A's 9th Inning Rally Folds as Padres Avoid Sweep at Coliseum

Despite outhitting San Diego six to five and having multiple chances, the A's could not rally as former Oakland closer Huston Street struck out Jemile Weeks with runners on the corners to preserve a 2-1 victory. San Diego avoided the sweep while ending Oakland's five-game winning streak. 

Bartolo Colon took the loss, allowing a run on a single hit while striking out two in two innings before leaving with an oblique injury. The A's bullpen was solid, only allowing a single run in the remaining seven innings, but it was costly as Ryan Cook's wild pitch allowed pinch runner Logan Forsythe to score in the ninth. Colon's counterpart Clayton Richard was fantastic, shutting the A's out over 7.2 innings on five hits and two walks while striking out six. 

Down 2-0 in the ninth, the A's rallied. With one out, Brandon Moss walked and Seth Smith appeared to hit into a game-ending double play, but was ruled safe by first base umpire Mike Muchlinski. Given a reprieve, Oakland brought the tying run into scoring position after Cliff Pennington drew a walk and Coco Crisp slapped a single to right center. But Weeks struck out on a 2-2 fastball to end the threat and game was over.

Good: A's bullpen. Except for Jerry Blevins, the bullpen was outstanding. Pedro Figueroa and Jim Miller were solid keeping the score 1-0 for five innings. Cook's wild pitch was unfortunate, but he struck out the only two batters he faced. 

Bad: Jerry Blevins. Another game he pitches with a tight score, another time he is charged with a run. The only time "Everyday Jerry" should be in the game is in a rout. Does not matter if the A's are up or down, Blevins has no business being in tight games. He gives up too many important runs and his run cost the A's the ballgame. 

Ugly: A's offense. Part of this is the fact that Clayton Richard was excellent today. But he's no Doc Halladay or Clayton Kershaw. For eight innings, the A's looked more like the team they were before their five-game winning streak. A frustrating end to a win streak that started to galvanize the team. 

Now 31-36, the A's will be off Monday before opening a big three-game series against the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers. Brandon McCarthy will take the bump against former A's starter Aaron Harang. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.