Big Game, Big Win

Athletics Weren't Going Down
By Annie Rivera

There's a saying in baseball: "Play for today."

Facing elimination, the Athletics were in a must-win situation and today they made up their minds. They weren't going down without a fight. They weren't going down at all.

During warm ups, the A's were determined to put to good use the catch-phrase that was embedded in them throughout the entire second half by the coaching staff and one particular person in particular (he knows who he is, too): MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

In order to know where you're going - you have to know where you've been; and this team has been through a world wind of ups and downs. The amount of criticism they had to endure is beyond what this writer could fathom. For what they had to withstand by the haters and doubters all season long, I tip my hat off to them for sticking it through and for playing with heart, drive and passion.

Starting for the A's Christopher Rivera took the mound in the 1st inning and set the tempo early with two K's, a walk and an induced ground out to first-base.

Then the A's grabbed their bats and led-off with two BB's to Rivera and Isaiah Terrazas; followed by a reach-on-error by Uriel Garcia which scored Rivera. The score was 1-0 Athletics.

Rivera took the mound in the 2nd inning and gave up a hit to the Yankees' lead-off hitter which would later score a run to the tie the game 1-1. The A's were scoreless in the bottom half of the 2nd inning.

Rivera gave up his second hit in the 3rd inning which later scored to give the Yankees a 2-1 lead. Rivera later answered with a line drive solo homerun (8) over left center knotting the game at 2-2.

In the bottom of the 4th inning, with 2 outs, Gabriel Garcia showed great plate discipline and worked the count for a walk. A carbon copy at-bat Jared Hanko showed his plate discipline and also worked a walk off the Yankees' pitcher. With runners on 1st and 2nd, Rivera's 3rd plate appearance was just that - a plate appearance as the Yankees wanted no part of him and intentionally walked him instead (his 24th IW in 26 games). With bases loaded, Terrazas 3rd plate appearance was a free trip to first base after he was hit-by-a-pitch, picking up an RBI as G. Garcia scored from 3rd.

The Yankees remained scoreless in the 4th, 5th and 6th inning. Rivera pitched 5 2/3 inning and was later relieved by Terrazas in the bottom of the 5th where he pitched brilliantly to close and get the save striking out 3 Yankees' batters, and walking one and forced a grounder to U. Garcia for a 4-3 routine play.

The A's won 3-2 forcing a play-off game against the Red Sox for second place.

Pitching:
Rivera: 3-H, 3-BB, 11-K, 2-Runs, 2-E, 2-ER, IP-5 2/3, PC-87
Terrazas: 0-H, 1-BB, 3-K, 0-Runs, 0-E, 0-ER, IP-1 1/3, PC-23

Catching:
Garcia, U: IC-2, PB-2
Terrazas: IC-1 1/3, PB-0
Rivera: IC-1 1/3, PB-0

At-A-Glance Stats:
Rivera: 1-1; BB, IW, HR, 2 Runs
Terrazas: 0-1; BB, HBP, RBI
Burrows: 0-2, BB
Garcia, U: 1-3; ROE, FC, 2 RBI
Moreno: 0-3
Gibson: 0-1, BB
Osborne: 0-2
Arreola: 0-2
Ju. Hanko: 0-1
Garcia, G: BB, Run
Bansil: 0-1
Ja. Hanko: BB

Box Scores:

Winning Pitcher: C. Rivera



Athletics HR: C. Rivera



Playoff Game: Monday, March 21, 2007 at 5 p.m. vs Red Sox

COME ONE, COME ALL!

"A" Win Is "A" Win

A's and Angels Final Meeting Was "A" Won of "A" Kind
By Annie Rivera

The two "A" teams met for the last time this season Tuesday which would prove to be a must-win game for the A's.

Vying for 2nd seed, the A's looked to their team-captains Christopher Rivera and Isaiah Terrazas, the 1-2 punch and pitcher/catcher combo to lead the way.

