Cahill strong as A’s sweep Tigers; Longoria paces Giants.
A’s continue to roll as starting rotation contributes to success
OAKLAND >> The A’s keep winning with the same formula they’ve been using most of the season — home runs and a lights-out bullpen. But this new wrinkle they’ve been throwing in lately with their starting pitching could make them even tougher to beat.
Trevor Cahill’s home dominance continued at the Coliseum Sunday as he shut the Tigers down for six innings before handing it off to the bullpen for a 6-0 victory in front of 19, 559 fans at the Coliseum, making it six straight A’s wins and a threegame sweep.
The A’s (67-46) remain unbeaten on their current homestand, which resumes Tuesday for the start of a two-game series with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and all six games have featured stellar outings by starting rotation members. A’s starters have allowed just three earned runs in 37 innings (0.76 ERA) through the six games, giving up zero earned runs in four of those six.
Though a lot of fuss was made about the A’s not making a move for a starter at the
trade deadline, the current rotation has been just as responsible as the offense and bullpen, if not more, for the success over the past week.
“Our guys are pitching better,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “We have (Frankie) Montas and (Daniel) Mengden in the minors pitching well, so we’re kind of six guys for five spots right now. Unless someone blows you away with a deal where you don’t have to give up too much, you have to figure that we have some confidence in our guys right now.”
Not known as a high-strikeout pitcher throughout his career, Cahill appears to have evolved into one in his 10th big league season. The righthander struck out 10 bat-
ters over six shutout innings Sunday, the second time he’s posted doubledigit strikeouts in a start this season. Overall, he’s racked up 75 strikeouts over 75 innings.
“For a guy that didn’t have a job that we get late in spring to a guy that at times can be as significant a starter as we have has been great,” Melvin said. “I think the changeup has taken him to a different level than he’s ever been at. He’s got a swing-andmiss pitch to go with the sinker and curveball, he’s been great. He gives us confidence every time on the mound that we have a chance to win.”
It’s the Coliseum in particular where Cahill really seems to morph into a Cy Young candidate. He’s now 4-2 with a 3.12 ERA in 13 starts this season, not bad. But in seven home starts, the righthander is a perfect 3-0 with a 0.99 ERA as he’s allowed just five earned runs over 44 2/3 innings.
Back with the club where he was originally drafted and spent his first three big league seasons with, including his only All-Star appearance in 2009, is something Melvin believes factors into Cahill’s massive success at home this year.
“I think probably comfortability is part of it,” Melvin said. “It’s a pretty good ballpark to pitch in, especially at night, but he’s just been really consistent for us. His ball is never straight, so it’s not in the zone very long and is tough to square up.”
Matt Chapman and Khris Davis both homered for the second consecutive game, with Davis’ solo shot to center off Francisco Liriano in the fourth his 31st of the season and 10th in the past
14 games.
“When he first hit it I’m thinking it’s a base hit to center field, then you watch it carry and get over the center fielder’s head and next thing you know it’s over the fence. I didn’t think that ball was going out,” Melvin said. “He definitely does not have to square it up to hit a home run. I’ve seen a bunch of his homers, but it still surprises me.”
Matt Olson also launched a two-run homer to left in the eighth to blow the game open with a six-run lead.
Rookie Ramon Laureano capped off what has been an impressive weekend which saw him walk off with a single for his first big league hit in his major league debut Friday with his best day at the plate Sunday, as he finished 3 for 4 with a RBI and his first career stolen base.
From clutch hitting to his two outfield assists in his first two games and overall impressive range on defense, Laureano has
quickly made a good impression on the organization.
“He’s been great,” Melvin said. “The speed dynamic, too. First step in the outfield you look up and he’s already got a beat on it. It’s great for him to get off to a good start. It makes you confident at the big league level. Just another guy in our system that really has a chance to help us.”
The A’s have now won 12 consecutive games against the Tigers (47-65) going back to last year, completing a full season seven-game sweep of Detroit. That’s hard to do once in a season, and the A’s have done twice, also going 7-0 against the Toronto Blue Jays this year.
“The more wins you have the more confidence you gain and it seems to be playing out right now,” Melvin said. “We’re starting to get big contributions from our rotation, too. Offensively during the day like today we’re gonna hit some home runs. It’s a nice run.”