These little two game road series are a pain but I’ll take this one because they rolled into Baltimore and took two against the Orioles. In yesterday’s game, the A’s jumped all over Erik Bedard for five runs in the fourth inning and while the pen let the Orioles back into the game, the Athletics never gave up the lead and won it 6-5. Dan Haren improved to 2-2 and he gave up just one run on five hits and a walk with five strikeouts. Nick Swisher had the big day at the plate. He homered twice and drove in three runs.
In today’s game, the A’s got a nice outing out of Dallas Braden in his major league debut. He gave up just one run on three hits and a walk with six strikeouts. Todd Walker singled, drove in a run and scored. Mike Piazza walked twice, scored and drove in one.
So regardless of whether the Angels can take care of the Tigers in extra frames, the A’s will remain in first they head back home for two against the Mariners. Joe Blanton will take on Jarrod Washburn in the opener.
