The A's Dealt the Cards a Losing Hand

By Annie Rivera

Going into Saturday's game against the Cardinals, the A's knew it was going to be intense. It always is.

Scoreless the first two innings, it was a pitching duel.

Lead-off hitter, Christopher Rivera took a 2-0 inside low pitch which brought him down clutching his left knee in pain. A's fans held their collective breaths and worry came upon them when Rivera limped off to first base favoring his injurred knee. Rivera later got tagged on his steal-attempt to second.

A rare sighting, Rivera played first base and Jesse Moreno covered short for two innings.

The Cards took an early jump in the 3rd inning and led 1-0.

Rivera was intentionally walked twice in the 3rd and 4th innings.

Tempers flared in both dugouts and both stands causing the umpires to intervene.

The Cardinals were in celebration mode - until the 6th inning.

Playing smart baseball, Gabriel Garcia, Colton Burrows and Jared Hanko worked the count for 3 straight walks loading the bases. Following were Uriel Garcia and Bryce Gibson with back-to-back strikeouts boosting the Cards' pitcher's confidence. Two outs, bases loaded Tommy Arreola and Justin Hanko showed great plate discipline also working the count for 2 more walks - forcing 2 runs to score (1 RBI each). With the bases loaded, 2 outs, top of the line up Rivera came up to bat and the Cards changed pitchers. With a count of 2-2, Rivera swung at an inside high pitch for a strike-out, ending the inning. He's human after all.

Knotted at 2-2, the game went into extra innings. Rivera took the mound. Rivera struck out 9 batters, giving up only hit.

Top of the 8th inning, Morena and Arreola worked the count for 2 more walks. With runners on 1st and 2nd, 1 out, (almost a de ja vue) Rivera faced the same pitcher who in the 6th inning got him swinging at a bad pitch for the 3rd out, with determination in his eyes, in dramatic fashion, took a 2-2 breaking ball pitch and hit a strong line drive to left field for a home run. Three runs scored.

Rivera closed out the 8th inning with 3 K's to win the game 5-2.

Pitchers:
Terrazas (SP) - IP 5, K 11, BB 2, H 5 PC 85
Rivera (WP) - IP 3, K 9, BB 0, H 1, PC 43

BPALL A's HR - C. Rivera (5)

(Stats are available by clicking here or see the STATS section in the side panel).

Next practice: Monday, April 16, 2007 5 p.m. @ San Marino


Next game: Thursday, April 19, 2007 5 p.m. vs Angels @ BPALL