This was a tough series because the Indians had been playing so poorly of late. Fortunately the A’s didn’t win all of their games, so the Angels stand only 3 1/2 games back. Unfortunately, Texas has put together a couple of wins and they’re creeping back into the mix.
Jered Weaver was roughed up in Tuesday’s game but the pen and the bats picked him up in this one. Once again he left without a decision so his winning streak is still intact. The go ahead run came on Adam Kennedy’s RBI single in the eighth inning. Vlad Guerrero went two for five with an RBI and two runs in the game. Brandon Donnelly picked up the win and K-Rod saved his 28th game of the season.
John Lackey was knocked around early on Wednesday. He was tagged for three in the second and one in the fourth before yielding to the pen after six innings. The bats never really got it going. They did have nine hits but all of them were singles and nobody crossed the plate for the Angels. Chone Figgins and Guerrero each had two hits.
Yesterday’s game was downright ugly. Ervin Santana was hit in the knee by a comebacker and he left the game. Later, J.C. Romero was simply shelled. He gave up six runs on five hits and walk in only 1/3 of an inning. Juan Rivera hit his 20th homerun of the season and he went two for three with two RBIs.
Next up is four huge games against the Yankees in a wrap around series. It’s imperative that we at least split because the A’s have three against Tampa so they’ll have a much easier time of things.
