A’s Try To Remain Undefeated Against Angels: Game Preview
April 29, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics first baseman Brandon Moss (37) is congratulated by teammates for hitting a solo home run against the Los Angeles Angels during the sixth inning at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
A day after a game that went 19 innings and seemed as if it might never end, the Oakland Athletics will need a strong start from Jarrod Parker after using seven pitchers – including Brett Anderson in the first relief appearance of his career – out of the bullpen in the six hour, 32 minute contest.
The bullpen ended up throwing 212 pitches, and Bob Melvin would like to see Parker give the A’s some quality innings and earn his first win of the season after struggling out of the gate. Parker has given up 21 runs in 23.1 innings, but he’s found the strike zone more consistently lately, accumulating five strikeouts against the Baltimore Orioles and Tampa Bay Rays in his last two outings.
Right-hander Garrett Richards will start for the Angels, and the 24-year-old is 1-1 with a 3.65 ERA on the season. Richards has done a solid job as a starter since taking Jered Weaver’s spot in the rotation when the staff ace went on the disabled list with a fractured elbow, with an impressive performance against the Detroit Tigers on April 20 to his name in which he struck out eight and allowed only two hits in seven shutout innings.
Oakland’s win last night was made possible by a two-out RBI single from Yoenis Cespedes in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game, and the A’s record is now 93-49 with the Cuban slugger in the lineup and 16-31 without him. Cespedes hit a two-run homer Sunday afternoon to tie the game in the ninth inning, and that’s about all the evidence you need to see the effect he has on the team’s offense. He may be the A’s second hottest hitter right now, however, as AL Player of the Week Josh Donaldson is sporting a .500 average over the last seven days with 10 RBI and seven walks.
Cespedes will hit fourth Tuesday night and play center field with Coco Crisp out after straining his left hamstring running to first late in last night’s game. Chris Young will also sit tonight after straining his right quad in the exact same scenario, and Seth Smith will play left field in his absence. Jed Lowrie will also sit with an undisclosed injury.
It’s been a record-setting month for the A’s offense, and they can add to that total in tonight’s game. Erick Aybar returns to action at shortstop for the Angels after nursing a bruised left heel on the disabled list, suffered against the A’s on April 9. Center fielder Peter Bourjos has been put on the disabled list after straining his left hamstring on the way to first last night, and he’ll be replaced by Scott Cousins tonight for the Angels.
LINEUPS
Oakland Athletics (15-12)
1. J. Jaso DH
2. A. Rosales SS
3. S. Smith LF
4. Y. Cespedes CF
5. B. Moss 1B
6. J. Donaldson 3B
7. J. Reddick RF
8. D. Norris C
9. E. Sogard 2B
Los Angeles Angels (9-16)
1. E. Aybar SS
2. M. Trout CF
3. A. Pujols DH
4. M. Trumbo 1B
5. J. Hamilton RF
6. H. Kendrick 2B
7. H. Conger C
8. B. Harris 3B
9. J. Shuck LF