Athletics Vs. Twins: Oakland Shrugs Off Colon Suspension, Takes Series Against Minnesota

• 10 months ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Athletics Vs. Twins Final Score: Oakland Takes Series With 5-1 Win

Wednesday was another trying day for the Oakland Athletics, as the team found out they would be losing Bartolo Colon for the rest of the season after failing a drug test. Still, the A's managed to keep their focus as they defeated the Minnesota Twins by a final score of 5-1 to capture yet another series at O.co Coliseum.

Josh Reddick hit an RBI single in the bottom of the first inning to open the scoring. The Twins managed to tie things up in the top of the second as Drew Butera picked up an RBI groundout.

The Athletics took the lead for good in the bottom of the third, as Yoenis Cespedes hit a two-run single to make it 3-1 Oakland. Coco Crisp added two insurance runs with an RBI double in the fourth inning and a solo home run in the seventh.

For more on the Oakland Athletics, join the discussion over at Athletics Nation. For updates and perspective on the Minnesota Twins, head on over to Twinkie Town or check out SB Nation Minnesota. You can also check out everything we have to offer at Baseball Nation.

• 10 months ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Bartolo Colon Fails Drug Test, Suspended 50 Games For Testosterone

Oakland Athletics pitcher Bartolo Colon has been suspended 50 games by Major League Baseball for testing positive for testosterone, according to report.

Colon has been solid for the A's in 2012, posting a 10-9 record with a 3.43 ERA, 1.21 WHIP and a 23/91 BB/K ratio in 152.1 innings pitched for Oakland.

Colon had a resurgent 2011 season after he underwent a controversial stem-cell treatment in his pitching elbow, leading him to post a 8-10 record with a 4.00 ERA with the New York Yankees. He was completely out of professional baseball in 2010.

Just last week, San Francisco Giants outfielder Melky Cabrera tested positive for testosterone as well, getting the same 50-game ban.

For more in depth discussion and top notch analysis of everything Oakland Athletics, make sure that you head over to Athletics Nation. For more on this unfortunate suspension and the rest of MLB in general, make your way over to Baseball Nation.

• 10 months ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Athletics Vs. Twins: A's Turn A Triple Play

The Oakland Athletics made a little history Tuesday, turning the 21st triple play in team history during the fifth inning of their game against the Minnesota Twins.

After Justin Morneau and Ryan Doumit reached on singles to open the inning, Brett Anderson got Trevor Plouffe to ground to third baseman Josh Donaldson. Donaldson quickly stepped on third base to get Morneau, then he fired to second baseman Adam Rosales for the second out. Rosales completed the around the horn triple play by throwing to first baseman Chris Carter just in time to get Plouffe.

The 5-4-3 triple play was the third triple play turned in the Major Leagues this season and the first turned by the Athletics since 2000.

Check out Twinkie Town for more Minnesota baseball coverage, and be sure to visit Athletics Nation for more A's coverage. Also head over to Baseball Nation for even more analysis from around the league.

• 10 months ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Athletics Vs. Twins Final Score: Brett Anderson Pitches Oakland To 4-1 Win

Tuesday was a day of twists and turns for the Oakland Athletics. Amid adding Stephen Drew and optioning Jemile Weeks, the team still found time to pick up a 4-1 win over the visiting Minnesota Twins to even up the series at O.co Coliseum.

Brett Anderson was terrific in his return from Tommy John surgery, picking up the win after allowing one run on four hits and no walks, striking out six batters along the way. The only flaw came in the first inning, when Ben Revere scored on a wild pitch. After that, however, it was lights out.

Josh Donaldson hit an RBI double in the second inning to tie things up, 1-1. Derek Norris provided the go-ahead run in the sixth inning with a two-out RBI single and the A's tacked on two insurance runs in the seventh; Josh Reddick picked up an RBI single and Chris Carter doubled him home.

The A's will try to capture the series in Wednesday's rubber game.

For more on the Oakland Athletics, join the discussion over at Athletics Nation. For updates and perspective on the Minnesota Twins, head on over to Twinkie Town or check out SB Nation Minnesota. You can also check out everything we have to offer at Baseball Nation.

