Tag: mlb

Dodgers Increase Lead in the NL West with Series Win over Giants

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By Jeff Hall

SAN FRANCISCO —The Dodgers increased their lead to 3 games in the National league West  taking the series with a 4-2 win over the Giants.

In a game that looked nothing like the first two games of the series, Giants starter Yusmeiro Petit and Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw matched up in an old fashioned pitchers Duel in front 41,932 fans in attendance at AT&T Park. It was Kershaw who pitched the better of the two. Neither side’s hitters were too fond of the strike zone of home plate umpire D.J Reyburn that led to a few animated discussions at home plate.

For Petit (5-4), he went 7 innings, striking out 8, but ran into trouble in the sixth Adrian Gonzalez doubled to deep center and then the big blow came off the bat of Matt Kemp who hit his 20th home run of the season. Kemp delivered at towering drive well over the left centerfield fence to put the Dodgers ahead 4-1. Petit had retired 9 straight before surrendering the back to back hits to Gonzalez and Kemp

Kershaw (19-3) lasted 8 innings, he walked 1 and struck out 9 . Kershaw became the Major League’s first 19 game winner. “They made me compete today, made me make big pitches.” Kershaw said following the game.  Kershaw remains dominant at AT&T Park, he improved his record to 8-2 in 11 starts there.

Kenley Jensen came on in the 9th getting the save pitching a perfect 9th.

The Dodgers opened the scoring in the second Hanley Ramirez led off the by beating out a slow roller to shortstop for a single one batter later Juan Uribe singled to right Hunter Pence trying to throw out Ramirez at third bounced it in the dirt where Pablo Sandoval was unable to handle the throw which got by Sandoval allowing Ramirez to streak towards the plate and slide safely on Petit’s errant throw home. Petit was backing up the throw. The Dodgers added a run on A.J Ellis deep sacrifice fly to right scoring Juan Uribe.

The Dodgers threatened to add on in the third, with back to back infield singles by Gordon and Puig to start the inning. The next hitter Adrian Gonzalez flied out to deep left and Matt Kemp hit into a double play to shortstop to end the threat.

The Giants had their chances against Kershaw.

In the third, With one out Kershaw walked Petit, Blanco struck out looking, Joe Panik stroked a single to right center, Buster Posey then drove a liner to gap to score Petit. But Posey was thrown out by Puig trying to stretch the single into a double ending the inning.

With 1 out in the seventh the Giants had back to back singles by Andrew Susac and Joaquin Arias, the next batter, Gregor Blanco struck out and Matt Duffy on as a pinch hitter for Petit dropped a single out of the reach of center fielder Yasiel Puig who collided with right fielder Matt Kemp and the ball fell between the two scoring Susac.  Angel Pagan grounded out to shortstop to end the inning and the last real threat the giants would muster against the Dodgers

With the win the Dodgers have one 6 out of their last 7 against the Giants.

Up next, the Giants will be in Arizona tomorrow. Ryan Voglesong (8-10, 3.90) vs left hander Wade Miley (7-11, 4.28)

The A’s Rout the White Sox

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by Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s had their hitting shoes on Tuesday night as they rapped out seventeen hits and beat the Chicago White Sox 11-2. The A’s ace,Jon Lester, went eight innings allowing just two runs on seven hits, He walked two and had eight strikeouts and won his fourteenth game of the year and the first since August 12th. His record for the year is now 14-10. Lefty John Danks started for the White Sox and was tagged with the loss. He gave up four runs,two unearned, as the White Sox were just awful in the field committing five errors in the game.

The A’s got the scoring in the fourth inning. Josh Donaldson singled to get things going. Jonny Gomes followed with a double to put men on at 2nd and third. Donaldson scored on a ground out. Nate Freiman reached on a throwing error that allowed Gomes to score. A’s lead 2-0.

