He’s Back!

Hey whats up A’s fans this is Charles here with another series recap. Before we recap the Minnesota series, let’s take a look at the big roster moves made this week. The first roster move that was made this week was the A’s picking up former San Francisco Giant outfielder Rajai Davis. To make room for Davis on the roster, the A’’s again designated Kirk Saarloos for assignment. Then on Wednesday, big boy news transpired as the A’s signed “The Big Hurt” Frank Thomas to be the A’s new DH. The move sent Travis Buck to the DL, after his recent struggle with shin splints. The acquisition of Thomas will bolster the A’s chances of being a serious contender in the American league. Prior to the Thomas signing the A’s were using a platoon with reliable veteran Mike Sweeney and the vastly overrated Jack Cust. Thomas was in the lineup batting cleanup on Wednesday but before we recap that game lets start with Tuesday nights game.

On Tuesday the A’s lost to the Minnesota Twinkies 5-4. Blanton started for the A’s and tossed 7 2/3 innings while giving up 4 earned runs while his counterpart Livan Hernandez pitched six innings and gave up 4 earned runs. Joe Blanton picked up the loss for the A’s and Juan Rincon picked up the win for the Twins. Justin Morneau started the scoring in the second with an RBI single. In the 5th Craig Monroe hit an RBI double to score Jason Kubel and Mike Lamb hit an RBI double to bring home Monroe. Suzuki hit a 2 run single in the bottom of the 5th to close the deficit. Emil Brown chipped in with a two run home run to give the A’s the lead in the 6th. However Minnesota would go on to win after Justin Morneau hit a game tying home run in the 7th, and Jason Kubel hit a go ahead RBI single in the eight. Joe Nathan recorded the save as the Twins won the game 5-4.

Wednesday the A’s shutout the Twins 3-0 behind a great start by Chad Gaudin.  Gaudin was stellar as he pitched 7 shutout innings to pick up the win over Boof Bonser who lasted 6 innings and gave up 2 earned runs. Emil Brown started the scoring in the 2nd inning with a sac fly. In the third Mike Sweeney hit an RBI, and in the 8th he hit a home run to finish off a 2-3 night with 2 RBI.  Huston Street picked up the save as the A’s won the game 3-0. 

On Thursday the revamped A’s walloped the Twins 11-2 to win the three game series. Greg Smith picked up the win by going seven innings and surrendering two earned runs, while his adversary Francisco Liriano lasted 2/3 of an inning giving up six earned runs. Chris Gomez put the Twinkies on the board in the first by hitting a home run off of Smith. The A’s responded in the bottom of the 1st with a six run inning led by Emil Brown’s 2 run single, Donnie Murphy’s 2 run single and RBI singles by Chris Denorfia and Kurt Suzuki. Donnie Murphy finished the game 3-5 with 4 RBI and new comer Rajai Davis went 3-4. Kurt Suzuki, Mark Ellis, and Mike Sweeney all tallied two hits and in his first game back The Big Hurt went 0-3 with 2 walks.

 The A’s now head to Seattle where Dana Eveland will face Miguel Batista in game 1. Make sure to email us at hosts@athleticscast.com or call us at 415-691-6185. You can also have your voice heard by posting a message to this blog. Go A’s! Have a great weekend and remember to live smooth.