Author: Matthew Harrington

By Matthew Harrington

The ninth inning woes continue for the Oakland Athletics, losers of 9 of their last 11, after an A’s blown save turned into an extra-innings walk-off homer against the Chicago White Sox Monday night. Tyler Flowers hit a pair of home runs, the game-tying and game-winning blasts, to hand the Pale Hose a victory at U.S. Cellular Field.

Jesse Chavez surrendered the game-ender, a home run with the bases empty in the 12^th inning, to send the free-falling A’s (80-63)to their second consecutive loss against a team out of contention after leading the first eight innings. Eric O’Flaherty had blown his first save of the season as interim closer, with Flowers again victimizing the A’s with a solo poke earlier in the ninth.

Chicago (64-79) scored two runs, one earned, off A’s starter Sonny Gray in the first inning, but a two-run homer from Josh Reddick and solo blast by Jed Lowrie put Oakland ahead 3-1 in the fifth inning. Third basemen Conor Gillaspie knotted the game up at three-all after his 13^th long ball of the season in the sixth inning. Sam Fuld plated pinch-runner Billy Burns on a bunt single with one out in the eighth to give the A’s a one-run lead into the late innings.

O’Flaherty, who was unavailable to pitch in a save situation in Sunday’s 4-3 blown-lead loss to the Astros, struck out former Athletic farmhand Michael Taylor to open the ninth. Sean Doolittle’s substitute then coaxed a Dayan Viciedo ground out to put Oakland within one out of the win. Flowers instead reversed a 2-1 O’Flaherty delivery, depositing a line drive into the left field bleachers to stick the A’s with their second blown save in as many days.

A’s sinkerballer Dan Otero didn’t allow a hit in his two innings of relief, working around a walk with a double play to face the minimum six hitters. He was lifted in favor of Jesse Chavez for the 12^th. Chavez (8-8, 3.40 ERA) got Viciedo on strikes before serving up Flowers’ 14^th homer of the season on a fly ball to left center.

Oakland starter Sonny Gray was forced to depart after seven innings without a decision despite scattering four hits to go with four punch-outs. He matched Chicago’s Hector Noesi, who also allowed a scant four hits over his 6 1/3 outing while striking out four Athletics. Javy Guerra (2-3, 2.61) picked up the win after pitching back-to-back scoreless frames in the 11^th and 12^th innings.

The A’s call upon Jon Lester to play stopper Tuesday night in a battle of southpaws on the South Side. Oakland’s trade deadline acquisition will face John Danks in tomorrow evenings match-up. Oakland is currently 1 ½ games at the time of publishing ahead of Seattle and Detroit, the two teams fighting for the second Wild Card spot, with just over 20 games left to play.

Notes: A’s Manager Bob Melvin believes closer Sean Doolittle could be back as earlier as the end of the week after going on the disabled list with a strained right intercostal …Catcher John Jaso, out with a concussion, may also return later this week depending on his results after meeting with a specialist…The 2015 Major League Baseball schedule was released by the Commissioner’s office early in the afternoon Monday. Oakland opens the season April 6^th at O.Co Coliseum against the Texas Rangers. In a scheduling quirk, the A’s last roadtrip of the season will be the second half of the home-and-home Bay Bridge Series against the San Francisco Giants. Some other highlights include home-and-home sets with National League West opponents Los Angeles and San Diego, as well as a trip to Arizona. Oakland will welcome the Rockies to complete interleague play. The big names of the American League will visit Alameda County in May, with the Yankees, Red Sox and Tigers all coming to town in the second month of the season.

By Matthew Harrington

OAKLAND, Calif. –A Familiar face turned into an unwelcome sight Friday night at O.Co Coliseum for the struggling Oakland Athletics, losers of seven of their last eight. In falling to the Houston Astros 4-3, the A’s add to a now three-game losing streak. Former Green and Gold first basemen Chris Carter batted in three runs, including a go-ahead two-run homer in the sixth inning, to spoil Jeff Samardzija’s seven-inning, nine-strikeout performance.

“These last few times out, he’s had as good of stuff as we’ve seen,” said A’s manager Bob Melvin on Samardzija. “It’s unfortunate we just didn’t do enough offensively.”

