Weekend Update: Hudsucker and Jo-Jo Mojo
This weekend’s series with the Athletics should go to show you why that o**-r** g*** stat is pretty much completely meaningless. On Friday we won a classic o**-r** g***, playing it close the whole way. But on Saturday we were dominated by the A’s, only able to claw back within o** by scoring 3 in a shaky 9th off Houston Street. On Sunday, it was a classic o**-r** g*** until we broke it open in the 8th off two-time Brave and old, old man Alan Embree.
Saturday’s Game
Oakland 5, Atlanta 4. Don’t talk to me about clutch hitting in this one. This was all Tim Hudson’s bad. Our 9th inning rally may have fallen short, but when your starter spots the opponents 5, you’re in a pretty rough spot.
While Hudson shook off his last few strong performances with another Hudsucker and the bats were quieted by future former A’s star Rich Harden, the bullpen was once again a strong point. Roger McDowell must have been spending a good deal of quality time with Chris Resop as he came in for 2.1 and shut the A’s down. Phil Stockman made his return to the majors with a scoreless 9th. The bullpen didn’t give up a single run, earned or otherwise during the entire series.
Sunday’s Game
Atlanta 5, Oakland 2. The Bravos took the day on Sunday to keep our perfect home alternate jersey record intact (now 4-0).
After today’s performance, I have this praise for Jo-Jo Reyes: he’s not the worst pitcher in the history of baseball. He went 5+ and only gave up two runs. Of course, if he wants to stick around in the bigs, he’s going to have to up his stamina and learn to adjust to the batters the second and third time through the rotation before he becomes another Chuck James Experiment.
Jo-Jo loaded up the bases in the second with no outs but managed to escape unscathed, getting two Ks and getting Bobby Crosby to ground out to first. I hope that turns out to be a confidence booster for young Jo-Jo. His presence on the mound seems to be much improved from last fall.
We finally got to see Frank Thomas pinch hitting in this series, though only for three pitches as Jeff Bennett struck him out on three straight.
The A’s need to go back to running-the-bases school. On Friday, bad baserunning cost them two runs, and would have cost them more but for Jair Jurrjen’s error throwing to the plate. On Sunday, the Termidor Defensive Play of the Game had Brian McCann picking off Gregorio Petit from first.
Quick Hits
With trade rumors flying about Matt Holliday, he needs to watch out, and perhaps talk to Andruw Jones and Mark Teixeira. Apparently Scott Boras clients tanking in their contract year is the new black.
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