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Game #95: A's Fans Cheer for Donaldson, Not Much Else

So apparently, the A's play their worst games on days in which I am running the game threads. I no longer take it personally; I welcome the bad games, the errors, the lack of offense, the boredom. This game was per usual, awful, as Graveman just didn't have it today, and allowed runs, while the A's just couldn't get them back.

By baseballgirl
Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

In the seventh inning, the A's website posted this gem:

Top 7th: Blue Jays 7, Athletics 1
The fans warmly greeted Josh Donaldson in his return to Oakland, but then Kendall Graveman allowed three homers. Watch on MLB.TV»

That pretty much summed up the game. Kendall Graveman allowed a solo home run to lead off the second inning, a run in the third on a single and a double, another solo home run in the sixth, and after two walks, another home run; this time a three-run shot. He knew it, we all knew it, and he exited the game after allowing six runs. Dan Otero allowed a run of his own in the seventh.

The A's were stymied by Mark Buehrle all night; their only run came in the sixth inning as a triple by Jake Smolinski scored Ben Zobrist after his single.

You can be proud of the A's lovely crowd tonight as they gave Josh Donaldson the standing ovation he so richly deserved. Donaldson stepped out of the box to take it all in. It was a nice homage to his years in Oakland, and he is sorely missed.

Sonny Gray will try to even the series tomorrow night.

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