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A’s lose on Cruz’s walkoff
By Pearl Allison Lo July 27, 2010 |
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In what turned out to be a pitching duel, Texas’s Nelson Cruz provided the big hit as the Rangers defeated Oakland, 3-1. Both teams had a runner in scoring position in the late innings, and Texas had first crack at a second chance. After Vladimir Guerrero struck out, Josh Hamilton walked before Cruz came up. Oakland starter Gio Gonzalez pitched six innings, giving up five hits, one run and three walks while striking out six. As good as that was, the Rangers’ Cliff Lee pitched nine innings for the sixth time in his last ten starts, giving up five hits, one unearned run and no walks while striking out a season-high thirteen. He gave way to closer Neftali Feliz (2-2) after throwing 118 pitches. It was Feliz’s sixth straight save and eighth save in ten chances. Michael Wuertz took the loss for the A’s. In the bottom of the first with two outs, Guerrero doubled in Michael Young, who got on base with a walk to give Texas a 1-0 lead. With two outs in the bottom of the second, the Rangers got the bases loaded, but Ian Kinsler grounded out to end the inning. Oakland’s Coco Crisp moved from first to third when trying to steal on what was first ruled a throwing error by Bengie Molina in the top of the sixth. Kurt Suzuki then singled in Crisp to tie the game. After the game, Molina was found clear of blame since Kinsler was supposed to cover first, which is where Molina was throwing. In the top of the eighth, Lee struck out all three batters. Regarding the teams’ close calls near the end of the game, Texas’s occurred in the bottom of the ninth when Chris Davis started out with a walk, moved over on a sacrifice and again on a groundout. Young was then intentionally walked, but got Kinsler to foul out. The A’s almost got the winning run in the top of the tenth in similar fashion. Adam Rosales led off by getting on base and moved over on a sacrifice and groundout. Oakland brought Cliff Pennington in to pinch-hit, but Feliz got him to strike out. Game notes: The A’s Jack Cust and Matt Carson both struck out three times and Young walked three times. Cust was ejected for arguing his last strike. Oakland closer Andrew Bailey is still day-to-day, but teammate Rajai Davis returned. Wednesday August 4, will be MUG Root Beer Float Day along with Orange Crush floats served by members of the A’s organization and Bay Area television and radio personalities. Game time start for Wednesday, July 28’s game, is also 5:05pm. |
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