Game #77: Bullpen Blows Game in Horrific Fashion

I don't wanna talk about it. Seriously, I really don't want to talk about it. What else can I tell you? The A's rallied from a 2-0 deficit to turn it into a 5-2 lead, practically had the win in hand, and they blew it ten ways to Sunday with some really, really shaky bullpen work. The Mariners rallied against Jerry Blevins and Ryan Cook, scoring 3 and 2 runs respectively off our usually solid 'pen. The only shining moments of the bullpen came from Jesse Chavez, who replaced Dan Straily in the fourth inning and shut the Mariners down, in line for another relief win until Blevins and Cook showed up, and Doolittle, who shut down the Mariners after Cook exited the game. But barn door, horse, and all that jazz. When all was said and done, the A's lose 7-5 in a game they should have won, and are frankly lucky to be tied for first place the way they have played this week.

Despite the fact that Derek Norris looks like he's never held a baseball bat in his life as he struck out twice in the game, and looked terrible doing it, and the A's only had six hits off of Aaron Harang, the offense still scored five runs. Seriously, Aaron Harang. But again, five runs should win you the ballgame, and it didn't get it done tonight. Of course, you can talk about the missed opportunities for the A's--and we will--but this one was all on the 'pen.

The A's wasted a leadoff hit in today's game as Coco Crisp singled and was caught in a run-down for the A's first out…right in front of a Lowrie walk. D'oh. The Mariners would take a 2-0 lead in the second on a home run and a RBI single, but the A's would chip back, as Eric Sogard (3-4 on the night) doubled to lead off the third and eventually scored on a sac fly.

The A's would tie the game and take the lead in the fifth on a bases-loaded single by Jed Lowrie, following a Chris Young single, a Sogard single, and a Crisp walk. They would even add two insurance runs in the seventh as Lowrie (who was 3-3 on the night with a sac fly and a walk) doubled, Cespedes was intentionally walked, and Donaldson singled in the A's fourth run. Josh Reddick, who had great at-bats with very little to show for it, singled in the A's fifth run and everything was coming up A's. That would be the last time we'd feel that way tonight.

Jerry Blevins replaced Jesse Chavez, who pitched 2.1 innings in relief of Dan Straily (who threw 78 pitches in just over 3 innings, enough said) and recorded the last out of the sixth, but he probably wishes he had never seen the seventh inning. He gave up a single and a walk right in front of a Raul Ibanez home run that tied the game and took the wind out of the A's sails.

Ryan Cook was no better. A single, a wild pitch, a bunt single (which Cook had no business fielding in front of Donaldson) and a 2-RBI single gave the Mariners a 7-5 lead and despite a Lowrie single in the ninth and an almost home run (just foul) by Cespedes, that's how the ballgame would end.

Not talking about it. The A's try to win the series tomorrow. 1:10 start, Parker vs. Bonderman.