A's Edge Out Angels 5-4 with Help From Holliday Slam - mmdmaznn's Blog

mmdmaznn's Blog

A's Edge Out Angels 5-4 with Help From Holliday Slam

Posted on March 27, 2009 at 05:46 AM.

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The A's didn't get a whole lot of offense tonight. But it was enough to fend off the Angels in a 5-4 victory. 7 hits was all it took against the Angel's 14 hits scattered throughout. By the 4th inning, Angels starter Ervin Santana was settled down and finding his groove. Unfortunately, that was after he loaded the bases on 3 consecutive singles in the top of the 1st inning and gave up a 380ft. Grand Slam to Matt Holliday. Add to that an RBI Double by Jason Giambi in the 3rd inning and that was all the offense the A's needed. Santana showed his strong stuff as from the 4th inning on, he and Shields were able to retire 15 A's batters in a row. But it was too little too late as the damage had been done. The Angels were behind from the get go and playing "catch-up" all game.
Offensive force, Vladimir Guerrero, was forced to leave the game in the 1st inning after it appeared he pulled something legging out a double. We are still awaiting word on his condition.
A bit of excitement loomed in the bottom of the 9th inning as Ziegler went looking for his 3rd save in 3 tries and found himself with runners on 1st and 3rd with nobody out, hanging onto a 5-3 lead. A run scored on a Napoli single and it looked as if a comeback was mounting, but Ziegler was able to get Rivera to foul out to 3rd and get Morales to ground into a game-ending double play.
The A's are already looking for a sweep of their Southern California rivals as they start the season perfect through 3 games.

Oakland 3-0

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