Houston’s designated hitter Carter fell behind on two quick strikes in his sixth-inning at-bat but worked the count full against Samardzija. He ultimately launched the eighth pitch he saw, a 96 mph fastball up, to deep left centerfield for his 36^th round-tripper of the season.

“It was definitely one I’d like to have back,” I threw some fastballs by him earlier in the game. I thought it was a good choice. He put good wood on it. It was a pitch I’d like to have back, for sure.”

Even if he had the pitch back, Samardzija wouldn’t have thought about caving in and issuing the intentional walk to certified A’s killer Carter.

“That’s the tying run at second base,” said Samardzija on the prospects of walking Carter. “I didn’t really want to put him on as a freebie. I just threw a pitch he could handle. He got extended on it and hit it out of the park.”

Samardzija (4-5, 3.70 ERA) allowed two home runs in the loss while Derek Norris and Adam Dunn knocked in a run apiece for the home team. Coco Crisp returned to the lineup for the first time since injuring his neck last Friday trying to rob a home run in Los Angeles. He went 1-for-4 in his return to game action with his 17^th stolen base of the season.

Houston starter Brett Oberholtzer (5-10, 4.28) went 6 1/3 innings, allowing three runs for only the second Astros win (both starts by Oberholtzer) in seven games at Oakland this year. Houston (62-79) moves to just 5-15 all-time in games decided in Alameda County.

Carter, a member of the A’s for 106 games from 2010-2012, burned his old team once again this season. In 16 games against the A’s this season, the revenge-minded 27-year-old has hit seven big flies to go with 20 RBIs. Since July 1^st, Carter leads the Majors in homers (23) and runs batted in (55). The Redwood City native was a piece in the February 2013 deal that netted current A’s Jed Lowrie and Fernando Rodriguez in exchange for Carter, Brad Peacock and Max Stassi.

An Astro crossed home plate first with Jon Singleton ripping a Jeff Samardzija first-pitch solo home run to right centerfield in the top of the third inning. The A’s bats wouldn’t leave Samardzija hanging long though, scoring three runs in the bottom of the frame to take the 3-1 lead.

Alberto Callaspo opened the inning by single up the middle but Oberholtzer bounced back to punch out Crisp. The Houston lefty struggled with command issued back-to-back walks to Craig Gentry and Josh Donaldson to load the bases for Derek Norris. The A’s catcher made the southpaw pay, flaring a single to right field for a run. Astros right fielder Jake Marisnick struggled with the transfer after fielding the ball, allowing Gentry to scamper home on Callaspo’s heels.

Designated Hitter Adam Dunn, penciled into the lineup Friday despite a batting average of .154 against lefties this year, brought in the third run of the inning on an infield single to move Oakland ahead 3-1.

Jose Altuve, the major league leader in hits and stolen bases, collected one of each in the fourth off Samardzija. The Astros second basemen singled to open the inning then swiped his 51^st bag of the campaign on a Dexter Fowler strikeout. Carter plated Altuve on a single to pull Houston within a run on his first of three RBIs on the night.

The same bats that bolstered Samardzija in the third failed him in the fourth. Oakland squandered a bases-loaded no-out opportunity in the bottom of the inning after Craig Gentry and Josh Donaldson both bounced into a fielder’s choice at home plate. Donaldson’s grounder proved to be the inning-ending double play, extinguishing any hope of an A’s rally that proved to be the difference-maker.

“You can’t continue to put pressure on our pitching staff like this,” said Melvin. “If we can score some runs there, it’s a completely different game. We already have the lead, we can add on and set the tone for the game going forward. But we don’t score anything there, now it’s more pressure on the pitching.”

Melvin turns to Scott Kazmir Saturday to under pressure bounce back from an abysmal previous outing and put the A’s back in the win column. The lefty lasted only an inning and a third last Sunday, allowing six earned runs in an 8-1 loss to complete a four-game sweep at the hands of the Los Angeles Angels. Oakland, the American League top Wild Card leaders, will square off against Houston’s Scott Feldman in game two of the three-game series hoping to stay within striking distance of their Southern California rivals.

By Matthew Harrington

OAKLAND, Calif. – The Oakland Athletics put a nightmare series against the Los Angeles Angels behind them Monday afternoon, topping the Seattle Mariners 6-1 at O.Co Coliseum in a Labor Day matinee. Adam Dunn launched a home run in his Athletics debut, while Jason Hammel fired an eight-inning gem to lead Oakland (79-58) to its first win in six games.

