Enjoying the Singles Life

Written by: David Feldman on 9th April 2009

Enjoying the Singles Life | read this item

The Athletics found themselves in quite a situation Wednesday night in Anaheim. After squandering numerous scoring chances thru the first seven innings (1-8 w/RISP, twice failing to plate a runner from 3rd with less than 2 outs) the A’s trailed the Angels 4-0 and had to face the daunting Halo’s pen. But behind a 15 hit attack, featuring all singles, the Green and Gold rallied for an exciting 6-4 come-from-behind victory.

The 15 hits, all singles tied the Oakland record for most hits in a game, no extra-base hits and the most pivotal of them all might have gone 35 feet.

Lets set the scene: The Angels had taken a 4 run advantage due to a 3-run 4th inning helped out by dropped fly ball in center by Rajai Davis. (The play was generously ruled a double for Mike Napoli.) They added a fourth run in the 7th thanks to a throwing error by Suzuki on a stolen base attempt by Chone Figgins.

A’s starter Dana Eveland went the first 6 allowing 8 hits and 3 runs and at times was baffling with his slider. All in all a strong showing by Eveland in his first start of the year.

Still the A’s trailed 4-0 as they came up to bat in the top of the 8th. Jose Arredondo started his second inning of work be allowing back-to-back singles to Jack Cust and Kurt Suzuki. Scot Shields was called on to relieve and quickly struck out Travis Buck for the first out of the frame. (Buck had a tough night at the plate going 0 for 4 with 3 K’s.) Mark Ellis was the next batter and here was a rare mistake by the Angels defense. Ellis hit a chopper to 3rd where Figgins fielded the ball with plenty of time to retire Ellis at first. Inexplicably, given the four run lead, Figgins threw to the plate but too late as Jack Cust slid home with the A’s first run of the night. Defenders are always taught to get the sure out especially when you have the lead late in the game. Shields recovered to strikeout pinch-hitter Matt Holliday but after a wild pitch moved the runners to 2nd and 3rd, Ryan Sweeney recorded his third single of the night plating the two runners and cutting the A’s deficit to one.

Brian Fuentes came on to start the 9th for the Angels. The replacement lefty closer for the departed Frankie Rodriguez, had converted his last 18 save opportunites going back to last season and was due to face 3 straight left-handed batters. Jason Giambi worked Fuentes for a lead-off walk and was replaced by pinch-runner Bobby Crosby. Fuentes then easily retired Eric Chavez and Jack Cust bringing up Kurt Suzuki. Suzuki had left the bases-loaded twice earlier in the game and his throwing error led to the Angels 4th run. After two feeble swings where Suzuki looked completely overmatched the count ran to 1-2 and the A’s were down to their last strike. On the 1-2 pitch Suzuki had his third feeble swing but made enough contact to roll the ball fair in front of the plate. Positioning of this grounder couldn’t have been better as neither Fuentes or catcher Napoli had a play.

Former two-time batting champ Nomar Garciaparra pinch-hit and singled just in front of left fielder Gary Matthews to drive in the tying run. Mark Ellis singled to center to drive in the go-ahead run and Matt Holliday singled to right to drive in the insurance run. Brad Ziegler worked the bottom of the 9th, allowing just a single, and recorded his second save in as many nights.

A strong win by the A’s for many reasons. Even though the offense didn’t tally an extra-base hit they still knocked out 15 hits. Their second straight game with 15 or more hits, something they only did once last season. They showed their depth with Holliday and Garciaparra coming off the bench. They showed their versatility with Bobby Crosby making his Major League debut in the outfield in the 9th inning. The bullpen was strong once again and they might have a find in rookie Andrew Bailey. Just as importantly they have given the Angels something to worry about concerning their bullpen.

Topics: Dana Eveland, Kurt Suzuki