Tag: Houston Astros

The A’s rally to defeat the Astros

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by Jerry Feitelberg

A’S SNATCH VICTORY FROM THE JAWS OF DEFEAT

Holy Toledo!! That’s what the late great A’s broadcaster would say when a great play or a great win would occur on the field. Tuesday night in Houston, the A’s came back from a three run deficit trailing 4-1 in the top of the ninth and they were down to their last strike when they rallied for six runs and beat the Houston Astros 7-4. The Astros have played the A’s tough so far this year and the won the first game of the three game series on Monday night. Had the A’s lost , the team would have had a record of 2-3 on the five game trip to Texas and the best they could hope for was a 3-3 road trip. However, the never-say-die guys from Oakland came to life and stunned the Astros with their comeback.

The A’s sent Jeff Samardzija to the hill and he was opposed by the Astros’ Scott Feldman. The game didn’t start well for Samardzija as Marwin Gonzalez, the second batter Samardzija faced, hit a home run to give Houston an early 1-0 lead. The A’s tied the game in the top of the fifth when Josh Reddick blasted his sixth home run of the year to make it a 1-1 game. The Astros, however, came back and scored two in the bottom of the fifth. Robbie Grossman singled singled and then stole second. Enrique Hernandez followed with a triple and the American League leader in batting and hits, Jose Altuve singled to drive in the third run of the game for the Astros. The Astros scored another run in the bottom of the seventh to make it a 4-1 game and A’s manager Bob Melvin took Samardzija out of the game.

Samardzija went 6 2/3rds innings giving up six hits and four earned runs. He walked two and struck seven while throwing 104 pitches. The Astros Scott Feldman probably had the best game of his career against the A’s Tuesday night going seven inning allowing just five hits and one run. At this point in the game it looked like Feldman was going to pick up the win.

However, we are talking about the Oakland A’s and as Yogi Berra once said “it ain’t over till it’s over.”

It’s also the magic of baseball. A team can look lethargic and beaten for eight innings but then can rally in the ninth to come back and win the game. That is exactly what the A’s did to the Astros Tuesday night. The Astros brought in their closer, Chad Qualls, to pitch. With one out, A’s catcher Derek Norris reached base on an infield single. The next batter was Josh Reddick. Reddick, who had homered earlier in the game, doubled to left center field advancing Norris to third base. Alberto Callaspo, pinch hitting for Eric Sogard, slammed a double to right center and drove in Norris and Reddick making it a 4-3 game. The A’s replaced Callaspo with the very fleet footed Billy Burns. The next batter John Jaso ground into a fielder’s choice, Jaso reached second on a wild pitch and was now in scoring position to tie the game. Shortstop Jed Lowrie walked on a 3-2 pitch to put men on at 1st and 2nd. Quall had two strikes on Cespedes and needed one more strike to win the game but Yoenis Cespedes was able to hit a blooper to right field to drive in Jaso with the tying run. Astros’ manager Bo Porter had seen enough. He brought in left Tony Sipp to pitch to Brandon Moss. With the count at 3-2, Moss singled sharply to right field allowing Lowrie to score the go-ahead run. That was it for Sipp and he was replaced by Jose Veras. Donaldson swung and missed at the first pitch thrown by Veras but he didn’t miss the second one as he blasted a shot to deep center field that went way over the center fielder’s head and two more runs scored. 7-4 in favor of the A’s as the game headed to the bottom of the ninth. The A’s brought in closer Sean Doolittle and he set the Astros down 1-2-3 to secure the win and pick the save.

Winning pitcher was Evan Scribner who pitched the eighth inning for the A’s and Chad Qualls took the loss.

After the game Chad Qualls said “They make contact. They take a lot of pitches Two of the hits they got tonight weren’t hit really hard.-Norris’ to start everything off was a little nubber to third and the Cespedes that tied it was just a jam shot they got to the outfield. They found some holes when they needed to and hit the ball on the screws when they needed to. I just didn’t get it done.”

A’s manager Bob Melvin said ‘That’s amazing. For a late-inning at bat, that’s as good as I’ve ever seen in a team.The 27th out, we don’t give that away. It’s an attribute. That’s the way this team is.”

Cespedes Powers the A’s to Victory

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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.

