[MLB]* A’s 3-2 Angels: season finale
Sep 30th, 2007 by Ashley
It was chilly when I got up this morning, I put on my Swisher T-shirt, took a jacket and a sweater, it’s gonna be cooler at Coliseum. Usually, I don’t like anything that’d cover my 33 Swisher during the game, but at this point of the season (the very last game of 2007, for the A’s at least), I wasn’t that fastidious anymore.
However, as we walked on the bridge to the stadium, the sun welcomed us warmly with cheery ocean breeze. Another beautiful day at the Coliseum awaited.
This time, we decided to venture the left field bleacher where the flags, the drums and the famous 510 guy stationed. We had a good 28K crowd today. Guess however frustrated the A’s made us this season, it’s still kinda sad to know that we won’t see the A’s in action (or inaction, in some case) for 6 months, so we all came out on this Sunday afternoon to cheer for the A’s one last time in 2007.
Chad Gaudin started the game for the A’s with Cust, Swisher, Thomas guarding the outfield, Barton, Ellis, Scutaro and Hannahan surrounding the diamond and Suzuki at home plate. Chad worked a quick 1-2-3 inning with 2 strike-outs, but in the 2nd inning, he gave up a double and then walked two batters. With base loaded, he quickly struck the next three batters he faced. Whoa. Chad continued to be efficient, gave up only three hits and one run in 8 innings and had 11 K’s. Oh man, this is the Chad we LOVE!
Offensively, the A’s had hits here and there early, but the first run was scored by super rookie Barton’s solo homer in the 3rd inning, which was hit directly toward us. During that few second (which felt rather longer at that moment,) I was like “shit, I cannot wish that it won’t drop in the bleacher… it’d be a homerun to get A’s the lead, but please please please please please don’t hit me.” The ball ended up on the deck in front of left field bleacher above the out of town scoreboard. We cheered like crazy but the feeling was pretty surreal cos I was still in the great relief that I wasn’t hit with a mixture of self-loathe “how could I have wished, subconsciously, that the ball wouldn’t be GONE!” Later, 510 guy came from the other end and tied his glove on the flag stick. As I was still wondering what the heck he was doing, he got the Daric Barton homer ball in his hand!
In 7th inning, Napoli hit a solo homer to tied the game but the A’s replied in the 8th with a Ellis double, a Barton bunt (to send Ellis to 3rd) and a Swisher sac-fly to regain to lead. And Gaudin, who had a strong outing today, handed the 9th to Huston Street (oh-no!) who blown the save by giving up another solo homer. But the bottom of 9th was started with veteran player Piazza’s single, who, later, was pinched run by Shannon Stewart. When Piazza walked back to the dugout, we gave him a standing ovation, thanking his efforts for the A’s… as we all knew that this might be the last time seeing him wearing the green and gold. Then, Scutaro’s sac-bunt sent Stewart to 2nd, Hannahan’s line drive sent Stewart to 3rd, and the game ended by our rookie catcher Suzuki’s walk-off single which scored Stewart.
What a nice way to finish a frustrating season. Thank you A’s for all the joy you brought me this summer. I’ll see you next year. Come back strong! =)