A's Insider notes: A's make history… almost

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May 4, 2011

GUTIERREZ ARCHIVE
A'S PAGEA'S VIDEO

Paul Gutierrez
CSNCalifornia.com

Our MLB Insider takes a look at the A's 3-1 victory over the visiting Indians on Wednesday at the Oakland Coliseum.

Darth 'Dactyl does the deed - A's starter Trevor Cahill is a Star Wars nut. We know this. It was only appropriate, then, that the right-hander showed up on Star Wars Day - May the 4th be with you - and battled against Cleveland. Darth 'Dactyl allowed one run in seven innings of work, giving up five hits with five strikeouts, three walks and two wild pitches. He equaled a career-high with 116 pitches, last done on Sept. 4, 2010 against the Angels.

RECAP: Cahill moves to 5-0 after beating Tomlin, Tribe

Go ahead, say it: The Force was with Cahill.Fuentes sits - Having been used in three straight games, and five of the previous six, closer Brian Fuentes was THANKFULLY given the night off. Especially after his implosion of Tuesday night, in which he gave up three runs on four hits in 13 of an inning. When Fuentes is on, he's lethal, as evidenced by his not allowing an earned run in 11 of 15 appearances. But when he's off, he's also lethal. Check the combined 14 runs (nine earned) in his four other outings. Do with it, what you will. Grant Balfour, serving as the A's closer on the night, made the most of his opportunity.

A's make historyalmost - Until Cliff Pennington singled in the eighth, the A's were on track to make some baseball history. Dubious history, but history nonetheless. The could have become only the fourth team to win a game since 1919 without the benefit of a single, double, triple or base on balls. But then Pennington went and spoiled it with his two-out single. And then Coco Crisp stepped on history with a run-scoring single that drove in Mark Ellis, who was on base courtesy of a Cleveland error.

Another stat for ya - While the Indians stranded 10 runners on the night, the A's left only 1. Mostly because they had so few baserunners in the game. Until the eighth, the only A's player to get on base was David DeJesus, and he just jogged around them on his pair of solo homers. Not really something to be all that proud of, but hey, a win's a win, right?

Braden shoulder update: Dallas Braden will seek a second opinion after visiting with Los Angeles-based Dr. Lewis Yokum Wednesday for further tests on his stiff left (pitching) shoulder.

--Paul Gutierrez

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