threat. 3-1 at the end of five in favor of the A’s.

The A’s put another run on the board in the seventh. Ben Zobrist singled to left and advanced to second when Ynoa overran the ball for an error. Reddick ground out with Zobrist taking third on the play. The Rockies issued Butler and intentional walk to set up a double play.. Mark Canha, batting for Ike Davis, lofted a bloop fly to center that Charlie Blackmon dropped. The play was ruled a fielder’s choice as Butler was out at second 8-6. Zobrist scored on the play. The run was ruled unearned. 4-1 after seven.

The A’s called on Tyler Clippard to get the last four outs of the game. Drew Pomeranz went 1.2 innings and allowed just one hit. Clippard retired the last four Rockies’ hitters in order to record his 14th save of the year. Final score A’s win 4-1.

Game Notes- The A’s took two out of three from the Rockies to win the series but are just 2-4 on the ten-game home stand. However, Oakland has won eleven of the last seventeen games and are 5-2 in inter league play.  The A’s starters are 19-11 with a 2.42 ERA over the last 37 games ( beginning May 23rd) and have allowed one run or fewer 19 times over that stretch.The A’s have committed 18 errors in their last 17 games and have 77 for the season.

Billy Burns had a double and triple Wednesday and has hit safely in 30 of his last 32 games.He recorded his 22nd multiple hit game of the year. Billy  Butler was 2-for-3 and hit his first triple since August, 9th, 2012 at Baltimore.  Butler is 14-for-40 over his last 13 games. Ben Zobrist was also 2-for-3 today.

Jesse Hahn is 5-2 with a 2.42 ERA over his last eight starts. His season record is now 6-6. After the game A’s manager had this to say about Hahn “he pitched well to beat a team like that. He was up in the zone but figured it out in later innings.” Melvin also said that Hahn had “more weapons against lefties and he had a better mix of pitches.”

Melvin, when asked about Josh Reddick’s performance this year said ” it’s All-Star status for a middle of the order guy.” Melvin said that A’s ace , Sonny Gray, is out of the hospital and at home. Melvin said that they do not know when Gray will return to the rotation.

Home plate umpire Tom Hallion was hit by a foul ball of his mask and was forced to leave the game in the first inning. Alfonso Marquez took over as home plate umpire and the game was played with just three umpires.

The Seattle Mariners arrive Thursday for a four-game series with the A’s. Lefty Scott Kazmir will go for Oakland.Seattle counters with lefty Roenis Elias (4-5, 4.25 ERA).

Time of game was 3 hours and 14 minutes and there were 17,655 people in the house watching the game.