In the fifth, Coco Crisp reached on an error. On the next play, Craig Gentry bunted and but he collided with the first baseman as the throw from Danks caused the first baseman to run into Gentry. The play was ruled a single and an error on the pitcher but Gentry was knocked to the ground in obvious pain as he hit his head in the collision. Gentry left the game and he was diagnosed with a concussion. The A’s scored two more runs in the inning to take a 4-0 lead.

The A’s picked up another run in the seventh to make it a 5-0 lead but the White Sox scored two in their half of the inning . Dayan Viciedo led off with a solo home run. With two out, Lester walked Michael Taylor who scored a double by Carlos Sanchez. Sanchez was thrown out at third trying to stretch it into a triple.

The A’s made the game a rout in the ninth when they scored five times. The A’s were aided by another Chicago error and a wild pitch as the pounded the White Sox by a final score of 11-2

Notes- Josh Donaldson had five hits in the game and had four RBIs. Jeff Samardzija will pitch for Oakland on Wednesday. The A’s looked like the team that was on top until the slide started after the big trade on July 31st.. One game doesn’t make a season but, hopefully, they can get their mojo back.

slider

Sports Radio Service Visits with Northern California Prospect Max Stassi

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By Jeff Hall

OAKLAND, CA —Sports Radio Service caught up with Northern California product Max Stassi during the Astros series in Oakland

Stassi, 23, is a graduate of Yuba City High School and was called up to the Astros earlier this week. Stassi was drafted by the A’s in the 4th round in 2009 and was traded to the Astros along with Chris Carter and Brad Peacock for Jed Lowrie.

Max just completed his first full season in Triple A with Oklahoma City. “It was great, I learned a lot.” Said Stassi. “It was a great experience, and I’m looking forward to advancing from there .”, Stassi added.

Stassi is no doubt highly touted by the Astros. He is ranked by MLB.com as the Astros top catching prospect, and ranked as the Astros 19th overall prospect.

Stassi batted .247 with 9 homers, 20 doubles and 45 RBIs with Oklahoma City.

Not a bad season overall and he was selected to the Triple A All-Star team. “It was something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.”, said Stassi, about the opportunity to play in the game in Durham, North Carolina. “ I got to see my old buddy Andrew Susac, who also made the team, it was fun.”, said Stassi. (Susac is currently on the Giants Roster)

Life on the Road in the minors can be long. “Basically I say goodbye to my family in February”, Stassi said.  Max discussed the rare opportunities playing games near his home, both in Sacramento and in Oakland. “It’s something special, you don’t take it for granted playing close to home, it was really cool coming back home, almost kind of surreal.”

Stassi continues to stay connected to his hometown and for the past 6 years he hosts an annual charity event in Yuba City called Homers for the Homeless. “Its A home-run derby of sorts”, says Stassi. The event has raised nearly $100,000 since it started.

Click below to hear the interview!

A’s Rally Falls Short

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by Jerry Feitelberg

The Oakland A’s lost a golden opportunity to pick up a game on the Los Angeles Angels in the race for the AL West division lead as the A’s lost to the Mariners 6-5 while the Houston Astros beat the Angels

in Houston. The A’s Sonny Gray was looking for his fourteenth win of the year but the Mariners drove him to the showers after just five innings of work. Gray allowed six runs on seven hits and took his eighth loss of the year. Gray was 4-0 with an ERA of 1.10 in five starts against the Mariners. The win went to Mariners lefty James Paxton. Paxton’s record is now 5-1 for the season. Paxton kept the A’s at bay for 7 2/3rds innings as he allowed 2 runs on just four hits. The A’s were down 6-0 with two out in the eighth but rallied to score three runs and then in the ninth they scored two runs with two outs but

could not get the hit they needed to tie the game. Mariners closer, Fernando Rodney, notched his fortieth save of the year. With the loss, the A’s remain 4 ½ games behind and are 4 ½ games ahead of the Mariners in the race for the first wild card slot.

The Mariners scored two runs on just one hit in the top of the third. Sonny Gray walked the first two batters to put men on at first and second with no out. Mariners catcher, Jesus Sucre, bunted down the third baseline to move the runners up to second and third. Austin Jackson then singled to drive in both runners to give the Mariners a 2-0 lead.

