Moving on. On to happier thoughts.
Chad Durbin pitched well. I should have known that world had gone all topsy turvy when Durbin threw two scoreless innings to pick up the win. Heck, Chad pitched better than Vinnie Pestano (sorry Vin, can't say you're nasty today) or Chris Perez (How's about Pure Vage?), whose ERA is 7.11 over his last seven appearances. It was also nice to see Jack Hannahan redeem himself with the go-ahead single, appropriately a carbon copy of the bloop double that tied the game for the A's.
And let me say, thank god that we are out of Oakland. That stadium is infuriating. I don't know if I could ever get used to the cow pastures that they call foul territory, but it also seemed like the outfield was all of Yellowstone. I have never seen so many cheap hits in my life, nor so many outfielders sprint vainly for so many pop-ups. What's the deal with Oakland playing its outfielders on the warning track? Bah. It's over, letting go now.
Carlos Carrasco has thrown off of a mound without pain and could go on a rehab assignment as early as next week. This begs the question: Jeanmar Gomez or Alex White? Each, of course, will have at least one more start before the decision needs to be made. Still, as of now, I would keep White. Gomez tossed a beaut today, his best of the season, but he does not seem to possess either command or great stuff. His start today was nice, true. The fact of the matter is that Jeanmar has little future in the major, especially with the glut of talent knocking behind him. Sorry, dude.
Enough of this. I was supposed to post this last nite. More to come.
Cheers.
P.s. I have never seen a better play by a pitcher on a fly ball than Joe Smith's.
