So I was planning on writing a post Friday. It was going to praise the A's, who had just won back to back road series in what felt like forever. They had climbed back up to 53-64. Which, though not a great record, at least felt competitive. At Tampa Bay and Toronto, the A's had an offense, they had pitching, they had defense. It was like watching a whole different team.
Then, the Rangers came to town. And, the Rangers kind of made the A's look like an old washed up Jedi.
During the Rangers series the A's allowed 23 runs on 31 hits. They committed 7 errors. Meanwhile, they only scored 8 runs, on 18 hits. And that number is only as high because of 6 runs and 8 hits Sunday that erased what was a 6-0 deficit. Unfortunately, then the man who is our best reliever promptly lost the game upon his entry.
Now, look, I don't have lofty dreams of grandeur about this team winning against a team like the Rangers, but to lose and look so inept was heartbreaking. After playing such complete games, they decided that it would be appropriate to do the exact opposite. Idiots. It's like me trying to hit on women. Not pretty.
Oh, and to make things worse, the A's decided to lose to Tommy Hunter and the Orioles tonight, 6-2. They managed 11 hits. That's kind of nice. Unfortunately, 10 were singles, and no one could score. Frustrating.
I also hate to second guess managers, but I think Bob Melvin made the wrong call tonight. With the bases loaded and none out in the 7th, he brought in Fautino De Los Santos to make his eighteenth appearance. Grant Balfour, the A's only other reliable reliever, stayed in the bullpen because he was needed to pitch the eighth. Balfour never came into the game. De Los Santos allowed the bases to clear and added one more just for good measure.
I know Balfour is the eighth inning guy. But, with a 2-1 lead, don't you want your best reliever in the game to work his way out of it? De Los Santos is going to have a good career if he can spot the fastball just a little bit better, but I'd much rather have him come into the game with the bases empty in the 8th. Isn't that what your best reliever is for? That moment where you need him the most? To be real, he probably would have blown it too, but at least I know we had our best option in there in the high pressure situation.
One positive, Brandon Allen, our new hope at first base, went 6-10 over the last three games. Let's all cross our fingers for this guy, who could be that guy that turns around your franchise. It's nice to have that guy.
So, it's been a rough few days for the A's. Fortunately, my softball team won 17-16 on a walk off squeeze. Not half bad. Not half bad at all. And, it's better than the Giants, who lost today's game after handing the ball to Brian Wilson. If that's not a sign of the apocalypse, then I don't know what is. To add insult to injury, Pablo Sandoval my have broken his foot on a foul ball. Not good.
Up next for the A's, two more against the Orioles. Or, maybe they win the next 5 in a row for a winning homestand? Wouldn't that be nice. Yes, yes it would. This is what dreams are made of.
Song - I need a team, any team, that doesn't drive me crazy.
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