First of all, having not been able to see, hear, or follow this particular game, forgive me if the wrap up is a bit cursory today - I will be back with a more in-depth piece later this afternoon. But here's what I gather...
In a tale of two games, the A's fell behind 6-0 after 4 innings, as Sean Gallagher served up a leadoff HR to Alfonso Soriano to start the game and Kevin Cameron was touched for two runs in the 3rd, Jerry Blevins rocked for three more in the 4th. Gallagher was touched for just the one run in his 2 IP of work, but allowed 3 hits and a BB along the way.
Oakland got up off the deck, courtesy of a Rajai Davis two-run single in the 5th and made a game of it with a couple more in the 7th. Eight Athletics had one hit a piece for Oakland.
The positives in the game's second half included strong two-inning efforts by young lefties Brett Anderson (1 BB, no other damage) and Gio Gonzalez (2 perfect innings with 2 Ks). Make no mistake that with Justin Duchscherer's immediate future much in doubt, opportunity is knocking harder and harder on the doors that house Anderson, Gio, Mazzaro, Cahill et al.
I'll see you in a couple hours to discuss some possible implications the imminent additions of Orlando Cabrera and Nomar Garciaparra might have.
0 recs | 32 comments
Sounds like great pitching
by Gallagher, Gio, and Anderson, which is huge with Duke’s shelf time looming.
A'sfansince1970 - March 3, 2009
I wouldn't call Gallaghers pitching today great
Helloooo 1st - March 3, 2009
Our pitching will be fine........
regardless of Duke’s situation. Granted it would be nice to have him ready to go, but with all the talent the A’s have, the cream will rise to the top, and the A’s will turn out a great rotation by the second half, just in time for the usual A’s 2nd half run for the pennant.
OakFoSho
0akFoSho - March 3, 2009
I have to say "yes and no"
In the long run, the pitching will be fine. But for 2009? It was always looking like a bit of a stretch to slot Gallagher and Eveland in 2-3. Without Duke, I’m not sure that this is a rotation that hang with the Angels overall.
Nico - March 3, 2009
Found this so far. Looking for more.
Flashfire - March 3, 2009
+1
Nicely said, Fo Sho.
A'sfansince1970 - March 3, 2009
Random stuff
It seems like all the runs that the A’s gave up were HRs. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or bad though. Rotoworld speculates that Gio pitching in relief role signals that he’s unlikely to be the fifth starter. I doubt that. These last two STs have been the opposite of what I’ve expected. Last season I went in with absolutely no expectations yet the A’s won the Cactus League. This year I have high expectations and yet the A’s are doing terribly. I know, I know, SSS. But the fan in me reacts even to ST games. Can the A’s not confuse me?
Any word on when Nomar’s set to make his ST debut? Apparently the deal is set to be announced Friday so presumably Friday or Saturday. Thursday should be fun day. Cabrera at SS (against Renteria) and possibly Chavvy at 3b. Oh and I was unaware the Braves relief pitcher was such a good hitter.
vignette17 - March 3, 2009
Right now, I'm thinking the season will open with
Gallagher, Eveland, Braden, and two others (with Duke pushed back to mid-April at the earliest) – in which case there is room for TWO of Gio G., Outman, Williams, Edgar G., Mazzaro, Cahill, Anderson to break camp not only with the team but in the starting rotation.
Nico - March 3, 2009
I agree wholeheartedly, and I also think they're ranked in that order
The team’s preference is undoubtedly that Gio/Outman win those jobs. The rest of those guys would need to have their contracts purchased, which creates more 40-man roster juggling.
The team would rather not do that, considering it still needs to create a roster spot for Garciaparra and probably one more for one of the Reyes/Andy Sisco/Mulder three-headed monster.
