No one ever claimed that our starting pitchers would get any wins this year. Dallas Braden's brilliant start last night contributed to the overall team win, but thanks to the A's lackluster offense, it looks like our bullpen should expect some decisions to go with their ERA's this year.
Not to make a sample size out of two games, but Ellis has three singles; Davis, Sweeney, Kouzmanoff and Pennington have two singles each, and Kurt has a single and a homerun that counts for one of the A's two extra base-hits (the other a bloop double by Buck, and I guess if we're being technical, Ellis' hit last night would have gone for extra bases had it not ended the game).
That is the extent of the A's offense in 2010. I cry a little reading other box scores.
But despite that, the A's are 1-1 on the season, and tonight is a new game.
In what has become a much-anticipated start, Justin Duchscherer will take the mound for the first time since August of the 2008 season. A's fans everywhere are hoping he can pick up right where he left off; he was having an All-Star season before elbow surgery and clinical depression took him out of the game for more than 18 months. He only threw three Spring starts this year, but his last--a six-inning, scoreless effort against the Giants last week--was encouraging. Duchscherer has only faced Seattle twice; but has pitched very well.
Duchscherer will be facing off against Ryan Rowland-Smith, who also missed time last season with an injury. He has pitched fairly well against the A's in the past (insert some form of "Who hasn't besides Barry Zito?!" here).
First pitch is at 7:05PM.
LET'S GO OAK-LAND!
