SB Nation Bay Area - Athletics vs. Mariners: Willingham Drives In Three As A's Win 5-2, Split Serieshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48817/bayrea-fave.png2011-04-24T16:52:46-07:00http://bayarea.sbnation.com/rss/stream/18890552011-04-24T16:52:46-07:002011-04-24T16:52:46-07:00Atheltics vs. Mariners, Series Recap: .500 Is Apparently The Name Of The Game For Oakland
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> wrapped up yet another series split as they went 2-2 against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Seattle Mariners</a> in their weekend series. The A’s have now split all three of their even-numbered series, going 2-2 against Detroit and 1-1 against Boston. The A’s were over .500 after the series-opening victory against Boston, but have otherwise spent the season at .500 or within two games of .500.</p>
<p>This series saw the A’s get quality starts in three of the four games, but their offense waited until Saturday to finally get going. After 20 2/3 shutout innings, the A’s managed 14 runs over the final two games, which is their highest two-game output this season. If they are finally gaining some consistency on offense (as much consistency as one can have in only two games), it would be a huge step forward for this team.</p>
<p><strong>A’s Pitcher of the Series</strong>: <span>Brandon McCarthy</span> – Although McCarthy got the loss on Thursday night, he was quite dominant as he gave up only one run on an <span>Adam Kennedy</span> solo home run. Through four starts, McCarthy is 1-1 with a 2.10 <span class="caps">ERA</span> and a 1.00 <span class="caps">WHIP</span>. After spending the entire 2010 season either injured or in the minors, McCarthy has been a revelation in his short time with the A’s. If he can remain healthy (a big if given his history), he solidifies what was already an incredibly strong starting rotation.</p>
<p><strong>A’s Hitter of the Series</strong>: <span>Coco Crisp</span> – Given the overall poor performances in the back-to-back shutouts to start the series, it really came down to these last two games. In those two games, Crisp was 6-for-10 with four runs, two RBIs and a stolen base. The A’s were finally getting key hits in the last two games and it seemed like Coco was involved in those plays in some form or fashion. As the table-setter for this lineup, it is essential for him to get hot.</p>
<p><strong>Upcoming Schedule</strong>: The A’s head down to Southern California for three games with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Los Angeles Angels</a> of Anaheim. The first game could prove to be the best as <span>Gio Gonzalez</span> squares off with <span>Jered Weaver</span> in a battle between two guys who are pitching extremely well this season. The A’s will head home after that for four games with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lonestarball.com/">Texas Rangers</a>. Whatever happens over the course of the next seven games, the A’s will finally end an even-numbered series at some place other than .500. Let’s hope for the better side of .500.</p>
<p><strong><u>Series Results</u></strong><br>
Thursday: Mariners 1 – A’s 0<br>
WP: <span>Felix Hernandez</span> (2-2)<br>
LP: Brandon McCarthy (1-1)<br>
Sv: <span>Brandon League</span> (4)</p>
<p>Friday: Mariners 4 – A’s 0<br>
WP: <span>Michael Pineda</span> (3-1)<br>
LP: <span>Tyson Ross</span> (1-2)<br>
Sv: Brandon League (5)</p>
<p>Saturday: A’s 9 – Mariners 1<br>
WP: <span>Trevor Cahill</span> (3-0)<br>
LP: Jason Vargas (0-2)</p>
<p>Sunday: A’s 5 – Mariners 2<br>
WP: Brett Anderson (2-1)<br>
LP: <span>Aaron Laffey</span> (0-1)<br>
Sv: <span>Brian Fuentes</span> (6)</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-athletics/2011/4/24/2130849/atheltics-vs-mariners-series-recap-500-is-apparently-name-of-game-oaklandDavid Fucillo2011-04-24T16:23:15-07:002011-04-24T16:23:15-07:00Athletics vs. Mariners, MLB Scores: Brett Anderson, Josh Willingham Key 5-2 A's Victory
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<p>The <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a> used a 5-2 victory on Sunday to salvage a split of their four game series against the <a href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seattle Mariners</a>. After stumbling to back-to-back shutouts to start the series, the A’s took advantage of the “lesser” pitchers in the Mariners starting rotation in getting their split. <span>Brett Anderson</span> earned the victory today as he improved to 2-1 and lowered his earned run average to 1.56.</p>
<p><span>Josh Willingham</span> proved key today as he drove in three runs to get the victory for Anderson and the A’s. The game was notted at one in the seventh and Anderson was running out of innings when Willingham doubled in <span>Coco Crisp</span> and <span>Conor Jackson</span>. The Mariners got an unearned run back in the bottom of the seventh after a Kouzmanoff error and things were once again tight. however, Willingham added another <span class="caps">RBI</span> in a key ninth inning rally that moved the A’s lead to 5-2.</p>
