SB Nation Bay Area - A's Prepare For Mariners As Home Opener At Oakland Coliseum Approacheshttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48817/bayrea-fave.png2012-04-04T11:20:06-07:00http://bayarea.sbnation.com/rss/stream/25709032012-04-04T11:20:06-07:002012-04-04T11:20:06-07:00Oakland Athletics Roster Cuts: Tyson Ross Sent Down, Graham Godfrey Likely Fourth Starter
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<p>Despite having himself a rather stellar spring, RHP <span>Tyson Ross</span> has apparently been sent back down to the minors, leaving the door open for <span>Graham Godfrey</span> to grab a spot in the rotation for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> to start the 2012 season. </p>
<p><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/susanslusser/status/187601891847446529" target="_blank">Per Susan Slusser on Twitter:</a></p>
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<p>Ross sent out, says he's disappointed but he'll work to be ready when needed. He is still top candidate for 5th spot in rotation. <a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Athletics">#Athletics</a></p>
— Susan Slusser (@susanslusser) <a href="https://twitter.com/susanslusser/status/187601891847446529" data-datetime="2012-04-04T18:05:51+00:00">April 4, 2012</a>
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<p>Seeing that the A's won't be needing a fifth starter until around the middle of the month, Ross can go down to Sacramento and get some more work in. He will likely be battling Jarrod Parker for that fifth spot, but should be slightly favored because of his great spring, posting a 2-1 record with a 1.80 ERA in five starts this spring, including Tuesday night's 4-2 loss to the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">San Francisco Giants</a>. </p>
<p><i>For more on the Athletics, make sure you check out <a target="_blank" href="http://www.athleticsnation.com">Athletics Nation</a> to get in on the action. </i></p>
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https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-athletics/2012/4/4/2925569/oakland-as-roster-cuts-tyson-ross-sent-down-graham-godfreyErnie Pomin2012-04-04T09:36:34-07:002012-04-04T09:36:34-07:00Oakland Athletics Injury Report: Daric Barton Placed on DL, Dallas Braden 'Shut Down'
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<p>Even though the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> have officially begun their 2012 campaign, they still have some roster moves to make before their home opener Friday. They made a few moves on Wednesday that cleared up some room, putting <span>Daric Barton</span> on the DL retroactive to March 24, while <span>Dallas Braden</span> will be shut down for a few weeks as well as both are dealing with shoulder injuries, <a href="http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120403&content_id=27885894&notebook_id=27888568&vkey=notebook_oak&c_id=oak" target="_blank">according to MLB.com's Jane Lee</a>.</p>
<p>Barton is yet to play in back-to-back games this spring as his arm strength in his surgically repaired right shoulder continues to build slowly, and has not come to pass as quickly as he'd hoped.</p>
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<p>"We just felt like he needed, and he felt like he needed, several games in a row to feel good about where his arm strength is," manager Bob Melvin said.</p>
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<p>With Barton sidelined, Bob Melvin will have both <span>Brandon Allen</span> and Kila Ka'aihue on the 25-man roster, with Allen the likely starter at first base. Allen is batting .303 this spring with two home runs and 13 RBIs, while Ka'aihue has three homers but only a .222 BA and a .256 OBP. According to Melvin, he's comfortable with them handling duties at first together.</p>
<p>As for Dallas Braden he received a platelet-rich injection in his nagging shoulder on Monday as well, which will unfortunately put him on the shelf for the next three weeks or so. Braden was looking good until a setback in Arizona during the rest of the A's trip to Japan left him reeling, now even further behind on his rehab and return. Melvin was quick to note that a timetable is in place, but not set in stone by any means:</p>
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<p>"The schedule he was on, obviously we're not on any more," manager Bob Melvin said. "We're not even looking at a schedule right now, just seeing how he feels."</p>
