Angels shine

The Los Angeles Angels pitched their way to a 2 to 0 victory over the Oakland A's on Tuesday night in Los Angeles. Joe Saunders pitched eight innings allowing no runs and four hits. Saunders is now 5-0 on the season winning each of his starts. He was mostly a minor league pitcher until this year, he appears to be the real deal. Oakland's Frank Thomas said this about Saunders, ''He was fading the ball away, and that's a little different than he did in the past when he was really pounding it in. He had good movement tonight with his changeup and breaking ball. He pitched out of some jams, and that's why he's doing so well this year. It looks like he's confident with his pitches right now.''

Mark Ellis was 1 for 3 with a walk, he is now batting .254 on the season. A complete monthly summary of Ellis' stats will be provided at the end of April.

Rout to first place

Oakland took over first place of the American League West by soundly beating the Angles 14 to 2. The A's dominated the game scoring 14 runs on 16 hits. Chad Gaudin got the win, throwing 96 pitches in six innings work, allowing only one earned run and five hits. The Big Hurt got hot and hit his first triple in six years. After the game Thomas said, ''It's been a long time since one of those.'' Not bad for a guy who is 6' 5" and 275 lbs. Mark Ellis had a great night as well, he was 3 for 5 with 2 runs scored and assisted on a double play.

Come back win

Pitcher Felix Hernandez was lights out for the Seattle Mariners for 7 innings on Sunday, but the good times came to an end in the top of the eighth when Oakland scored four runs to take a 4-2 lead. Joe Blanton was equally as effective allowing only 2 runs on 8 hits. Oakland won the game 4 to 2.

Ellis was 2 for 5 with run scored and two strike outs.

A's beat by Bedard

Mariners pitcher Erik Bedard was dominate on the mound against the A's Saturday night in Seattle. Coming off a three week hiatus from a hip injury, Bedard didn't seem to miss a beat and looked more like the Ace pitcher the Mariners want him to be. Bedard allowed no runs on two hits in 6 2/3 innings. Seattle beat Oakland 5 to 3. Mark Ellis was 0 for 4 with a walk and two strike outs.

The rainy city

Oakland was in Seattle for the first game of a three game stand on Friday night. Mark Ellis was 0 for 4 but he did fly out to Ichiro Suzuki in center field twice. It may not have been a great night at the plate, but something has to be said about flying out twice to one of the sure to be legends of the game. Couldn't we all be so lucky.

The HURT is back

Frank "Big Hurt" Thomas returned to the Oakland A's lineup on Thursday afternoon. Thomas played an integral role in Oakland's 2006 playoff appearance. He was released early in the week by the Toronto Blue Jays after a real slow start there. The Oakland A's jumped at the opportunity to pick up Thomas to help full some holes left by early injuries.
The Minnesota Twins had a come back story of their own, starting pitcher Francisco Liriano who was making his first big league start since having Tommy John's surgery in 2006. The A's jumped on Liriano early, scoring six runs in the bottom of the first inning. Liriano lasted just two thirds of an inning walking three, giving up five hits, and allowing six runs.
After the game, Frank Thomas talked about his successful return to Oakland. ''I didn't feel out of place. It really felt like I just left,'' Thomas said. ''I'm happy to be back. I'm happy to shake the rust off today because they pitched me tough. I'm sure their game plan was not to give in because they knew I missed a whole week, so they threw some sliders and breaking balls and ran the ball in on me. I'm just happy we got a big win.''
Mark Ellis singled to right field in the first and scored then added another single in the fourth, later scoring. Ellis assisted with two double plays defensively. Mark Ellis was 2 for 5 with 2 runs scored two double play assist.

Minnesota

The Oakland A's beat the Minnesota Twins 3 to 0 on Wednesday night. Mark Ellis was 1 for 4 with one strike out. Rumor mill has Frank Thomas possibly returning to Oakland. Oakland is 13-9 and tied for first in the American League West division.

Walking

The Twins are in town for a three game stretch with the Oakland A's. A three rbi night by Craig Monroe gave the Twins a 5 to 4 victory. Ellis was 0 for 2 with 2 walks. I like to see Mark showing more patience at the plate. The hits will surely fall in for him soon.

3000 K's

John Smoltz recorded his 3,000 career strike out in Tuesday nights game against the Washington Nationals. In his 20th season in the big league, John has been consistently amazing on the mound. After the game, John talked about getting a text message from long time friend and team mate Greg Maddux. "I already got a text (message) from Maddux," Smoltz said, "He said I've lost one hair for every strikeout I've made." Good, funny stuff Maddux.

"Today, for one single moment," Smoltz said, "it was an incredible feeling."

Besting KC

Oakland beat Kansas City 7 to 1 on Sunday wrapping up the series. Mark Ellis was 1 for 5 with an rbi single in the fourth. Manager Bob Greene said after the game, "I think there are some home runs coming. We definitely have some power in this lineup, it just hasn't shown yet. It's nice to have a consistent attack when you don't have the longball. ... We've been doing a lot of things right.''

The one run games

You want an easy way to see how your year went? Simply look back and see how many one run games you win or lose. With the tight pennant races we've seen in recent years, teams that grind out wins any way they can whenever they can, can make the difference between seeing the post season or going home early. Oakland got a win like that last night, holding off a late Royals charge and winning 6 to 5. Second baseman Mark Ellis was 2 for 4 with a run scored and a walk.

Friday night

The Oakland A's pounded the Kansas City Royals on Friday night at McAfee Coliseum, 13 to 2. The A's exploded with eight runs in the eighth inning including an rbi single from Mark Ellis. On the night Ellis was 1 for 5 with an 1 rbi, and a run scored.