The A’s struggled to score four runs total over a four-game sweep at the hands of the Los Angeles Angels Thursday through Sunday, prompting manager Bob Melvin to hold a closed door meeting Sunday after describing his team’s performance as “pathetic” in a postgame conference . On Monday, the A’s stifled any concerns over a stagnant offense, exploding for five runs off the Mariners (73-63) and starter Chris Young in the first inning.

“You never know where things are going to go,” said Melvin. “With the way we’ve been playing, lacking a little bit of energy. The early innings we’ve really been having trouble getting on the board. We had a lot of energy in our dugout, and certainly our fans had a lot to do with it. The place is packed, they’re making a lot of noise. That was the culmination of it.”

Adam Dunn, making his A’s debut after coming over in a Sunday trade with the White Sox for minor leaguer Nolan Sanburn, launched a two out, two-run home run to open the scoring. The designated hitter became the 12^th player in Athletics history to homer in his first at-bat with the team.

“It all happened so fast,” said Dunn on his homer. “I was anxious, a little nervous. More than I have been in a long time.”

“That was like a storybook kind of thing,” added Melvin. “The fans were lining up here at 7:30 in the morning. They were out in full force to start the game. We have really been lacking early energy runs. You start thinking to yourself ‘Wouldn’t it be something’ and he delivered. You get goose bumps, it was awesome.”

Dunn said that the sellout crowd, the 15^th of the season for the A’s, was one of the loudest crowds he ever played for. It was one of many new experiences for Dunn on the day, including his introduction to the home run tunnel.

“It threw me off quite a bit,” said Dunn with a smile. “I’m pretty smart, I figured it out.”

Geovany Soto, playing his first game in front of the hometown fans after being acquired from the Texas Rangers during the A’s recent roadtrip, knocked in a pair on a bases-loaded, full-count single. His hit chased Young (12-7, 3.46 ERA) from the game after just two-thirds of an inning. Eric Sogard would knock in another run to welcome reliever Lucas Luetge to the game and extend the lead to 5-0.

The A’s only scored one run after that, with Josh Donaldson knocking an RBI double down the third base line in the sixth inning. The insurance run was less than necessary for Oakland, with starting pitcher Jason Hammel (2-5, 4.98) doing anything but laboring on Labor Day. The righty turned in his best performance with the Athletics this season, firing eight innings of one-run ball with his only blemish a solo homer to Brad Miller in the sixth inning. Hammel threw 111 pitches, striking out five Mariners while scattering only three hits.

“I felt very comfortable,” said Hammel. “We had a game plan going into today and we executed it very well. It was mainly fastball-slider today, staying aggressive.”

Hammel, acquired in the Fourth of July deal that netted the A’s Jeff Samardzija from the Cubs, picked up just his first win since August 5^th. It’s just the second time Hammel’s name has followed the “W” on the box score as a member of the A’s. His turn in the rotation was skipped earlier this month after Hammel coughed up five runs over three innings at Atlanta August 15^th. In his return to the rotation August 26th, Hammel delivered seven innings of three-hit, one-run ball but left with the no decision. He has now gone 15 innings, allowing two runs in two starts since Drew Pomeranz took his turn.

“When I was going through that tough stretch it felt like I was down,” said Hammel. “It was more frustration than not having confidence with myself. When your slider disappears for a month you feel naked out there. That’s my go to when I’m in trouble.”

With the calendar turning from August to September, the A’s received reinforcements with the roster expanding. Catcher Bryan Anderson, outfielder Billy Burns and Fernando Rodriguez joined the team for Monday’s tilt.

Also joining the Athletics was shortstop Jed Lowrie. Lowrie, activated from the disabled list Monday morning after recovering from a finger injury, went two-for-four on the day.

“He had good at-bats,” said Melvin. “He had no issues at short throwing the ball. He was one of those subtle guys that really does have an impact for us at shortstop. He hits from both sides of the plate, knocks in some runs. He’s a two-way player that we’ve really counted on for a couple of years now. The line-up seemed more impactful with (Lowrie and Dunn) in it.”

The new look A’s offense will have to prove itself once again on Tuesday night against the Mariners. The M’s, the major league leaders in staff earned run average, send James Paxton to the mound to face Sonny Gray at O.Co Coliseum.

