[MLB] A’s @ Safeco Field: A Grand Comeback (for the A’s)
Sep 11th, 2007 by Ashley
Yeah, I’m still watching.
Today, my favorite A’s pitcher Kentucky Joe, who’s sporting a 12-9 record, takes on some Ramirez guy with 8-5 record, my favorite player Mark Ellis is in the lineup (of course), my twin brother Nick Swisher just hit two homers yesterday and it’s the long awaited major league debut for our prospect Daric Barton. Hey, that’s enough reason for me to watch the game. ;)
Ramirez started the game with a 3 up 3 down inning, using only 11 pitches. I was thinking, oh no, not another hitless (for the A’s, of course) game. But Big Joe came on and seemed to be dealing as well (a 3 up 3 down bottom of the 1st, having a 11-8 pitch-strike count, which is exactly the same with Ramirez in the previous half.) I thought, “hmmm, a pitcher duel! I hope the A’s can manage to squeeze a couple of runs.” However, on the top of 2nd, with one out, Ellis hit the first one of the game (I heart MaEl), DJ walked and Hannahan drove a single the way he drove the walk-off hit the other day, scored Ellis. And then there was Daric Barton, the prospect we’ve all been waiting for. Barton showed great eye and discipline at plate, drew a walk at his very first major league plate appearance. With the base loaded, Suzuki stepped in. The A’s fans have long been used to no score under base loaded situations, we were chatting, making snooty comments… basically, trying to have some fun while watching the lately pretty depressing A’s baseball, and Suzuki drove the ball all the way to left and out of the field. A grand slam. I forgot how to breathe for a moment and then it was like “oh my gosh I can’t believe that just happened.” My eyes were almost filled with tears as I watched Suzuki trotted the bases with a I’m-just-doing-my-job attitude.
After that, Big Joe commanded through the 6th inning given up only 4 hits and no runs; however, Feierabend and Sherril combined saw to 6 shutout innings as well. At the bottom of the 7th, Joe gave up consecutive hits and two runs but won the duel against Beltre with 12 pitches and left two runners on base without causing further damage. Embree came in in the bottom of 8th, continued his habit of giving up homers, and after he walked Vidro (unintentionally, mind you), he was replaced by Huston Street. I was kinda nervous seeing Street because of his BS record of late, but he was able to get out of the 8th using only 2 pitches. The 9th was where the drama began all over again when the A’s was in need of some insurance runs (no, Street, sadly, I don’t trust you.) Stewart leaded off with a single, but he was caught stealing while Scutaro was working on a walk. That was plain unbelievable. He could have scored on Swisher’s single coming up, but instead he made a tragically comical out. With Ellis walked, the A’s loaded the bases again and DJ was up. I didn’t have faith in DJ. All I was thinking was “I hope Street has his stuff today”, and then *BAM*, DJ grand slam. My jaw really dropped this time.
It’s a great game! I’m so happy.
(and the A’s has fewer LOBs than the opposing team, yay~)
oh, and by the way, final score: A’s 9-3 Mariners.
my fav AN quote of the day:
Cust in right, Swisher in center and Barton at 1st, Ellis must had a heart attack when he read the lineup card this afternoon.
another AN quote:
these guys are looking good. Maybe we should have them in May and June.
We did. Unfortunately, they were all in Sacramento.
Which is why the Rivercats are in the playoffs and we aren’t.