Starting pitcher Rivera did not disappoint with Terrazas behind the plate with 16 K's and 2 BB's. Holding the opponents to just 1 hit, the A's shut-out the Angels and came through with the win.

The A's put up a handful of hits throughout the game including a single by Tommy Arreola in the 2nd; a 2 RBI homer by Rivera in the 3rd (his 7th in the season); a double by Rivera in the 5th which started with Justin Hanko leading off the inning with a hit-by-pitch winning a free trip to 1st base; and the team's first triple in the 6th by Colton Burrows.

The final score: Athletics 2, Angels 0.

Pitching:
Rivera: 1-H, 16-K, 2-BB, E-0, ER-0, 1-HBP, IP-5 2/3, PC-86
Burrows: 1-H, 0-K, 0-BB, 0-E, 0-ER, IP-1/3, PC-5

Catching:
Terrazas: IC-3
Garcia, U: IC-3

Contributors:
Rivera 2-3; HR, 2RBI, 2B, Run
Terrazas 1-3; 1B
Burrows 1-3; 3B
Arreola 1-3, 1B

Box Scores:

Winning Pitcher: C. Rivera

Athletics HR: C. Rivera

Final game of the season:
Saturday, May 19 vs the Yankees @ 5 p.m.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!

Happy Mothers Day to all of our mothers!!!! Have a great and wonderful day.

A's Got Rocked

The Rockies broke out their big bats and big hitters to win against the A's 13-1.

What began as a close game 2-0 the Rockies scored 2 in the 1st inning. Starting pitcher Isaiah Terrazas held the Rockies scoreless in the 2nd inning. Then the Rockies came back to score 2 more in the 3rd. The Rockies were scoreless again in the 4th but dominated in the 5th with 7 more runs despite a pitching change from Terrazas to Uriel Garcia.

The A's lead-off hitter lined a hard shot on the ground past the short stop to left field for a double but took 3rd on the left fielder's error. With Rivera on 3rd, Terrazas lined a shot between the Rockies 3rd baseman and short stop for an RBI single. Alas! The A's broke the shut-out. This would be the A's only run the entire game. A single by Uriel Garcia move Terrazas to 3rd in scoring position but the inning and the game ended leaving runners stranded on 1st and 3rd with a final called high strike on the A's Gabriel Garcia. The final score Rockies 13 Athletics 1.

Pitching:
Terrazas: 8-H, 7-K, Runs-8, E-4, ER-6, IP 41/3, PC-68
Garcia, U: 6-H, 1-K, Runs-5, ER-5, IP 1 2/3, PC 34

Contributors:
Rivera: 1-2; IW (23), Run
Terrazas: 1-3; RBI, 1B
Garcia, U: 1-3; 1B, 2-GO
Osborne: 0-1; Sac

Box Scores:

LP: Terrazas, I

Athletics HR: None
Rockies HR: None

Next game: Tuesday, May 15, 2007 vs Angels at 5 p.m.

Heeee's Baaaccckkkk!!!!!

The Paponator Returns

By Annie Rivera

After a day off to recoup, Christopher Rivera returned to the A's line-up with a passion and a vengeance.

A sight for sore eyes, Rivera took the mound like a captain mans his vessel. His trusty co-captain Isaiah Terrazas in the co-pilot's seat set up behind home plate. It was the 1-2 punch absent from Tuesday's game against the Red Sox.

Challenged to "bring it," Rivera brought it alright: 17 strike-outs in 6 innings maxing 84 pitches and only giving up 1 hit to the Yankees.

Not to be slighted in the least, the A's turned it up a notch and rallied in the final inning of the game which produced 4 base-hits and two runs.