Seattle put two more runs on the board in the top of the fourth Kendrys Morales singled to start the inning. He advanced to third on a double to left center off the bat of Logan Morrison to put men on at second and third. Endy Chavez hit a ground ball up the middle to drive in both men and Chavez was credited with a double when no one covered second base. Gray got the next two batters to end the inning. The A’s could not do anything in their half of the inning. After four complete, Seattle leads 4-0.

The Mariners scored two more runs in the top of the fifth. With two out, Robinson Cano singled to right field. Mariners’ clean up hitter, Kyle Seager, hit his twenty-first home run of the year into the right field bleachers to make it a 6-0 game in the middle of the fifth.

The A’s rallied to score three runs in the bottom of the eighth. Derek Norris singled to start the inning.

That was followed by a walk to Nate Freiman. Geovany Soto hit into a double play with Norris advancing to third. Josh Reddick walked and at this point the Mariners’ manager Lloyd McClendon

took starter James Paxton out of the game and brought in righty Yoervis Medina. Bob Melvin sent Adam Dunn in to pinch hit and he came though with a single to drive in the A’s first run of the game.

Both runners advanced on a wild pitch and they came in to score on a double by Craig Gentry to

make it a 6-3 game. Jed Lowrie struck out to end the inning and the A’s trail 6-3 after eight complete.

In the ninth, the A’s rallied again with two outs. The Mariners brought in their closer, Fernando Rodney,

to end the game. Rodney struck out the first two men he faced but the A’s would not quit. Derek Norris doubled. That was followed by a pinch hit double by Brandon Moss to drive in Norris. Sam Fuld, pinch hitting for Geovany Soto ,doubled to drive in Moss. The crowd was on its feet hoping for a miracle but Josh Reddick ground out to end the game. A’s lose 6-5 to the Mariners.

The A’s conclude the three game series with the MarinersWednesday afternoon at the O.co Coliseum at 12:35pm.It will be a matchup of two of the best pitchers in the American League. Jon Lester will be on the hill for the A’s and the Mariners will counter with their ace, Felix Hernandez. Should be a great game.

Attendance was 23,859.

Can the A’s win the Division?

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by Jerry Feitelberg

The A’s beat the Seattle Mariners today at the Oakland Coliseum. It’s really something to see a shift in attitude and play in just one day. The A’s acquired Adam Dunn in a trade with the White Sox yesterday

and all he did was hit a home run in his first at bat as an Athletic. The A’s, who played lousy ball in the four games in Anaheim, seemed to right the ship and played like the A’s that played so well for the first four months of the year. Jed Lowrie played in his first game since going on the DL and Geovany Soto, acquired in a trade with the Texas Rangers, drove in two with a single and actually threw out a runner trying to steal.All these were positives. The hitting came to life and the defense was crisp. A’s pitcher Jason Hammel picked up his second win as an Athletic and his performance was outstanding. He pitched well his last time out and seems to have gotten his game back on track. This gives the A’s five strong starters in the rotation.

The A’s have twenty-five games left to play. They have five more with Seattle as well as series with the Phillies , Astros , Rangers and Angels. The A’s have to get their mojo back and go on a tear if they are to win the division. The Angels are playing well and now have a 4 /12 game lead over the A’s but there is reason not to believe that the A’s can’t win the division and avoid the one game playoff with the second wild card team.

It was a big momentum shift for the A’s on Monday and let’s hope that they can continue to play well down the stretch. They are in the last month of play and the season is no longer a marathon. It’s now a sprint to the finish and the A’s won the division on the last day of play in 2012. Who is to say that can’t happen again this year?–

Jerry Feitelberg
jyf1938

The Angels shut out the A’s

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by Jerry Feitelberg

The Oaktown boys had another tough night Friday in Anaheim as they lost again to the Los Angeles Angels 4-0. The A’s sent their ace, John Lester, to pitch for them and while he pitched well, it was not enough to right the ship. The Angels had their ace, Jered Weaver, going for them and Weaver went seven innings allowing just three hits and no runs. The A’s now have their work cut out for them as they are now three games back of the Angels and with two games left in this series, the A’s will leave Anaheim 5 games back if they lose the next two, three games back if they split the two games or one game back if they win both. Jeff Samardzija will pitch Saturday against TBA and Scott Kazmir goes on Sunday against Matt Shoemaker.

