Olson’s hot hitting continues as A’s rout Angels
TEMPE, ARIZ. » The Oakland A’s faced a familiar foe with an all-too-familiar lineup Saturday, and things went their way.
The A’s held off Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon and, for the most part, David Fletcher in an 11-2 win on a dry, windy day at Tempe Diablo Stadium. Chris Bassitt, who was never shy about how much this Angels lineup has given him headaches, took the mound for his third start of spring. Here are some takeaways from the game.
OLSON LOOKS ABOUT AS READY AS EVER » Matt Olson went 3 for 4 a double, an opposite field single and his fifth home run of spring — which hit a palm tree in right field. He’s now 13 for 32 this spring with four doubles and a 1.424 OPS. How would pitching coach Scott Emerson instruct his pitchers to approach Olson?
“Try and get him before he gets off the bus,” Emerson said. “... When you see a guy as balanced as he’s been, that’s when you start getting nervous as a pitching coach on the other side.”
If Olson can maintain something close to this level of consistency with power this year, it could launch the A’s offense into the stratosphere.
“A healthy Olson is frightening for the league, I’ll tell you that,” Bassitt said. “I
know everyone knows how good he is. But you give him a full year of being healthy, he’s going to put up some incredible numbers. I think we’re all excited about what he can do today.”
BASSITT WAS WILD, BUT EFFECTIVE » Fletcher plopped a loopy single just inside the chalk in right field to lead off the game. Fletcher is a savant at finding fair ground if he makes any kind of contact with a pitch — so that hit was almost expected.
In that same inning, Bassitt struck out Trout looking at a cutter on the corner and walked Rendon. That started his 3 2/3 innings of scoreless ball, which included five strikeouts and two walks. Effective, but Bassitt wasn’t pleased with his location.
“I was kind of wild today. My pitches weren’t the best location wise, but my stuff was good,” Bassitt said. “If I’m going to tank I’d rather have my stuff than hitting spots. So I think we’re OK.”
Depending on how the A’s might realign their rotation during Sunday’s off day and the two off days before Opening Day on April 1, Bassitt is in line to be starter for the season opener.