<p>Brian Fuentes and <span>Grant Balfour</span> handled their business shutting out Seattle over the final two innings. The victory improved the A’s to 11-11 on the season as they now head down to Anaheim for a three game series.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-athletics/2011/4/24/2130813/athletics-vs-mariners-mlb-scores-brett-anderson-josh-willingham-key-as-victoryDavid Fucillo2011-04-24T11:16:47-07:002011-04-24T11:16:47-07:00Athletics vs. Mariners, Starting Lineup Preview: A's Offense Looks For Repeat Of Saturday
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> send out Brett Anderson on Eastern Sunday to face <span>Doug Fister</span> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Seattle Mariners</a> in hopes of securing yet another series split. The A’s have bounced around the .500 mark and are looking to get permanently above .500. They were 9-8 after the first <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Red Sox</a> game, but otherwise have been at or below .500 all season.</p>
<p>Brett Anderson makes his fifth start of the season and will look to improve up on his team-leading 1.63 <span class="caps">ERA</span>. As should be expected, the A’s currently <a href="http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/stats/sortable_team_stats.jsp?c_id=oak&baseballScope=mlb&statType=2&sitSplit=&timeSubFrame=2011&groupByTeam=true&Submit=Submit&timeFrame=1" target="new">lead the majors in <span class="caps">ERA</span></a> by a healthy margin. They boast a 2.53 team <span class="caps">ERA</span>, while the next best is the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a> pitchers with a 2.94 <span class="caps">ERA</span>. It’s interesting to note that both teams are currently sitting under.500.</p>
<p>Doug Fister makes his fifth start of the season and has been mostly solid, aside from a poor performance against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Kansas City Royals</a> in which he gave up five earned runs. The A’s offense blew up last night and will look to carry the momentum over on Sunday. Given how awesome the A’s pitching has been, a little more offense could get this team over the hump and right in the thick of the playoff race.</p>
<p><strong><u>Oakland Athletics</u></strong><br>
1. <span>Coco Crisp</span>, CF<br>
2. <span>Daric Barton</span>, 1B<br>
3. <span>David DeJesus</span>, RF<br>
4. <span>Josh Willingham</span>, LF<br>
5. <span>Hideki Matsui</span>, DH<br>
6. <span>Mark Ellis</span>, 2B<br>
7. <span>Landon Powell</span>, C<br>
8. <span>Kevin Kouzmanoff</span>, 3B<br>
9. <span>Cliff Pennington</span>, SS</p>
<p><strong><u>Seattle Mariners</u></strong><br>
1. <span>Ichiro Suzuki</span>, DH<br>
2. <span>Chone Figgins</span>, 3B<br>
3. <span>Milton Bradley</span>, LF<br>
4. <span>Miguel Olivo</span>, C<br>
5. <span>Adam Kennedy</span>, 1B<br>
6. <span>Brendan Ryan</span>, SS<br>
7. <span>Michael Saunders</span>, CF<br>
8. <span>Jack Wilson</span>, 2B<br>
9. <span>Ryan Langerhans</span>, RF</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-athletics/2011/4/24/2130428/athletics-vs-mariners-starting-lineup-preview-as-offense-looks-forDavid Fucillo2011-04-23T21:42:42-07:002011-04-23T21:42:42-07:00Athletics vs. Mariners, MLB Scores: Kevin Kouzmanoff, Coco Crisp Key A's 9-1 Victory
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> put together one of their most complete performances of the season Saturday night as they defeated the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Seattle Mariners</a> 9-1. The nine runs were a season high for an A’s offense that had struggled immensely this season. <span>Trevor Cahill</span> improved to 3-0 and lowered his <span class="caps">ERA</span> to 2.30 as he settled down after early struggles. Cahill gave up one run on five hits over the first two innings but held the Mariners to two hits the remaining four innings.</p>
<p>The big story of the day was the Athletics offensive explosion as they scored a season high nine runs against Jason Vargas and <span>Josh Lueke</span>. After the <span>Coco Crisp</span> snapped the A’s 20 2/3 inning scoreless streak with an <span class="caps">RBI</span> single in the third, things seemed destined to be frustrated. After <span>Daric Barton</span> walked, <span>Conor Jackson</span> poked a liner past second baseman <span>Jack Wilson</span>. It was a soft hit and Coco Crisp should have scored from second. However, as Crisp rounded third he saw Mike Gallego with the stop signal. Gallego was actually signaling to Barton at second, but Crisp got mixed up. <span>Josh Willingham</span> flew out to center after that and the A’s were left tied 1-1.</p>
