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		Big shots the difference in A’s loss By Pearl Allison Lo June 21, 2010
	ST. LOUIS - JUNE 20: Cliff Pennington #2 of the Oakland Athletics fields a ground ball against the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium on June 20, 2010 in St. Louis, Missouri. The Athletics beat the Cardinals 3-2. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)
	The Cincinnati Reds exploded with three home runs in the top of the tenth, to take the game from the Oakland Athletics, 6-4 Monday. The Reds’ Ramon Hernandez led off with a home run. Brandon Phillips then singled and Paul Janish sacrificed him over another base. Michael Wuertz, who came in to pitch the inning, was then replaced by Craig Breslow. Unluckily for Breslow, Joey Votto and Scott Rolen then proceeded to hit home runs as well, making the score 6-2. In the top of the first, a fielding error by the A’s Cliff Pennington allowed Phillips to get on base safely. One out later, Votto double in Phillips for Cincy’s first run. Oakland tied the game in the bottom of the fifth. Rajai Davis got on base due to a fielder’s choice. He then moved over two bases during a single by Daric Barton. Conor Jackson then singled Davis in, but the inning ended as Barton was tagged as he went too far past third base. In the top of the ninth, with two outs, the Red’s Drew Stubbs walked and Jay Bruce pinch-hit for Chris Heisey. Stubbs then stole second and Bruce singled to bring Stubbs in. The A’s Kevin Kouzmanoff answered with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the ninth to retie the game. Oakland tried to come back in the bottom of the tenth, and almost did so, in opposite fashion of Cincinnati. Barton and Jackson were able to get leadoff walks, prompting a pitching change. Kurt Suzuki then singled to load the bases and Ryan Sweeney grounded out to make the score 6-3. This prompted another pitching change and Kouzmanoff grounded out to score another run. The inning and game ended when Jordan Smith got Jack Cust to strike out. Both starters were amazing, combining to give up only 9 hits and one earned run. Mike Leake has given up eleven walks in his past three starts however. The run Gio Gonzalez gave up was unearned, as he struck out nine. Francisco Cordero got the win and Smith the save. Game notes: The A’s are facing the Pittsburgh Pirates this homestand in addition to the Reds. This Saturday, Oakland will be turning back the clock to the 1970s, with free replica jerseys for some, throwback uniforms, select discounted seats and more. Tuesday’s game is also a 7:05pm start.