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OAKLAND ( NOLIN )
SEATTLE ( ELIAS ) |
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| 927 | OAKLAND | +145 | Ov 7.5,-125 | +145 | Ov 8,+105 | | 928 | SEATTLE | -155 | Un 7.5,+105 | -155 | Un 8,-125 |
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| All Games | 67-93 | -29.8 | 85-65 | 4.3 | 0.251 | 0.309 | 0.395 | 0.704 | 4.5 | 0.254 | 0.313 | 0.402 | 0.715 | | Road Games | 33-46 | -7.8 | 40-33 | 4.2 | 0.245 | 0.305 | 0.393 | 0.697 | 4.8 | 0.268 | 0.330 | 0.432 | 0.762 | | vs Left-handed Starters | 15-31 | -18 | 26-18 | 4.0 | 0.252 | 0.312 | 0.395 | 0.707 | 4.7 | 0.267 | 0.323 | 0.407 | 0.730 | | Past 7 Games | 3-4 | +0.8 | 5-1 | 5.1 | 0.242 | 0.305 | 0.396 | 0.701 | 6.4 | 0.327 | 0.388 | 0.540 | 0.929 | | Grass Games | 65-88 | -27.2 | 83-61 | 4.3 | 0.252 | 0.309 | 0.397 | 0.706 | 4.5 | 0.254 | 0.314 | 0.401 | 0.715 | | Night Games | 42-58 | -18.2 | 57-36 | 4.5 | 0.255 | 0.308 | 0.407 | 0.716 | 4.5 | 0.257 | 0.316 | 0.410 | 0.726 | | Division | 32-42 | -11 | 45-24 | 4.5 | 0.256 | 0.313 | 0.401 | 0.715 | 4.8 | 0.254 | 0.319 | 0.415 | 0.734 |
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| All Games | 4.3 | 0.251 | 0.309 | 160 | 5522 | 1387 | 277 | 44 | 143 | 0.395 | 652 | 465 | 1104 | 78 | 1085 | 137 | 122 | 150 | 77 | | Road Games | 4.2 | 0.245 | 0.305 | 79 | 2770 | 679 | 130 | 15 | 83 | 0.393 | 316 | 237 | 608 | 44 | 544 | 65 | 55 | 71 | 38 | | Lefty Starters | 4.0 | 0.252 | 0.312 | 46 | 1602 | 403 | 79 | 12 | 42 | 0.395 | 175 | 142 | 328 | 22 | 341 | 43 | 32 | 43 | 18 |
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| All Games | 4.67 | 1.335 | 499 | 278 | 259 | 490 | 73 | 176 | 449 | 20-30 | 27 | 24 | 52.9% | | Road Games | 5.05 | 1.402 | 244 | 143 | 137 | 248 | 37 | 94 | 226 | 12-13 | 16 | 12 | 57.1% |
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| All Games | 75-85 | -20.2 | 78-75 | 4.0 | 0.249 | 0.309 | 0.413 | 0.721 | 4.5 | 0.256 | 0.315 | 0.412 | 0.727 | | Home Games | 35-44 | -22 | 39-35 | 3.8 | 0.250 | 0.312 | 0.405 | 0.717 | 4.1 | 0.237 | 0.294 | 0.384 | 0.679 | | vs Left-handed Starters | 22-32 | -11.7 | 29-23 | 4.0 | 0.257 | 0.312 | 0.412 | 0.724 | 5.2 | 0.266 | 0.324 | 0.436 | 0.761 | | Past 7 Games | 1-6 | -5.7 | 3-4 | 3.4 | 0.233 | 0.284 | 0.361 | 0.645 | 4.6 | 0.303 | 0.331 | 0.546 | 0.877 | | Grass Games | 70-84 | -24.7 | 76-71 | 4.1 | 0.250 | 0.310 | 0.414 | 0.724 | 4.5 | 0.257 | 0.316 | 0.413 | 0.729 | | Night Games | 52-58 | -13.8 | 54-52 | 4.1 | 0.255 | 0.312 | 0.427 | 0.739 | 4.4 | 0.257 | 0.312 | 0.417 | 0.729 | | Division | 38-36 | -1.5 | 37-33 | 4.1 | 0.252 | 0.309 | 0.407 | 0.716 | 4.3 | 0.257 | 0.310 | 0.424 | 0.734 |
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| All Games | 4.0 | 0.249 | 0.309 | 160 | 5468 | 1362 | 262 | 22 | 196 | 0.413 | 617 | 472 | 1322 | 68 | 1066 | 147 | 96 | 150 | 65 | | Home Games | 3.8 | 0.250 | 0.312 | 79 | 2635 | 660 | 123 | 10 | 88 | 0.405 | 287 | 236 | 676 | 27 | 535 | 67 | 48 | 66 | 33 | | Lefty Starters | 4.0 | 0.257 | 0.312 | 54 | 1894 | 487 | 83 | 5 | 67 | 0.412 | 203 | 150 | 471 | 21 | 382 | 54 | 39 | 52 | 22 |
