News
A's get set to say goodbye to Metrodome
Oakland (63-77) at Minnesota (70-71), 10:10 a.m. PT
By Tyler Mason / MLB.com
09/12/09 12:27 AM ET
MINNEAPOLIS -- After Friday's series opener against the Twins, Oakland infielder Adam Kennedy has now played 30 career games in the Metrodome, second most on the A's behind Eric Chavez's 41. After Sunday's finale, Kennedy and his teammates will bid farewell to the Dome, as Minnesota is set to play in brand-new Target Field next season. It's tough to say Kennedy will miss the Metrodome. "It's a unique place," he said. "Sometimes you get locked in this Dome for a weekend and you don't get fresh air or anything. Getting outside and getting that air, although there will be some colder days, it's nice to play outside." That's not to say Kennedy's Dome experience hasn't been enjoyable. He was a member of the 2002 Angels team that beat the Twins in the American League Championship Series, winning one of two games in the Metrodome before clinching the series back in Anaheim. "I've played a lot of good games here," Kennedy said. "It's always fun playing the Twins, their style of baseball." A's manager Bob Geren played a handful of games in the Dome while with the Yankees, recalling memories of Kirby Puckett and Kent Hrbek. He also experienced the playoffs in the Dome as Oakland's bench coach in 2006, when the A's swept the Twins and took both games in Minnesota. "We ended up winning here and going home and winning the series," Geren said. "That was a very exciting time for us." For Oakland's rookies, this weekend's series marks the first and only time they will play in the Metrodome. Geren said he and his staff worked with the younger players to familiarize them with the Dome's quirks. "You have to not necessarily warn them but school them, tell them what to look for," Geren said. "I've seen numerous balls lost in the roof. It's always a challenge." After Sunday, Oakland's next trip to Minnesota for baseball will mean playing outdoors at a brand-new ballpark, something A's coaches and players alike are excited for. "You see a lot of the new stadiums built across the country, they're all pretty amazing," said A's shortstop Nomar Garciaparra. "I'm sure this one is going to be equally as amazing as well. I think the question on a lot of people's minds is, 'How come they don't cover it?'" "I'm looking forward to seeing the new park just because I enjoy seeing the architecture and the design of how these new parks are," Geren said. "That part is always something I look forward to going to a new place. I also have good memories here." Pitching matchupOAK: LHP Brett Anderson (8-10, 4.45 ERA)
Anderson pitched just five innings last Saturday, but that was enough to beat the Mariners and notch his first win since Aug. 9 at Kansas City. He gave up three runs to the Mariners in the second inning, one on a long homer by Mike Sweeney, but settled down after that. Anderson struck out six, walked just two and allowed seven hits in the win. And for a change, he got plenty of run support in the 9-5 victory. In 13 of his 26 starts this season, he has received two or fewer runs of support. He's 0-1 with a 7.94 ERA against the Twins. MIN: RHP Jeff Manship (0-0, 4.41 ERA)
In just his second Major League start, Manship saw his pitch count rise a little too early in his outing against the Blue Jays. He tossed 4 1/3 innings, allowing three runs on seven hits while throwing a total of 104 pitches. The right-hander said that he was trying to be a little too precise with his pitches in the outing, and without his changeup to rely on, it made it difficult for him to change speeds against a tough Blue Jays lineup. Manship will see if he can deliver a longer outing when he faces the A's for the first time in his career. Tidbits
Geren said pitcher Vin Mazzaro threw long toss Friday from 140 feet and added that it went a little better than it did last time. He said if all goes according to plan, Mazzaro will throw a bullpen session on Sunday. ... A's pitcher Craig Breslow made his return to the Metrodome for the first time since the Twins placed him on waivers in May of this season. When asked about Breslow's impact this season, Geren said, "I think every team he's been on in the past has certainly appreciated what he does. We certainly are very happy for him." Breslow did not appear in Oakland's 12-5 victory over Minnesota on Friday. ... Until a four-run ninth inning on Friday, the A's bullpen had allowed just one run over its past 17 innings. That changed when Santiago Casilla was charged with four runs in the ninth. Tickets
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• Sunday: Athletics (Gio Gonzalez, 5-5, 5.76) at Twins (Brian Duensing, 2-1, 3.94), 11:10 a.m. PT
• Monday: Athletics (Brett Tomko, 4-3, 4.47) at Rangers (Scott Feldman, 16-4, 3.46), 5:05 p.m. PT
• Tuesday: Athletics (TBD) at Rangers (Brandon McCarthy, 7-2, 4.81), 5:05 p.m. PT
Tyler Mason is an associate reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
