Athletics vs. Angels: A's Escape With 4-3 Victory Despite Late Surge by Angels

• about 2 years ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Athletics vs. Angels, MLB Scores: A's Escape With 4-3 Victory Despite Late Surge by Angels

The Oakland A’s haven’t given their starting pitchers a lot of support as of late, but luckily for Brett Anderson this afternoon, they did. And despite the A’s early lead the Los Angeles Angels tried their very best to force the issue in the ninth, but fell just short as Oakland took the last game of the series by a score of 4-3 at Angel Stadium this afternoon.

Anderson (W 3-4) pitched a scoreless eight full innings today, allowing only three hits with three walks and four strikeouts. By this time the A’s had a 4-0 lead after Andy LaRoche plated three RBI with a ground out and a double in the second and fourth respectfully, followed up by a Cliff Pennington RBI single in the fourth. Then came Grant Balfour into the game.

Balfour allowed Erick Aybaar to single to start of the ninth, followed by two strikeouts to Bobby Abreu and Torii Hunter. Then things got interesting. Albert Callaspo walked, followed by a Mark Trumbo three run bomb to right center field to cut the score to 4-3. Russel Branyan flied out to end the game, but not before A’s fans’ hearts jumped into their throat.

As for the Angels Joel Pinero (L 2-1), well, he had a bit of a different start that Anderson. Pinero allowed 11 hits in his six and 1/3 innings of work, along with all four of the A’s runs while striking out three.

With the win the A’s move to 24-27 on the year. Full box score can be found here.

The A’s now head back to Oakland to get ready to host the Baltimore Orioles this weekend. Chris Tillman (2-3 4.95 ERA) is set to take on the A’s Gio Gonzalez (5-2 2.20 ERA) Friday, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 PT.

For more discussion and analysis of Athletics baseball, head over to Athletics Nation to get in on the action.

• about 2 years ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Athletics vs. Angels, Starting Lineups: Daric Barton Gets Day off

The Oakland Athletics wrap up their four-game series with the Los Angeles Angels hoping to secure a split with a win today. Brett Anderson takes the mound for the A’s and will face Joel Pineiro at 12:35pm pacific time. The game will air live on CSN California.

The A’s are giving Daric Barton a day off and starting Conor Jackson in his place. Barton is two for his last twenty with two singles and one walk. After a strong under the radar 2010 campaign, Barton has struggled immensely in 2011. He still brings the solid defense at first, but his offensive output has been just about non-existent. At the top of the order, this kind of offensive black hole can be extremely costly for an offense already struggling.

The rest of the A’s lineup remains the same, which means fans can continue banging their heads against the wall. Given how poorly the A’s have performed on offense, you’d think some kind of shake-up would be in order. The A’s have some hitters down at AAA that are performing well. Highly rated prospect Michael Taylor is off to a strong start through eleven games after a disappointing 2010. Adrian Cardenas and Jemile Weeks are both playing extremely well with a bit more time under their belts. At some point, if you’re Billy Beane and Bob Geren, don’t changes need to be made?

Oakland Athletics
1. Coco Crisp CF
2. David DeJesus RF
3. Conor Jackson 1B
4. Josh Willingham LF
5. Hideki Matsui DH
6. Kurt Suzuki C
7. Mark Ellis 2B
8. Andy LaRoche 3B
9. Cliff Pennington SS

Los Angeles Angels
1. Maicer Izturis 2B
2. Erick Aybar SS
3. Bobby Abreu DH
4. Torii Hunter RF
5. Alberto Callaspo 3B
6. Mark Trumbo 1B
7. Peter Bourjos CF
8. Jeff Mathis C
9. Reggie Willits LF

• about 2 years ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Athletics vs. Angels, MLB Scores: Back-to-Back Jacks by Angels Sink A's 4-1

The Oakland A’s have had their problems with the Los Angeles Angels Ervin Santana many times before, and unfortunately tonight was no different. Santana kept the A’s offense in check, Torii Hunter and Alberto Callaspo hit back-to-back home runs, and the A’s fell to the Angels by a score of 4-1.

Santana (W 3-4) lasted for six full innings tonight, allowing six hits, one earned run, two walks and six strikeouts. The Angels bullpen was stellar as well, keeping the A’s scoreless for the last three innings, with Jordan Walden notching his tenth save of the season.

Trevor Cahill (L 6-2) didn’t fare all that well at all, but the Angels roughed him up for ten hits, four runs, five walks and five strikeouts. It was his first outing of the season against the Angels, and only his second loss of the season.

The A’s offense consisted of a Coco Crisp RBI double in the fifth, while David DeJesus was the only A with more than one hit going 2-4.

Tomorrow the A’s will finish up their four game set with Angels with Brett Anderson on the mound to take on Joel Pinero.