• 10 months ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Stephen Drew Trade: Oakland A's To Platoon Second Base

The Oakland Athletics are going the old platoon way in terms of managing their middle infield with the acquisition of Stephen Drew and the optioning of Jemile Weeks. Expect to see a lot of shifting with Adam Rosales and Cliff Pennington.

With second base now open, the A's will go with Rosales on Tuesday, then Pennington will go on Wednesday. Pennington will likely have to play there much of the time with Drew likely to spend most of his time at shortstop. Casey Pratt of CSN Bay Area files this report that showcases how confident the As are in Pennington making the adjustment to playing a new position a good chunk of his time on the field.

"Right now his opportunity is at second base," Melvin said. "He understands that, and he is going to work as hard as he can to be a very good second baseman."

Stephen Drew arrived in Oakland earlier today, and he's in the lineup in the two hole. The A's are hoping Drew can regain the form that made him such a solid hitter a few years ago, overcoming the injuries that sidelined him for much of the last year.

Talk about A's baseball with Athletics fans over at Athletics Nation. Hit up Baseball Nation for all your comprehensive SB Nation MLB coverage.

• 10 months ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Oakland A's Option Jemile Weeks to Triple-A

In a surprising move, the Oakland A's optioned struggling second baseman Jemile Weeks to AAA Sacramento on Tuesday.

The move comes on the heels of a trade for SS Stephen Drew, who was acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for minor league infielder Sean Jamieson.

In a corresponding move, the A's designated right-hander Graham Godfrey for assignment to clear space for Drew on the 40-man roster. The A's made a couple of other moves Tuesday afternoon, placing LHP Jordan Norberto on the 15-day DL and activating OF Seth Smith from the 15-day DL.

Weeks' 2012 campaign (.220/2/20) has been a disappointment, especially after he batted .303 in his rookie season.

The A's square off against the Minnesota Twins in the second game of a three-game series in Oakland tonight at O.co Coliseum at 7:05 PM PDT.

For more on the Oakland A's, visit Athletics Nation. For More on the Arizona Diamondbacks, check out AZ Snake Pit.

• 10 months ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Stephen Drew Trade: Athletics To Pay Remainder Of 2012 Salary, Considering 2013 Mutual Option

The Oakland Athletics will be paying the full remainder of new shortstop Stephen Drew's salary for this season, according to John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle. Oakland announced during Monday night's game that Drew had been acquired from the Arizona Diamondbacks.

With a 2012 salary of $7.75 million, Drew has roughly $1.9 million remaining through the end of this season. The Athletics will taking on that tab in full, although this does give them the opportunity to audition a player that was recently one of the most dynamic shortstops in the game.

As Athletics Assistant GM David Forst told Casey Pratt of CSN Bay Area, "Let's see how the next six weeks go," regarding the shortstop's mutual option for the 2013 season.

Drew's contract includes a $10 million mutual option for the 2013 season with a $1.35 million buyout attached, although it seems likely that option will be declined unless the shortstop blows team officials away in the coming weeks. Drew has hit an abysmal .193/.290/.311 this season, but that's an actually an upgrade from what the A's have gotten at shortstop this year.

Talk about the Stephen Drew trade with A's fans at Athletics Nation and with Diamondback fans at AZ Snake Pit.

• 10 months ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

A's Acquire Stephen Drew From Diamondbacks

The Oakland Athletics have acquired shortstop Stephen Drew from the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Diamondbacks announced late Monday night. In return, the Athletics have sent minor leaguer Sean Jamieson to the Diamondbacks.

Drew has been struggling at the bat. He's batting .193 with eight doubles, one triple, two homers and 12 RBIs in the 40 games he's played with the Diamondbacks this season. Before that, he was out almost 11 months with a fractured right ankle. He's a career .266 hitter with the Diamondbacks. According to Tim Kawakami of the San Jose Mercury News, Drew has a $10 million mutual option for next year with a $1.5 million buyout.

