Game #131: A's 9, Red Sox 0

August 28, 2006 | A's vs. Boston

LIKE TAKING CANDY FROM A BABY

Finally I went to another A's game with Celeste this season. We sat in the right outfield seats and were fortunate enough to be surrounded by mostly A's fans. A couple of them in the row in front of us were quite impressed when Celeste brought out her book to score the game. Also with us was my mom who wanted to see the Red Sox in person. She was disappointed by the second stringers on tonight's Boston line-up.

• I told Celeste, "I want to love Loaiza." She said, "Just like any man, he has to earn it." He's on his way. Esteban Loaiza has had two really good starts in a row for the A's.


Can you see the gridiron on the field? It's that time of the year when the A's and the Raiders share the Coliseum. It'll only get worse as the A's play into the post-season. You know we will!

• Losing Red Sox pitcher Kason Gabbard (whoever he is) complained to the umpire about the pitcher's mound when he began the bottom of the 1st. Groundskeepers were summoned to smooth it over while A's fans booed Gabbard. He promptly gave up a walk to Jason Kendall.

• In the 4th, Boston first baseman and former Athletic Carlos Pena goes for a foul ball and lands in the stands. He doesn't even catch the ball!

• Some cool catches in this game by all the A's outfielders tonight — Bradley, Payton and Kielty. Kietly in particualr "earned his salary" as Celeste put it. He went 3-for-4 with a walk and two RBI.

• At one point the Red Sox got four outs in one inning! The A's executed a double play even though they were already two away.


Celeste scores each major and minor league game she attends and -- get this! -- attaches the game ticket in her scorebook.


Another view from our seats later in the evening. You can see the crescent moon in the night sky.

• And the best was yet to come. Former A's closer Keith Foulke takes the mound to get the last six outs for Boston. He gives up home runs to Frank Thomas and Nick Swisher in the 7th, and to Adam Melhuse in the 8th. The Melhuse homer was the most delicious one as he was called in to pinch hit for the Big Hurt and he hit it out of the park on the first pitch.