Gio Gonzalez certainly managed a bizarre performance this evening in leading the now hot Oakland A’s to their sixth win in seven games. Gonzalez was a bit wild as he walked four batters, but otherwise had little trouble with the Indians hitters.
The sixth inning proved particularly quirky. Gonzalez got the first two outs fairly quickly, before giving up three straight singles. All three singles were well hit, but right at outfielders, preventing the team from getting a runner home. Mike Redmond followed that up with what appeared to be a hard hit single to right field. Ryan Sweeney came up throwing and managed to throw out Redmond at first base. Although the Jhonny Peralta crossed home plate, the rare 9-3 force out from Sweeney to Barton saved the inning for the A’s.
The A’s were up 3-0 by that point, and were able to hold on as closer Andrew Bailey continued to dominate with a 1-2-3 inning. Bailey now has 16 saves and 1 .64 ERA that is third among AL closers.
The A’s are now officially halfway through the season, standing 40-41. Due to elbow soreness, they’ve scratched Dallas Braden tomorrow and will throw Clay Mortensen in his place.