Another consideration with MAC is you’d rather not unnecessarily burn an option year, which the team would if they added those guys out of spring training, watched them struggle, and then sent them down in May/June. That’s part of why it makes sense to put Jerome and Edgar G. in front of them.
notsellingjeans - March 3, 2009
Gio/Outman could both use a little more AAA time
Those two are certainly more important to the A’s future than Williams and Edgar. But the latter may be more polished and able to put up a Saarloos/5th starter like 4.5 ERA in the Coliseum. Outman has 27 days of service in the majors. Gio has 54. That’ a long time to spend in the minors to gain an extra year of service time but it could be possible the A’s do that to Gio or Outman much like they did to Buck last year. And there certainly are reasons to keep both down there. Gio often does better his second time through a league (in this case AAA) and he’s young enough to do it.
As for Mulder/Reyes/Sisco, only Reyes deserves a major league deal. If the A’s sign the other two, it will be on minor league deals in which case they won’t have to worry about the 40 man. Reyes would take Gray’s spot.
vignette17 - March 3, 2009
I'd agree with that
But I think what it’s boiling down to is the four spot is one of Gio/Outman. There are valid reasons to argue for which of those two you prefer. Then the fifth spot becomes a battle between EGonzalez and Williams. That combined with Eveland, Braden and Gallagher. The A’s certainly could contend with that rotation but I’m not as sure they can as I was with Duke. I would not be surprised to see the A’s go after Pedro or Mulder. At midseason, Sheets, possibly Halladay or Webb, and Peavy could be available. If the A’s are in contention, it could make sense to go after them.
I’m not really in either camp with regards to MACS but I certainly feel they should not be called up before midseason. Past that I’d have to really evaluate what to do. These young arms ARE the A’s future.
vignette17 - March 3, 2009
Will the A's need a 5th starter at the beginning of the season
or do they have enough off-days to go with 4 for a couple weeks?
Nick - March 3, 2009
They'll need one from the git go,
because they play 10 days in a row before their first day off – they won’t actually be able to skip their #5 starter until May 13th!
Nico - March 3, 2009
Crap
Well, on balance that’s probably less disruptive than having to play a “home” series in Japan.
Nick - March 3, 2009
Given the state of most rotations, it could work to the A's advantage
Their #5s figure to match up better than their #2s.
Nico - March 3, 2009
I'm looking for Bobby
to try and flame the tensions between Cabrera and Renteria. Gotta try and keep his job somehow.
alox - March 3, 2009
Clever, Nico.
Clever.
67MARQUEZ - March 3, 2009
I see what you did there
micdog2001 - March 3, 2009
Maybe Beane isn't done
Does he have a veteran starter up his sleeve? Last minute find off the srap heap? MULDER!
A'sfansince1970 - March 3, 2009
Love the headline.
Gallagher’s so bad he gives up homers to relief pitchers that aren’t even on the other team!
JediLeroy - March 3, 2009
Did I actually type that?
I really need to start drinking later in the morning.
Nico - March 3, 2009
I know it's not much of an excuse, but in fairness
Alfonso Soriano and Sally Jesse Raphael really do look a lot alike.
Nico - March 3, 2009
Gallagher's got the hippie look going
Flashfire - March 3, 2009
He looks like Jered Weaver there.
Nico - March 3, 2009
Not a good sign
Flashfire - March 3, 2009
Turning into a solid #2/good #3 starter is not a good sign?
PaulThomas - March 3, 2009
Being a solid #2/good #3 starter is a good sign
Looking like Jered Weaver is not.
Flashfire - March 3, 2009
It's better than the afro thing he had last year.
OldhamA - March 3, 2009
Looks a bit like Roger from RENT
vignette17 - March 3, 2009
I would say more like a hybrid of Jered Weaver and Josh Beckett
gojohn10 - March 3, 2009
How about Pedro
streetisclosedin08 - March 3, 2009
since I was working during the game
I actually listened to the whole thing three hours later…first time i’ve done that with mlb.com audio. Even though I knew that the A’s had lost it was still nice having the game on.
OaklandSi - March 3, 2009
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