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| All Games | 4.21 | 1.399 | 509 | 262 | 238 | 506 | 54 | 206 | 469 | 20-35 | 44 | 22 | 66.7% | | Home Games | 3.78 | 1.304 | 252.3 | 117 | 106 | 227 | 25 | 102 | 238 | 8-16 | 16 | 10 | 61.5% |
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| 9/19/2015 | GRAY(R) | @ HOUSTON | KAZMIR(L) | 6-10 | L | 130 | 8 un | O | 10 | 7 | 1 | 15 | 6 | 1 | | 9/20/2015 | BROOKS(R) | @ HOUSTON | MCHUGH(R) | 1-5 | L | 190 | 8.5 ev | U | 4 | 4 | 0 | 9 | 6 | 0 | | 9/22/2015 | NOLIN(L) | TEXAS | PEREZ(L) | 6-8 | L | +110 | 8 ov | O | 9 | 8 | 2 | 12 | 9 | 2 | | 9/23/2015 | DOUBRONT(L) | TEXAS | LEWIS(R) | 3-10 | L | +105 | 8.5 ev | O | 6 | 6 | 2 | 11 | 3 | 0 | | 9/24/2015 | BASSITT(R) | TEXAS | HAMELS(L) | 1-8 | L | +135 | 8 ev | O | 7 | 6 | 2 | 13 | 11 | 2 | | 9/25/2015 | GRAY(R) | SAN FRANCISCO | LEAKE(R) | 5-4 | W | -175 | 7 un | O | 9 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 7 | 0 | | 9/26/2015 | ZITO(L) | SAN FRANCISCO | HUDSON(R) | 10-14 | L | -110 | 8 ov | O | 11 | 9 | 0 | 19 | 8 | 1 | | 9/27/2015 | NOLIN(L) | SAN FRANCISCO | HESTON(R) | 4-5 | L | +100 | 8.5 un | O | 8 | 6 | 1 | 11 | 9 | 1 | | 9/28/2015 | DOUBRONT(L) | @ LA ANGELS | SANTIAGO(L) | 4-5 | L | 175 | 9 un | P | 7 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 6 | 2 | | 9/29/2015 | BASSITT(R) | @ LA ANGELS | TROPEANO(R) | 1-8 | L | 145 | 8 un | O | 6 | 6 | 0 | 14 | 8 | 0 | | 9/30/2015 | ZITO(L) | @ LA ANGELS | RICHARDS(R) | 8-7 | W | 215 | 8.5 ev | O | 6 | 7 | 2 | 13 | 9 | 4 | | 10/2/2015 | BROOKS(R) | @ SEATTLE | IWAKUMA(R) | 4-2 | W | 175 | 7.5 un | U | 11 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 2 | | 10/3/2015 | NOLIN(L) | @ SEATTLE | ELIAS(L) | | | 10/4/2015 | BASSITT(R) | @ SEATTLE | NUNO(L) | |
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| 9/19/2015 | NUNO(L) | @ TEXAS | HAMELS(L) | 1-10 | L | 165 | 9 un | O | 7 | 7 | 2 | 14 | 13 | 1 | | 9/20/2015 | HERNANDEZ(R) | @ TEXAS | HOLLAND(L) | 9-2 | W | -105 | 8 un | O | 14 | 9 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 0 | | 9/22/2015 | IWAKUMA(R) | @ KANSAS CITY | GUTHRIE(R) | 11-2 | W | -105 | 8 un | O | 13 | 6 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 1 | | 9/23/2015 | ELIAS(L) | @ KANSAS CITY | VENTURA(R) | 3-4 | L | 170 | 8 un | U | 8 | 7 | 0 | 12 | 16 | 0 | | 9/24/2015 | PAXTON(L) | @ KANSAS CITY | CUETO(R) | 4-10 | L | 165 | 7.5 ev | O | 8 | 7 | 2 | 15 | 10 | 0 | | 9/25/2015 | NUNO(L) | @ LA ANGELS | RICHARDS(R) | 4-8 | L | 165 | 7.5 ov | O | 9 | 9 | 0 | 14 | 7 | 1 | | 9/26/2015 | HERNANDEZ(R) | @ LA ANGELS | HEANEY(L) | 2-3 | L | 100 | 7.5 un | U | 6 | 6 | 1 | 9 | 7 | 0 | | 9/27/2015 | IWAKUMA(R) | @ LA ANGELS | WEAVER(R) | 2-3 | L | -110 | 8 ov | U | 6 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 0 | | 9/28/2015 | ELIAS(L) | HOUSTON | MCCULLERS(R) | 2-3 | L | +125 | 7 ov | U | 4 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | | 9/29/2015 | NUNO(L) | HOUSTON | FIERS(R) | 6-4 | W | +125 | 7.5 un | O | 9 | 6 | 1 | 8 | 7 | 2 | | 9/30/2015 | ZYCH(R) | HOUSTON | KAZMIR(L) | 6-7 | L | +140 | 8 un | O | 12 | 8 | 1 | 14 | 7 | 4 | | 10/2/2015 | IWAKUMA(R) | OAKLAND | BROOKS(R) | 2-4 | L | -185 | 7.5 un | U | 7 | 6 | 2 | 11 | 6 | 0 | | 10/3/2015 | ELIAS(L) | OAKLAND | NOLIN(L) | | | 10/4/2015 | NUNO(L) | OAKLAND | BASSITT(R) | |
