Oakland A's Offense Comes Up Empty Against Los Angeles Angels

(Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

On Sunday against the Angels, Brett Anderson threw a great game. He had good stuff and was forcing the Angels hitters into weak grounders easily fielded by the infielders. He had a perfect game going into the seventh inning.

It felt like a possible no-hitter in the making. The crowd gave him Anderson a standing ovation in the seventh when his perfect game was finally broken up. 

His defense also deserves a lot of credit. It helped him out with some great plays at third and second base to steal some hits from Angel hitters.

But the offense did not uphold it's end of the bargain. With the great pitching, a single run could have won the game for the A's. But the A's came up empty in clutch situations. 

Scott Hairston had a very solid game, and got on base right away in the first inning, then promptly stole second. Holiday came to the plate with a runner in scoring position and two outs. These are situations where a big bat has to deliver, but Holliday quietly struck out.

Lackey got in a rhythm in the second and the third, but the A's threatened again the fourth. Harrison worked the count and walked. Holiday again made an out with a runner on base. Harrison went to third on a Cust single. But Suzuki could not deliver in the clutch, and another chance was squandered.

Giambi and Sweeney hit warning track shots that almost left the yard, but overall the team had too many pop outs and not enough solid line drives. The team's lack of power was obvious in this game.

In the bottom of the ninth, Adam Kennedy was on third with two outs. Holliday with a chance for redemption with the crowd on it's feet. He popped out.

The A's went 0-for-3 with runners in scoring position. Any one of those could have won the game. Holliday came up small in some big moments. This A's offense continued to frustrate even in a winnable game.

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