• about 2 years ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Athletics vs. Angels, Starting Lineups: Trevor Cahill Looking to Keep A's on Track

Coming off of their big win against the Los Angeles Angels last night, the Oakland A’s want to make it two in a row against their AL West rivals tonight. Good thing they have just the right guy on the mound to continue their streak.

Trevor Cahill (6-1 1.79) has been down right electric all season long, and will hopefully be again tonight. This is his first start of the year against the Halos, but has a 4-1 record against them lifetime with a 1.81 ERA. He’s also coming off an impressive one hit performance across the Bay against the Giants this weekend. Hopefully he’ll have some run support, but likely won’t need much.

As for tonight’s lineup, Josh Willingham will be in at DH for Hideki Matsui, effectively putting Ryan Sweeny out in left field. Landon Powell will be behind the dish, giving Kurt Suzuki a night off.

Your Oakland A’s:

1. Coco Crisp CF
2. Daric Barton 1B
3. David DeJesus RF
4. Josh Willingham DH
5. Ryan Sweeney LF
6. Landon Powell C
7. Mark Ellis 2B
8. Andy LaRoche 3B
9. Cliff Pennington SS

Los Angeles Angels Lineup:

1. Peter Bourjos CF
2. Erick Aybar SS
3. Bobby Abreu DH
4. Torii Hunter RF
5. Alberto Callaspo 3B
6. Mark Trumbo 1B
7. Hank Conger C
8. Alexi Amarista 2B
9. Reggie Willits LF

First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 PT this evening. Coverage can be found on CSN California and Sports Radio 95.7 FM.

• about 2 years ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Athletics vs. Angels: Grant Balfour In Closer Role For Now As Guillermo Moscoso Makes Debut

The Oakland Athletics enter the second game of a four game set with the Los Angeles Angels badly in need of a win. The team has lost a season high six straight games and now sits three games out of first and in last place in the AL West. The A’s recalled Guillermo Moscoso from Sacramento to start in place of Tyson Ross and he’ll get to face Dan Haren in his first ever major league start.

The big news Monday night was Brian Fuentes ripping into manager Bob Geren for his use of the A’s closer. Fuentes has felt a lack of communication has led to his being used in situations he was not expecting heading into the season. While Andrew Bailey has worked back from surgery, Fuentes has worked as the closer, but has been called in a variety of situations outside of save situations.

After Monday night’s game, Geren indicated he had been planning on using Grant Balfour in a potential save situation Monday night. Apparently Fuentes did not get the memo on that one, leading to the outburst. Fuentes and Geren supposedly cleared the air, although Fuentes still sounds pretty steamed. It will be interesting to see who Geren goes with if the A’s can get into a save situation. Of course, to do that would require a few runs from the offense.

Oakland Athletics
1. Coco Crisp CF
2. Daric Barton 1B
3. Josh Willingham LF
4. Hideki Matsui DH
5. Kurt Suzuki C
6. David DeJesus RF
7. Mark Ellis 2B
8. Andy LaRoche 3B
9. Cliff Pennington SS

Los Angeles Angels
1. Maicer Izturis 2B
2. Erick Aybar SS
3. Bobby Abreu DH
4. Torii Hunter RF
5. Alberto Callaspo 3B
6. Mark Trumbo 1B
7. Hank Conger C
8. Alexi Amarista LF
9. Peter Bourjos CF

• about 2 years ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Athletics vs. Angels: Guillermo Moscoso Recalled To Take Tyson Ross' Turn In The Rotation

The Oakland Athletics made their second move of the week to fill in their injured starting rotation, calling up Guillermo Moscoso from the AAA Sacramento Rivercats. Moscoso will take Tyson Ross' spot in the pitching rotation while Ross rehabs his oblique strain. While Moscoso has made relief appearances at the big league level, he has never made a start, and gets to make his starting debut against Angels ace Dan Haren.

Moscoso made seven starts and eight total appearances for the Rivercats this season before being recalled. In total, Moscoso finished 3-2 with a 4.02 ERA. He's struck out 43 batters and walked 13 over 40 1/3 innings and will be looking to follow in the footsteps of Josh Outman. Although the A's lost, Outman put together a strong pitching performance in his big league return from Tommy John surgery.

Prior to joining the A's, Moscoso made 11 total appearances in 2009 and 2010 for the Texas Rangers. In those 11 big league appearances, Moscos has an ERA of 4.30, giving up seven earned runs in 14 2/3 innings. The A's acquired Moscoso from the Rangers this past January in exchange for Ryan Kelly.

