The A's really needed that.
There isn't much to say, really. The simple act of getting back in the win column is far more valuable than a single game in the standings — there's just an air of success that penetrated the Coliseum tonight that had been lacking throughout the fanbase, the media, the team's comments to the media, and did I say the fanbase?
Coco Crisp hit a bases-clearing, line-drive triple to give the A's a 4-1 lead. Coco, incidentally, is now tied for 8th place for triples hit as an Oakland Athletic — this was his 22nd.
Josh Reddick hit one of his signature, looping home runs just over the wall in the right field corner. Alberto Callaspo tied the game with a sacrifice fly. The A's actually scored six runs.
Scott Kazmir, meanwhile, overcame a solo home run by Travis d'Arnaud to complete six innings of one-run ball, giving up just four hits in the process. His recent struggles are forgivable thanks to the phenomenal season he has put together, but it was particularly encouraging to see him throw six high-quality innings against Major League opposition. Well, the Mets.
Ryan Cook struggled slightly in relief, allowing two hits and a run on an RBI double from former Oakland farmhand Anthony "Barely Know Her" Recker. But it didn't matter, as Eric O'Flaherty picked him up in the 7th, Luke Gregerson pitched a scoreless 8th, and Sean Doolittle did his thing in the 9th. Remember him? He pitches when the A's are winning. It's been a while.
With the Red Sox failing to overcome the Angels tonight at Fenway Park, despite the pinch-hitting efforts of one Yoenis Cespedes, Oakland remains a half-game behind Los Angeles in the American League West standings. The Angels and Red Sox play twice more this week, while the A's get only one more shot at Flushing's Finest. You can take solace in the fact that regardless of the results, the difference in the standings between the California rivals will at least be an integer.
The A's and Mets do it all over again tomorrow (today, at this point) at 12:35pm at the Coliseum. Jeff Samardzija is taking on Zach Wheeler, so the pitching should be solid. Then again, Samardzija is pitching against the Mets and Wheeler is pitching to what very well could be a reinvigorated Oakland offense. We'll see how it goes.