News
Gonzalez looks for revenge vs. Minnesota
Oakland (64-77) at Minnesota (70-72), 11:10 a.m. PT
By Tyler Mason / MLB.com
09/12/09 5:22 PM ET
MINNEAPOLIS -- By now, Oakland starter Gio Gonzalez has put his last outing against the Twins far behind him. It certainly was a start he'd like to forget. Gonzalez was shelled for 11 runs on 10 hits, including four Minnesota home runs, and lasted just 2 2/3 innings on July 20. After that outing, his ERA ballooned to 9.33. When he takes to the hill Sunday to face the Twins again, he'll get a shot at redemption. "It's gone. It's a new start," Gonzalez said of his previous outing vs. Minnesota." For as poorly as Gonzalez pitched in that game, he managed to avoid picking up a loss. The A's were able to mount a rally and come back from a 10-run deficit to win 14-13. "When we got the last out, it was a really exciting comeback," Gonzalez said. "We took that positive and kept going with it." The A's used that comeback to eventually take the series from the Twins. For Gonzalez, though, that night has since become a distant memory. "I think that his previous start is probably way out of his mind," A's manager Bob Geren said. "He's had some pretty good success since then. He turned the corner right after that. He really did." That success began in Gonzalez's very next start. He was able to put all memories of the 11-run night behind him and earn a win against the Yankees, allowing just one run on two hits in 6 2/3 innings. "He's a competitor," Oakland catcher Kurt Suzuki said. "Instead of pouting about his start against Minnesota, he came back mentally stronger. He just went out there knowing that what happened last time is not going to happen again. He made sure of that." Since getting hit around by the Twins earlier this summer in Oakland, Gonzalez is 4-3 in nine starts, with a 3.93 ERA in those games to lower his season ERA to 5.76. He'll be looking for his second consecutive win Sunday after earning the victory against Seattle last week. "Sometimes it takes hitting rock bottom before you have to make changes," Geren said. "He's a lot different pitcher now than he was then. He's really narrowed his focus on what he's trying to do on the mound." "I think he's had a little bit of success," Suzuki said. "He's got a little bit more confidence. He's attacking the strike zone a lot more, attacking hitters, getting ahead early in the counts. It shows." Pitching matchupOAK: LHP Gio Gonzalez (5-5, 5.76 ERA)
Gonzalez was in command from the get-go in his last start. The lefty used a steady diet of fastballs and curveballs to go with a new four-seam changeup to keep the Mariners at bay. Gonzalez went seven innings, allowing just two runs on six hits, while striking out three. According to Geren, Gonzalez's changeup could make a huge difference down the stretch. Gonzalez now has three pitches he can turn to when he's in a jam and is gaining more confidence with every start. MIN: LHP Brian Duensing (2-1, 3.94 ERA)
Duensing maneuvered through the first five innings of his last start at Toronto with relative ease, allowing just four hits and one walk. But the rookie southpaw couldn't continue the success into the sixth, when he loaded the bases with no outs. All of the runs would eventually score as Duensing was charged with three runs on six hits in his five-plus innings to pick up the no-decision. In his three previous starts, Duensing had posted an ERA of 1.42, allowing just three earned runs in 19 innings. He'll see if he can get back to that form when he makes his first start against the A's. In two relief appearances vs. Oakland this season, Duensing is 0-0 with a 9.00 ERA. Tidbits
A's pitcher Vin Mazzaro threw again on Saturday, and Geren said Mazzaro felt better then he did Friday. Mazzaro was originally expected to throw a side session Sunday, but Geren said the right-hander will instead take part in a light throwing session Sunday and a side session Monday. ... A's pitcher Andrew Bailey recorded his 24th save of the season with a scoreless ninth inning Saturday. He leads all rookie pitchers with saves and now holds the record for most saves by an Oakland rookie. The previous mark was held by Huston Street, who had 23 in 2005. ... With a win Sunday, Oakland would complete just its third series sweep of the year. The last time the A's turned the trick was June 5-7 against Baltimore. Tickets
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• Monday: Athletics (Brett Tomko, 4-3, 4.47) at Rangers (Scott Feldman, 16-4, 3.46), 5:05 p.m. PT
• Tuesday: Athletics (Trevor Cahill, 8-12, 4.74) at Rangers (Brandon McCarthy, 7-2, 4.81), 5:05 p.m. PT
• Wednesday: Athletics (Clay Mortensen, 1-2, 6.75) at Rangers (TBD), 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.