By Matthew Harrington

There is an inevitability in Major League baseball that, no matter the abundance of talent assembled on one squad, every team will hit a rough patch. Anyone who thinks an organization can plod through the minefield of a 162-game schedule unscathed from a barrage of consecutive losses at some point probably believes the plumbing at O.Co Coliseum is just fine and dandy as well.

While the Oakland Athletics looked like they previously found a way to advance their 25-man platoon through the tormenting minefield of a grueling MLB season without a valley to match their peak, the losses have piled up at an alarming rate of late. The A’s, who led the Majors in Wins at the All-star Break, have finally hit the frustrating patch of the season. It appears to have come at the most inopportune time for the Green and Gold.

The A’s entered a critical four-game set against the Los Angeles Angels Thursday night looking to bridge a one-game deficit in the American League West standings. With a couple of wins in Anaheim, the A’s (78-57)hoped to pass then put some distance between them and the Halos entering the season’s seminal month. After being shutout 2-0 Saturday night at Angel Stadium of Anaheim, Oakland is now just looking to keep fans from having to use all five of their fingers on one hand to count the number of games back they will be entering play on Labor Day.

The loss Saturday opened the floodgates of frustration, with the A’s locker room proving to be a frigid place following a second-consecutive shutout at the hands of LA. The Swingin’ A’s have been mostly swinging and missing of late, scoring only three runs over 28 innings in SoCal. Oakland boasts 15 hits in the series.

Saturday the A’s only mustered three hits Saturday against a string of Angels pitchers. Manager Mike Scioscia called upon eight different relievers for the injury beset Angels, using long reliever Cory Rasmus to pitch the first three scoreless innings.

Michael Roth retired only one Athletic in relief of Rasmus to open the fourth before loading the bases, prompting A’s manager Bob Melvin to pinch-hit right-hander Jonny Gomes for Josh Reddick against the lefty Roth. Scioscia countered by bringing in right-sider Yoslan Herrera (1-1, 5.87 ERA)to limit the damage. Gomes bounced a chopper that deflected off a leaping Herrera’s glove right to second baseman Howie Kendrick who started the inning-ending double-play to make Herrera Saturday’s winner.

The Halos (82-53) would score twice (with only one run earned) off A’s starter Jeff Samardzija in the bottom half of the inning. The Shark (6-11, 3.14) pitched a complete-game, eight inning effort but wound up the loser despite his nine strikeouts. He did save a bullpen that remains short-handed even with the addition of Evan Scribner for the recently demoted Drew Pomeranz.

While the A’s still boast home-field advantage in the one-game playoff over the Detroit Tigers as holders of the top Wild Card spot, the A’s need to take Sunday’s finale to build confidence down the stretch run. Melvin will send Scott Kazmir to the mound looking to play stopper while Matt Shoemaker takes the hill for the Halos looking for the sweep.

 

By Matthew Harrington

Once again the Oakland Athletics kept pace with the American League West Leaders, the Los Angeles Angels, coming from behind Wednesday night to top the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. The A’s clung to a one-game divisional deficit and notched their league-leading 12^th win when trailing after seven innings.

The A’s rallied from down 3-2 in the ninth inning, scoring three runs off Astros closer Chad Qualls to make Dan Otero (8-1, 2.21 ERA) the winning pitcher. Eric Sogard tied the game on a run-scoring single before Sam Fuld ripped a two-run home run to break a 3-3 tie and provide the A’s (78-54) their game-winning hit. 

In his return to the major league roster, Drew Pomeranz pitched adequately for Oakland. The lefty allowed one unearned run over 5 1/3 innings on three hits. He struck out seven Astros but departed with the no decision after being recalled from Triple-A Sacramento for first basemen Nate Freiman earlier in the afternoon. Freiman was sent to Class A Beloit to stay close to the parent club as he waits out the handful of days until his expected return to the major league roster when rosters expand September 1^st.

Houston starter Brad Peacock matched Pomeranz, throwing 5 1/3 innings of one-man baseball with six punchouts but neither starter factored into the final decision. Chad Qualls (1-4, 3.55) was hitched with the loss and blown save after surrendering the run-scoring hits to Sogard and Fuld in the ninth. Interim A’s closer Eric O’Flaherty picked up his first save since taking the mantle for an injured Sean Doolittle. The lefty allowed a solo shot to Chris Carter in his inning of work but finished up the ninth inning to seal the game up 5-4.

