News
Anderson prepared for Bronx zoo
Oakland (5-8) at New York (8-6), 10:05 a.m. PT
By Mychael Urban / MLB.com
04/21/09 10:43 PM ET
NEW YORK -- The last time Brett Anderson pitched in the Bronx, he was a Double-A prospect in the All-Star Futures Game in July. The future sure came quickly. On Wednesday, Anderson won't be representing the United States, as he did in the Futures Game and, later last summer, at the Beijing Olympics. He'll be representing the A's and taking on New York's ace, fellow southpaw CC Sabathia. "I don't think there will be any additional pressure or anything," Oakland skipper Bob Geren said. "It's just another game." Easy for Geren to say. He was never tabbed as a potential Rookie of the Year, as has Anderson this year, and the 21-year-old's first visit to the Bronx as a big leaguer is sure to be scrutinized by the nation's largest press corps. But if there's one thing Anderson has proved since reporting to his first big league Spring Training in February, it's that he doesn't get rattled -- regardless of the situation. "I try not to get too wrapped up in anything -- good or bad," Anderson said. "If you spend all your [mental] energy on executing your pitches, which is what I need to do out there, you don't really notice all the other stuff." "His demeanor," A's lefty Dallas Braden said of Anderson, "is just about perfect." When Anderson pitched in the Futures Game, it was at what's now being called "old" Yankee Stadium. Wednesday's game will be Oakland's second at the "new" Yankee Stadium, a massive $1.5 billion structure that sits right across the street from the team's still-standing former home. The biggest early on-field storyline surrounding the palatial stadium has been the way balls are flying over fences. Twenty home runs were hit here in the first four regular-season games, setting a Major League record for a new yard, and there's been a ton of talk about a jet-stream in the right-center gap. Geren and pitching coach Curt Young essentially cautioned their charges against altering their approach to tailor the park. "You pitch your game," Young said. "You pitch to the stadium, and you're going to get away from what you do best -- and that's never a good idea for anyone." Pitching matchupOAK: LHP Brett Anderson (0-2, 4.85 ERA)
Anderson, who worked Oakland's home opener and gave up five runs on seven hits and two walks over six innings in his big league debut, was much sharper his second time out, holding the Red Sox to two runs on five hits and two walks (one intentional) over seven innings on Wednesday. One of the five hits was a two-run homer by Mike Lowell. Anderson struck out five while throwing 109 pitches against Boston, and his last pitch was one of his best. With the bases loaded and the Red Sox on the verge of breaking the game open, Anderson induced a ground ball that started a 5-2-3 double play to end the top of the seventh inning. NYY: LHP CC Sabathia (1-1, 3.57 ERA)
Despite pitching effectively, holding the Indians to one run over 5 2/3 innings, Sabathia walked five and had thrown 122 pitches by the time manager Joe Girardi called for the hook in Thursday's home opener. That marked the most pitches Sabathia had thrown in a game before June. He'll look to be more efficient against the Athletics, a team he beat just once in three starts last season, posting a 6.62 ERA against them while with the Indians. Dribblers ...
As expected, the A's are skipping No. 5 starter John Outman's turn in the rotation in the wake of Monday's rainout and Thursday's off-day. Outman will pitch in relief until a few days before his next scheduled start, May 2 in Seattle. Outman (0-0, 6.48 ERA in two starts) temporarily becomes the only lefty in the bullpen. ... Infielder Nomar Garciaparra, who has been out with calf tightness for all but one game since last Tuesday, took batting and fielding practice on the field before Tuesday's game. Geren said Garciaparra is doubtful for Wednesday, explaining that the extra day of rest Thursday would serve the veteran well. "I'd say he's more probable for Friday [at home against Tampa Bay]," Geren offered. ... Third baseman Eric Chavez, who started for the second successive game after missing the previous five with shoulder and neck stiffness, was dropped to seventh in the batting order Tuesday. "Just mixing it up," Geren said. Chavez entered the game in a 0-for-9 funk and grounded out weakly in his first two at-bats. ... Through Monday, first baseman Daric Barton led Triple-A Sacramento with 10 RBIs in 12 games, but he was batting .158. ... Double-A Midland infielders Adrian Cardenas and Corey Wimberly are off to hot starts. Cardenas led the Texas League with 30 total bases and was batting .391 with a .440 on-base percentage through Monday, and Wimberly was on a 12-for-30 (.400) tear and has scored 14 runs, second-best in the TL. Tickets
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• KTRB 860, KDIA 1640 (Español) Up next
• Thursday: Off-day
• Friday: Athletics (Trevor Cahill, 0-1, 2.60) vs. Rays (Scott Kazmir, 2-1, 5.40), 7:05 p.m. PT
• Saturday: Athletics (Dallas Braden, 1-2, 2.79) vs. Rays (Matt Garza, 1-1, 4.58), 1:05 p.m.. PT
Mychael Urban is a national writer for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
