NewsNomar exits A's game as precaution
Veteran doesn't want to risk tight calf in cold conditionsBy Mychael Urban / MLB.com
04/15/09 3:45 AM ET
OAKLAND -- A's infielder Nomar Garciaparra, who started at third base Tuesday because Eric Chavez has a sore right shoulder, left the game with tightness in his right calf after one inning but said it was simply a concession to his history and the cold conditions."I just figured, it's cold, my calf's tight, time to stop," Garciaparra said after Oakland's 12-inning victory over the visiting Red Sox in the second game of a three-game series at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. "I don't want to risk anything by pushing it this early [in the season]."
After drawing a one-out walk in the bottom of the first, Garciaparra went from first to third on a single before scoring on an infield single. He was replaced at third base by Bobby Crosby in the top of the second.
According to the A's game notes, Garciaparra has spent time on the disabled list 12 times in his career and missed 90 games with the Dodgers last year with injuries to his left calf, right hand and left knee.
"Actually, it was both calves," Garciaparra said. "So I've felt this before. That's why I had to get out of there. ... Usually, I'm not that smart."
Mychael Urban is a national writer for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