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| |  | OAKLAND: OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) - The Oakland Athletics topped even their most trade-happy of days by making nine swaps involving 27 players in a wild offseason for Billy Beane and his front-office mates.
As far as Beane is concerned, the A's wouldn't have even had a chance to close the gap on the reigning AL West champion Los Angeles Angels without a major offseason overhaul.
Even if that meant shipping out a trio of All-Stars in third baseman Josh Donaldson, first baseman Brandon Moss and catcher Derek Norris.
''Our expectations don't change, not with the guys we brought in,'' manager Bob Melvin said. ''You look at it early on and you're thinking, `What are we doing here?' Then we see the last few moves ... and it all came together at the end as far as what this team would look like going into spring. ... We feel real good about this group.''
There were so many changes that Melvin had to search for names on the backs of jerseys during February's FanFest.
Billy Butler is the new designated hitter, and two-time All-Star infielder Ben Zobrist can play just about anywhere for Melvin, who is always one to mix and match his lineups based on matchups and who's playing well. Ike Davis came in a November trade from the Pirates to play first base, while third baseman Brett Lawrie came from the Blue Jays in the swap that sent Donaldson to Toronto.
''It's unique. I don't think many teams have taken turnover like this,'' reliever Dan Otero said. ''Who are we to judge? Everybody's here for a reason, so it's going to be great.''
Still, all the change took some getting used to this spring for an Oakland clubhouse known for its easygoing nature.
You first must know your teammates' names.
''Team chemistry's a little funky. You have to spend time with people and get to know people for team chemistry to fully come,'' center fielder Coco Crisp said. ''You can't expect it just to happen. We'll be fine. We have a good group of core guys, guys that talk and mingle.''
Here are some things to know as the A's chase a fourth straight playoff berth:
BUTLER'S BIG MOVE: Butler makes the first move of his career and is coming off a down season with the Royals, who lost in a seven-game World Series to San Francisco. He batted .271 with nine home runs and 66 RBIs in 151 games last year, 108 of those as a DH. ''Everybody's awesome to be around,'' Butler said. ''I couldn't be happier to get ready for another year with them. There are a lot of talented major league guys in this room.''
