News
Mazzaro settling into role with A's
Oakland (33-45) at Cleveland (32-49), 4:05 p.m. PT
By Matt ODonnell / MLB.com
07/04/09 1:30 AM ET
CLEVELAND -- Vin Mazzaro won't miss Interleague Play. Mazzaro hadn't given up a run before facing the National League, but was winless in four Interleague starts. He will make his return to the American League on Saturday against the Indians at Progressive Field. The right-hander had two quality starts and was 0-3 with a 4.70 ERA against the NL, not bad for a guy with six career starts. But when you are going against the likes of Tim Lincecum (twice) and Rockies All-Star Aaron Cook, you have to be almost perfect to win. "You want to face the best of the best," Mazzaro said. "It's a good challenge." Mazzaro got just four total runs of support in those games. While that might rattle some young pitchers, pitching coach Curt Young said that he didn't have to say much to the 22-year-old. "You definitely hope they know they are pitching well enough to win," Young said. "They can only do so much." While his ERA might have ballooned a bit, so has his strikeout rate. Mazzaro struck out a career-high eight batters in his last start against the Rockies. That broke his previous high of six, which he recorded against the regional rival Giants just one start before. "Every outing, I'm going out there and getting a little more comfortable," Mazzaro said. "I'm studying the hitters, getting a better game plan, it seems to have helped me out a lot." Mazzaro is just one of a handful of rookies Oakland has started this season. The A's have started a rookie pitcher in 23 of the past 29 games and 50 of the 77 games this season. Last year, rookies started 58 games for the A's, which was the most since 1996. But Young said that Mazzaro doesn't act like a rookie. With every start, Mazzaro gets more confident, whether he wins or loses. "He's proved to himself that he can pitch up here," Young said. "Throw in some confidence with the stuff he's got, and you're going to get good results." Pitching matchupOAK: RHP Vin Mazzaro (2-3, 2.95 ERA)
Mazzaro did a pretty solid job of slowing down one of baseball's hottest offenses last Sunday. It wasn't enough to get the win, though, as he surrendered two runs in a 37-pitch second before settling down to hold the Rockies to one run over his final three-plus innings in a 3-1 loss. They were able to put some good at-bats together against him," manager Bob Geren said of the Rockies. "They fouled pitches off, got his pitch count up close to 110 pitches. ... He held a good offense down for the most part." This will be the seventh start of the 22-year-old rookie's young career. CLE: RHP Carl Pavano (6-7, 5.56 ERA)
After giving up 23 runs in 13 1/3 innings over his previous three starts, Pavano appeared to right his mechanics against the White Sox on Monday. In seven innings, he allowed just two runs on five hits with no walks and six strikeouts. He induced 11 ground-ball outs, which is a sure sign he was throwing downhill the way he wants to. But a lack of offensive support prevented him from getting the win. Pavano has only faced the A's one other time in his career. Tidbits
Mark Ellis arrived just before game time Friday against the Indians. After the birth of his second child, Ellis hopped on a flight for Cleveland, but was unable to make it back in time to start. He should be back in the lineup on Saturday against the Tribe. ... Geren said that he had not talked to Rays manager Joe Maddon about the A's All-Star selection. "The final decision is his," Geren said. "To go out and call him is not necessary. He'll find a solid representative from our team." ... Gio Gonzalez will start Sunday's game against the Indians in place of Brett Anderson. Geren said he just wanted to give Anderson another day of rest. Anderson will go Monday against the Red Sox instead. Tickets
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• Sunday: Athletics (Gio Gonzalez, 0-2, 7.27) at Indians (Cliff Lee, 4-7, 3.39), 10:05 a.m. PT
• Monday: Athletics (Brett Anderson, 4-7, 5.45) at Red Sox (John Smoltz, 0-1, 6.00), 4:10 p.m. PT
• Tuesday: Athletics (Dallas Braden, 6-7, 3.13) at Red Sox (Josh Beckett, 9-3, 3.67), 4:10 p.m. PT
Matt O'Donnell is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