Astros stop the Athletics 5-1

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment
Collin McHugh congratulated by his Houston teammates Photo credit: Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle
Collin McHugh congratulated by his Houston teammates Photo credit: Mayra Beltran/Houston Chronicle

By Charlie O. Mallonee

The great baseball adage is that “good pitching beats good hitting”. That was true on Sunday afternoon in Houston as the Astros beat the Athletics 5-1. Houston starter Collin McHugh established control of the game and guided his team to the victory in the fourth and final game of the four-game series.

McHugh pitched 8.2 innings giving up just one-run on two-hits. The A’s only run was scored in the top of the ninth inning with two outs. McHugh struck out seven and walked just three batters. His ERA is now an impressive 0.59 as McHugh improved to 2-0 in two starts this season for the Astros.

McHugh started the season with a career record of 0-8 in the Major Leagues. He was 0-4 in 2013. McHugh won his first start versus Seattle pitching 6.2 scoreless innings while striking out 12. His performance on Sunday makes a strong statement that 2014 is going to be a different kind of season for 27-year old right-hander.

McHugh was helped to victory with good run support by the Astros. Houston scored five-runs on seven-hits. The middle-infielders led the way on offense. Second baseman Jose Altuve went two for four including one homerun, two RBI and one run scored. Shortstop Jonathan Villar went two for three including a double and a triple. Villar posted two RBI and two runs scored.

The A’s only score came in the top the ninth inning. With two out, Brandon Moss was hit by pitch. The home plate umpire did not call the hit by pitch and A’s manager Bob Melvin challenged the call. Replay clearly showed the ball hitting Moss’ left foot. With Alberto Callaspo hitting, Moss stole second base. Callaspo singled to center allowing Moss to score.

Oakland’s only other base hit came in the top of the first inning when Jed Lowrie singled to right field.

A’s starter Tommy Milone gave up four-runs (all earned) on five-hits while striking out two and walking two in 6.2 innings of work. Dan Otero worked one-third of an inning and gave up one run. Jim Johnson worked one scoreless inning of relief.

The loss dropped the A’s record to 15-10 for the season and their road record to 9-4. Oakland leaves Houston with a 2-2 split in the four-game series.

The A’s left after the game for Dallas-Ft. Worth to play a three-game series with the Texas Rangers. Game one of the series on Monday night may prove to be a pitching duel as Oakland sends Sonny Gray (3-1, 2.25) to the mound to face-off with Yu Darvish (1-0, 1.61).

Beane Named Baseball Executive of the Year

Published on by Charlie O. MalloneeLeave a comment

Image

Photo credit: oaklandathletics.com

By Charlie O. Mallonee

Oakland Athletics vice president and general manager Billy Beane has been named MLB Executive of the Year for 2013 by Baseball America. He won the Baseball America award in 2002 as well.

Beane engineered a major overhaul of the A’s roster after a 74-88 season in 2011.He traded away three All-Star pitchers (Gio Gonzalez, Trevor Cahill and Andrew Bailey) to stock his club with young talent who have played major roles in the club’s return to prominence.

Beane also made a major trade in 2013 with the Houston Astros that brought Jed Lowrie to Oakland in exchange for Chris Carter and Max Stassi. The veteran shortstop had a major impact on the A’s batting .290 with 175 hits, 45 doubles and 15 home runs. That acquisition helped the A’s finish with a 96-66 record and to win the Western Division Pennant.

Beane has been deemed the master of working a small payroll, incorporating Sabremetrics to select players and building strong clubs without utilizing long-term contracts. The Tampa Bay Rays are just one team that has emulated Beane’s philosophy to build a successful ball club.

Beane has been busy already this winter making three trades to shore up the relief pitching and adding a productive reserve outfielder.

¡Vamos Los Athleticos!

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By Emily Zahner

Welcome to September baseball in Oakland, where unlikely players step up and prove they belong as the Oakland Athletics (83-60) push forward to the post season. In the finale of season series, the A’s defeated the Houston Astros (47-96) by a score of 7-2. Oakland took the season series 15-4, as the Astros stood no chance after in the beginning of the season the A’s had gone 10-0 against their new division rivals.