FILLING THE VOIDS: Lawrie batted .247 with 12 home runs and 38 RBIs in 70 games for Toronto last season and takes pride in his defense to back up a talented rotation led by Sonny Gray and Scott Kazmir. ''We have a lot of ability out there and that's a plus for the pitching staff,'' Lawrie said. ''All they have to do is take care of business.''
GRIFFIN AND PARKER: Both right-handers are recovering from elbow ligament reconstructive surgery that sidelined them all of 2014. Parker hopes to return shortly after the season begins, while June has long been the target goal for these two. ''There's no reason to start ripping the slider,'' Parker said. ''I'm going to focus on command.''
SPEEDY OUTFIELD: Despite the losses around the diamond, Melvin likes the look of his speedy outfield with Crisp, Sam Fuld and Craig Gentry. ''They can cover a lot of ground,'' Melvin said. ''In the case of Gentry and Fuld, they throw very well, too. Especially in our outfield at home, the field can play big and you need to cover a lot of ground out there. It's a comfort to have, and I know our pitchers feel good about it, too, that on a cold night in Oakland, you can stay. It's tough to go opposite field and know that when a ball's hit in the air and stays in the ballpark it's probably going to get caught.''
ZITO'S COMEBACK: Back in his original uniform two years removed from the end of a $126 million, seven-year contract with San Francisco, lefty Barry Zito looks to be a factor for the A's out of the bullpen - or even to start when needed. After a year off, Zito arrived in Arizona motivated to show he could still pitch at the highest level. | | SEATTLE: SEATTLE (AP) - Robinson Cano is one of the few on the Seattle Mariners roster who can speak with certainty about the playoffs. In his previous stop, Cano played in the postseason seven times and hoisted one World Series trophy.
When Cano looks at the roster the Mariners have put together for the 2015 season, he sees familiar traits.
''On paper we look like world champions,'' Cano said. ''But hopefully, God help us, we stay healthy and it's not how we look on paper, we have to go out and prove it every day.''
This time it's different for Seattle. Before the season begins the Mariners are viewed as favorites in the AL West.
It's been a rarity for most of Seattle's history for the Mariners to be the favorites and when they have been, they typically fell short. That's what makes this season equal parts exciting and concerning. They could be the team that reignites the fire in Seattle fans, or one that provides another disappointment.
''There's more of a buzz around the team from an outside perspective. Internally, we expected a lot out of ourselves last year and we did that for the most part, obviously coming one game short,'' third baseman Kyle Seager said. ''But this year it's a different feeling in the locker room. There's more of a confidence. There's more of a general trust in the guy next to you and confidence in the guy next to you.''
Cano's signing a year ago brought validity to what Seattle was trying to create. That was supplemented by the development of Seager into an All-Star and Gold Glove winner, and the best pitching staff in baseball led by AL Cy Young runner-up Felix Hernandez.
But it wasn't enough. The Mariners ended one-game short. Getting to 87 wins was a surprising achievement but left Seattle wanting more.
The Mariners have created a roster that has Cano optimistic about what Seattle can accomplish. Nelson Cruz, the major league leader in homers last season, adds punch and protection in the middle of the lineup. The Mariners upgraded their outfield with the additions of Justin Ruggiano and Seth Smith and the late signing of Rickie Weeks.
And while Hernandez remains the ace, Seattle's pitching staff could be even better because of youngsters James Paxton and Taijuan Walker.
''With the additions we made this offseason and guys getting that experience last year, being in a little bit of a race, I think this team's prepped and ready to make a run at the postseason,'' Paxton said.
Here are things to watch as Seattle looks to reach the postseason for the first time since 2001:
CRUZ CONTROL: The addition of Cruz is a massive upgrade for Seattle's offense. While with Baltimore, Cruz was the only hitter in baseball to reach 40 homers last season, and while that came in the friendly hitting confines of Camden Yards he's always been a strong hitter at Safeco Field. One of Cruz's biggest impacts is the trickle down on Seattle's lineup. He'll hit behind Cano and in front of Seager and no longer leaves the cleanup spot in Seattle's order a gaping hole.
