A's @ Rangers: 3-game series

[hot_corner_gurl]

5-9-08
Smith vs Feldman/Murray?

Smith had an amazing game his last time out, striking out 10 and allowing only one run over six innings. Feldman had a nice start against us but ended up getting the loss despite pitching a shutout over 7+ innings.



5-10-08
Eveland vs Millwood

Eveland's last start was a solid one too, allowing only three hits while shutting out the O's in 8+ innings. Eveland, who has a 4.98 ERA on the road, has never faced the Rangers before, so this will be a new experience. Millwood is 2-0 despite a 5.55 ERA at home. Overall, he's 3-3 with a 4.34 ERA vs Oakland and has never had any real success against us.



5-11-08
Harden vs Ponson

This would mark Harden's first start in the bigs off the DL. In his last minor league start, he struck out nine in six innings but also hit three batters. Ponson, who has won his last two starts for Texas, is 3-3 with a 6.58 ERA vs Oakland in 13 games (10 of them were starts).





If all goes well, I think that the A's can sweep the series. However, I think that two of three is more realistic, given Eveland's history on the road and this being Harden's first start back with the team. But I'll keep my fingers crossed.

[DirtyKash]

Brian Boggs? Who the heck is Brian Boggs and what's he doing homering off Greg Smith? I've never even heard of him.

[hot_corner_gurl]

Brian Boggs? I have no idea.

Still 2-0 Rangers in the bottom of the 5th. C'mon A's! Let's get some offense going!

[hot_corner_gurl]

4-0 now on a Boggs double. This guy has 3 RBI and has a homer and a double, not to mention recovering after smashing his knee into the outfield wall in the first inning. And if that wasn't enough, I've never even heard of him before this game!

[love_that_reefer]

Wonder if he is related to Wade.

[hot_corner_gurl]

Originally Posted by love_that_reefer Wonder if he is related to Wade.

Nope he's not. Sure seems like it though.

Apparently the Rangers were supposed to be playing really bad because of a late flight, but it's us who are playing jet-lagged. We are not seeing the ball well tonite, and it shows. Smith wasn't as dominant as he was last time, but we still had plenty of chances and couldn't get that big hit.

[hot_corner_gurl]

Crosby stikes out to end a very frustrating game. Hopefully Eveland can get us back on track and our offense will wake up tomorrow.

[Providence A's]

why do we play so crappy against such a crappy team? I'm confused...

[hot_corner_gurl]

Originally Posted by Providence A's why do we play so crappy against such a crappy team? I'm confused...

Don't worry, you're not alone.


K so hopefully we can rebound and get a win tomorrow (or atleast some runs) and even up this series. And hopefully Eveland will fair well in his first start vs the Rangers.




On the injury front, Chavez is apparently feeling much better and could be activated the day he is eligable to come back (May 27). He said he felt great after taking BP and taking some ground balls earlier today. Travis Buck is still rehabbing in Sacramento, and is 2-for-16 in five starts in center.

[Bon Bon]

It is bizarre how the Rangers have strung together some great pitching performances of late.

[hot_corner_gurl]

Originally Posted by Bon Bon It is bizarre how the Rangers have strung together some great pitching performances of late.

Well their starter Millwood left the game after facing two batters and running a 3-0 count on Cust. I think he has a left groin injury. Same leg as that hamstring injury, I believe. We actually scored a run, but Milton Bradley just hit a homer to give the Rangers the lead back. It's 3-1 Rangers in the bottom of the third.

[hot_corner_gurl]

Frank Francisco strikes out the side to end the top of the 5th. Ugh we need some offense guys! Let's go A's!

[A'sDiehard]

I don't normally blame a loss on the umps but the dipchiat behind the plate cost us 3 runs late in the game that I counted and what a fuktard. Seriously this guy didn't even know the count when Foulke struck someone out let alone the strike zone (especially with 2 outs).

Seriously what a fuking fuktard.......

[hot_corner_gurl]

Yeah that ump had quite a shaky strike zone. It completely fell apart during the later innings though.

Well, in last series against the Rangers we were able to win the final game thanks to great pitching by Smith and some timely hitting by Cust. Hopefully we'll get a similar result, especially the latter. And hopefully Harden can pitch a game and emerge from it healthy.