Jamieson is a prospect at Single-A Burlington, where he ranks fourth in the Midwest League in walks with 64 and tied for 12th with 71 runs scored. He's a career .234 hitter in his two minor league years in the A's farm system, stealing 52 bases and driving 70 home runs. This season he has 25 stolen bases and 49 RBIs in 118 games. He was an All-Star in the New York-Penn League in 2011 and the Midwest League in 2012.

Talk about the Stephen Drew trade with A's fans at Athletics Nation and with Diamondback fans at AZ Snake Pit.

• 10 months ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Athletics Vs. Twins Final Score: Oakland Takes Rough 7-2 Loss

The Oakland Athletics opened a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins at the O.co Coliseum on Monday night. Unfortunately, the A's were unable to stretch their win streak to five in a row. Oakland starter Brandon McCarthy was knocked around early in the 7-2 loss.

The Twins jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, thanks to a Josh Willingham double and a bases-loaded walk to Trevor Plouffe. The Twinkies added another pair of runs in the second with an RBI single from Darin Mastroianni and another RBI hit from Willingham. Before the A's had time to blink, they were in a 4-0 hole.

Oakland finally got on the board in the bottom of the second with an RBI double from Josh Donaldson. Josh Reddick added an RBI groundout in the bottom of the third to cut the lead to 4-2, but the Twins had another two-run inning in them. Joe Mauer hit a two-run single in the fourth to regain a four-run lead. Mastroianni tacked on a sacrifice fly in the top of the eighth to put the game firmly out of reach.

The A's will try to regroup and even the series on Tuesday.

For more on the Oakland Athletics, join the discussion over at Athletics Nation. For updates and perspective on the Minnesota Twins, head on over to Twinkie Town or check out SB Nation Minnesota. You can also check out everything we have to offer at Baseball Nation.

• 10 months ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Athletics vs. Twins Lineup: McCarthy Takes the Mound

The Athletics are in a very good place to gain some crucial ground in the AL West and wild card races as the lowly Minnesota Twins come into town.

Oakland Athletics:

01. Coco Crisp, CF

02. Jonny Gomes, DH

03. Josh Reddick, RF

04. Yoenis Cespedes, LF

05. Chris Carter, 1B

06. Josh Donaldson, 3B

07. Derek Norris, C

08. Adam Rosales, SS

09. Jemile Weeks, 2B

Brandon McCarthy takes the hill for the A's and looks to rebound from his last hard-luck start where he took the loss despite going seven innings and only giving up two runs. McCarthy is 6-4 with a 2.68 ERA on the year.

Minnesota Twins:

01. Ben Revere, CF

02. Darin Mastroianni, RF

03. Joe Mauer, C

04. Josh Willingham, LF

05. Justin Morneau, 1B

06. Ryan Doumit, DH

07. Trevor Plouffe, 3B

08. Jame Carroll, 2B

09. Pedro Florimon, SS

Brian Duensing takes the mound for the Twins in search of his first win in August. Duensing is 2-8 with a 4.69 ERA for the year.

For more on the Oakland Athletics, join the discussion over at Athletics Nation. For updates and perspective on the Minnesota Twins, head on over to Twinkie Town or check out SB Nation Minnesota. You can also check out everything we have to offer atBaseball Nation.

• 10 months ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Dan Straily Optioned to AAA; Anthony Recker DFA'd

The A's designated catcher Anthony Recker for assignment and optioned rookie arm Dan Straily to AAA to create room for Brett Anderson's return.

Anderson hasn't pitched since June 5, 2011, and his return from the 60-day DL should prove a nice boon for the Athletics' playoff hopes.

Straily had three starts so far on the year and was 1-0 with a 3.18 ERA, 1.18 whip and averaged 6.35 strikeouts per nine innings. Strailey had been stellar in AAA, going 5-2 with a 1.36 ERA and 0.77 WHIP.

Recker appeared in 13 games in the big league this year and struggled mightily at the plate, posting a .129/.250/.379 average/OBP/OPS line. He had four hits in 37 plate appearances. He hasn't appeared with the Athletics since May 22.

For more information on Athletics baseball, pay a visit to Athletics Nation.