GOOD TO BE THE KING: Hernandez is already driven by the desire to make the postseason. He may have gotten just a little more motivation by finishing second in the Cy Young voting to Cleveland's Corey Kluber. He set a major league record last season when he pitched 16 straight games of seven or more innings while allowing two earned runs or less. It was a brilliant stretch from May to early August, but wasn't good enough to get Seattle to the postseason or win the Cy Young.
PLATOON OR NO PLATOON: How manager Lloyd McClendon handles his situations in right and left field will be worth watching early in the season. Ultimately, it's a good thing for Seattle to have as many options as it does at those positions with Smith and Ruggiano in right field and Dustin Ackley and Weeks in left field. With the strengths of each player, it's likely Smith and Ackley will  right-handed pitching and Weeks and Ruggiano against lefties. McClendon has said he doesn't view either situation as a platoon.
BEST BULLPEN: Fernando Rodney was the anchor of the best bullpen in baseball last year. He led baseball in saves with 48, but he was just part of what made Seattle successful late in games. Most of that bullpen crew is back, and for as good as Seattle's starters are expected to be, its relievers need to be equal to last season if the Mariners are going to match their expectations. |
| | ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ PA SPORTSTICKER AL PREVIEW (OAKLAND-SEATTLE) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
*Athletics-Mariners Preview* ============================
By JORDAN GARRETSON STATS Writer
Oakland (67-93) at Seattle (75-85), 9:10 p.m. EDT
The Oakland Athletics and the Seattle Mariners have both crumbled down the stretch in what have been equally disappointing seasons for each franchise.
Though these clubs still continue to exhibit bright spots, that's likely of little consolation entering their meaningless penultimate game of the season Saturday night at Safeco Field.
Both teams have dropped 14 of 23 since Sept. 7, tying San Diego for the third-worst record in that span. The Athletics' futility stretches even further back, as they've lost 31 of their last 47 to guarantee their worst finish since going 65-97 in 1997.
Oakland (67-93) had been particularly bad even more recently, dropping nine of 10 before Wednesday's 8-7 road victory against the still-contending Los Angeles Angels, followed by Friday's 4-2 series-opening win. Danny Valencia enjoyed a big night in the opener, going 3 for 4 with an eighth-inning go-ahead home run to push his already personal-best total to 17.
Valencia is enjoying a career year with an .864 OPS through 103 games, the second-most he's played in seven big league seasons. He's flown mostly under the radar, however, splitting time between Oakland and Toronto. The Blue Jays designated him for assignment after acquiring left fielder Ben Revere at the trade deadline, even though Valencia, who played primarily the same position for Toronto, had hit .296 in 58 games.
His 34 RBIs in 45 games are an A's record for a player who has played in fewer than 50.
"It was unexpected coming here. But having said that, they gave me the opportunity to play every day," Valencia said. "They put me in the cleanup spot and I've been able to reward them for it.
"I've been playing the past few years waiting for this opportunity and finally it's come. I'm happy to take advantage of it."
For the Mariners (75-85), Robinson Cano extended his hitting streak to 14 games with a fifth-inning single. He's playing this series despite the fact that he'll undergo surgery Oct. 13 to repair a sports hernia after being bothered by the abdominal injury since July 22.
"It's one of those injuries that athletes can play with, and can play well," team medical director Dr. Edward Khalfayan said. "He has been managing it very well.
"It is painful at times but he has been able to perform. It's not doing any more damage by continuing to play."
Cano struggled earlier in the season with a .660 pre-All Star break OPS, though he owns a .922 mark since the Midsummer Classic.
"I love to play baseball. I played like this for the last two months," he said. "I love the game so much. I love to be out there."
These clubs will both send left-handers to the mound with Seattle giving the nod to Roenis Elias (5-8, 3.89 ERA). Elias has been sturdy of late, posting a 2.05 ERA in his last four starts.
Oakland's Sean Nolin (1-2, 5.25) will look to stick around longer in his sixth start of the year after allowing five runs and seven hits over a season-low 2 1-3 innings in a 5-4 loss to San Francisco on Sunday. He lost a 3-2 decision to Seattle in his first start of the season Sept. 6, giving up three runs over six innings.
The Mariners rank eighth in the majors with a .265 average against lefties, while Oakland is 19th (.251).
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| | Last Updated: 4/18/2024 6:41:12 PM EST. |
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