It only seems like forever since the A's last game. Eight front page posts between game threads. That might just be an in-season AN record.
Any way, the A's and Barry Zito with an 8-3 record and a 3.36 ERA take on the Padres and Chris Young with a 6-3 record and a 3.16 ERA.
The A's once again face a hot pitcher. It seems like that's been the A's luck of late. Young has given up a total of only four earned runs over the last 32 2/3 innings. That's an ERA right around one, ladies and gentlemen. Think the Rangers might like that arm right about now? Then again, the Rangers did get Otsuka out of the deal.
Here is the A's lineup for the night:
Kotsay
Swisher
Chavez
Crosby
Johnson
Payton
Kendall
Scutaro
Zito
Chavez and Zito make a homecoming of sorts as both grew up in the San Diego area. The A's haven't had lots of ABs against Young, which is always scary since the A's hitters seem to be the adjustment-type. But the players who have faced him have a .278 average against Young. Chavez has four hits in eight ABs.
The Padres send out the following lineup:
Cameron
Johnson
Giles
Piazza
Greene
Gonzalez
Castilla
Barfield
Young
The Padres have even fewer ABs against Zito. Thankfully, Eric Young won't be in the lineup because he's smacked Z around a bit in the past.
Hopefully the A's offense can remain warm against a starting pitcher who is on fire.
LET'S GO A'S!!!
