Wild Wild West

Hey what’s up A’s fans this is Charles here with another series recap. This time we will recap the first rivalry series between the A’s and the Angels. Let’s begin with game one on Monday night.

On Monday the A’s brought their big boy sticks as they annihilated the Angels 14-2 in Anaheim. Chad Gaudin started for the A’s and lasted six innings while surrendering five hits and only one earned run. For the Angels, Jon Garland pitched six innings while being brandished with seven earned runs. Daric Barton had a big day for the A’s as he went 2-6 with a three run big boy. The “Big Hurt” Frank Thomas had a perfect day going 3-3 with a single double and his first triple since 2002, he also had 2 RBI. Rajai Davis and Ryan Sweeney each tacked on 2 RBI, and Jack Hannahan and Emil Brown each hit home runs, Brown’s being a 3-run home run. 

Tuesday night the Angels shutout the A’s 2-0 as Joe Saunders dominated the A’s through 8 innings. A’s starter Greg Smith pitched well for 8 innings only giving up 2 earned runs, but took the loss in this game. A wild pitched proved to be enough as the Angels scored the first of two runs in the 3rd. Francisco Rodriguez picked up the save for the Angels. Kurt Suzuki, Mark Ellis, Mike Sweeney and Donnie Murphy were the only A’s to pick up hits in the loss.

On Wednesday the A’s were again defeated, this time by a score of 6-1. Ervin Santana set the pace for the Angels going 6 2/3 and surrendering no earned runs. For the A’s Dana Eveland outing lasted 5 1/3 innings and got tagged for 6 earned runs. Casey Kotchman started the scoring with a two run double in the second to give the Angels a 2-0 lead. In the third Torii Hunter added an RBI single, to increase the lead to 3-0. The A’s got their only run in the 5th with a Ryan Sweeney RBI single. Kotchman would finish with 3 RBI while Chone Figgins and Jeff Mathis each had an RBI.

On Thursday the A’s collected another lopsided win against the Angels with a 15-8 beat down. Justin Duscherer collected the win going 5 innings and giving up 1 earned run. For the Halos Nick Adenhart made his major league debut and struggle to find his command as he pitched 2 innings and gave up 5 earned runs. Jack Cust made himself look like an idiot in the field by botching an easy pop fly but finished the game 4-4 with a home run. Kurt Suzuki, Daric Barton, Frank Thomas, Ryan Sweeney and Bobby Crosby all had two RBI. Emil Brown and Jack Hannahan each had an RBI as the A’s picked up the series split.

This weekend the A’s return home to face the Texas Rangers. Vicente Padilla will start against Joe Blanton on friday night. AJ Murray is scheduled to face Chad Gauidn saturday night, and Scott Feldman will face off against Greg Smith to conclude the three game series.

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.