The game was scoreless until the bottom of the fifth inning. The Angels got two runs in the bottom of the fifth when Erick Aybar led off with a single. The next batter Chris Ianneta, hit a fly ball to deep

left center field. The A’s center Fielder, Coco Crisp, made a valiant effort to make a leaping catch as the ball was going over the fence. Crisp jumped as high as he could and he actually caught the ball in his glove but his momentum carried him full force into the wall causing him to drop to the ground. He was not able to keep the ball in his glove and it fell to the ground for a two run home run. Coco was

visibly shaken up on the play and was in a lot of pain. Bob Melvin and the team trainer raced out to center field and Coco had to leave the game.

The Angels scored another run in the sixth as the A’s made two errors in the inning and the Halos were able to load the bases with two out. Lester walked Chris Ianneta to force in the run. Lester was done for the night going six innings allowing four hits and three runs one of which was unearned. Evan Scribner came in to pitch the seventh and with two out, future Hall of Fame player, Albert Pujols, blasted his 24th home run of the year to left field. For Pujols, it was his 516th home run of his fantastic career.

Joe Smith pitched the eighth and Huston Street pitched the ninth for the Angels to secure the win.

Final score 4-0 in favor of the Halos.

Notes: Jon Lester took the loss and his record for the year is now 13-9. The Angels’ Jered Weaver picked up the win and is now 15-7 for the season. The A’s will now have their first losing month since May 2012 ending a streak of fourteen consecutive winning months. They are 12-15 for August with two games left to play this month.

After the game, Coco Crisp, when asked about the play that he almost made on the ball that went over the fence, said “ just tried to time it…hit the wall and caught it but didn’t know if I had it until I dropped down.” He also said “ we’re going through a rough stretch right now but we’ve been playing hard.”

A’s manager Bob Melvin echoed that when he said”things aren’t going our way right now.” When asked about Lester’s performance he “ though he did real good.”

The A’s need to get the offense going. Now that Yoenis Cespedes is in Boston, it is imperative to other players to pick up the slack as managers around the league are not going to pitch to Josh Donaldson.

Donaldson has been hot in his last five games going 8 for 16 but Weaver would not give Josh anything to hit in the sixth inning when Donaldson had a man in scoring position. Weaver ended up walking him

to prevent him from doing any damage.

Game three of the four game series will be played Saturday night at 6:05pm

Late Houston Rally Sinks the A’s

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by Jerry Feitelberg

The Houston Astros rallied to score three runs in the bottom of the 8th inning to defeat the Oakland A’s 4-2 Tuesday night in Houston. The A’s sent Jason Hammel to pitch for the Green and Gold. Hammel

has a 1-5 record and an ERA of 6.75 since coming to the A’s on July 1st. Hammel had two good outings but has not pitched well and was bombed in his last outing. The A’s allowed him to skip a start and he was well rested and he pitched extremely well for seven innings. Without question it was his best outing as he allowed just three hits and the only run allowed was a Dexter Fowler blast to right field in the fourth inning. He threw just 93 pitches and 60 were strikes. He was opposed by Astro lefty Dallas Keuchel who also pitched very well. Keuchel went seven innings allowing just five hits and two runs, one of which was unearned. The A’s were shocked when Luke Gregerson blew the save and took the loss.

The A’s took an early 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Coco Crisp drew a walk to start the inning

Craig Gentry laid down a push bunt that Houston starter, Dallas Keuchel, couldn’t handle. Keuchel was charged with an error but it was a very difficult play and it could have been ruled a hit. Josh Donaldson and Derek Norris hit into ground outs but Jonny Gomes, who hits left-handed pitchers very well, singled to drive in Gentry with the first run of the game for the A’s.

