At some point in his career Connelly Early is probably going to have to face another team. For now, however, he’s worked 10.1 IP and while on the mound blanked the A’s while striking out 18. Nonetheless, tonight turned out to be the A’s night as they completed their first 5 game winning streak of the season.
The first Early-Springs matchup did not go well as the Red Sox put 4 runs on the board before the game’s first out was recorded. Tonight, Springs wobbled around true to his name but turned in 4 innings of 1 run ball. The key was escaping a bases loaded 0 out jam in the 2nd striking out Ceddanne Rafaela and then getting a 6-4-3 DP off the bat of Romy Gonzalez.
Only in the 3rd did Springs surrender a run and that only because with Rob Refsnyder at 1B at 2 outs, Carlos Narvaez’ double eluded Lawrence Butler’s meager attempt to field it on the warning track, an “olé” job that allowed Refsnyder to score. Springs was lifted after 4 innings and just 68 pitches.
Trailing 1-0 in the 6th the A’s bench came up big following Jacob Wilson’s lead off infield single and strikeouts by Nick Kurtz and Brent Rooker. With Colby Thomas due up, Alex Cora went to the bullpen for a RHP, Greg Weissert. Mark Kotsay countered with pinch hitter Tyler Soderstrom, playing for the first time since Wednesday when he tweaked his groin.
A key “little thing” is that Soderstrom worked the count full giving Wilson a running start that proved essential. Soderstrom doubled off of the Green Monster with Wilson scoring to tie the game at 1-1. (Look at me embedding video highlights and all — I’m “Comeback Blogger of the Year”!!!)
Carlos Cortez came off the bench to pinch hit for Darell Hernaiz and coaxed a walk with another quality plate appearance, setting the stage for Brett Harris. Harris picked on a hanging slider and lined an RBI single to LF to put the A’s in front 2-1.
The pitcher of record, at this point, was Mitch Spence, who turned in great work in a tandem role: 3.2 IP, 2 hits, 0 ER, 2 BB, 1 K. The A’s bullpen, a motley collection of no-names that has been one of MLB’s very best in the 2nd half, tossed 5 scoreless innings, the last 4 outs courtesy of Hogan Harris who earned his 3rd career save.
And so the A’s greet Beantown with a series opening victory hoping to secure the series tomorrow behind Mason Barnett against Lucas Giolito. If only they had “split seasons” like they do in the minors, the A’s might be gearing up for the post-season right about now.