Athletics -- 06/28/03
June 28, 2003
::FIC Local Spin::
The A’s can only wonder who their All-Star(s) will be. Although the A’s fans (especially the left field bleacher crowd) launched a massive “Write in Eric-Byrnes” campaign, he will undoubtedly not be a starting outfielder. Hopefully though, it will have opened the eyes of others… Mark Mulder has pitched like an All-Star, as has Tim Hudson, although he lacks the wins (and run support) needed. Keith Foulke has also been lights-out in the closer role. Ramon Hernandez is also deserving. We will see soon enough who has made the team.
::Latest Team Info::
In the last two weeks, the A’s stayed true to form – dominant at home and somewhat weakened on the road. After a convincing three game sweep of the bottom-dwelling Texas Rangers, the A’s took on their bay-area rival and NL West first place San Francisco Giants. They played great baseball and as a result took two out of three from the Giants and were pretty close to taking a third game as well. Then they took the show on the road, more specifically to Arlington, Texas. They won the first game but lost the next two – heartbreakers. One game highlighted a four run 2-out ninth inning rally. The other game saw the A’s blow a 6-1 lead, yet still rally back to a one run deficit, the final score at 9 to 8 Rangers. The last game was a dominating performance by the A’s. They scored thirteen runs and pounded out fifteen hits in a shutout of Texas. Then the A’s headed to San Francisco, where they were shut out by rookie Jerome Williams and lost a 6-0 lead in another game. The A’s road woes continue.
::Injuries::
Jermaine Dye is hurt again. His knee is sore, and was administered a cortisone shot early Friday morning. He will be back soon but may not see a lot of action in the beginning.
::On the Farm::
Rich Harden continues to impress at Sacramento.
Harden (9-2): 2.99 ERA, 75.1 IP, 58 H, 25 ER, 5 HR, 28 BB, 76 K, .221 BAA
Fikac, Jeremy (2-1): 1.37 ERA, 18 G, 2 SV, 26.1 IP, 14 H, 4 ER, 1 HR, 8 BB, 28 K, .154 BAA
Harville, Chad (2-3): 2.20 ERA, 35 G, 13 SV, 41.0 IP, 27 H, 10 ER, 2 HR, 17 BB, 35 K, .184 BAA
Crosby, Bobby: .292 AVG, 257 AB, 44 R, 75 H, 14 2B, 2 3B, 14 HR, 44 RBI, 29 BB, 67 K, 10 SB, .525 SLG, .365 OBP
::Quick View::
Add:
Terrence Long – could be coming around!
Chris Singleton – the guy has been amazing on offense this year. He was supposedly acquired for defense.
Deal:
Adam Piatt – the A’s “secret weapon” did pretty well against the Giants. Convince someone Piatt’s worth something. Looks like he could
