A’s offensive smorgasbord sends off Jeter as they beat Yanks 10-5

A’s offensive smorgasbord sends off Jeter as they beat Yanks 10-5
Mark E. Ortega
Martinez News-Gazette
June 15, 2014

OAKLAND–After a power outage delayed Saturday’s game nearly 40 minutes, the A’s could’ve powered the stadium themselves Sunday as they hit two three-run home runs in the first two innings en route to a 10-5 win to begin their ten game home stand winning two out of three at O.co Coliseum.

The A’s gave Derek Jeter a nice send off and presentation before Sunday afternoon’s game, including a standing ovation from a fan base whose hearts Jeter has stomped on before.

The A’s got the last laugh in Jeter’s final regular season game against the club, dominating them to a 6-0 second inning lead on the strength of two three-run home runs from Derek Norris and Coco Crisp on Father’s Day.

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Athletics overcome delay, beat Yankees 5-1 behind Kazmir

Athletics overcome delay, beat Yankees 5-1 behind Kazmir
Mark E. Ortega
Martinez News-Gazette
June 14, 2014

OAKLAND–Saturday night, a 38-minute game delay caused by the lights in left field at O.co Coliseum going out couldn’t keep the home team from beating the New York Yankees 5-1 while not at their full strength.

Scott Kazmir (8-2, 2.05 ERA) allowed just one run in six innings, the fifth time in his last seven starts he’s allowed one run or fewer as he out-dueled Yankees starter Hiroki Kuroda, who the A’s (perhaps with help from the shoddy stadium) knocked out before the end of the fifth inning.

The delay came as the bottom of the fifth inning was set to begin. The A’s had a 2-1 lead at the time, and would tag Kuroda for two more as he couldn’t complete the fifth inning, going 4 2/3 IP with 5 H, 4 ER, 3 BB, and 3 K.

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Bullpen woes cost A’s two out of three against Indians

Bullpen woes cost A’s two out of three against Indians
Mark E. Ortega
Martinez News-Gazette
April 3, 2014


OAKLAND–The Oakland Athletics opened the 2014 regular season with some fantastic pitching from their starting rotation, but bullpen woes caused the A’s to be losers in two out of three games at home against the Cleveland Indians.

Starters Sonny Gray and Scott Kazmir combined for 13 1/3 scoreless frames in the first two games.

Newly appointed ace, Gray, pitched six shutout innings without his best stuff, getting out of a number of jams that included getting a couple of force outs at home plate. He left the game knotted in a 0-0 tie, and offensively the A’s were unable to take advantage of a number of opportunities. Josh Donaldson hit a 400-foot single to deep center field that Daric Barton failed to score off of from second. New closer Jim Johnson came into the game in the top of the ninth and gave up two runs, leaving to a chorus of boos in his A’s debut.

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