I hope you did not miss us too much. Now, I didn't get to see the game last night, again. For some reason Memphis is not broadcasting A's games out here. But looking at the box score I was happy with Gio's K:BB ration, especially since one of his walks was intentional. My hope is that the A's don't mess with him again and give him this one start before sending him down, otherwise, we'll have fans saying that Gio is not worth anything when we really haven't given him the extended shot he needs.

Sacramento:

Tue, June 23  Rivercats W, 4-2

Cunningham LF: 1-3, R, BB, SB (5)

Everidge 1B: 2-4, R, HR, 3 RBI  A friend of mine wanted me to mention that while pitching for Sonoma St., he got Everidge out on a fly ball with the bases loaded. Only time he faced him--petty sure it was in a team scrimmage or something.

Pennington SS: 2-3, 2B, SB (23)

Eveland (W, 6-0) 7 IP, H, ER, 3 BB, 3 K   Don't like the walks, but you can't argue with 1 hit over 7 innings. Nice outing Dana. Is really positioning himself well for a call-up, don't know where in our rotation, or a possible piece in a trade.

Henriguez (Does this nickname work...just an old school combination of his name) 1 IP, 3 K  While with the Rivercats, 14 IP, 24 K.  He now has 35 K in 19 innings this season...that's pretty good if I'm not mistaken. Look for him to get the call this september.

June 24:

Recap | Box |

Ellis 2B: 2-4,  Now 6-25 with the Rivercats.

Buck RF: 2-4, K  Now 17-44 while with Rivercats.

Williams: 4.2 IP, 4 H, R, 3 BB, K

For those that care, Matt Murton has gone 0-6 against Sacramento, that after a lengthy hitting streak. Still batting .396 in AAA, that's 55-139 on the season.

Midland

3-1 Loss on Tuesday

Horton SS: 2-4, K

Carter 1B: 1-4, K

Donaldson C: 2-3, 2B, BB

Sulentic RF: 1-3, R, 2B, K

Banwart: 6 IP, 5 H, R, 2 BB, 2 K  Nice turnaround from his previous start where he gave up 6 ER.

Leon: 2 IP, BB  His ERA in this outing is 0.00, the ERA from his previous outing, 162.00 Much better.

Thursday 24

Recap | Box |

Sulentic RF: 4-5, 4 R, 3B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, BB, K  That's a pretty good game.

Horton DH: 1-3, R, 2B, 3 RBI, 2 BB  Has a very nice 35:28 BB:K

Cardenas 3B-SS: 3-6, 2 RBI, K

Carter 1B: 1-6, R, HR (11), RBI, K

Valdez 2B: 2-4, 2 R, 2B, BB, K .319 The A's have a good problem right now. Valdez has a .922 OPS for Midland in 27 games and is not striking out that much at all, only 12 in 94 AB to go along with 11 BB. Quick background, Valdez hit well for Kane County in 2007, batting .264 with 10 HR and 24 doubles as a switch hitting 3B/SS. Going into last year, expecations were rising. Unfortunately, do to some Visa issues (has same name as someone on US no-fly list) was only able to get 70+ AB for Stockton last year. This year has been great for Alex. He stunk it up in April, destroyed the ball for Stockton in May and was called up for the last 6 games to Midland. In June he's batting over .350 with an OPS of .985. Watch out for this guy, he can play 3 infield positions and has some pop from the left side while holding his own as a right hander batting in the .280s

Gilbert CF: 2-3, 3 R, RBI, BB Dropped in order, is batting .190 over his last 10

Barone: 3 IP, 4 H, ER, BB, 3 K First start for A's, signed as a free agent. Pitched for the Marlins AAA

Hernandez (W, 6-1) 5 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, BB, 4 K  This kid just keeps on winning. Some have made Braden comparisons, as they have with Hornbeck, apparently because they don't throw especially hard and have a good change-up. Don't know if I believe it yet, batters are still hitting .350+ off him. He's still young though, just 22, should have plenty of time to continue development.

Vancouver

Wednesday, L 3-2

Walton DH: 2-4  23 Rnd out of BYU

Dixon LF: 0-3, RBI, BB

Leyja 2B: 2-4, R, 2 K

J. Ramos (L, 0-1) 4.1 IP, 5 H, 3 ER, 3 BB, K  Ramos is a lefty, born in '88 out of DR--spent last season in DSL and AZL.

P. Vidal: 2 IP, 3 K  A righty from DR as well, stands 6'3 190. Spent last season in DSL and AZL as well. Showed good K totals last season and limited the hits. Someone to watch.

Thursday:

Recap | Box |

Crumbliss RF: 1-3, R, BB, K  Listed as a 2B in the 2009 draft, 28th Rnd Emporia St.

Leyja 2B: 2-4  He has two hits in 4 of the first 5 games. 8-19 on the early season. Did commit error #3.

Chad Lee: 4 IP, H, BB, 7 K  4th Rnd pick in 2006 out of Barton County CC. Was our selection after Sulentic to give you some perspective. Had some injury concerns coming out of the draft, but had a plus FB and a nice curve. Missed all of 2007 and pitched 9.1 innings between AZL and Vancouver last year. Let's hope that he's healthy and can put up some innings like this.

R. Morla: 4 IP, 4 H, ER, 3 K Much better than his first appearance where he had 6 hits and 3 ER in 1.1 IP. 21 year-old out of the DR, Morla had a decent season last year for VAN with 77K in 75 innings.

The A's Rookie team went 1-1 over the last two days. They were pounded 16-3 by the Angels on Tuesday. The only bright spot for the hitting was Neudy Clime a 2B who went 3-3. In yesterday's game the A's beat the Giants with offense 10-8. Wish the big A's could do that. Blake Crosby was 3-4 with 2 RBI. 5th Rnd pick Stephen Parker was 1-4, with a 2B, BB, 2 R, and an RBI.

Couple of roster moves need to happen soon. Ellis and Buck need to be brought up--who gets sent down? Also, if Valdez continues this hitting, and assuming that Weeks and Cardenas do as well (big ifs I know), what do the A's do with this logjam of infielders and when do they start making roster cuts?