<p>However, Oakland got things going in the fourth inning, adding three runs on a <span>Kevin Kouzmanoff</span> single and a two-run homer by <span>Cliff Pennington</span>. They added five more runs in the sixth inning on a Kouzmanoff three-run home run, a Crisp <span class="caps">RBI</span> double and a Jackson <span class="caps">RBI</span> single. After Cahill departed following the sixth inning, the bullpen locked things down the rest of the way for the win.</p>
<p>The A’s head back out to conclude the series tomorrow, hoping to once again get back to the .500 mark with another series split. They send out Brett Anderson to face <span>Doug Fister</span> at 1:10pm on <span class="caps">CSN</span> California. Anderson has been the A’s best starter this season, although <span>Brandon McCarthy</span> is running a close second. Oakland heads off to Anaheim afterward for three games.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-athletics/2011/4/23/2129842/athletics-vs-mariners-mlb-scores-kevin-kouzmanoff-coco-crisp-key-as-9David Fucillo2011-04-23T15:25:02-07:002011-04-23T15:25:02-07:00Athletics vs. Mariners, Starting Lineup Preview: A's Look To Snap Three-Game Losing Streak
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> look to snap a three game losing streak as they send out number one starter <span>Trevor Cahill</span> to face Jason Vargas and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Seattle Mariners</a>. The A’s struggles go directly to their horrendous inability to get a timely hit. In yesterday’s 4-0 loss Oakland had runners on at least first and second with one or nobody out and they could not plate a single one of them. If this continues the A’s 2011 season could be in for a world of hurt.</p>
<p>Trevor Cahill will be making his fifth start of the season. He’s alternated quality starts lasting 4 2/3 innings in two separate starts and then pitching like his 2010 self in the other two starts. He’s improved his strikeout rate this season and now simply needs to regain some consistency.</p>
<p>Jason Vargas will also be making his fifth start of the season. In his two starts since a beatdown versus Cleveland, Vargas has gone 12 2/3 innings and given up three earned runs. In two starts and four total appearances against Oakland, Vargas is 2-1 with a 4.20 <span class="caps">ERA</span>.</p>
<p><strong><u>Oakland Athletics</u></strong><br>
1. <span>Coco Crisp</span>, CF<br>
2. <span>Daric Barton</span>, 1B<br>
3. <span>Conor Jackson</span>, RF<br>
4. <span>Josh Willingham</span>, LF<br>
5. <span>Hideki Matsui</span>, DH<br>
6. <span>Kurt Suzuki</span>, C<br>
7. <span>Mark Ellis</span>, 2B<br>
8. <span>Kevin Kouzmanoff</span>, 3B<br>
9. <span>Cliff Pennington</span>, SS</p>
<p><strong><u>Seattle Mariners</u></strong><br>
1. <span>Ichiro Suzuki</span>, RF<br>
2. <span>Chone Figgins</span>, 3B<br>
3. <span>Adam Kennedy</span>, 1B<br>
4. <span>Jack Cust</span>, DH<br>
5. <span>Michael Saunders</span>, CF<br>
6. <span>Luis Rodriguez</span>, SS<br>
7. <span>Chris Gimenez</span>, C<br>
8. <span>Carlos Peguero</span>, LF<br>
9. <span>Jack Wilson</span>, 2B</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-athletics/2011/4/23/2129330/athletics-vs-mariners-starting-lineup-preview-as-look-to-snap-threeDavid Fucillo2011-04-22T23:12:42-07:002011-04-22T23:12:42-07:00Michael Pineda Stymies Punchless A's Offense As Mariners Shutout A's For Second Straight Night
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<p>The <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a> failed to plate a single run for the second consecutive night on Friday, as the American League’s second to worst offense remained in a rut in a 4-0 loss to the <a href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seattle Mariners</a>. Rookie right hander <span>Michael Pineda</span> allowed just five hits in six scoreless innings of work, striking out five A’s and walking just two batters for his his third consecutive win.</p>
<p><span>Tyson Ross</span> lasted just four and one third innings, allowing three earned runs on four hits and four walks in his first start of the season. Typically confined to relief work, Ross replaced the injured <span>Dallas Braden</span> in the A’s rotation. <span>Adam Kennedy</span> delivered the big hit for Seattle with a two-run single in the fifth that sent Ross to the shower. Reliever <span>Jerry Blevins</span> surrendered another M’s run without recording a single out as the Mariners padded their lead with three runs in the fifth.</p>
<p>It didn’t much matter because of how poorly the A’s swung the bat, but the small silver lining on Friday night was the solid work turned in by the rest of the A’s bullpen. <span>Brad Ziegler</span>, <span>David Purcey</span>, and <span>Craig Breslow</span> recorded the final 11 outs for Oakland, yielding no runs on just two hits and one walk while striking out four.</p>
