Oakland Manager Bob Melvin comments on defeat to Kansas City Royals – MLB News
Oakland Athletics are 16 wins behind the American League West leaders, the Texas Rangers. With a few weeks left till the end of the regular season, it is important for them to maintain a long consistent winning pattern. Manager Bob Melvin has steered the
squad towards development but it seems the roster is beginning to show concerns.
The A’s were unable to surpass the dominance of the Kansas City Royals on Monday as they were inflicted with an 11-6 defeat. The situation spelled well for Oakland in the fifth inning as the squad ended the session with a score line of 6-4.
That however changed when Craig Breslow, Andrew Bailey and the other bullpen members allowed seven runs to lose the winning advantage in the latter innings for their team.
"We were a pitch or an out away from having a good chance to win the game," Melvin said. "The numbers certainly haven't been as good [since the All-Star Break], but today we have to find a way to win that game."
Pressure mounted on Craig Breslow at the top of the seventh when he took over from Michael Wuertz. After popping Alex Gordon out on shortstop, Alcides Escobar unsettled the hurler by stealing second and third base.
The player struck-out Melky Cabrera but allowed a home-run to Billy Butler. The coaching staff had paid Breslow a visit on the mound and Melvin had a few words to say about the discussion that took place.
"We're not trying to throw him a strike," Bob Melvin said. "We're trying to get behind him and see if he'll swing at a pitch off the plate. That was really the one bad pitch (Breslow) made, he got too much of the plate for the guy."
The situation got worse for the A’s as Bailey went on to allow three runs and Neil Wagner lost another two runs to the Royals. Bob Melvin has a tough job on his hands and if things do not improve, the team can forget about making it in the post season, this
year.
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