Happy May, AN!
After a mostly dismal April, that saw the A's post an 8-11 record (with 3 postponed games), suffer from countless injuries (Chavez, Ellis, Nomar, Duchscherer, Devine, just to name a few), and deal with the occasional bout with lack-of-offense-itis, the A's still open May trailing the first place Mariners by less than four games, with a chance to close the gap with some wins this weekend. The A's are coming off yesterday's amazing win, so if there is any momentum to be had, it's in the A's favor right now.
Lest we forget, Seattle swept the A's in Oakland during the second series of the year, despite some good pitching by the A's, and the A's would like to return the favor.
In case you missed the (non-shocking) news, Chavez has been placed on the DL with a "strained right forearm", and the A's have added Gregorio Petit to the group of Triple-A callups that will now make up the big league roster in the absense of Ellis, Nomar, and Chavy.
This certainly puts the pressure on the top seven in the lineup, but they have shown signs of coming around offensively. Let's hope for some runs tonight.
Dana Eveland will take the mound for the A's, after his short, but successful start against the Rays on Sunday. He will be matched up against RHP Carlos Silva, who won his last start (after not winning his last 14).
The good news is that Jason Giambi is in the lineup; and is even in the field. Travis Buck gets the start, and Crosby/Patterson are the new Chavy/Ellis.
Let's go Oak-land! (clap clap clap clap clap)
