Pitching, pitching, pitching. You already know the story, and nine games into the season, it’s getting pretty old. The first five innings: great baseball, great pitching. Last four: ahhhh. Vargas couldn’t finish the sixth, and Jepsen almost couldn’t either. Sean Burnett and Jerome Williams also gave up runs in their innings. Bullpen woes continue. Now, it's time to play “Second-Guessing Scioscia.” Jepsen gave up 4 runs to the A’s in the first game of this series. Why is his next appearance a high pressure situation against the SAME TEAM??
Don’t worry, there is no way I’m letting the offense off the hook. I know it’s the ninth game of the season, but when you’re 2-6, there has to be some sense of urgency to get things going. Other than Hambone getting things back on track, this offense was absolutely silent. The big catorce’s first lineup juggle of the season was a fail. Callaspo batted lead-off, going hitless with the rest of the top three. Hambone had 2 of the Halos 5 hits.
Game Notes
— The Halos gave up 16 hits to the A’s. Vargas pitched a decent game, he just fell apart in the sixth. Jepsen made matters worse. He came on in the sixth with 2 outs & 2 on, and responded by giving up a 2-run double to Chris Young. Scioscia shouldn’t have put him in in the first place.
–The Halos only run came from Howie’s RBI double in the fourth, scoring Hamilton. It was his first double of the season. With Howie on second and Trumbo on third, Iannetta struck out and Bourjos grounded out to end the inning. We’re still not seeing clutch hitting with runners in scoring position.
–Pujols bobbled a fly ball near the A’s dugout in the fourth inning, but Iannetta was there to end the inning.
–Hey, Mark Lowe had a scoreless inning!!!
Halo A- Hole
Mike Scioscia. Some questionable calls. I don’t know what else to say. It just seems right. (I also hope this whole “Big Catorce” thing catches on).
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