Closer Huston Street had a two-run lead to protect and a runner aboard in the ninth inning Saturday when Kansas City Royals third baseman Alex Gordon came to the plate. Thirteen pitches later, Street struck out a swinging Gordon, giving the A’s closer a victory in one of the game’s more pivotal moments.
“To win that battle was huge . . . because if he loses it, it puts the tying run on with nobody out,” Manager Bob Geren said. “To win it pumps your team up.”
In this case, it also underscored just how much fuel Geren’s bullpen has pumped into the A’s early-season success. Street recorded four outs to cap a four-inning relief effort that also included Joey Devine (two innings) and Alan Embree (two-thirds). In all, the trio allowed just two hits and a run, and helped the A’s finish off a 6-5 come-from-behind triumph.
It was a familiar theme. A’s relievers have allowed just three earned runs in 19 innings (a 1.42 ERA) over the past six games, and their collective 3.30 mark is fourth in the American League. Devine, Santiago Casilla and Andrew Brown have combined for 25 2/3 scoreless innings.
“They’ve been pitching very well,” Geren said of his relievers. “But adding Devine to the mix has lightened the load a bit.”
Devine (2-0) earned the win by retiring five of the six hitters he faced (one of them on a double play) and striking out two in a pair of hitless innings. His addition has enabled Geren to keep Casilla and Brown fresh, and that, in turn, has eased the burden on Embree and Street. The latter two had not appeared since Monday.
“He’s a quality arm,” pitching coach Curt Young said of Devine, who was acquired from the Atlanta Braves in January for center fielder Mark Kotsay. “He’s been effective in every situation he’s been in so far.”
• The A’s gave away Travis Buck Bobbleheads, but the honoree was not in the lineup because of shin splints. The condition has bothered Buck since the spring, but he has sat out only three regular-season games. He also said it is not to blame for his 10-for-65 (.154) start.
“I feel it, but it’s more when I’m playing defense,” said Buck, who is 1-for-33 in home games this season. “It’s something else I’m gonna have to battle my way through, unfortunately. I can feel it when I hit, but it’s not as excruciating as when I’m out in the outfield.”
• Geren said starter Rich Harden threw in the outfield for the third consecutive day. Harden hasn’t pitched since April 2 against Boston because of a strained muscle in the back of his right shoulder.
• Embree appeared in his 786th career game, tying former A’s reliever Buddy Groom for 43rd on the all-time list.
• First baseman Daric Barton and right fielder Emil Brown have five-game hitting streaks.
• Rapper Ludacris and a camera crew shadowed the A’s before the game as part of a “Green Day” promotion to be shown on The Discovery Channel. The segment will highlight the A’s recycling efforts.