The Astros threatened in the bottom of the third. Hammel hit Gregorio Petit with a pitch. With one out, Jose Altuve hit a double that went into the stands sending Petit to third but had it not gone into the stands Petit would have scored. Former Athletic Chris Carter, who has 31 home runs so far this year, hit a line shot to left field that Jonny Gomes made a great play robbing Carter of at least a double and saving two runners from scoring.

The A’s scored another run in the top of the fourth. With one out, Jonny Gomes singled and then scored on a double to left off the bat of Nate Freiman. Freiman took third on the throw home but the A’s could not bring him home. The A’s and Jason Hammel were hoping for a shut down inning. The Astros’ Dexter Fowler had other thoughts as he blasted a home run to lead off the Astros half of the fourth.

The score stands at 2-1 after four.

The Astros took the lead in the bottom of the eighth inning. Luke Gregerson was is relief of Jason Hammel who went seven innings and allowed just one and really pitched well. With one out, Robbie Grossman reached on an error. Gregerson hit Jose Altuve with a pitch to put men on at first and second.

Chris Carter then blasted a monster home run to left field to put the Astros in the lead 4-2 at the end of eight innings. Chad Qualls pitched the ninth and shut the door on the A’s and Qualls picked up his fifteenth save of the year for the Astros.

Notes- With the loss the A’s drop ½ game behind the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels had a 7-0 lead in their game against Miami and should they win the game the A’s will be a full game behind the Angels.

Geovany Soto, acquired in a trade with the Texas Rangers, started in his first game as an A and had a hit.

The A’s conclude the three game set with Houston Wednesday then head to Los Angeles for a huge four game series with the Angels. Lefty Drew Pomeranz will go for the A’s and he will be opposed by the Astro’s Brad Peacock.

It’s Crunch Time for The A’s

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by Jerry Feitelberg

The A’s continue to flounder. They lost to the New York Mets on wednesday and have now lost eight of the last 10 game played to fall 1 ½ games behind the Los Angeles Angeles in the AL West. The road doesn’t get any easier for the A’s as they meet the Angels for three this weekend in Oakland then go to Houston for three and then four more with the Angels. The A’s must take five out of seven from the Angels in order to gain ground. If they go 3-4 or 4-3 they will still be in second place in the division.

The other factor will be the rapidly improving Houston Astros. Last time the A’s went to Houston they lost the series 2 games to one . The Astros as mentioned are improving and will not be a pushover for the A’s.

In the meantime, the Angels were dealt a blow when pitcher Garrett Richards went down with a knee injury and may be out for the season. The Angels have the edge over the A’s when it comes to hitting. Mike Trout, Albert Pujols, Erick Aybar, Howie Kendrick, David Freese , Kohl Calhoun and even the slumping Josh Hamilton present a formidable lineup. The Angels’ starting pitching took a blow with the loss of Richards but Jered Weaver, C.J.Wilson, Matt Shoemaker, Hector Santiago and Michael Roth may not look as strong as the A’s rotation but they are getting the job done. The Angels’ bullpen was bolstered by the arrival of Jason Grilli from Pittsburgh and Huston Street from San Diego.

The A’s pitching has to right the ship. Sonny Gray is in a slump right now. Jon Lester won his first three starts for the A’s but lost his time out. Jeff Samardzija was bombed by the Mets Wednesday. Scott Kazmir won his last outing and Jason Hammel has not pitched well at all. The A’s were able to bump Hammel out of a start due to two off days this week. It will be up to Gray, Lester and Kazmir to stop the Angels this weekend and will have to do it again next week in Anaheim.

Lastley, the A’s have a five game lead as the first wild card team but guess who would be the second wild card if the season ended today? That’s right-the Detroit Tigers and the A’s woul

A’s beat the Mets, Snap Losing Streak

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by Jerry Feitelberg

The A’s snapped their five game losing streak Tuesday night by beating the New York Mets 6-2. Scott

Kazmir went six innings allowing just one run and four in winning his career high fourteenth win of the year. Dillon Gee started for New York and took the loss.

