Oakland’s Braden and Boston’s Wakefield Take the Mound
Oakland’s left-hander Dallas Braden will have a chip on his shoulder heading into Tuesday’s game at the Oakland Coliseum and will have something to prove. Braden is out to show that he's ready to go after missing 18 games with left elbow stiffness and that his perfect game on May 9 was no fluke.
He recently started with Class A Advanced Stockton on Thursday and allowed three runs over five innings. After testing his elbow, Braden declared himself healthy enough and ready to return to the rotation.
"The left side of my body feels like I got ran over by a Greyhound. It's just been a while," he said. "I felt good. I was able to throw some breaking balls. The biggest thing I was looking for was just to come away knowing that I was able to stand in there with no pain or hesitation, and that was there."
Very imperfect since perfect game
He still hasn't won since that perfect game. He has a 0-5 record in his last eight starts, but he has a respectable 4.31 ERA over that span.
Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield will also be looking to come out and pitch with a purpose.
Wakefield is coming off one of his worst starts of the season in which he allowed seven runs in just two innings against the Rangers on Thursday.
It was an inexplicable outing for Wakefield, who allowed six runs in the very first inning, because he felt good entering that game.
"Talking to [pitching coach John] Farrell after the game, it was like I had some of the best stuff I had all year coming out of the bullpen," Wakefield said. "I'm as dumbfounded as everyone else. I looked at the tape and tried to figure out the mechanics and didn't have it tonight. Bottom line."
His poor performance in one game is not a concern at this time. There is something in Wakefield that drives him to be the very best. Last game’s slip for Wakefield should be erased from his memory by now and shouldn’t happen on Tuesday’s game.
After all, he is a veteran and knows what it takes to rebound from a tough loss. He takes the time to make the necessary adjustments which has allowed him to enjoy success in the majors for a long time.
As you get older, the only way you play at a high level is by taking care of your mind and body and not allowing the little things to bother you. Wakefield understands this and has been following this blueprint throughout his illustrious career.
Only if he struggles yet again will there be cause for concern in the Red Sox bullpen. If their starting pitcher falls into a slump and the team continues to battle the injury bug, Boston has to survive the odds and play good baseball despite all the obstacles.
Good teams find a way to win in the face of adversity.
Speaking of adversity, the A’s outfielder Ryan Sweeney announced on Monday he's having season-ending surgery on his right injured knee. The news sent shockwaves across the organization and is a major blow to the A's offence.
Sweeney was batting a team-leading .294 but elected to get surgery on his knee because of patella tendinitis.
"We want to get this done as quickly as possible," said Sweeney, 25. "If I was 35 years old and on my way out, I'd consider holding out until the end of the season. But I'm hoping if I can get it done now, it will help me be a better player in the long run."
With Sweeney done, the A's recalled right-hander Henry Rodriguez from Triple-A Sacramento on Monday to take his place on the 25-man roster.
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