Setting the Tone Early: Your swingin' A's jumped on the board right out of the gate, scoring 3 runs off the reigning W.S. MVP, Madison Bumgarner in the first inning. On an 0-1 count, Craig Gentry led off the game with a solid single to right. Bay Area's native, Marcus Semien, followed up with a 2-run blast to deep left field, giving the A's its first homerun of the Spring. The A's continued to batter around Bumgarner with a triple from the 'Zorilla', Ben Zobrist, followed a Sac Fly by Mr. 'Country Breakfast,' Billy Butler. The A's struck again in the 2nd on a solid Semien single to center, scoring Gentry. Bumgarner was knocked around giving up 4 runs, and 5 hits in just 1.2 innings of work. The A's added another run in the 3rd on a past ball from Timmy 'Not the Freak Anymore' Lincecum, making the score 5-2. Looking to improve on his impressive 2-2 game, Marcus Semien hit another homerun to left giving the A's a 6-2 lead. Semien finished the day, 3-3 with 2 bombs and 4 rbis - an extremely impressive debut for the Athletics.
In the 8th, outfielder Jason Pridie got in on the action, hitting a 2-run homer to right. Also in the 8th, Luke Carlin had a solid rbi single to center which concluded the A's scoring for the day.
In the 8th, outfielder Jason Pridie got in on the action, hitting a 2-run homer to right. Also in the 8th, Luke Carlin had a solid rbi single to center which concluded the A's scoring for the day.
Notable Offensive Stats:
Gentry, RF -- 2/3 2 runs scored and a stolen base
Burns, CF -- 1/2 with a triple and a run scored
Semien, SS -- 3/3 with 2 homeruns, 4 rbis, and two runs scored, (CS)
Carlin, C -- 1/1 with an rbi and a walk
Zobrist, 2B -- 2/2 with a triple, double, and a run scored
Butler, 1B -- 0/1 with an RBI (Sac Fly nice situation hitting to the opposite field)
Fuld, CF -- 1/2 solid single with two strikes on him against Bumgarner
Pridie, RF -- 1/2 with a 2-run homerun
Healthy Arms: Manager Bob Melvin should also be very impressed by the A's pitching performances as well. Buck Mills earned the Win (W) after pitching one shut out inning in the first, only surrendering a walk to Casey McGehee. Pat Venditte got right-hander Justin Maxwell to ground out to short while he was pitching right-handed, and then struck out left-hander Brandon Belt pitching left-handed. The announcers claimed that Belt looked quite uncomfortable facing Venditte's (left) side-arm throwing action beginning from the first base side of the rubber. The A's also got scoreless innings from Fernando Rodriguez, Ryan Verdugo (impressive), R.J. Alvarez, and Matt Buschmann. Jim Fuller gave up an unearned run on an error by the third baseman, Max Muncy. Brock Huntzinger pitched the 9th and surrendered one run to the Giants.
Other Thoughts: Obviously Marcus Semien had an amazing game. He continues to impress fans, coaches, and teammates and is making a great statement at trying to earn the staring shortstop position. I thought it was great how the A's set the tone early of the game. They came right out of the gate and stepped all over Bumgarner and the Giants and continued to add on, racking up a total of 13 hits. The A's pitching also impressed me, especially Ryan Verdugo and Pat Venditte. I think Venditte has a really great chance of making a major impact on in the A's bullpen this year and he'll throw a lot of hitters off balance like he did to Belt. Listening to Rodriguez pitch, I can see where he struggles. He has a lively fastball, but it's too predictable. He needs a strong off-speed pitch to throw off hitters more. He's also a bit wild, but that just keeps hitters honest. If Gentry can stay healthy, he'll impact the game in a number of facets. He'll give Coco the rest he needs from playing center, his speed will throw off opposing pitchers and will force them to 'quick pitch' to the plate. His speed really will change the game dramatically. Brad Mills believes that if Gentry stays healthy and has the opportunity to be on the field, he can steal up to 50 bases. I don't think that's impossible.
Gentry, RF -- 2/3 2 runs scored and a stolen base
Burns, CF -- 1/2 with a triple and a run scored
Semien, SS -- 3/3 with 2 homeruns, 4 rbis, and two runs scored, (CS)
Carlin, C -- 1/1 with an rbi and a walk
Zobrist, 2B -- 2/2 with a triple, double, and a run scored
Butler, 1B -- 0/1 with an RBI (Sac Fly nice situation hitting to the opposite field)
Fuld, CF -- 1/2 solid single with two strikes on him against Bumgarner
Pridie, RF -- 1/2 with a 2-run homerun
Healthy Arms: Manager Bob Melvin should also be very impressed by the A's pitching performances as well. Buck Mills earned the Win (W) after pitching one shut out inning in the first, only surrendering a walk to Casey McGehee. Pat Venditte got right-hander Justin Maxwell to ground out to short while he was pitching right-handed, and then struck out left-hander Brandon Belt pitching left-handed. The announcers claimed that Belt looked quite uncomfortable facing Venditte's (left) side-arm throwing action beginning from the first base side of the rubber. The A's also got scoreless innings from Fernando Rodriguez, Ryan Verdugo (impressive), R.J. Alvarez, and Matt Buschmann. Jim Fuller gave up an unearned run on an error by the third baseman, Max Muncy. Brock Huntzinger pitched the 9th and surrendered one run to the Giants.
Other Thoughts: Obviously Marcus Semien had an amazing game. He continues to impress fans, coaches, and teammates and is making a great statement at trying to earn the staring shortstop position. I thought it was great how the A's set the tone early of the game. They came right out of the gate and stepped all over Bumgarner and the Giants and continued to add on, racking up a total of 13 hits. The A's pitching also impressed me, especially Ryan Verdugo and Pat Venditte. I think Venditte has a really great chance of making a major impact on in the A's bullpen this year and he'll throw a lot of hitters off balance like he did to Belt. Listening to Rodriguez pitch, I can see where he struggles. He has a lively fastball, but it's too predictable. He needs a strong off-speed pitch to throw off hitters more. He's also a bit wild, but that just keeps hitters honest. If Gentry can stay healthy, he'll impact the game in a number of facets. He'll give Coco the rest he needs from playing center, his speed will throw off opposing pitchers and will force them to 'quick pitch' to the plate. His speed really will change the game dramatically. Brad Mills believes that if Gentry stays healthy and has the opportunity to be on the field, he can steal up to 50 bases. I don't think that's impossible.