Sunday, April 16, 2006

April 16, 2006: vs Texas Rangers

Late post, I won't bother with the lineup. What a disappointing game. I know it is still very early in the season and I know I shouldn't get down but first our starting pitching has been letting us down and today it was the bullpen.

What was largely a pitcher's duel through 8 innings fell apart in the top of the 9th when Street gave up 5 hits, a HR, and 4 earned runs. The A's managed to load the bases with 2 outs in the bottom of the 9th only to have Swisher pop out to end the game.

The good news is that Haren was downright brilliant, pitching 8 solid innings, striking out 5, and allowing just 1 run. His ERA has been brought down to 5.40 thanks to his solid outing.

Chavez was unstoppable, going 4-for-4 with 2 doubles and all 3 of the A's RBIs. So far this April is going down as the best in Chavy's career:
0.313 BA, 0.358 OBP, 0.750 SLG, 1.108 OPS, 3 2B, 6 HR. He is also averaging more than 4 pitches per plate appearance. Let's just hope he doesn't slump in May. Could this be the first year Chavy sports a +0.900 OPS??
Crosby was also excellent at the plate, going 2-for-3 with a BB. Although he still has a lot of room for improvement, he is starting to show signs of life again.

Street proved that he was indeed mortal as his string of 21 straight saves came to an end. I don't know what happened to Street, but he looked lost out there. Sure, the umpire could have called a few close pitches better, but that's part of the game. He gave up a HR to Teixeira and was pulled from the game after giving up 4 runs. In fact, I can't remember Street EVER being pulled from a game, I think this was the first time I had ever seen it happen. And heck, it was even Huston Street bobblehead day - you don't pitch like that on bobblehead day!!

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