22 innings in San Diego before Colorado glory

A normal early season National League match up between San Diego and Colorado became a Friday morning thriller to remember when it took the Rockies 22 innings and 6 and 1/4 hours to best the Padres 2 to 1. There were a combined total of 160 plate appearances by 42 different players. There were 32 combined strike outs, 25 hits, but only 3 runs! Willy Taveras line score was 3 for 10 with 2 runs scored and 3 strike outs. What an amazing game. We will probably see these guys battling for a playoff spot.

An error

The A's lost to the Mariners 8 to 1 on Thursday night. Oakland has now dropped three games straight. Mark Ellis was 1 for 4 and had his first error of the year.

Home to Oakland

The Seattle Mariners are in Oakland for a three game stand. Seattle scored three runs in the first and one in the third off stater Joe Blanton. Felix Hernandez went eight innings for the Mariners allowing only one earned run on eight hits. Seattle won 4 to 2. Ellis was 1 for 4 with a single.

Chi Sox

Oakland was in Chicago to take on the White Sox in an afternoon game on Tuesday. Chicago won 4 to 1. The second bagger for Oakland went 0 for 3 with a walk.

Safe Street

Oakland was in Chicago to take on the White Sox in the first game of the series. Greg Smith made his second start for the A's allowing six hits and one earned run. For the White Sox Mark Buehrle went seven innings allowing nine hits and two earned runs. Houston Street came in for the save in the ninth, A's win 2 to 1. Mark Ellis was 1 for 5 and is now hitting .246 for the season.

Cleveland 3

Sunday was the final game of the Oakland-Cleveland series. Cleveland's offense came to life in the 8th inning scoring 4 runs, leading to a 7 to 1 win. Travis Buck tripled in the 4th inning, and Mark Ellis picked up an rbi by singling him in. Mark was 1 for 4 with an rbi.

Cleveland 2

Oakland's win streak was extended to five on Saturday, as the A's beat up on Cleveland 7 to 3. Mark provided his consistent fielding adding another double play turn to his stats for the year. At the plate he was 1 for 4 with a walk and a run scored.

Cleveland

One foot from home run number 3. In Friday nights game against Cleveland, Mark crashed a double to left field that rocked against the top of the fence. He would score on Barton's two run single. Oakland continues on their hot streak winning 9 to 7. Mark was 1 for 4 with a walk and one run scored.

Oakland sweeps

It took Oakland twelve innings to get the 3 to 2 victory over Toronto Thursday night. The win wrapped up the series sweep and the end to their trip to O' Canada. Ellis was 1 for 5 with a walk. He assisted in two double plays, one that capped the victory in the bottom of the 12th.

Break out game

What a night for the second bagger in Toronto. Oakland was down 2 to 3 going into the ninth inning when closer Jeremy Accardo hit Travis Buck giving him first base. This brought up Mark Ellis who drove the ball to deep right center field for the game tying triple. After a Barton strike out and Cust walked, Ellis scored the go ahead run on Emil Brown's fielder's choice ground ball. Oakland clipped Toronto 6-3. After the game, Ellis said "It felt good to come through in that last inning and get a win."

Mark had a break out game, he went 4 for 5 with 2 stolen bases, a run scored, and an rbi, raising his batting average to .250. His on base percentage is .341 and he's slugging for .556. Mark is fielding at a perfect 1.000 on the year. Oakland is leading the league in double plays (14).

Speed at 30

The A's Mark Ellis showed some speed on the base path with his first triple of the season, scoring Travis Buck, all part of a 5 run second inning in Toronto. Mark was 2 for 5 with double, rbi triple, and a run scored helping left Oakland past a red hot Toronto Blue Jays.

Slow day

With a seven month season, many things will happen. Hopefully for the A's, not too many series ending losses 2-1 with little to no production from the second bagger. Ellis was 0 for 4, with a strike out. He did successfully fly out to each position in the outfield. Great thing is, another game Tuesday against the Jays.

Line drives final add up

The second game of the three game series between the Indians and the A's started in double time. Cleveland scored one run in the top first on a Travis Hafner double. Oakland scored three runs in the bottom half of the first anchored by a Jack Cust two run double. In the fifth, Oakland second baseman Mark Ellis hit his second home run of the season giving the the A's 4-1 lead. In the eighth, with two men on, Mark hit a hard line drive single scoring two more runs, sealing the victory.
After the game, Mark spoke with a reporter about the start to his season, "Honestly, I've felt incredible this whole year, minus one game against Boston. I just haven't had any hits," Ellis said. "I hit like three or four line drives [Friday], and I had nothing to show for it. Then I hit three line drives today and I had nothing to show for it, so it felt good to get a hit." Ellis finished the day 2 for 5, a run scored and 3 rbi. He brought his avg up to .136.

Long fly ball

It's a long fly ball, going way back, way back, and........... caught at the warning track. It was a long night for the second bagger Ellis, going 0-3 with two walks and five men left on base. Twice he appeared to get all of it only to have the ball caught on the warning track. Even though his batting average is way down .059, he continues to shine in the field with three assisted double plays. A's beat the Indians at home, 6-3.

Slow start

The second bagger, Ellis went 0-3 on with a walk and one strike out Wednesday in the A's losing effort against the Red Sox. Oakland was shut out on the day leaving them 1 and 3 on the season. Ellis did contribute on one double play in the field.

Oakland repeat of opening day

Oakland opened their season at McAfee Coliseum against the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night. The featured pitchers once again were Dice K and Joe Blanton. Once again a home run for Oakland (Cust in 2nd) gave them the early lead, only to have the Red Sox charge back and win the game 2-1. Mark went 0-4 with two strike outs.