Last year, the other name for an A's 3-0 deficit was, "We'll try to get 'em tomorrow." Nowadays, the A's actually have the offensive potential to come back. In today's split squad game with the Indians, Brett Anderson shut out the Tribe for 2.2 IP (2 hits, 1 BB, 1 K), but relievers Michael Wuertz and Tyson Ross faltered as Cleveland jumped out to a 3-0 lead behind Kirk Saarloos' three innings of shutout ball.
However in the 5th, Rajai Davis, triples masheeeeeeen, got the A's on the board with a three-bagger that scored the only runner who might be able to stay with him in a footrace, Corey Wimberly. Then in a significant at bat, the strickout-prone Jack Cust lifted a sacrifice fly to make it 3-2. The A's would tie it only to fall behind 4-3 on a Kelly Shoppach 6th inning HR off Ross.
It took Oakland only two swings to produce five runs in the bottom of the 6th. With the bases loaded, Gregorio Petit's two-run single put the A's ahead to stay, 5-4. Petit may not be able to hit major league pitching, but apparently he still hasn't gotten the memo. Matt Carson then launched a three-run HR to give the A's an 8-4 lead. It proved to be the margin of victory as Cleveland scored one in the 9th off Jerry Blevins, who bounced back to coax a game-ending DP.
The box score is here. In the A's-Giants game, Dana Eveland (3 IP, 4 hits, 3 runs) and James Simmons ( 2 IP, 3 hits, 2 ER, 2 BB) were not overly impressive as Oakland fell 10-1. Ryan Sweeney went 2 for 3 to raise his spring average to .545 (12/22).
Stick around - in just a bit, we'll turn our attention to the #2 spot in the A's batting order...