• about 2 years ago
• Article
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Oakland Athletics Closer Brian Fuentes Blasts Manager Bob Geren

• about 2 years ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Athletics vs. Angels: A's Look To Get Lineup Going Against Jered Weaver

The Oakland Athletics open up an important four-game series with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Monday night as they look to end their current five-game losing streak. The A’s were swept in a two-game set by the Minnesota Twins, and then swept in a three-game series with the San Francisco Giants. Now they go from the frying pan into the fire as they open this Angels series against Jered Weaver on Monday night and follow that up with a matchup against Dan Haren on Tuesday night. Weaver threw a complete game shutout against the A’s on April 25.

The A’s offense has struggled mightily this season and they’re making a couple changes Monday night to try and inject something into the batting order. Since Kevin Kouzmanoff continues to recover from his groin strain, the A’s have an open spot in the order. They’ll start by moving Conor Jackson in to the third base spot and hit him fifth. Jackson has two plate appearances this season as a third baseman, but they’ve come when he was switched to third late in games. This will be his first start at the position as the A’s look to get some kind of offensive charge from what has been an atrocious corner infield spot.

Andy LaRoche remains in the lineup as well, but he’ll be playing second base as Mark Ellis gets a day off. Ellis seemed to be getting hot last week but he has reverted to his general 2011 form and is hitting .200 at this point. The A’s continue to wait for Adam Rosales to get healthy, and in the meantime they are plugging bodies in wherever they can to get some kind of spark.

Oakland Athletics
1. Coco Crisp CF
2. Daric Barton 1B
3. Ryan Sweeney LF
4. Hideki Matsui DH
5. Conor Jackson 3B
6. David DeJesus RF
7. Kurt Suzuki C
8. Andy LaRoche 2B
9. Cliff Pennington SS

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
1. Maicer Izturis 2B
2. Erick Aybar SS
3. Bobby Abreu DH
4. Torii Hunter RF
5. Alberto Callaspo 3B
6. Mark Trumbo 1B
7. Jeff Mathis C
8. Peter Bourjos CF
9. Reggie Willits LF

• about 2 years ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Athletics vs. Angels: Josh Outman Joins Joey Devine In Return From Tommy John

The Oakland Athletics have an intriguing pair of pitchers on their 25-man roster as they head down to Anaheim to face the Los Angeles Angels of said Anaheim. Josh Outman was recalled from Sacramento after Sunday’s loss to the Giants and will start in place of Brandon McCarthy Monday night against the Angels. Over the weekend, relief pitcher Joey Devine made back-to-back appearances against the Giants and gave up one hit in two innings of work.

Normally that wouldn’t make the news, but for Outman and Devine, it’s a huge story. Both pitchers lost much of the last two years to elbow ligament replacement surgery, better known as Tommy John surgery. Devine had his surgery in late 2008, while Outman had his surgery in mid-2009.

Both pitchers began this season at AAA Sacramento and now find themselves filling in for other injured pitchers at the big league level. Devine was dealing with the Rivercats, giving up no runs in 12 1/3 innings pitched. He had not pitched in back-to-back games all season but was given that opportunity over the weekend in San Francisco. Outman has struggled with wildness at Sacramento, walking 27 in 37 2/3 innings, but the A’s feel comfortable bringing him up to make at least one start.

It remains to be seen how well these two will rebound from their respective Tommy John surgeries. However, just making it back to the big leagues is a huge step for them. The A’s have had solid starting pitching this season, but injuries have opened the door for Outman. The A’s bullpen was supposed to be a strength but it has struggled to gain some level of consistency in 2011. This opened the door for Joey Devine. It will be interesting to see how they perform the rest of the season.

• about 2 years ago
• Update
• 0 comments

1. Link
2. Facebook
3. Twitter

Athletics vs. Angels: Josh Outman Returns From Tommy John Surgery

The Oakland Athletics head to Southern California for four games with the Los Angeles Angels following a brutal three game sweep at the hands of the San Francisco Giants. The A's find themselves in a tough slide as they have lost five straight to drop to 22-25. Entering Wednesday's game with the Minnesota Twins, the A's were 22-20 and had a share of first place. Five days later the A's are 22-25, two games out of first and in last place in what is turning into a hideous AL West race.

The A's find themselves in a bizarre position because in spite of their struggles, they are really not all that worse off for wear in the AL West. Of course, that is a bit vexing because it's easy to think things are alright when you're only two games back of first place. The A's starting pitching kept the team in the games this weekend, but the offense was pretty abysmal all weekend long. And even when the offense got something going, the bullpen came in and was blown up. All in all, this is the worst stretch of A's baseball this season.

This week's series will provide some answers to one question the A's face: who will replace Tyson Ross and Brandon McCarthy. The team recalled Josh Outman from Sacramento late yesterday and designated Jerry Blevins for assignment. Outman will make his first major league start since 2009 Monday night against Jered Weaver. The A's have yet to announce their plans for Tuesday's starter in place of Ross.