<p>Oakland tried to make things interesting in their final at bat. After <span>Hideki Matsui</span> struck out looking to lead off the top of the ninth, <span>Kurt Suzuki</span> and <span>Mark Ellis</span> both singled. <span>Ryan Sweeney</span> then walked to load the bases with just one out, but perhaps fittingly, pinch hitter <span>Conor Jackson</span> grounded into a double play to kill the rally. The shutout loss was the second in two nights and the third in eight days.</p>
<p>Oakland and Seattle continue their four-game set at Safeco Field tomorrow evening. The A’s will send out <span>Trevor Cahill</span> to try to snap the mini-skid, while Jason Vargas will try to continue their streak of pitching brilliance for the Mariners on Saturday night.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-athletics/2011/4/22/2128352/michael-pineda-shutout-oakland-athletics-seattle-marinersMichael Bean2011-04-22T16:16:16-07:002011-04-22T16:16:16-07:00Athletics vs. Mariners, Starting Lineup Preview: Tyson Ross Faces Michael Pineda In Battle Of Youth
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> face off against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Seattle Mariners</a> Friday night as they get their first look at Seattle Mariners rookie phenom <span>Michael Pineda</span>. In three starts this season, Pineda has gone 19 1/3 innings and given up five earned runs. It will be interesting to see the A’s struggling offense is able to jump on the youngster early, or this little Felix will follow in King Felix’s footsteps with a strong performance.</p>
<p>The A’s send out starter <span>Tyson Ross</span>, who will make his first start in place of injured starter <span>Dallas Braden</span>. Ross will likely make two or three starts in place of Braden, barring an extended stint for Braden on the DL. Ross competed for the fifth starter spot this spring and lost out to <span>Brandon McCarthy</span> who is off to a red-hot start. Ross has made three relief appearances since being recalled from <span class="caps">AAA</span> and will be making only the third start of his career. Ross struggled a bit in his two starts last season, lasting 7 2/3 total innings, giving up six earned runs.</p>
<p><strong><u>Oakland Athletics</u></strong><br>
1. <span>Coco Crisp</span>, CF<br>
2. <span>Daric Barton</span>, 1B<br>
3. <span>David DeJesus</span>, RF<br>
4. <span>Josh Willingham</span>, LF<br>
5. <span>Hideki Matsui</span>, DH<br>
6. <span>Kurt Suzuki</span>, C<br>
7. <span>Mark Ellis</span>, 2B<br>
8. <span>Kevin Kouzmanoff</span>, 3B<br>
9. <span>Cliff Pennington</span>, SS</p>
<p><strong><u>Seattle Mariners</u></strong><br>
1. <span>Ichiro Suzuki</span>, RF<br>
2. <span>Chone Figgins</span>, 3B<br>
3. <span>Milton Bradley</span>, LF<br>
4. <span>Jack Cust</span>, DH<br>
5. <span>Adam Kennedy</span>, 1B<br>
6. <span>Miguel Olivo</span>, C<br>
7. <span>Ryan Langerhans</span>, LF<br>
8. <span>Brendan Ryan</span>, SS<br>
9. <span>Jack Wilson</span>, 2B</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-athletics/2011/4/22/2127840/athletics-vs-mariners-starting-lineup-preview-tyson-ross-facesDavid Fucillo2011-04-21T21:43:22-07:002011-04-21T21:43:22-07:00Athletics vs. Mariners, MLB Scores: Brandon McCarthy Awesome, Felix Hernandez Awesomer
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<p>In an outcome that was actually quite predictable, <span>Brandon McCarthy</span> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> fell to <span>Felix Hernandez</span> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Seattle Mariners</a> 1-0. McCarthy was once again brilliant, and once again the A’s offense came up short. McCarthy pitched an eight inning complete game, lowering his <span class="caps">ERA</span> to 2.10, and managed to lose. On the other side, Felix Hernandez went 7 2/3 innings, giving up four hits and no runs while striking out eight to get his second win of the season.</p>
<p>The A’s offense got players into scoring position several times Thursday night but continued in their struggles to get timely hits. In the third inning, <span>Cliff Pennington</span> got to second with two outs before <span>Coco Crisp</span> grounded out. The A’s got a leadoff single from <span>Josh Willingham</span> in the seventh but he was doubled off after a <span>Ryan Sweeney</span> bullet to third. In the eighth, the A’s had Pennington at second and <span>David DeJesus</span> at first, and King Felix leaving the game. Connor Jackson hit a bullet up the middle, but second baseman <span>Jack Wilson</span> made the stop and flip to second. Finally, the A’s got Willingham to second in the ninth with one out, but could only muster a pair of foul outs by <span>Kurt Suzuki</span> and <span>Mark Ellis</span>.</p>
<p>The A’s return tomorrow with another tough pitching battle. They’ll send out <span>Tyson Ross</span> in place of <span>Dallas Braden</span> to face another young Mariners phenom in <span>Michael Pineda</span>.</p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-athletics/2011/4/21/2126276/athletics-vs-mariners-mlb-scores-brandon-mccarthy-awesome-felix-hernandezDavid Fucillo