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<p>Two other pieces of note, Reliever <span>Joey Devine</span> is awaiting results on an MRI he had on Monday as he is dealing with some elbow tendonitis, while LHP Brett Anderson threw a 40-pitch bullpen session Tuesday, and is now throwing curves and sliders once more.</p>
<p><i>For more on the A's, head over to <a href="http://www.athleticsnation.com" target="_blank">Athletics Nation.</a></i></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-athletics/2012/4/4/2925273/oakland-athletics-injury-report-daric-barton-dallas-braden-joey-devineErnie Pomin2012-04-02T15:07:44-07:002012-04-02T15:07:44-07:00A's Roster Cuts: Oakland Sends Adam Rosales To AAA Sacramento
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<p>As the Oakland A's continue to await the rest of Major League Baseball to have their opening day, Billy Beane, Bob Melvin and the rest of the team's braintrust has been busy filling out the rest of their 40-man roster. They made a significant move on Monday after the team sent infielder <span>Adam Rosales</span> to AAA Sacramento, <a href="http://www.csnbayarea.com/baseball-oakland-athletics/athletics-talk/As-send-Rosales-to-Sacramento?blockID=681658&feedID=2539&awid=5770595102320277770-766" target="_blank">according to CSN Bay Area. </a></p>
<p>Rosales had himself a bit of a rough spring at the plate, batting a meager .167 without a home run and only two RBI in 12 games for Oakland. He had only 18 at bats, striking out four times while walking thrice, and was 0/2 attempting stealing bases.</p>
<p>The A's now have 27 men left on their roster, needing to cut two more players before their 'opening day' meeting with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.fishstripes.com/">Miami Marlins</a> this Friday. But first, a three game Bay Bridge exhibition series with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">San Francisco Giants</a>. </p>
<p><i>For more news and notes on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a>, make sure you head on over to <a href="http://www.athleticsnation.com" target="_blank">Athletics Nation</a> to get in on the action and show off your fanhood. </i></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-athletics/2012/4/2/2921086/as-roster-cuts-oakland-sends-adam-rosales-to-aaa-sacramentoErnie Pomin2012-04-01T06:00:49-07:002012-04-01T06:00:49-07:00A's Vs. RiverCats: Tom Milone Named 3rd Starter After 6 Perfect Innings In 9-0 Exhibition Win
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> officially opened up the 2012 MLB season with a pair of games against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Seattle Mariners</a>. Now that they are tied for first place in the AL West, it is time for ... uh ... more exhibition games.</p>
<p>On Saturday, the A's played a game against their Triple A affiliate the Sacramento RiverCats at Raley Field in Sacramento. The game was an extremely one-sided affair that was called after the seventh inning due to rain. The A's were named the winners in the 9-0 contest.</p>
<p>Starting pitcher <span>Tom Milone</span> pitched six perfect innings, allowing no baserunners while striking out six. <span>Coco Crisp</span> and <span>Josh Donaldson</span> hit home runs in the winning effort.</p>
<p>The starter for the RiverCats, right-hander <span>Jarrod Parker</span>, did not fare quite as well as Milone, giving up six runs (three earned) in two innings pitched. A's manager Bob Melvin had stated that the bottom of the Oakland rotation is not yet set in stone and Parker is still a candidate for one of the slots.</p>
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<p><a href="https://twitter.com/search/%2523Athletics">#Athletics</a> Melvin says 3-4-5 spots in rotation still in flux and Jarrod Parker, pitching for Sac tonight, is still in the mix.</p>
— Carl Steward (@stewardsfolly) <a href="https://twitter.com/stewardsfolly/status/186231474696093696" data-datetime="2012-03-31T23:20:18+00:00">March 31, 2012</a>
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<p>But Parker likely did not do himself many favors in Saturday's outing.</p>
<p>After the game, Melvin did not hesitate in naming lefty Milone the A's third starter for the season.</p>
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<p>Melvin names Milone third starter. Faces KC in first start.</p>
— John Shea (@JohnSheaHey) <a href="https://twitter.com/JohnSheaHey/status/186301200663191555" data-datetime="2012-04-01T03:57:22+00:00">April 1, 2012</a>