The A’s scored first on a Jonny Gomes sacrifice fly, but Houston (56-78) leveled the advantages after Jose Altace scored on a wild pitch in the home half of the inning. Coco Crisp hit a solo homer in the seventh inning to put Oakland on top 2-1 but the Astros scored twice in the bottom of the seventh on Robbie Grossman and Altuve RBI singles off Fernando Abad and Otero respectively.

With the win Wednesday ,  the A’s enter a pivotal four-game set against the Los Angeles Angels one game behind their Southern California foes. Sonny Gray takes the ball Thursday night at Angel Stadium looking to down C. J. Wilson and the Halos for the AL West lead.

By Matthew Harrington

The Oakland Athletics did their part Monday night in finding a way to return to the top of the American League West Standings. The A’s beat the Houston Astros 8-2 at Minute Maid Park, riding a dominant performance from Jeff Samardzija to victory. Josh Donaldson knocked in three runs while Derek Norris and Josh Reddick picked up a pair of RBIs apiece.

Samardzija (6-10, 3.23 ERA) turned in a much-needed deep outing for the Athletics, pitching eight solid innings of two-run ball. Samardzija, who fanned a whopping 10 Astros Monday, provided some respite for a taxed Oakland bullpen that was called upon to pitch six innings Sunday against the Angels after starter Scott Kazmir scuffled.

The A’s (77-53) staked Samardzija to an early lead after a run-scoring double off the bat of Josh Donaldson in the top of the third inning, then added two more runs an inning later on Josh Reddick’s 10^th home run of the season off Houston starter Scott Feldman. Feldman (7-10, 4.34) yielded three runs over seven innings of work, taking the loss for the Astros.

In the eighth inning, Former Athletic Chris Carter lifted his 31^st long ball of the season to right field, blemishing Samardzija’s shutout bid. The blast, coming with a man on, drew the Astros (55-77) within one run at 3-2.

Eric O’Flaherty, installed by manager Bob Melvin as interim A’s closer after All-star Sean Doolittle hit the disabled list Sunday with a strained right intercostal, looked en route to get his first save opportunity in his new role. While the lefty was loosening up with the A’s at the plate in the top of the ninth, his offense decided to delay him of his first chance. Oakland exploded for five runs in the frame to stake O’Flaherty to an 8-2. O’Flaherty worked his way around a double and walk to pitch a scoreless ninth and nail down the win.

The win, mixed with an Angels loss to the Marlins Monday, means Oakland now stands tied atop the West with Los Angeles. They’ll turn to Jason Hammel Tuesday night in hopes of maintaining the top spot in the division. Hammel will be opposed by the Astros’ Dallas Keuchel.

Joining Oakland Tuesday night will be newly-acquired catcher Geovany Soto. Soto, acquired Sunday from the Rangers in exchange for cash considerations, will take the place of John Jaso. Jaso was placed on the seven-day disabled list after suffering a concussion Sunday. The A’s also moved Kyle Blanks to the 60-day disabled list to make room on the 40-man roster for Soto. Oakland also added minor league catcher Bryan Anderson from the Cincinnati Reds for cash as a contingency plan.

By Matthew Harrington

The Oakland Athletics received a bit of good news in a weekend that saw the Green and Gold swept by the Braves in Atlanta. According to the A’s, Craig Gentry took batting practice with the Oakland Class AAA affiliate Sacramento. After evaluating Gentry’s injured hand, the A’s felt comfortable clearing Gentry to being a minor league rehabilitation stint.

Craig Gentry opened his rehab going 0-for-4 with the Sacramento River Cats, striking out twice in a 7-0 loss to the Oklahoma City RedHawks Monday night. The right-handed hitting Gentry is currently batting .264 with 18 steals and 10 runs batted in with the parent club over 80 games in 2014. Gentry, shelved after breaking his hand on a bunt attempt in late July, began the season on the disabled list with a back injury.

Since Gentry went on the disabled list July 28^th, the A’s have gone 8-12. They welcome the New York Mets to O.Co Coliseum having lost seven of their last eight contests and find themselves a half-game back of the Los Angeles Angels in the AL West.

