Game 39: A's Overcome Bad Call and Rangers to Win 5-4 in Extra Innings

Justice was delayed, but in the end, it was served in Texas. Kila Ka'aihue singled in the game-winning run in the 10th inning and the A's split their short series with the first-place Texas Rangers in a 5-4 win this afternoon. The A's had to rally after home plate umpire Laz Diaz missed Brandon McCarthy's apparent catch on a bunt attempt and double play in the sixth inning. Instead of the score remaining tied at that point, it was 4-3 Rangers and manager Bob Melvin was ejected for angrily arguing the call.

However, the A's would rally to tie the score on Josh Reddick's 10th home run of the year in the seventh inning. Great relief work by Grant Balfour, Jordan Norberto, Ryan Cook and Brian Fuentes would not allow the Rangers to score over the final 4.2 innings. Balfour in particular was outstanding, stranding runners on second and third in the sixth with one out. Fuentes pitched a solid 10th inning, allowing only an infield single for his third save.

The A's jumped out in front in the first with three runs off of Rangers starter Matt Harrison. Jemile Weeks walked but was caught stealing. Singles by Cliff Pennington and Reddick set the table for Jonny Gomes, who doubled in Pennington to make it 1-0. Kurt Suzuki followed with a two-run double to make it 3-0.

McCarthy was solid with the exception of two mistakes to catcher Mitch Moreland, who homered in the fourth and sixth innings. With runners on the corners, Elvis Andrus popped up a bunt that McCarthy appeared to cleanly catch. He then threw to third base for an apparent double play. Instead, Diaz ruled that it was a live ball and everybody was safe. Melvin stormed out of the dugout and yelled furiously at Diaz, ultimately getting his first ejection of the year.

Good: A's bullpen. Balfour may have saved the game. Norberto and Cook kept them in position to win it. Then Fuentes saved it. Outstanding job.

Bad: Laz Diaz. Just an awful call. To make matters worse, he did not even ask his crew members for help. It is one thing to miss a call, but to refuse help is just bad. 

Ugly: N/A

So with the split, the A's move a game over .500 at 20-19. They now head back to the Bay Area to start the Bay Bridge series with the San Francisco Giants. Game one is Friday night with Jarrod Parker set to face Barry Zito. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.