September 30, 2014

Shields Down

The Athletics start the top of the sixth with a single and a walk, and Ned Yost pulls James Shields from the game. He was strong for five innings, but in a one and done game, Yost can’t take the chance that Shields blows up here. Yordano Ventura, usually a starter, comes on to pitch.

Update: Ventura faces Brandon Moss, and Moss hits a smash over the fence in centerfield. Moss hits his second home run of the game, and Oakland takes a 5-3 lead.

I haven’t heard Kauffman Stadium this quiet since Freddie Patek grounded into a double play to end the 1976 ALCS.

Update: You have to wonder, with the great bullpen of the Royals, why not go to the live arms early and let each one pitch an extra out? Yost will be skewered for this decision.

Update: Oakland is pouring it on in the sixth. They keep picking up hits, and are still batting with two more runs in and a 7-3 lead. They’ve batted around in the inning already.

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