Leading off the 6th inning, Rivera hit a straight-away line drive that hit the bottom of the fence in center field for a clean double. Terrazas sac-hit to the Yankees' short stop moved Rivera over to 3rd. Colton Burrows was next up to bat and his base-hit bunt landed in between the Yankees' catcher and pitcher. On what should have been a fielder's choice routine out at 1st, ended up with a confused pitcher's indecisive throw to their 3rd baseman. While the ball was in flight to 3rd, Rivera took a huge jump towards home plate sliding in feet first, taking out the Yankees' catcher all while the ball thrown from the 3rd baseman to home plate hit Rivera on the back as he over-slid home plate. Rivera rose to his feet and stepped on home plate to secure his run and the play at home was safe. "Blue" called it perfect. The Yankees began to argue interference at home but it was a no-argument call by the home plate umpire.

Uriel Garcia's sac bunt moved Burrows from 1st to 2nd. The big hit came with Jessie Moreno's blooper to shallow center field which dropped right in between the Yankees' 2nd baseman and their center fielder. Capitalizing on the base-hit, Burrows scored the 2nd run. Another giant hit came from Miguel Bansil with his shot to right field which advanced Moreno to 2nd base. The inning ended with a strike-out by Tommy Arreola. (Remember that name: Tommy! You'll see why in a minute.)

The Yankees had their last at-bat in the bottom of the 6th inning. Rivera began the 6th where he gave up his only hit. With a runner on 1st base, Rivera struck out his 17th batter for 2 outs and ended his outing with a BB to the Yankees. Runners were in scoring position at 1st and 2nd when the A's made a pitching change. They called Uriel Garcia to the mound. His only task was to get the 3rd out. Relief pitcher Garcia gave up a double which scored a run. Runners on 1st and 3rd, the score was now 2-1 Athletics.

Nervousness kicked in as Garcia was behind on the count 3 balls and 1 strike, 2 outs, with the next batter. Runners again in scoring position at 2nd and 3rd. Coach Mike called a "pitch out" to load the bases. Now it became the "any base" situation for the 3rd out. Good thinking Mike! With a count of 1 ball and 1 strike, the last batter hit a slow choppy grounder to Tommy at 3rd base (there's that name!!!!) who fielded it cleanly with a strong and confident throw to 1st base where Burrows was on the receiving end for the 3rd and FINAL out!

The A's did it...dealt the Yankees their first loss in the 2nd half. The final score Athletics 2 and the Yankees 1.

Much more than the win itself, the A's needed the team back together again - as it should be.

Pitching:
Rivera: 17-K, 1-H, 3-BB, 0-E, 1-ER, 0-Runs, IP-5 2/3, PC-84 U.
Garcia: 1-H, 1-BB, 1-ER, IP-1/3, 1-Run

Contributors:
Rivera: 1-2; 2B, BB, SB, Run
Terrazas: 0-3; 2-GO, K, Sac
Burrows: 1-3; K, GO, 1B, RBI, SB
Garcia, U: 0-3; 2-K, GO, Sac
Moreno: 1-2; BB, GO, 1B, RBI
Osborne: -0-1, K
Bansil: 1-1; 1B
Arreola: 0-3; HBP, FC, GO
Garcia, G: 0-1, GO
Gibson: 0-1
Ja. Hanko: 0-1; GO
Js. Hanko 0-1; GO

Boxed Scores:

WP: C. Rivera



A's HR: None
Yankees HR: None

Next game: Saturday, May 12, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. vs Ct. Rockies @ Ct. Continental

A's Family & Friends Invade Halo Town

Little Leaguers Invade the Big "A"
By Annie Rivera

Saturdays are usually reserved for little league baseball, pizza parties and a day at the field but on Cinco De Mayo the A's along with friends and family from Buena Park American Little League took some time off to enjoy a big league game at Angels Stadium.

BPALL represented by various team players, managers and coaches took the field literally for a pre-game parade. Teams waved to friends and family who were equipped with video and digital cameras eager to snap photos and capture their loved ones' smiling faces. Players had first-hand view of the visiting team's dugout and of course the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim's team dugout. Peering upward onto the stands players were in awe of the endless rows of seats, suites and levels and imagined themselves one day being a major league baseball player.

