AMERICAN LEAGUE UPDATE: A'S KEEP THINGS LOOSE BY CLOWNING AROUND.Byline: Keven Chavez Staff Writer So, what exactly is the secret to the Oakland Athletics' recent success? Perhaps a little inspiration from those renowned baseball minds, Ronald McDonald and Forrest Gump. It's safe to say the heat of the pennant race in the American League West The American League West is one of three divisions in Major League Baseball's American League. The division currently has four teams, but it has had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. is obviously not terribly affecting the psyche of the A's just yet. The A's clubhouse is generally regarded as being less formal than some, and even with first place on the line during this week's three-game set against the Angels, left fielder Bobby Kielty Robert Michael ("Bobby") Kielty (last name pronounced KELT-E) (born August 5, 1976) is an American born outfielder with the Boston Red Sox. He is one of few baseball players who bat without the use of batting gloves. College Kielty was born in Fontana, California. and catcher Jason Kendall Jason Daniel Kendall (born June 26, 1974 in San Diego, California) is a Major League Baseball catcher whom is currently a free agent. He is the son of former catcher Fred Kendall, who played in the majors from 1969–1980. found new ways to lighten the spirits of an already light-hearted team. Kielty showed up before Wednesday's game in a full Ronald McDonald clown outfit. The suit, shoes and makeup were provided by Kendall. No wig was necessary because Kielty has been sporting an afro with his ample red hair all season, a look that earned him the nickname of Ronnie Mac. Kielty took the field and played some catch in his Mickey D's getup, an accomplishment that Kendall believes deserves reward. ``He should never have to pay for a Big Mac in his entire life,'' Kendall said. Sans makeup and floppy red shoes, Kielty went 0 for 3 in the A's 4-3 victory. If the sight of a major-leaguer wearing a costume only a 5-year-old would enjoy was strange, how about a major-leaguer failing to make a catch a 5-year-old could make? That was Angels closer Francisco Rodriguez's opinion of his costly error on a toss-back from catcher. The error allowed an alert and swift Kendall to score from third with the game-winning run in Oakland's 5-4 victory Thursday. It was a dash to the plate that reminded the ever-so-serious A's of another fictional speedster speed·ster n. 1. One who drives very fast. 2. A fast car. . ``We were all in the dugout yelling, 'Run, Forrest, run!,' '' said A's outfielder Nick Swisher Nicholas Thompson Swisher (born November 25, 1980) is a first baseman and outfielder for the MLB club Oakland Athletics. Swisher is a switch hitter who throws left-handed. . There are no reports, we must add, of Kendall's prowess in ping pong (1) A half-duplex communications method in which data are transmitted in one direction and acknowledgment is returned at the same speed in the other. The line is alternately switched from transmit to receive in each direction. Contrast with asymmetric modem. . --Lucky break: As many tough breaks as the Angels endured during their three-game series in Oakland, they got a big break in their weekend stop in Seattle. The Angels were able to avoid 19-year-old phenom Felix Hernandez, who in just 13 innings of major-league work is beginning to draw some significant praise for both his electric stuff and his composure. Hernandez's line from Tuesday night's game: eight innings, five hits, no walks, no runs, six strikeouts. The Mariners beat the Minnesota Twins The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Twins have played in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. 1-0. ``He was outstanding,'' Mariners manager Mike Hargrove Seattle closer Eddie Guardado Edward Adrian “Eddie” Guardado (born October 2, 1970 in Stockton, California) is a closer in Major League Baseball who plays for the Cincinnati Reds. Previously, Guardado played with the Minnesota Twins (1993–2003) and Seattle Mariners (2004–2006). told the Associated Press Associated Press: see news agency. Associated Press (AP) Cooperative news agency, the oldest and largest in the U.S. and long the largest in the world. : ``He looked like he was about 28 or 29 out there. It was awesome to see.'' Hernandez's age and powerful arm have drawn obvious comparisons to Dwight Gooden. Hernandez was 9-4 with 100 strikeouts in 88 innings with the Mariners' Triple-A affiliate in Tacoma before being promoted to the majors on Aug. 3. ``He's got one of the best arms to come up in a long time,'' said Angels manager Mike Scioscia. ``He and (Angels starter) Ervin (Santana) hooked up in Salt Lake against Tacoma, and it was a great pitchers' duel and you can see why.'' Keven Chavez, (626) 962-8811, ext. 2239 keven.chavez(at)sgvn.com |
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