The Oakland Athletics look to get one game closer to .500 as they host the Baltimore Orioles in the second game of a three-game series. The A’s will send out Josh Outman to make his second major league start since Tommy John surgery. He will square off with Brad Bergesen. Outman had some control issues but kept the A’s in the game, even though their offense couldn’t quite pull it out.
The A’s offense remains an enigma wrapped in a riddle. They received timely hits from Ryan Sweeney and Josh Willingham in Friday’s 6-2 victory over the Orioles. Sweeney is hitting as well as anybody on the A’s and yet he still finds himself getting fairly limited playing time. One could make the argument that he is hitting well because the A’s are using him in the proper manner. Or you could argue the A’s should be playing him a lot more frequently to benefit from his hot bat. Take it however you want.
In other news, Kevin Kouzmanoff finds himself back in the lineup after a week off with a strained groin. Andy LaRoche did not really do enough to secure more playing time, so manager Bob Geren continues to flip-flop the two of them at third base. The black hole that is third base continues.
Oakland Athletics
1. Coco Crisp CF
2. Daric Barton 1B
3. David DeJesus RF
4. Josh Willingham LF
5. Hideki Matsui DH
6. Kurt Suzuki C
7. Mark Ellis 2B
8. Kevin Kouzmanoff 3B
9. Cliff Pennington SS
Baltimore Orioles
1. Robert Andino 3B
2. Adam Jones CF
3. Nick Markakis RF
4. Vladimir Guerrero DH
5. Nolan Reimold LF
6. J.J. Hardy SS
7. Mark Reynolds 1B
8. Ryan Adams 2B
9. Craig Tatum C