If you listened closely enough or happened to catch the on-screen marquee you may have caught the Public Address announcer saying and neon lights reading "Welcome Buena Park American Little League."

Great fun was had by all - if only the Angels would have won.

Halos Fall and Athletics Win

A Wild Start Led to a Great Finish

By Annie Rivera

Starting off shaky, the Athletics behind starting pitcher Colton Burrows gave up two quick runs in the 1st inning giving rise to the Halos' confidence in what they thought would be a sure win.

Burrows first batter was a lead-off HBP immediately followed by an Angels single and two errors by the A's.

The tension was building as the A's lead-off batter Christopher Rivera pulled the first inside pitch over the 3rd base foul line. Another inside high pitch caused Rivera to hit the dirt and the third and final inside pitch hit him squared in the back near his left shoulder blade. It was the pitch heard around the world.

The game was temporarily delayed as a boisterous fan and father exchanged words with the Angels' manager.

With the game back underway, Isaiah Terrazas hit into a fielder's choice forcing Rivera out at 2nd. Colton Burrows followed with a reach-on-error. Clean-up batter Uriel Garcia knocked in an RBI with his single. Jesse Moreno battled at the plate but would retire with a strike-out followed by a ground-out by Bryce Gibson for a 6-3 play. The score at the end of the 1st inning was Angels 2, Athletics 1.

Terrazas relieved Burrows on the mound in the 2nd innings; striking out the Angels' next three batters.

The A's bats were quiet in the bottom of the 2nd inning with 2 K's by Tyler Osborne and Justin Hanko. The 3rd out was a grounder hit Gabriel Garcia to the Angel's shortstop for a 6-3 play

Terrazas retired the Angels' top of the order with three straight K's in the 3rd inning.

The A's arsenal attacked after lead-off batter Rivera took an IW but was caught stealing 2nd base for a 2-6 put out. Terrazas lined a single in the hole followed by Burrows RBI single to right field to score Terrazas. U. Garcia lined out to Angels' 2nd base for a 4-3 put out but scoring Burrows for an RBI. The inning ended with a K to Moreno.

The Angels remained scoreless the rest of game with Terrazas striking out 1 more in the 4th and inducing 2 grounders right back at him for 1-3 put outs.

A's were on a dry spell in the 4th inning with a grounder to 1st base by Gibson and 2 K's by Osborne and Jared Hanko.

The A's were back in the 5th inning with a hard liner up the middle by Rivera for a single but with heads-up baserunning Rivera took 2nd on an Angels' error. Terrazas came up short with a K. Burrows high pop which should have been caught by a camped-under-the-ball 2nd baseman dropped behind him for a reach-on-error and Rivera scored on the error.

Closer Rivera came in for two innings to get his second save striking out the side in the top of the 5th inning and 2 more at the top of the order in the 6th; inducing a grounder back at him for the final 1-3 put out.

That's the way to play A's baseball!

Pitching:
Burrows: 1-H, 1-BB, 0-K, 2-Runs, 1-HBP, 4-E, 2-ER, IP-1, PC-19
Terrazas: 0-H, 0-BB, 7-K, 0-Runs, 0-E, 0-ER, IP-3, PC-41
Rivera: 0-H, 0-BB, 5-K, 0-Runs, 0-E, 0-ER, IP-2, PC-22

Catching:
U. Garcia: IC-6, 0-PB


Contributors:
Rivera: 1-1; HBP, IW, 1B, Run
Terrazas: 1-3; FC, K, 1B, 2-Runs
Burrows: 1-3; 2-ROE, RBI, 1B
U. Garcia: 1-3; 2-RBI, Sac, 1B

Box Scores:

WP: I. Terrazas



Angels HR: None
A's HR: None

Next game: Tuesday, May 8, 2007 vs Red Sox @ 5 p.m.