Walking Off in Grand Style

Last night the Oakland Athletics showed the grit and desire to win that has kept them afloat in the AL West all year long. Rich Harden started the day off with a nine pitch, three strike out, first inning that gave a glimpse of the pitcher all A's fans have hoped to see in between the lines over the last few years. In nine pitches, all of his injuries had been forgotten. All of the talk of him needing to toughen up had ceased, and everyone was just simply caught in the mastery of the game. Vlad was Vlad, turning a quality pitch that should have cut him off at the hands into a home run over the left field wall. Vlad has made a living in baseball turning pitches too low, too high, too in and too out into perfectly hittable balls. I am not sure why the umpire bothers to pay attention during his at bats, each pitch is going to be a strike, regardless of location. As a fan of these A's, it is difficult to watch Vlad punish these kinds of pitches, but that is the game; love it, respect it. Bottom 12 and it is time to go home everyone. Bases juiced at the hands of Gregorio Petit, Raj Davis and Travis Buck. Ellis steps to the plate and drills the first pitch in the afternoon air. The ball clangs off of the foul post and the bases clear. 7-3 was the final score in a game that seemed like an early season must win for the A's. What a great game, truly 100% baseball.