News
A's prevail despite Outman's injury
Cabrera's two-run double caps rally in eighth inning
By Amy Brittain / MLB.com
06/20/09 3:19 AM ET
SAN DIEGO -- Oakland manager Bob Geren thought the radar gun at PETCO Park was perhaps malfunctioning when he saw the velocity for starting pitcher Josh Outman in the first inning Friday against the Padres."It was kind of strange ... we don't necessarily believe the scoreboard radars," he said. "Sometimes they're different where they put them in different stadiums. But it seemed low."
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Outman, who threw fastballs in the 88- to 89-mph range, exited after just 1 2/3 innings with a mild flexor-extensor strain in his left elbow.
Despite his early departure, the A's delivered plenty of run support and steady relief pitching to defeat the Padres, 7-5.
"The bullpen was fantastic, and they have been all year," Outman said. "I hate that I put them in that position where they have to take care of almost eight innings worth of the game."
Edgar Gonzalez relieved Outman in the second inning and exited in the sixth inning with two runners on base and the game tied at 3. Gonzalez allowed four runs on six hits, walked four and struck out one.
Gonzalez was also 2-for-2 at the plate, which made him the first Oakland reliever to get two hits since Rollie Fingers did so in 1970.
Padres third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff hit a two-run single off Oakland reliever Russ Springer to give San Diego a 5-3 lead in the sixth inning.
But Oakland powered back as first baseman Jason Giambi singled to score catcher Kurt Suzuki in the eighth inning. The A's scored the go-ahead run when shortstop Orlando Cabrera hit a two-run double for a 6-5 lead in the eighth.
Geren said he thought one turning point in the sixth inning provided a spark for Cabrera's double in the eighth. Cabrera cycled through 15 pitches before flying out in the sixth, showing a "battle" mentality that Geren praised.
"It seemed like he had every area and velocity covered with good swings," Geren said.
The A's added another run in the ninth when Suzuki singled to score Daric Barton, who led off the inning with a double.
Oakland took early advantage of struggling Padres starting pitcher Wade LeBlanc when it was able to score three runs in the fourth inning. LeBlanc threw three-plus innings, allowing three runs on three hits.
Suzuki singled to lead off the fourth inning, and LeBlanc walked right fielder Jack Cust and left fielder Matt Holliday to load the bases. Giambi was then hit by a pitch, scoring Suzuki and putting Oakland on the board. With runners on second and third, the Padres then went to the bullpen for reliever Josh Banks. Cust and Holliday scored on sacrifice flies to take a 3-2 lead.
Geren said the collaborative effort was especially crucial for the win given the early struggles with Outman.
"I thought it was a really nice team effort today, even with a guy like Barton who comes off the bench to lead off in the ninth with a big, big double to add a run there," Geren said. "All the way down to Giambi taking a pitch off the shoulder for an RBI."
Outman said he has experienced tightness in his arm since he started June 8 against the Twins. The arm wasn't bothersome during Friday's pregame warmups, but it did start to tighten after resting in the dugout.
"It's been something I've been trying to work through for a little bit," he said. "I was tentative. I ended up changing my mechanics to compensate."
Although he gave up a homer to Padres outfielder Chase Headley in the second inning, Outman said his arm actually loosened up and felt better after the first inning. Outman allowed one run on two hits, walked one and struck out none in the shortest start of his career.
"I didn't like what I was seeing," Geren said. "He said nothing was really hurting, but I thought he was injured to the point that he needed to come out."
Outman said it's too early to be certain about the severity of the injury and its effect on his next start.
"It's a long season, and we're not even to the All-Star Break," he said. "I'd rather miss one start now than miss five or six."
Amy Brittain is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
