A’s Try To Get Back In The Win Column On A Stormy Night In Boston: Game Preview
Apr 22, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Felix Doubront (22) throws a pitch in the fourth inning against the Oakland Athletics at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
The Oakland Athletics are in need of some veteran leadership to snap them out of a four-game skid, and who better to rely on than the oldest player on the roster?
Bartolo Colon will get the call Tuesday night at Fenway Park, and the A’s hope their good fortune with the 39-year-old right-hander on the mound will continue against Alfredo Aceves and the Boston Red Sox. Oakland is 3-0 in games started by Colon, and he’s accumulated a 3.32 ERA with 10 strikeouts through 19 innings this season.
It’s offense that’s been an issue for Oakland over the last four games, and while they league the American League in runs (106) and extra-base hits (49) through 20 games, they average 3.85 runners left in scoring postion per game, a number that jumps up to 4.40 in away games.
16 Athletics were left on base Monday night, although there were encouraging signs at the plate, such as Josh Reddick going 2-for-4 with 2 RBI. With Yoenis Cespedes still on the disabled list and Jed Lowrie cooling off after a hot start to the season, Bob Melvin would love for Reddick to get going to provide a spark in the middle of the order, and last night was hopefully a step in the right direction.
Oakland will get the opportunity to turn things around against Aceves, who has filled in as a starter out of the bullpen since John Lackey went on the disabled list April 10 with a strained right biceps. The right-hander is 1-0 in his two starts this season, going five innings in each contest and allowing five runs total against the Baltimore Orioles and Cleveland Indians.
Casper Wells, the newest addition to Oakland’s roster, arrived at Fenway this afternoon, and Michael Taylor will be sent down to Triple-A Sacramento to make room for the outfielder. As Susan Slusser pointed out in today’s San Francisco Chronicle, there’s a good chance Wells will be in Sacramento soon as well if Cespedes makes his return this weekend against the Orioles, and it looks like Billy Beane made the move to add extra depth to the outfield in the form of an experienced Major League player, as opposed to younger prospects like Taylor and Shane Peterson.
There’s rain and wind in the forecast tonight for Boston, and officials will be keen on completing the game tonight as it’ll be tough to find a date to re-schedule. In other words, prepare yourself for some possible rain delays if you’re watching the game at home.
LINEUPS
Oakland Athletics
1. C. Crisp CF
2. J. Jaso C
3. S. Smith DH
4. J. Lowrie SS
5. B. Moss 1B
6. J. Donaldson 3B
7. J. Reddick RF
8, C. Young LF
9. E. Sogard 2B
Boston Red Sox
1. J. Ellsbury CF
2. S. Victorino RF
3. D. Pedroia 2B
4. M. Napoli 1B
5. D. Nava LF
6. W. Middlebrooks 3B
7. J. Saltalamacchia C
8. J. Gomes DH
9. S. Drew SS