News
Sweeney sits despite success vs. Angels
Oakland (9-14) vs. Los Angeles (11-13), 7:05 p.m. PT
Ryan Sweeney had played every game this season before Monday's opener. (Kevin P. Casey/AP)
By Mychael Urban / MLB.com
05/05/09 2:00 AM ET
OAKLAND -- A's outfielder Ryan Sweeney extended his hitting streak to 12 games on Sunday, and his career numbers against the Angels jump off the page compared to those of most of his struggling teammates. Yet, Sweeney, who started each of Oakland's first 22 games, was on the bench on Monday for the start of a two-game series against the visiting Angels. Why? Hey, these are the A's. You know the answer to that one. "Ryan needs a day," said manager Bob Geren. "His legs are a little tight." Of course they are. It's the A's, for whom a day without a mainstay in pain is a rare day, indeed. In truth, Sweeney wasn't really all that banged up. But even Superman needs a blow, and Sweeney played Superman several times on the just-concluded road trip, turning in spectacular catches on three consecutive days. With Sweeney out, white-hot Kurt Suzuki was installed as the temporary leadoff hitter and hit his second homer in the seventh inning. "Suzuki's been swinging the bat better than anyone," Geren said of Suzuki, who entered the game batting .421 (17-for-38) with a home run and 10 RBIs over his previous 10 games. Sweeney went 6-for-14 in the season-opening series in Anaheim to boost his career average against the Halos to .390, but with Angels lefty Joe Saunders starting the series opener on Monday, Geren decided to go with switch-hitter Rajai Davis in center over Sweeney, who is 0-for-3 against Saunders. "If he needs a day, today's the day," Geren said. "I'm pretty sure Ryan will be back up there [in the leadoff spot Tuesday]." Pitching matchupOAK: LHP Dallas Braden (3-2, 2.10 ERA)
Braden won his second straight start on Thursday, pitching five shutout innings against the Rangers' lethal offense. It was a taxing outing, as Braden threw 111 pitches in five innings, averaging right around 22 pitches per inning. In fact, he threw 22 pitches in a pivotal fifth inning, when the Rangers had the bases loaded with one out in a 0-0 game. Braden has allowed two runs or fewer in each of his last four starts. The left-hander has started two games this season when the A's were shut out and left Thursday's game in a scoreless tie. LAA: RHP Shane Loux (1-2, 5.24 ERA)
In his last start, Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Orioles at Camden Yards, Loux went six innings and gave up only five hits and a run -- though he had to work out of trouble early and overhaul his strategy when the sinker wasn't effective. The victory was his first since September 2006, when Loux won for Detroit in Kansas City. A win at Oakland would give Loux his first winning streak in the Major Leagues. Dribblers ...
Third baseman Eric Chavez, on the disabled list with elbow soreness, worked out during batting practice but did not hit. ... Nomar Garciaparra, on the DL with a strained right calf, is in Boston working with a specialist familiar with the chronic condition that affects both of the veteran infielder's calves. ... Righty reliever Santiago Casilla, on the DL with calf issues of his own, played catch on Monday and might throw off the bullpen mound on Tuesday. If he does and it goes well, a rehab stint with Triple-A Sacramento might soon follow. ... Geren suggested that Gregorio Petit, called up from Sacramento on May 1, is his starting second baseman for the time being. Mark Ellis, on the DL with -- what else? -- a strained calf, isn't expected back for at least a month. ... Sacramento third baseman Yung Chi Chen, recently promoted from Double-A Midland, where he batted .324 in 17 games, got three hits Sunday to boost his batting average with the River Cats to .455 (4-for-11). Tickets
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• Wednesday: Athletics (Dana Eveland, 1-2, 7.40) vs. Rangers (Scott Feldman, 1-0, 6.75), 7:05 p.m. PT
• Thursday: Athletics (Trevor Cahill, 0-2, 4.50) vs. Rangers (Brandon McCarthy, 3-0, 4.67), 12:35 p.m. PT
• Friday: Athletics (Josh Outman, 0-0, 4.41) vs. Blue Jays (Scott Richmond, 4-0, 2.67), 7:05 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.
