*Well, Well, Well......
*First rain in California--lots of it--which has been rare this season; then a rain out, which happens, oh I would say rarely; then the rarest item of all, a Day/Night Doubleheader. All those bay area kids today with no school--including Big Kids--this could be a great day for you.
*Here is quick recap from Game 1: The A's battled but it just want their night. Sonny Gray will battle, and the youngster can field his position. Sonny displayed Gold Glove caliber defense opening night, making a handful of plays that, well, lets just say, former A Bret Anderson would not have made!
*Recap continued...A's fans, and now even teammates, have a lot of angst regarding Daric Barton. In the eighth, Barton led off the single, and was standing on second when Josh Donaldson was at the plate. JD crushed one. CRUSHED it. On a night where the heavy air in Oakland was no friend to hitters, it appeared as if Donaldson had put the A's 3-0. Not so fast, the baseball gods are indeed messing with the A's, as Donaldson's blast bounced off the top of the O.Co's cushioned fence. The ball bounced right back to the alert Indians center fielder who quickly relayed the ball back to the infield. Enter Barton. The ball was tricky to read, but instead of getting himself halfway between 2nd and 3rd, he did a poor Chow-Chow-Chow rendition of running in circles. Barton ended up at third, and Donaldson stood at first, irked at his 400 foot single. Now I am not convinced Barton would have scored, but he could have. Thus, after the game all I heard was Barton, Barton, Barton, but here are some other thoughts on game 1:
1. Jed Lowrie subsequently came up with the bases loaded and proceeded to look baaaadddd striking out. Early in the game with one out, Lowrie had runners on second and third--when a ground ball would have plated the A's first run. Lowrie hit it hard, but up the middle off of the pitcher, who scrambled and made the out at first. Lowrie had two chances to put the A's ahead, and did not get the job done. The first at bat Lowrie hit it hard, but oh those baseball gods! Lowries' at bats were where the game was decided.
2. After Barton led off the top of the eigth, why not insert speedy infielder Sam Fuld? When Barton was on second, Fuld, again a possibility. Fast forward to the bottom of the ninth, two on two out. Nick Punto had pinch hits for Soggie. Now, my question is this: the A's needed one swing, why not let Derek Norris take a rip?
Barton made a gaff.....but there was clearly a little more to the story!
For my son's sake, he's 8, the A's will not lose their 11 consecutive opening day game in 2015! You read it here first!
*The Wubs, man when they need a big win on the road, they deliver. Last night's game a huge step to ensuring post season play. Is Steph Curry the most likable NBA star?
*Since the Raider passed on DeSean Jackson....if Clemson wideout Sammy Watkins is there at number 5 when the Raiders pick, he is headed to OTown!
*Rawhide Rant: One more day, and then they play!
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