Doolittle felt out of sync
When a reliever throws six of his seven pitches for strikes and works a 1-2-3 inning, you’d think he’d be pleased, but for Sean Doolittle, working on a rehab assignment on Friday night, his outing at Stockton was less than perfect.
Doolittle said that he felt out of sync, which was frustrating after feeling so sharp in his simulated game last week.
“I thought I was going to be more in rhythm, because I’ve been feeling so good doing all my other throwing things,” he said.
One important plus for Doolittle, who has pitched only one major-league inning this season because of left shoulder trouble, is that he bounced back well Saturday. He expects to pitch another
rehab inning Sunday.
“It was a quick inning for him,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “The first time out, you’re always going to feel a little more uncomfortable on the mound. Obviously, we’ll be monitoring the velocity. He hit 90, and I don’t even know if he hit 90 his last time” in May. Honoring Sgt. Lunger: Hayward police Sgt. Scott Lunger, who was killed during a traffic stop last month, will be honored before Sunday’s game at the Coliseum.
Pregame ceremonies for the
lifelong A’s fan will include an on-field police motorcade, and Lunger’s father, Paul, and daughers Ashton and Saralyn will throw out first pitches. Rickey Henderson, Sgt. Lunger’s favorite player, will catch the first pitch from Paul Lunger.
The Oakland Police Department and Alameda County Sheriff ’s Office will present the colors for the national anthem, which will be performed on trumpet by Robert Payne of the San Jose Police Department. The A’s will observe a moment of silence in Lunger’s memory.
During batting practice, A’s players will wear special Hayward Police Department hats, which will be sold during a silent auction behind Section 120, with proceeds benefiting the Hayward Police Association.
In addition, Lunger’s men’s league baseball team will join the A’s on the field during the national anthem, and the A’s will place a “Lunger” jersey in the dugout during the game.