Instead I can write about Guerrero delivering the game-winning RBI single, Elvis Andrus’s career high four hits and C.J. Wilson pitching seven innings for his seventh straight quality start to start the season, a team record. After giving up just one run in seven innings, Wilson’s ERA stands at 1.48, currently second in the American League.
Manager Ron Washington said this in his press conference in reference to Wilson’s amazing start to the season:
“The fact that he has a game plan now could help…When C.J. gets in trouble you don’t panic because he’s been in tougher situations before. He seems to make the pitches when he has to. That’s a good quality for a starter. He knew he had that quality, and we’re beginning to find that out.”Well, making as many good pitches as possible at any time throughout the game should be a priority for all pitchers, but you get the idea.
Despite leaving 13 men on base, the first eight batters of the game were retired before a Julio Borbon walk in the third. Following the free pass, Borbon promptly stole second and then scored on an Elvis Andrus single, the first of four hits on the day for the 21-year old.
The A’s pieced together their own two-out rally in the top of the fourth. After two groundouts, Kevin Kouzmanoff and Jake Fox singled and Landon Powell walked to set up an RBI opportunity for Josh Donaldson, who came through. Of the four hits off Wilson, three were in that inning.
Wilson was actually called for a balk on Fox’s single, but that’s a situation where the at-bat is scored based on the best-possible outcome (similar to the reversed catcher’s inteference call on David Murphy a couple of days ago.)
With Cliff Pennington at the plate in the seventh inning and after a mild argument regarding a fair or foul call, Wilson was again called for a balk. Balks are difficult to recognize, but home plate umpire Bob Davidson has a reputation for calling them. Catcher Matt Treanor disagreed with the call and tried to discuss it with Davidson, but was quickly ejected. Not sure what he did or said.
A brief delay ensued to get Max Ramirez into the game because he came in from the bullpen.
The Rangers used five bullpen guys, but the best performance of the night came from Frank Francisco, who struck out all four batters he faced. Dustin Nippert got the win.
Oakland starter Ben Sheets, who was of interest to the Rangers in the offseason, pitched six innings.
Nelson Cruz and Joaquin Arias will be activated tomorrow for the series in Toronto.
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