A's lineup: Bottom of order surging

SEATTLE -- The A's snapped their three-game losing skid on Friday with a 6-1 win over Felix Hernandez and the Mariners. They still have to face two more tough pitchers in the remaining games of the series in Seattle, but beating "King Felix" in game one has a way of creating instant momentum. Here's manager Bob Melvin's lineup card.
Oakland Athletics (77-60) lineupCoco Crisp, CF
Seth Smith, DH
Josh Reddick, RF
Yoenis Cespedes, LF
Chris Carter, 1B
Stephen Drew, SS
Josh Donaldson, 3B
George Kottaras, C
Cliff Pennington, 2B
Instant AnalysisAfter clubbing an uplifting three-run homer on Friday night, George Kottaras is back in the lineup. The way Stephen Drew, Josh Donaldson, Kottaras, and Cliff Pennington are performing it seems the bottom of the lineup is carrying Oakland's offense. Drew has now reached base safely in 13 of his last 15 games since being traded to Oakland. Donaldson has eight doubles, five homers, and 16 RBI since being recalled on August 20. Pennington is hitting .294 in 22 games since being reinstated from the disabled list on August 7.
The main difference in the lineup from Friday night is that Chris Carter is playing first base instead of Brandon Moss. Top of the OrderSeth Smith is getting better as the season grows longer. A lot of that has to do with his success against fastballs.
(Courtesy: Bloomberg Sports)Heart of the OrderYoenis Cespedes is currently on a career-high 18-game homerless streak. He is quick to make adjustments so it is probably not a huge concern. He is hitting .292 this season with 16 homers, 20 doubles, and 65 RBI, which is not bad for a rookie campaign. So far Cespedes doesn't have an extra-base hit in September.(Courtesy: Bloomberg Sports)Bottom of the OrderCliff Pennington is starting to turn his season around. He went 4-for-4 against the Mariners on Friday. He is hitting .545 (12 for 22) over his last seven games. He feasts on Mariners pitching. In his career against Seattle, he has five homers and 19 RBI, the most in both categories against any team. Things are trending upwards for the shortstop-turned-second baseman.
(Courtesy: Bloomberg Sports)Starting PitchersBrett Anderson (3-0, 0.90 ERA) takes on Hisashi Iwakuma (6-3, 3.14 ERA). Anderson has been unstoppable since returning from a 14-month layoff after Tommy John surgery. The A's won the negotiating rights to Iwakuma prior to last season but couldn't strike a deal. He remained in Japan and ended up a member of the Seattle Mariners this year. Oakland will face the pitcher they could have had on Saturday, and Iwakuma is on a roll. He has won five of his last seven starts for the Mariners.