Game #19: A's 3, Angels 4

April 23, 2006 | A's vs. Los Angeles

The A's lose this game and this series, but I tell myself it's only April.

Esteban Loaiza taken out after 3.2 IP because of back spasms. Has he been hurting this whole time? I wonder if this is an instance where a player plays through pain because he doesn't want to admit something's wrong. (Meantime Huston Street isn't back yet because trainer Larry Davis wants to be conservative. Fine by me.)

Swisher hits another HR and now leads the A's with eight. I really like how he seems pleased sitting in the corner of the dugout afterwards. Not "pleased with himself" but just "pleased." I know Swish got a lot of flak from the A's during his rookie year for being talkative, for walking with a swagger, for not acting like a rookie. He's toned it down and this season, I think he's truly enjoying himself and having a good time. We should all be so mellow.

Chuckle of the day: Chavy slides to second on Frank Thomas's sac fly in the bottom of the 9th. Chavy breaks his belt and exchanges it for Ron Washington's.

(Game experience: Watched some of the game on FSNBA.)

A's record: 8-11 | streak: L-2 | well-A-meter: 2