The return of Gentry adds to the glut of players with outfield experience on the Athletics roster. Oakland currently has Brandon Moss, Coco Crisp, Josh Reddick, Stephen Vogt, Jonny Gomes and Sam Fuld on the active roster. The speedy Gentry provides a late-inning option both on the base paths and defensively for Oakland.

No time table has been set on Gentry’s return, but with so many outfield options, the A’s staff can be cautious with their offseason acquisition from Texas. One option could be to wait until rosters expand in September, allowing the A’s to keep the current roster without having to designate a player for assignment. Once the postseason rolls around though, general manager Billy Beane and manager Bob Melvin will have a challenge on their hands thinning out the outfield depth.

By Matthew Harrington

Perhaps Oakland Athletics manager Bob Melvin wishes his team saved some runs after a Tuesday night 11-3 romping of the Kansas City Royals. Wednesday night at Kauffman Stadium, yesterday’s assembly of green and gold world beaters managed to advance only one batter beyond second base against the American League Central Leaders, with the Royals (65-54)blanking the A’s 3-0 to win game three of a four-game set.

The Oakland Athletics offense, one day removed from a double-digit hit barrage, fell silent against Royals starter Jason Vargas. The left-hander (9-5, 3.27 ERA) pitched a complete-game shutout, striking out four A’s while walking none. He only yielded three hits, a pair in the first and a single in the second, over his nine innings of work before retiring the last 23 A’s batters in order.

Oakland southpaw Scott Kazmir (13-5, 2.78) did his best to match Vargas, firing off eight innings of seven-hit, three-run ball. A two-run homer, his sixth of the season, by Royals second basemen Omar Infante proved the biggest blow of the game in the third inning off Kazmir. 2014 AL All-Star catcher Salvador Perez also knocked in a run in the fifth inning on a sacrifice fly.

Oakland (73-47) takes on Kansas City one more time Thursday afternoon before traveling south to wrap up a seven-game road trip in Atlanta. Jeff Samardzija takes the mound Thursday to try to even up the series for the AL West leaders while James Shields will take the hill for Kansas City seeking to close out a series win.

By Matthew Harrington

The Oakland Athletics fell victim to the hottest team in baseball Monday night, wasting a Sonny Gray gem to fall to the Kansas City Royals 3-2 at Kauffman Stadium.

The Royals (64-53) knocked in a run in the first two innings each before Brandon Moss answered backed with a bases-loaded two-run single to knot the game at 2-2 in the third. With two outs in the seventh inning and fighting a losing battle with an 0-2 count, Alcides Escobar singled Nori Aoki home to give the Royals a 3-2 lead. Escobar finished the night with two runs batted, both coming on singles with two outs.

The tight-fisted trio Kelvin Herrera, Wade Davis and closer Greg Holland followed manager Ned Yost’s atypical final inning game plan, all pitching a scoreless inning apiece for one of the best bullpens in the major leagues. Herrera (3-2, 1.62 ERA) earned the win for his unblemished seventh inning while Holland converted his 35th save despite putting runners on first and second base with no outs. A double-play off the bat of Derek Norris and a Stephen Vogt fly ball to right field wrapped up Kansas City’s eighth-straight win.

Gray (12-6, 2.86) wound up the hard-luck loser, turning in one of his best performances of the season but hitting the showers empty-handed. The baby-faced ace went seven strong innings, allowing only two earned runs while scattering only six hits. Yordano Ventura, the Royals starter Monday evening, also performed exemplary. He yielded only two hits to A’s batters in his six innings, compiling five punch-outs and four walks.

The loss comes with a bittersweet round of news for the A’s (72-46). With the Tigers scuffling amidst the resurgent Royals run, Kansas now holds sole possession of the top record in the American League Central. The boys in blue have ousted Oakland’s playoff nemesis of the previous two seasons, placing the injury-plagued Motor City Kitties on track to play in the sudden-death wild card playoff game.

Tuesday night the A’s call upon Jon Lester to replicate his recent success. The lefty, acquired from Boston for Yoenis Cespedes at the July 31st trade deadline, pitched a complete-game shutout against the Minnesota Twins at the O.Co Coliseum last Thursday night. He’ll be opposed by Jeremy Guthrie.