Game #69: A's 5, Dodgers 4

June 17, 2006 | A's vs. Los Angeles

One of my favorite game-ending plays: the walk-off walk! I'm exhausted! I started watching the game on TV in the 5th inning, not knowing it would go on for 12 more.

My heroes for this game:

• Kirk Saarloos. Part of me is surprised that Saarloos still has a spot in the rotation. For a relief pitcher, he certainly gets many opportunities to start — and shine. This time, Saarloos gets into a pitchers' duel with Derek Lowe. He gives up only two earned runs while Lowe gives up four, but this is almost forgotten over the course of a 17-inning game.

• Marco Scutaro. I haven't put the spotlight on Scoot in a long time, but I still like him. Just when it seems like he's being written off by everyone, he comes through when the A's need him. Case in point: the bottom of the 17th opens with his single.

• Bobby Crosby. I've also cooled off of Crosby this season, but tonight he charms me anew with his pivotal double in the 8th.

• Brad Halsey. 5 IP, 4 H, 0 ER. I'm going to say something that sounds really obvious: in extra inning games, it's imperative that the pitcher keeps the opponents from scoring. Five innings is a long time to pitch when they're extra. Halsey even loads the bases at one point, but gets out of it.

I also wanted to tip my hat to:

• Kenny Lofton. Of course I recognize his name from his days with the Giants, but I didn't realize the guy's 39 years old already. The old man gets a triple off Huston Street that ties the game in the 9th.

• Derek Lowe. Still a good pitcher.

• Rafael Furcal. Three stolen bases! And it's not that Kendall wasn't trying either.

• Olmedo Saenz. Soft spot in my heart for this ex-Athletic fastball hitter. I was at the 2002 post-season game where he hurt his Achilles heel and after that, if I recall right, Saenz didn't get a chance to play for the A's again. At the time I thought the injury would be career-ending so it's always nice to see him still around.

Thank goodness the A's winning streak continues or I'd never hear the end of it from Tanner Boyle. Nine games in a row! A season high.

(Game experience: Action 36 Cable 6)

A's record: 37-31 | streak: W-9 | well-A-meter: 4