A's 6, Rangers 3

It was amazing enough that Billy Beane was able to get actual players for Jason Kendall when he traded the light-hitting catcher a few weeks ago. But that one of those actual players played a big part in winning a game for the A's - that's absolutely astonishing.

Rob Bowen single-handedly kept this game from being of the aggravating, extra-inning variety, breaking a 3-3 tie with a solo shot in the seventh and adding a two-run homer in the eighth. It sure is nice to have a big, strong catcher who can drive the ball. No offense to Kurt Suzuki, of course. But after two and a half years of Jason Kendall, it's just nice to see.

The A's enter today's off-day with a waiver claim hanging in the balance - the Cubs claimed Shannon Stewart, and now the A's have two days to trade him, pull him back, or just give him up. I don't imagine the latter will happen, as moving him wouldn't save them much money and he might net them a supplemental draft pick. But will he be worth something the Cubs can pass through waivers? We shall see. I won't be surprised if Shannon is still an A in Detroit this weekend.

Since today is an off day, I won't tell the A's to go... so, rest well, A's!!

Rangers 8, A's 6

Chad Gaudin sure was a nice first half story. He went into the rotation in the injured Rich Harden's place and became a solid replacement, posting All-Star worth numbers for the first two and a half months of the season.

But nothing that has happened since then has been pretty, and last night was no different. His once nice 2.88 ERA has inflated to well over four, and he hasn't won since July 5. What's the matter here? Well, for one thing, his walks are way up. His old control issues have started to resurface. And his opponents' batting average, which was .246 before the break, is now .295. It seems the league is starting to figure him out.

Earlier this season, I said often that he should not go back to the bullpen. But maybe this second half nose-dive is an indication that he may be better suited there long term. The A's brass knows better than I do, so we'll see what his role is come 2008.

In other news, the A's had the bases loaded with nobody out in a crucial part of the game. They had the middle of the order up in this situation, and they couldn't score. The A's are the worst team in baseball with the bases loaded, hitting only at a .200 clip in that situation. I know we know this already, but I feel the need to reiterate just how bad in the clutch this team is.

One more game tonight (DiNardo vs. Milwood) and the A's get their first off day in three weeks. It should be some welcome rest.

Go A's!!

A's 9, Rangers 7

Ah, Texas in August - it's always a series that is talked about in the weeks leading up to it, circled on the calendar, and dreaded. Last night's game was a good example of why.

Seven-run lead? Check. Blown save? Check. Thirteen innings in sweltering heat? Check.

Luckily the A's came out on top after this horror show.

I still continue to be impressed with Dallas Braden, even though his numbers don't back me up. His pitches have nice movement and as long as he continues to rack up strikeouts (7 in 5 innings last night), he'll be successful.

But how about that Andrew Brown? This is the guy we got from San Diego in the Milton Bradley deal, and I have to tell you - I didn't think he'd amount to much. But he has been very good, including five strikeouts in two innings of work last night. He hasn't given up a run in his last 10 2/3 innings pitched. If he keeps it up, he could be a very valuable piece in 2008.

Tonight we get to see if Chad Gaudin continues to slide or if he brings it like he did at the beginning of the year. Texas in August? The odds are not good. But anyway...

Go A's!!!

The A's weekend that was

It's Monday and there's a lot to talk about.

Let's start with the games. So the A's split the series against the Angels. It would've been nice to win with a convincing three out of four, but I'm sure the Angels felt they should have won Saturday. The A's beat them that day on seven walks and two hits. Ha! Makes me laugh. That's what makes opposing teams go "Aaaarrrrghh!"

Two things happened this past weekend with regard to waivers. Mike Piazza cleared, and Joe Kennedy did not. The A's didn't pull Kennedy back when he was claimed by Arizona, so Joe is now a Diamondback. I think the A's were pretty much content to be rid of him one way or another. I am not shedding any tears over this.

As for Piazza, well, his clearing waivers pretty much means a trade is imminent. Hopefully it's not for a bag of peanuts, but I do know a bag of peanuts would clear waivers. As long as Billy thinks whatever he can get for Piazza is more valuable than whatever draft compensation we'd get, it'll happen. That's good because it should mean less Jack Cust in the outfield. It's just not a pretty sight and I wouldn't mind not seeing that for the rest of the year.

And finally, Milton Bradley is spouting off about Billy Beane and the A's organization. Is anyone surprised? I'm not. Milton seemed like a decent guy and a good player when he was here and when he actually played. He didn't exactly leave on the best terms, so I would expect some comments from him. Sadly, the race comments don't surprise me either, given Milton's history.

Hopefully the A's can move on from this distraction and continue working towards getting to .500. Today they're back on the road in Texas - Dallas Braden vs. former A John Rhienecker.

Go A's!!

A's 8, Angels 4

Sometimes all the A's need to get back on the winning track is a nice dose of Mr. Scot Shields.

I always giggle to myself when I hear accolades like, "one of the top setup men in the American League" or, "about as automatic as it gets" lauded on Shields, as the A's seem to have a knack for kicking his ass on a regular basis. This time, he got a little help from his defense as well. But it was Scot who served 'em up, and the A's took big helpings.

Although, there is one pitch Scot served up that I wish he hadn't, at that's the one that nailed Kurt Suzuki in the right hand. Suzuki stayed in the game to run, but the camera zoomed in on that hand several times and it was looking swollen and bruised. Please, please, please - let's not have Bobby Crosby Part 2 here. Suzuki needs to be playing the rest of this year, as this is his time to learn.

So a nice win tonight, but I'll feel even better about it once I hear Suzuki's X-rays are negative.

Tomorrow (or today really :)), it's Blanton vs. Escobar in a Saturday afternoon matchup that MLB.tv will oh-so-kindly black out for me. I have a feeling he'll be throwing to Rob Bowen tomorrow. If his "I only trust Jason Kendall" mentality makes him have a hard time throwing to Suzuki, imagine how tomorrow might be. Yikes. Let's hope Escobar is off his game.

Go A's!!!

IT'S ABOUT TIME

Eric Chavez has been placed on the DL.

Now get this guy some friggin' medical attention and get him ready for 2008. He doesn't need to play again this season unless he is 100% healthy. A 29-year-old man should not be crumbling to pieces like this. If it means no Gold Glove this year, so be it.

J.J. Furmaniak has been recalled from AAA to take his place.

Angels 6, A's 4

Had Vladimir Guerrero stayed mired in his homerless drought, the A's would have won this game. But, those two bombs he hit off Chad Gaudin were not just deep fly outs, and his 4 RBI propelled the Angels to victory last night.

Gaudin's ERA is up to 3.88 now as he's looking more and more ordinary. We might be back to the point where the only guy who isn't Bonus Boy is Dan Haren.

The middle infielders provided much of the positive for the A's, as Donnie Murphy put together a nice 2-for-4 game with a home run, and Mark Ellis clubbed his 14th home run, now his career high for a season.

Tonight, Lenny DiNardo goes in his 12th start of the year. Really?? Twelfth?? Way to go, waiver pickup guy with the deceiving 3.10 ERA.

Go A's!!