ANAHEIM -- A day after Rob Bowen made his 10th start of the season on June 26, A's manager Bob Geren vowed to get his backup catcher significantly more playing time.

"We have a lot fewer [days off] in the second half," Geren said, "so he'll definitely play more from this point forward."

It hasn't quite worked out that way, though. Despite a second-half schedule that featured just two days off in July and one in August, with three to come in September, Kurt Suzuki has started at catcher in all but eight of Oakland's games since June 26.

Bowen, who had 49 at-bats in the first half, has 18 at-bats since the All-Star break.

Four of them came Sunday, when he hit his first home run of the year and nearly hit a second as part of a 1-for-4 day that lifted his average to .179 (12-for-67) with six RBIs.

"At-bats have been few and far between, that's for sure," Bowen said Monday before the opener of a three-game series against the host Angels. "Three or four at-bats every week or two at this level, it's a tough thing to do and feel real comfortable. You hear everyday players talk about not really getting loose until they get 100 at-bats or so under their belt, and I'm not even at 70."

Suzuki, 24, has been one of Oakland's best hitters in his first full year as a big league starter, entering the Angels series batting .286 with a .352 on-base percentage.

"I'm not complaining," Bowen said. "I know I'm in a situation here where I'm in a backup role, and Kurt's a good young player. But, of course, you're not happy just getting a few at-bats here and there. If you were, you probably wouldn't be here in the first place."

Bowen, 27, was acquired from the Cubs in the Jason Kendall trade last July, and he conceded that it's frustrating to be stuck behind a younger player while in what should be the prime of his career.

Unfortunately for Bowen, he's under Oakland's control for the next three seasons. He's eligible for arbitration for the first time this winter, and with the health of top catching prospect Landon Powell's knees a huge question mark, Bowen isn't expecting to be non-tendered and allowed to explore other opportunities via free agency.

"I know the situation here; I'll probably be back," Bowen said. "But I would like to see what I could to with 300, 400 at-bats. And I know it might not happen here."

At this pace, Bowen might not get to see what he can do with 100 at-bats. Reminded on Monday of his late-June vow to play more in the second half, Geren dodged the question by suggesting that Bowen had in fact been playing more frequently.

Presented with the stats, Geren said, "The second half isn't over yet. He'll play more, without a doubt."