Pre-Season at the Mac

Rowland at bat for the Giants

Another pre-season Bay Bridge Series, this time at the McAfee Coliseum. The A's starting pitcher was Justin Duchscherer, newly converted to this role. He wobbled a bit in the first, giving up a run but settled down thereafter, zeroing out the Giants. On the Giants side, AAA pitcher Matt Palmer mowed down the A's in order until the 4th when Emil Brown hit a 2-run homer to get the A's ahead. After 65 pitches Palmer was replaced by Fortunato, who had an unfortunate 6th inning with a couple of outfield errors that drove in 3 runs for the A's. The A's scored once more in the 7th to make it 6-1. In the 9th, the Giants got several hits from closer Houston Street but were only able to drive in one run. A's 6, G's 2. Though this was another meaningless game, a few bright spots for the A's: Keith Foulke had another outstanding inning and could contend with Street for the closer role (along with Alan Embree) and Emil Brown gives the A's some much-needed offensive power. One more day of meaningless play before the Homer Opener on Tuesday.