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<p>It will be exciting to watch Milone's progress throughout the year. Elsewhere in the rotation news, <a target="_blank" href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/03/31/SP9M1NT220.DTL&feed=rss.athletics&utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter">John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports</a> that Dallas Braden -- whose timeline to rejoin the team was sometime in May -- has suffered a setback in his rehab and has strained his shoulder. The team is uncertain at this time how much this will extend his rehab and are waiting to hear back from doctors.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Oakland A's and their season opener in Japan, head on over to <a href="http://athleticsnation.com/">Athletics Nation</a>.</i></p>
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https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-athletics/2012/4/1/2917443/athletics-rivercats-tom-milone-jarrod-parkerBill Hanstock2012-03-26T11:27:43-07:002012-03-26T11:27:43-07:00Oakland Athletics Lose Exhibition Game To Hanshin Tigers, 12-6
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<p>Japan's Hanshin <a href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Tigers</a> took advantage of a struggling <span>Tyson Ross</span> and defeated the <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a>, 12-6, just 24 hours after the Tigers beat the <a href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seattle Mariners</a>.</p>
<p>Ross gave up eight runs and 10 hits in just four innings, with six runs being earned. His defense behind him didn't help as they committed three errors in the loss. Ross is slotted as the A's fourth starter this season.</p>
<p>Offensively, the A's looked good as they put up six runs headlined by a three-run home run by <span>Kurt Suzuki</span> who also hit a homer during Sunday's 5-0 win over Japan's Yomiuri <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Giants</a>.</p>
<p>Both the A's and Mariners played the Tigers in lieu of their regular season opening matchup at the Tokyo Dome on Wednesday night. <a href="http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120325&content_id=27614036&vkey=news_oak&c_id=oak">A's manager Bob Melvin was quoted on MLB.com speaking on the performance</a>.</p>
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<p>"I liked [the offense] better than the rest of the day," manager Bob Melvin said. "Today wasn't our best day. We've had a real good spring, been focused all spring, played good defense. But I don't want to take anything away from them. They made a great impression on us all game long. We just didn't play one of our better games."</p>
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<p><i>For more on the Oakland A's and their season opener in Japan, head on over to <a href="http://athleticsnation.com/"><u><font color="#224d8d">Athletics Nation</font></u></a>.</i></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-athletics/2012/3/26/2903883/oakland-athletics-lose-exhibition-game-hanshin-tigersRonald Clark2012-03-25T20:20:57-07:002012-03-25T20:20:57-07:00Oakland Athletics Win Exhibition Game Against Yomiuri Giants, 5-0
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> played the second of two exhibition games in Japan on Sunday, handily defeating the Yomiuri <span class="sbn-auto-link"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a></span> by blanking them in a 5-0 victory. Leadoff hitter <span>Jemile Weeks</span> has two hits and two RBI while <span>Kurt Suzuki</span> homered. <span>Yoenis Cespedes</span> went 0-for-4, but lefty <span>Tom Milone</span> was more than solid, tossing five shutout innings with seven strikeouts while only giving up two hits. A terrific tune-up for the A's as they get ready to take on the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Seattle Mariners</a> to officially kick off the 2012 MLB season.</p>
<p>Cespedes needed to leave the game in the seventh inning due to a leg cramp, after which he was spelled by <span>Collin Cowgill</span>. <a target="_blank" href="http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120325&content_id=27587290&notebook_id=27588192&vkey=notebook_oak&c_id=oak">Jane lee of MLB.com reported</a> that Cespedes was experiencing some dehydration and will likely be held out of the next A's exhibition game against the Hanshin <span class="sbn-auto-link"><a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.blessyouboys.com/">Tigers</a></span>, but is expected to be ready to go on Wednesday when they play the Mariners.</p>
