Athletics at Giants
The Oakland Athletics were essentially done in by free passes in
their opener of a three-game set versus the San Francisco Giants.
Oakland, which yielded five walks in the third inning alone Friday, will
look to be in better control Saturday when it continues its series
against its Bay Area rivals at AT&T Park. San Francisco posted an
8-6 win for its second straight victory and fifth in seven outings.
While
his team was extremely generous, Josh Donaldson certainly wasn't in a
giving mood. In fact, Donaldson handed out some punishment with a home
run and five RBIs - and even made a sensational defensive stop on Brett
Pill in the seventh inning. Despite his heroics, the Athletics fell for
the third time in four games.
TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, CS California (Oakland), CS Bay Area (San Francisco)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Athletics RH Tyson Ross (2-3, 6.25 ERA) vs. Giants RH Ryan Vogelsong (1-2, 2.66)
After
spending time as a reliever in previous seasons, Ross authored his best
start of 2012 in his last trip to the mound. The 25-year-old scattered
five hits over six shutout innings in a 5-0 triumph over the Los Angeles
Angels on Monday. Ross allowed two runs in one inning of relief in his
lone career outing versus the Giants.
Vogelsong permitted one
earned run for the third straight outing, but his penchant for walking
batters left him with only one victory in that span. He scattered three
hits Monday, but five free passes ran up his pitch count and he did not
receive a decision in San Francisco's 3-2 win over Colorado. Vogelsong
has faced the Athletics on two occasions, but received a pair of
no-decisions after registering a 5.40 ERA and 1.80 WHIP.
WALK-OFFS
1. San Francisco's Buster Posey was a spectator
for Friday's series opener, but is expected back in the lineup Saturday.
Posey, who has three multi-hit games in his last four outings, has
tripled in his lone career at-bat versus Ross.
2. Oakland
outfielder Josh Reddick entered Friday's tilt with a sizzling .366
batting average in interleague play. Reddick, who went 0-for-4 in the
opener, has yet to face Vogelsong in his career.
3. Pitcher Brad
Penny agreed to terms on a minor league contract with the Giants. He
will report to extended spring training Monday.