Bartolo Colon was on the mound for the A’s this afternoon, and looked like he didn’t have his best stuff. On first pitch, Colon instantly struggled, giving up a leadoff single, followed by an RBI double. Before Colon had thrown five pitches, the A’s were already down 1-0. He regained composure and quickly settled down after the initial shock and fanned the next two batters and got the final out on a ground out. Colon went on to have a great outing, pitching six innings and surrendering five hits and just one earned run with seven strike outs. Manager Bob Melvin was pleased, praising his starter saying “I thought he was really good. After the first two hitters, that got his attention in a hurry. He ramped it up, had really good movement, good location today. A lot of good things came out of Bartolo’s outing today.” Colon improves to 15-6 with his win today.

Rookie RHP Paul Clemens was scheduled to start today for Houston, but was scratched at the last minute due to a blister, so the Astros called upon relief pitcher Lucas Harrell to take the mound. Harrell sailed through the first two innings, surrendering one hit and one walk, but he fell apart at the seams when the third rolled around. Stephen Vogt was the first and last batter of the inning as the A’s batted around and scored seven runs. Brandon Moss had a huge two out two-run double, Yoenis Cespedes and Daric Barton each added runs with RBI singles, and then Seth Smith capped it off by crushing a huge 3-run homerun into the right field bleachers.   Smith would be pinch hit for his next at bat, but the skipper was pleased, “That was big for Smitty, it was a key blow in the game”.

Things seemed to be clicking for the A’s lineup today as they tallied 11 hits total. In the 7th spot, Daric Barton went 2-2 with two walks, an RBI and a run scored, highlighted by his two-out RBI single in the big third. Cespedes was swinging the bat well today as well, going 2-4 with a run scored. Melvin gave a lot of credit to his left fielder, saying “we have better energy when he is swinging the bat… he’s as important as everybody knows to us. If this is the time when he’s heating up, it’s certainly a good time for it.”

The A’s close out their second to last homestand going 8-2, a record they will gladly take. Melvin recounted, “It started out good and ended up good. We’ll take it”.

Oakland has an off day tomorrow before beginning a 6-game road trip, starting with a 3-game series against the Twins on Tuesday, a team they have yet to face this year. After Minnesota, the A’s travel to Arlington for an all too important 3-game series against their division rivals Texas Rangers, who defeated the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim today by a score of 4-3. The A’s now hold a 1.5 game lead on the Rangers.

Game Notes—Brandon Moss went 3-for-4 this afternoon with two singles, a double, and two RBIs. The A’s top three hitters, (Coco Crisp, Eric Sogard, Jed Lowrie) combined for 1-14 today with two strike outs. Brett Anderson got the save, pitching three innings and surrendering three hits and one earned run. Anderson struck out three.

A’s stay atop American League West

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by Phillip Torres

PhotoOAKLAND-The Oakland Athletics (82-60) entered the day a half game up on the Texas Rangers in the American League West, and remained on top after a 2-1 victory of the Houston Astros (47-95) on Saturday Afternoon at O.co Coliseum.

Oakland struck first when Yoenis Cespedes hit his 22nd homerun of the year on a 1-1 pitch to left field off of starter Brett Oberholtzer in fourth inning to give the A’s a 1-0 advantage.

The A’s got on the board again in the seventh inning with another long ball. On a 1-2 pitch, leadoff man Jed Lowrie cleared the Center Field wall to make it 2-0 Oakland.

After a Brett Wallace double in the eighth, with runners on second and third, Brandon Barnes grounded into a force out to knock him in. The Houston run cut the lead to 2-1. The Astros youth then showed on the series of plays. Barnes stole second base on the next pitch. But, Barnes got picked off trying to steal third after attempting to on the previous pitch that was negated by a Jonathan Villar foul ball. Oakland clearly noticed the attempted steal of third after the foul ball, but Barnes went for it again on the very next pitch and was picked off easily.

The base running mistake made it easy to see why the Astros only have 47 wins on the season.

Dan Straily earned the victory, his ninth of the season after tossing seven shutout innings. Grant Balfour picked up the save in the ninth inning.

There were 20,340 in attendance at the Coliseum. The A’s will finish off the series with Houston tomorrow afternoon.

Phillip Torres covers the A’s for SportsRadioService.com