Athletics Nation

A’s 12, M’s 1

Today’s game had all of the makings of a fun regular season contest; nearly all of the A’s pitching was fantastic, the hitting was all there, and the game could have ended in a good brawl between the A’s and the Mariners, who apparently are not pleased about Jason Giambi’s return to the AL West. Giambi was hit by a pitch, not once, not twice, but three times during the game (twice by Washburn, once by Aardsma).

In addition to the HBP drama, the game also featured a highlight reel from my pony in the race for an outfield spot; Rajai Davis, who went 4-4 in the leadoff spot with 3 runs scored and an RBI.

While the Seattle pitcher count nearly totaled double-digits (Washburn, Hull, Lowe, Aardsma, Walker, Lugo, Thomas, Munoz, Stark), the A’s were very economical; throwing five pitchers, who allowed seven combined hits, and a single run, looking better and better every game out.

Edgar Gonzalez started the game, going three strong innings to pick up the win, allowing two hits and striking out two. He was replaced by Josh Outman, who struggled a bit in his 2.2 innings, allowing five hits and a run. He did strike out three. Kevin Cameron faced one batter to help Outman out of a jam, but the clear pitching highlight belonged to Vincent Mazzaro, who blazed through the seventh inning; striking out swinging all three batters he faced. His second inning was about as good; fly out, line out, ground out. Blevins took it home for the A’s, finishing the ninth uneventfully to reduce his Spring ERA.

The A’s scored early, and often. Holliday singled in the game’s first run in the first, and Chavez followed up with a sac fly. Suzuki and Holliday singled in two more runs in the second, and Davis doubled in a fifth run in the third.

The A’s resumed scoring in the sixth inning, on sac flies by Matt Carson and Chris Carter, and broke the game wide open with four more in the seventh on a single by Joel Galarraga and a double by Sean Doolittle (who went 2-2 with 3 RBI’s). Ben Copeland capped off the scoring with a RBI single in the eighth for the A’s 12th run, and 16th hit.

So, in conclusion, I think Rajai Davis has made a strong case for himself in front of America so far. His number is (866) IDO…oh wait. Wrong show.

Lots of action this weekend as the A’s play two games, and Team USA plays its first game tomorrow at 11AM.