A's v. Rangers Recap: GODZILLA STRIKES

Hello friends. Good to see you. While Frankie laments over the struggles of the Giants, I get to tell you how the A's have kind of looked like the Giants of September 2010, aka, WINNING.



As I sit here watching the remaining moments of the Lakers-Mavericks game, I still am reliving Cotroneo's call from this afternoon. It took one pitch for the game to end in the bottom of the 10th. It was not the game 7 of a hotly contested ALCS. It was even in front of less than 10,000 people, (EDIT - 4700 actually came through the turnstiles) and I'm willing to bet, that in the 10th inning, there were probably less than 3,000 left. (In his post game interview, Matsui said, "Hopefully it means another 100 show up tomorrow.") But Cotroneo called it like Bucky Dent just beat the Sawks. Unfortunately, the call on the highlight I can direct you here is Glen Kuiper, and it doesn't have the same magic, but take a look anyway.

Matsui Wins It for the A's

I'm calling it here. This was Vince Cotroneo's best call ever as an Oakland Athletics' broadcaster. And you know what? Even with the lackluster crowd in a young season, it deserved every bit of that enthusiasm. The A's won three out of four against the reigning AL champs. They now sit at 15-14, 1 game back of both the Angels and Rangers for the AL West lead. I know the season is young. I know things can still turn on their head in a week. But this series was a statement. After hitting 2 home runs at home in the month of April before April 30, the A's decided to hit 5 more over the last three games, including 2 by Suzuki and Willingham, and 1 moonshot by Matsui. The A's can contend in the AL West. Great pitching. Mediocre to good hitting. The A's are going to win ballgames. Oh, and yes, that was the play of the week. But let's revisit what was so far the defining series of 2011.

April 29
A's 3 v. Rangers 1
Trevor Cahill was, well, Trevor Cahill and the A's took his lead to a victory. It wasn't terribly elegant, especially early on, as Cahill gave up a few walks, and the A's stranded a few runners. But, the A's scored when it counted. Suzuki and Willingham, both absent from the lineup Wednesday, both had RBI hits, and the A's got off on the right foot in the series opener.

April 30
A's 2 v. Rangers 11
Brett Anderson was not, well, Brett Anderson. According to his post game conference, he had his worst stuff since his high school days. It was the truth, he just seemed. And though the A's got home runs from Suzuki and Willingham, it wasn't quite enough to solve Colby Lewis, who entered into the game with an ERA over 7. It was one of those games that just makes you scratch your head and say... huh .... baseball... Unfortunately, it failed to be one of those games that fell the correct way if you like the Green and Gold. Oh, it was also Rickey Henderson bobblehead day, and Conor Jackson was able to get a swipe of second base in the first, making the day not a total loss. Also, I went to the game and had a chocolate malt. This was a good decision. Lastly, I met my new friend Larry after the game. Larry is a good A's fan, and I hope to enjoy a game with him soon. #SHOUTOUT

May 1
A's 7 v. Rangers 2
Gio Gonzalez was, well, Gio Gonzalez. It's honestly mind boggling what the A's can do. Gio pitched well. The A's jumped all over Matt Harrison, and this one was pretty much over by the 3rd. The A's hit five doubles, and cruised to the victory behind the 6.2 from Gio, and the return of the 'fro from Coco Crisp, which might possibly be the best haircut ever. Beards be damned.

May 2
A's 5 v. Rangers 4
There have been some exciting games already this season, but this one takes the cake. Willingham tied it up in the 8th, and then OHHHHH NO, LOOK OUT TOKYO. HERE COMES GODZILLA. EEEEEHOOOOOO. Yes, this made Giuseppe a happy monkey. Though McCarthy wasn't his sharpest, and the defense wasn't it's greatest, the A's won. David beat Goliath, and the A's accomplished a goal.

Player of the Series
I'm not sure who to give it. But it's gotta be Matsui. He had a so so series before that jimmyjack, but look, that thing was magical. Shoutouts to the Hammer Willingham and Suzuki with 2 dingers apiece, as well as CoJack with a some slick hitting as well. Finally, Cahill and Gio deserve honorable mentions for their starts. Still, Matsui earns the honors, as well as a the song of the week below.

GOAT
It pains me, but Brett Anderson earns it this week. He knows it, he admits it, and he's going to get through it, but his Saturday start was totally disappointing. It's OK Brett. I believe in you. Even the Lego loving Trevor Cahill believes in you. You are going to have a fine season, but it wasn't your day.

Play of the Series
Yeah, there's the obvious Matsui homerun.... but there's also this from today as well:
One of the most exciting plays in baseball

And though Conor Jackson made what I think was an even better play in the 10th, this was a great one too:
CoJack lays out

Song of the Series
Bet you couldn't guess:



On Deck
After beating the reigning champions, the A's must take on the hottest and current best team in the AL, the Cleveland Indians. Tyson Ross makes a start tomorrow and hopes to quiet the hot Indian bats. The A's offense will try to continue with hot start to May.