<p>Lee also reported that A's manager Bob Melvin is getting close to deciding on an Opening Day lineup.</p>
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<p>Melvin decided to pack the of the order with speed, as Jemile Weeks, <span>Cliff Pennington</span> and <span>Coco Crisp</span> were handpicked for the No. 1-3 spots. <span>Seth Smith</span>, starting at DH, followed in the cleanup spot, with Yoenis Cespedes batting fifth.</p>
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<p>The A's ultimately envision Cespedes batting third or fourth, but Melvin likes him in the No. 5 spot for now, not only to take away some pressure, but as a way of surrounding him with lefties, with Josh Reddick pegged to bat sixth.</p>
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<p>Although it didn't seem this way early in the offseason, whichever lineup Melvin goes with will be a big improvement over 2011.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Oakland A's and their season opener in Japan, head on over to <a href="http://athleticsnation.com/">Athletics Nation</a>.</i></p>
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https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-athletics/2012/3/25/2902557/oakland-athletics-win-exhibition-game-against-yomiuri-giants-5-0Bill Hanstock2012-03-24T06:00:41-07:002012-03-24T06:00:41-07:00Oakland Athletics Greeted Like Stars In Japan In Possible Case Of Mistaken Identity
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> were chosen to help kick off the 2012 baseball season in the now-customary overseas Opening Day. The A's will play against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/">Seattle Mariners</a> in Japan. On Friday, the teams touched down in Japan and the A's were greeted by throngs of fans. The only real question is: why?</p>
<p><a target="_blank" href="http://blog.sfgate.com/athletics/2012/03/23/the-as-arrive-in-japan/#4000-1">Katie Dowd of the San Francisco Chronicle passed along a slide show</a> of the A's arriving in Oakland and signing autographs. Click through to see the pictures, including <span>Coco Crisp</span> looking surprised and a little confused. As well he should be, since ... you know ... it's just the Oakland A's, everyone.</p>
<p>Perhaps the fans were under the impression they would be seeing Brad Pitt or Jonah Hill get off the plane, which, admittedly, would be pretty cool.</p>
<p>We kid, but it's all in good fun. It will be a lot of fun to watch the opening series in Japan, mostly because it means baseball will finally be back. Welcome, old friend. We've missed you so.</p>
<p><i>For all news and information regarding the Oakland A's, please visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.athleticsnation.com/">Athletics Nation</a>.</i></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-athletics/2012/3/24/2898988/oakland-athletics-arrive-in-japan-marinersBill Hanstock2012-03-21T06:01:11-07:002012-03-21T06:01:11-07:00Oakland Athletics Tie Chicago Cubs 5-5 After Late Rally
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<p>The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> trailed for most of Tuesday's game with the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bleedcubbieblue.com/">Chicago Cubs</a>, but a late rally tied the game up and eventually had the contest called after 10 innings. <span>Brandon McCarthy</span> made the start for the A's and worked four innings. The soon-to-be Opening Day starter allowed four runs (two earned) on five hits and three walks. He struck out just one batter.</p>
<p>Kila Ka'aihue belted his third home run of Spring Training in the eighth inning, while recently-signed outfielder <span>Jonny Gomes</span> hit a three-run homer in the ninth to tie the game, his second of the spring. Star outfield prospect <span>Yoenis Cespedes</span> went 2-for-5 on the afternoon with a strikeout. </p>
<p><span>Rodrigo Lopez</span> worked five innings for the Cubs and pitched very well, holding Oakland to one run over five innings. He allowed just four hits and a walk. <span>Tony Campana</span> roped out four hits and stole his second base of the spring.</p>
<p>The A's are now 14-4-1 in Spring Training.</p>
<p><i>For more on the team, be sure to check out <a href="http://athleticsnation.com" target="_blank">Athletics Nation</a>.</i></p>
https://bayarea.sbnation.com/oakland-athletics/2012/3/21/2889359/oakland-athletics-spring-training-cubsScott Coleman