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A's bump the Royals with a late rally
By Morris Phillips July 17, 2010 |
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The A’s don’t dig the long ball but they’re responding to the challenge of being challenged by pounding out base hits and running the bases without pause. And during this crucial stretch, they’re winning and staying viable in the AL West. Oakland was relevant for the second straight night following the All-Star break by hanging 14 hits on the Royals along with some hustle on the base paths in a 6-5 victory. The A’s have won four straight, and 10 of 16 in a stretch where the division-leading Rangers have lost 9 of 14. At seven games back, the A’s are as close as they’ve been to first since June 18. In this latest streak, in a season of streaks, the A’s have learned to love themselves by playing small and winning. Six of the 10 wins in this stretch have come without the aid of a long ball and the team is averaging 11 hits, 3 ½ walks and 1 ½ steals in the victories during the hot spell. This one, played in stifling Kansas heat, had lots of twists and turns on the scoreboard and played well for a pair of teams trying to show their fans that they’re still hydrated and hungry. The A’s started fast—with three runs in the first—and still were chugging at the finish with single runs in the sixth, seventh, and ninth to overcome the Royals and Yuniesky Betancourt’s grand slam in the second inning. Adam Rosales played the hero, with a tie-breaking RBI single in the ninth, that brought home Kurt Suzuki from second. The A’s catcher hit a line shot just over second baseman Mike Aviles’ outstretched glove to start the rally. The hard hit ball was then cut off by centerfielder David DeJesus in the gap, but Suzuki hurried into second ahead of DeJesus’ throw. Rosales, who has started at five positions, but hasn’t played much lately, finished 3 for 5, and Daric Barton finished 3 for 5 with two doubles and his first stolen base since 2008 as the A’s found a different pair of catalysts. Jack Cust and Ryan Sweeney both took the night off, and speed guys Rajai Davis and Coco Crisp went hitless, but the A’s found a way. Barton and Rosales with their big nights continued to build their best major league seasons thus far in their careers. Both teams turned big double plays late, and Betancourt came up with a hustling, two-bagger of his own in the eighth, but the A’s pulled it out, by getting to Royals’ closer Joakim Soria in the ninth, and getting save No. 19 from Andrew Bailey in the bottom half. Trevor Cahill didn’t pitch in the All-Star game and he didn’t get his 10th win on Saturday, but he battled. The second-year right hander didn’t allow much other than Betancourt’s slam, and he battled into the seventh in a tie ball game. Cahill’s outing was disjointed, possibly due to an extra day of rest over All-Star break that had his especially stout breaking pitches lacking the usual snap. Cahill is dependent on his ability to change speeds, execute pitches and locations and the extra day rest, not to mention the heat, may have contributed to his ragged second inning. According to Suzuki, Cahill “stayed with the process. He didn’t freak out just because they scored five runs.” For only third time in 16 starts, Cahill walked four batters. But he continues to show that he’s responding to the statistical challenges faced by big league starters, by walking fewer batters (32, 8.3% improvement from 2009), striking out more (66, plus 14.5 % and not getting hurt by home runs (11, 4.3 %). And Cahill measures high on the grit and grind meter by battling on a muggy night with little likelihood that could get a win. He’s pitched deep into ballgames, going at least five innings in all 16 starts and getting decisions in all but four outings. Without an All-Star appearance, this outing did little to dim his shine or deny his sudden promise. On Sunday, the A’s look to get back to .500 once again with Vin Mazzaro facing Kansas City’s Brian Bannister. |
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