The Mets took a 1-0 in the top of the fourth inning when Designated Hitter Travis d’Arnoud blasted his eleventh home run of the year to lead off the fourth. The ball was hit to deep righter field just to the right of the 388 foot marker. The A’s scored four times in their half of the fourth inning. With one out, Stephen Vogt singled to start the rally going. That was followed by a Derek Norris double and a walk to

Josh Reddick to load the bases. Alberto Callaspo flied out to deep right field driving in Vogt with the tying run. Norris tagged up and advanced to third on the play. Eric Sogard walked to load the bases for the second time in the inning and all three runners scored on a triple down the right field line off the bat of Coco Crisp. John Jaso popped up to end the inning but the A’s have a 4-1 lead after four innings of play.

The A’s brought in Ryan Cook to pitch in the top of the seventh. Mets’ shortstop Wilmer Flores greeted him by hitting a double. Former A’s catcher Anthony Recker doubled with one out to drive in Flores with the Mets’ second run of the game. Cook struck out the next batter and lefty Eric O’Flaherty was brought in to pitch to the very dangerous lefty handed hitter, Curtis Granderson. O’Flaherty struck hime out to end the inning.

The A’s scored two more in the bottom of the eighth. With one out, Derek Norris walked and he came in to score when Josh Reddick hit his ninth home run of the on the first pitch he saw from Mets’ reliever Gonzalez Germen. A’s lead 6-2 after eight.

Notes Hitting starts for the A’s tonight were Coco Crisp and Josh Reddick. Crisp tripled to drive in three runs and Reddick hit a home run to put the game away for the A’s. Derek Norris and Stephen Vogt each had two hits in the A’s win. Jeff Samardzija goes for the A’s Wednesday and he will be opposed by the Mets’ Zack Wheeler.

The Commissioner of Baseball, Bud Selig was here at the Coliseum as he makes his farewell tour to all the stadiums in baseball. Selig retires in January 2015.

Oakland A’s Annual Community Fund Golf Classic

The 32nd annual A’s Community Fund Golf Classic, presented by Chevron and Grant Thornton LLP, is set

for Thursday, Aug. 21 at Round Hill Country Club in Alamo. Proceeds from the event will benefit the A’s Community Fund. In addition, the Chevron Eagles for Education®

program will donate $2,500 per eagle on

the 18th hole, for a maximum donation of $50,000 to be split between the A’s Community Fund and the NCGA Youth on Course program.

The A’s Community Fund Golf Classic was launched in 1982 to directly raise funds for the A’s Community

Fund, established in 1981. The annual event is the largest fundraiser for the A’s Community Fund, which supports charitable organizations in improving the quality of life for people throughout the Bay Area.

WHEN: Thursday, Aug. 21

Participant Introductions, 11:05 a.m.

Shotgun Start, 11:30 a.m.

Awards Banquet and Silent Auction, 5 p.m.

WHERE: Round Hill Country Club

3169 Round Hill Road

Alamo, CA 94507

PARTICIPANTS: Current and former A’s players, coaches, front office personnel and fans

Current A’s players expected to appear include Josh Donaldson (introductions only), Derek Norris,

Stephen Vogt (banquet only), Ryan Cook, and Sam Fuld (banquet only). Coaches expected to participate

include manager Bob Melvin (introductions only), Chili Davis and Ariel Prieto. Former players expected to

play include Vida Blue, Ray Fosse, Billy North, John “Blue Moon” Odom, and Shooty Babitt. Other

participants include current A’s broadcasters Ken Korach and Vince Cotroneo, former broadcaster Monte

Moore, assistant general manager/director of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi, director of professional

scouting/baseball development Dan Feinstein, and equipment manager Steve Vucinich.

