Well, these last two games have been a nice change from the usual! The A's put together a nifty little win tonight to make it back-to-back wins, and even though they only scored in one inning, managed to make the lead stand up. The game summary is easy; the A's won the second inning 5-3, and that's all the scoring that would happen in the game.
It looked like Outman was in deep trouble in the top of the second after a double, single and a homerun quickly put the A's in a 3-0 hole. He would get out of that inning without further damage, but after throwing 101 pitches, he would be pulled in the fifth. Wuertz (who would get the win), finished the inning, and went one more; Springer the seventh, and Bailey the eighth and ninth for his first save.
Unlike the usual A's offense, who is prone to doing things like getting down 3-0 and never coming back, the A's answered back immediately against Richmond (who would end up throwing the complete game).
After a leadoff single by Holliday, and a wild pitch to advance him, Jack Cust flew out to move Holliday to third. With all of the gamethread hoping for just a run-scoring out, Sweeney came through with the best possible scenario with a man on third and less than two outs; he put the ball in the seats.
But the A's weren't finished. With two outs, Travis Buck singled and Hannahan doubled to score him to tie the game. Cabrera singled to drive him in, and Suzuki doubled to bring him in. Richmond would settle down after that, and the A's couldn't score another run.
The well-rested bullpen (and good thing, considering Outman's short outing) secured the win. The difference in the game came in the seventh; as the first two Toronto hitters reached base. With one out, Cabrera made an error to load the bases, but Springer struck out Rolen and got Millar to ground out to end the inning. Bailey was untouchable in the eighth and ninth; 6 up, 6 down, 2 K's.
Very solid win for the A's, despite the two errors; timely hitting, clutch pitching, and another win against a tough offense.
Edited to add: The A's also signed Adam Kennedy.
Let's keep the train rolling! A's/Jays tomorrow at 1pm. Sean Gallagher gets his first 2009 start for the A's, and you have to believe that he's coming to play.
