It's an addiction, I tell ya. My day just does not start off right without the Daily Link Dump!

Happy first of the month, AN! And what a happy day it is! Last night ..

• The A's came back from behind to beat the Halos!
• Danny Haren pitched a gem!

• Milton Bradley had a huge hit again! (I LOVE him in the #3 hole!)

• Jay Payton hit ANOTHER homerun that gave us the lead in a game!

• The A's are now leading the AL West by 1.5 games!

Two homers back strong effort by Haren
A's get victory but no trades
A's stand pat, then smack down Angels
A's get win after they stay put

Trading Deadline

The trading deadline has come and gone and it was uneventful for the A's for the first time in the Billy Beane era! Some fans are thrilled Zito is still here while some fans are bummed out we didn't trade Z for some nice, young talent. I, along with Z's teammates, are happy he's still around!

"I like our team," Payton said. "If everybody plays the as well as they're capable of playing, there's no reason we can't stick around until the end. We needed Barry. Everybody knew that."

Notes: A's happy Zito still in green, gold
Same old A's get it done: Zito stays, and Payton dazzles
Business as usual for Zito

Injury Updates

Bobby Crosby: took a few swings in batting practice and felt some soreness in his lower back; he has a strained sacroiliac joint and received a cortisone shot for it last week. (source)

Joe Kennedy: will throw a simulated game today, and he could go on a rehab assignment in the next day or two. (source)

Rich Harden: didn't make the trip to Anaheim, where he could have revisited with Dr. Lewis Yocum, and A's trainer Larry Davis said, "there's nothing new." (source)

Tonight's Game

vs.

Joe Cupcakes vs. Joe Saunders

Scouting Report:

In his last start, Blanton won his third straight game as he held the Blue Jays to two runs over seven innings. Blanton's last three wins have come against Detroit, Toronto and Boston. The right-hander is 0-4 lifetime against the Angels with a 3.59 ERA, but Blanton has thrown two complete games against them.

Saunders will be called upon to take Bartolo Colon's spot in the rotation until the 2005 American League Cy Young Award winner recovers from his bout with right tricep tendinitis. Tuesday's start against the A's is the second of the season for Saunders and the fourth of his career. The left-hander allowed one earned run in seven innings on July 18 against the Indians to pick up his first Major League victory.

LET'S GO OAK-LAND!!!

P.S. Komine's next start will be next Tuesday vs. the Rangers at home!