EAGLE CONTEST: Chevron Eagles for Education®

The 18th hole will be the Chevron Eagles for Education®

hole. For every ‘eagle’ scored on #18, Chevron will

donate $2,500 for a max donation of $50,000. The donation will be split 50/50, with $25,000 donated to the

A’s Community Fund and $25,000 to the NCGA Youth on Course program. Both organizations will use the

funds to support educational programs and/or internships.

AVAILABILITY: A’s players will be available to the media from 10:30-10:50 a.m. outside the check-in area. For TV crews that

would like to obtain on-course footage, golf carts can be reserved by contacting Adam Loberstein

advance.

NOTE: The event is closed to the public.

CONTACT: Adam Loberstein, 510-563-2248

A’s preview

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by Jerry Feitelberg

—

The Oakland A’s have a day off Monday as they return home after a disastrous road trip to Kansas City and Atlanta. The A’s went 1-6 n the trip and have lost six in a row. Their new ace, Jon Lester, lost his first game as an Athletic and the rest of the starters also lost. The A’s need Scott Kazmir, Sonny Gray, Jeff Samardzija and Jason Hammel to get back in the groove and get some wins for the A’s. Hammel has not pitched well for the Green and Gold and he may be headed out of the rotation. A’s manager, Bob Melvin, and his staff will have to decide to let Hammel continue as a starter or replace him with either Jesse Chavez or Drew Pomeranz. Chavez started the season well but seemed to have cooled down as he pitched deeper into the season. Pomeranz was also performing well until he broke his non-throwing hand in a fit of youthful anger. Bet he won’t do that again.

In the meantime, the A’s have called up Andy Parrino from Sacramento to play shortstop as Jed Lowrie fractured his index finger on his throwing hand and is on the 15 day disabled list. One of the big problems for the A’s is that the hitting has stopped and they are not getting the same run production as they had earlier in the season. There are several factors for that. Many people will say that the trade that sent Yoenis Cespedes to Boston has caused the decline in hitting. The argument has some merit as the A’s were 65-35 with him in the lineup this year and 228-131 over the last 2 ½ years. Also, the A’s have gone 7-10 to drop into a virtual tie for first place with the Los Angeles Angeles for the AL West lead.

Others will say that the A’s have a solid enough team to win without Cespedes and they would have had to do that had Cespedes been injured. The A’s starting pitching and bullpen are strong. The five starters with the exception of Hammel are very good as has the bullpen with Ryan Cook, Luke Gregerson and closer Sean Doolittle. Fernando Abad and Dan Otero have also made great contributions all year long.

The A’s play the New York Mets on Tuesday and Wednesday at home in Oakland. The Mets have an overall record of 59-67 and are in fourth place in the NL East. The Mets have lost six out of their last ten but , in baseball, you never know what can happen and the Mets would love to put a wrench in the A’s plans. The A’s have a day off on Thursday but then begin an important three game series with the LA Angels starting Friday night at the O.co. The A’s then travel to Houston for three and the Astros are no longer pushovers. The last time the A’s went to Houston they lost two out of three and then from Houston it’s off to Anaheim for four more games with the Angels. These A’s have to get their act together and start winning in order to win the division. Keep in mind the Seattle Mariners are now starting to make a run and are now just 5 ½ games back. They have great pitching and are gelling at just the right time. The Mariners have won eight out of the last ten and picked up five games in the standings. The A’s face the Mariners six more times this year. They play them immediately after the Angel series at home and then travel to Seattle on September 12th for the final three games between the teams.

Yes, the A’s may be tired and they may not be hitting but it is gut-check time. If the want to win the division they will have to put the pedal to the metal. If the don’t win the division , they will have to play a one game playoff game with the second wild-card team and anything can happen. Let’s hope the A’s regroup and do what they have to do to win the division. People said the A’s were favorites to be in the World Series when they acquired Jon Lester and Jonny Gomes. However, games aren’t won on paper. They are won on the field and the A’s better get that through their heads or they may end up on the outside looking in.

Jerry Feitelberg
jyf1938