A's/Yankees weekend series

Two extra-inning games and a walkoff home run off Mariano Rivera - I couldn't have picked a worse time to miss a series.

But, thanks to MLB.tv, I can go back and watch condensed games, highlights, or the whole entire archived game if I want to. So I just sat here and spent my lunch hour watching highlights of all three and the full bottom of the ninth inning from Sunday's game, so I'll just make a few comments on the series as a whole:

1. Marco Scutaro. Really, should we be surprised anymore? I will forever remember this waiver pickup and backup infielder as the Oakland Athletic who made me pee my pants (Oct. 6, 2006, when he delivered the death blow double in Game 3 of the ALDS). His knack for the big hit is amazing, and his backup status makes those hits that much more exciting.

2. Rich Harden walking off the field with Larry Davis at his side - uh oh. Rich says he's fine and he'll be able to make his next start, but you can't help but wonder if this is the beginning of something bigger.

3. The first inning A's showed up in two of these games. Luckily, Scutaro bailed them out on the second game. What is the reason behind this phenomenon? It was a big problem last year too. This is what makes people complain about them being complacent, like it doesn't appear that they're even trying to score runs during innings 2 through 8.

4. Joe Blanton is looking good so far this year. If you asked me a few months ago, I would have said he's not very good. But he's been keeping the A's in games and has impressive control on all his pitches. His strikeout totals are up too. I think one reason for his success is that Bob Geren pulls him when it's time to pull him. I don't remember how many times it seemed Ken Macha left Blanton in to continue the bleeding. Geren is doing a nice job managing the pitching staff - at least the starters.

And not related to anything from this series, but...

5. Milton Bradley might go on the DL if he is not in tonight's lineup. Better now than in September, I guess. But it makes me wonder why he is so injury prone. I know one thing though - I cringe every time he makes a catch in the outfield, and then swoops his right leg around as he throws the ball back in.

Knowing how the A's are historically slow starters, I'll take 6-7 on April 17th. Tonight we welcome the Angels to town for a quickie two-game series. Chad Gaudin gets his third start of the year and hopefully keeps up the good work against Jered Weaver.

GO A's!!!