NewsBarton getting a second look at first
Oakland (56-72) at Los Angeles (76-51), 6:05 p.m. PT
By Mychael Urban / MLB.com
08/29/09 3:55 AM ET
ANAHEIM -- Daric Barton made a splashy big league debut in 2007, hitting well over .300 after a late-season callup, but he struggled mightily in his first full season in the Majors, batting .226 in 140 games last year. That put his status as Oakland's first baseman of the present and future in serious jeopardy. The A's signed veteran Jason Giambi in the offseason, and Giambi was the club's primary first baseman before he was placed on the disabled list on July 20 and subsequently released. Meanwhile, Barton has spent much of the season at Triple-A Sacramento or injured. He was called up for a second stint with the A's when Giambi was placed on the DL, but he joined Giambi on the DL eight days later. And when Giambi was released, Tommy Everidge was recalled from Sacramento to take over at first base. Barton, however, appears to be getting another shot at proving he can live up to the considerable hype that followed him throughout the Minors. He came off the DL a week ago, and Everidge was optioned back to Sacramento on Friday, clearing the path for Barton to reclaim the position. A's manager Bob Geren said Barton, who batted .333 (5-for-15) in his first five starts off the DL and was in the starting lineup on Friday, will be back in the lineup Saturday for the third game of a four-game series at Angel Stadium -- and likely will be the starter whenever Oakland faces a right-handed pitcher. "I want to give him some more [playing] time after missing that much time [on the DL]," Geren said. No matter how well Barton plays between now and the end of the season, he'll have his work cut out for him next spring. The A's appear well stocked with potential First Basemen of the Future, including Chris Carter, Sean Doolittle and Everidge. Brett Wallace, a third baseman at Sacramento, could be in the mix, too, if the A's decide he's better suited for the other corner of the infield. "The idea that we might have a lot of talented options at the position is exciting," Geren said. "That's a good thing." Pitching matchupOAK: RHP Vin Mazzaro (4-9, 5.32 ERA)
Mazzaro flirted with disaster in the early innings Monday in Seattle, stranding five runners after allowing three hits, a walk and hitting a batter in the first two frames. His command never really improved, and the Mariners went the quick-strike route. Jose Lopez hit a solo homer in the third and Ken Griffey Jr. hit a two-run shot in the fifth to stick the 22-year-old rookie with his ninth loss in his past 11 decisions. Mazzaro was pulled after the fifth, having allowed three runs on five hits, four walks and two hit batters while striking out four. He's faced the Halos once this season, getting torched for eight runs -- four earned -- on 10 hits and two walks over three innings of a loss on July 18. LAA: RHP Jered Weaver (13-5, 4.03 ERA)
Weaver didn't have his best stuff against the Tigers on Monday, allowing five runs on eight hits over 5 1/3 innings at Angel Stadium. Miguel Cabrera was the main culprit, as he hit a run-scoring double and two-run homer against Weaver. But the bullpen was the other culprit. Weaver exited the game with two runners on in the sixth and the Angels down by three runs. But by the end of the inning, the Tigers led by 10. Weaver is 2-2 with a 3.28 ERA in eight career starts against the A's. Dribblers ...
Geren didn't have anything new to report on lefty Dallas Braden, who is in his hometown of Stockton, Calif., getting physical therapy on his left foot, which landed him on the disabled list on Aug. 1. ... Bobby Crosby (left calf) had a scheduled day off from running Friday. He's eligible to come off the DL on Sept. 2. ... Righty reliever Brad Ziegler entered Friday's game with a 1.33 ERA over his previous 26 outings. ... Rajai Davis' streak of 12 successful stolen-base attempts ended when he was thrown out at second in the first inning Friday. It was the longest streak of his career and longest by an A's player since Miguel Tejada stole 12 in a row between Sept. 14, 2002, and Sept. 14, 2003. ... In honor of the 20th anniversary of the Bay Bridge World Series, the Sacramento River Cats will hold a tribute to the 1989 World Series champion A's on Saturday at Raley Field. World Series MVP Dave Stewart, Dave Henderson and Tony Phillips will be on hand, along with the official 1989 World Series trophy. Tickets
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• Sunday: Athletics (Brett Anderson, 7-9, 4.35) at Angels (John Lackey, 8-7, 4.16), 12:35 p.m. PT
• Monday: Athletics (Gio Gonzalez, 4-5, 5.88) vs. Royals (Luke Hochevar, 6-7, 5.52), 7:05 p.m. PT
• Tuesday: Athletics (Edgar Gonzalez, 0-1, 5.24) vs. Royals (Kyle Davies, 5-9, 5.94), 7:05 p.m. PT
Mychael Urban is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
