Gutierrez: Ross delivers for A's in Braden's absence

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May 8, 2011GUTIERREZ ARCHIVEA's PAGEA's VIDEOBOX SCORERECAP
Paul Gutierrez
CSNCalifornia.com

In no way, shape or form is this meant to disrespect Dallas Braden. Nor is it to diminish the effect of the dean of the A's pitching staff being on the disabled list with tightness in his left shoulder.But with the way Tyson Ross has been pitching in Braden's spot in the rotation, Oakland has not missed Braden as much as expected. And that's a good thing for the team. Perhaps a bad one or Braden. Even on the first anniversary of his Mother's Day Perfect Game.REWIND: Braden's perfect game
In three starts this season, Braden was 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA and will seek second and third opinions on his shoulder this week with Dr. James Andrews in Pensacola, Fla., on Monday and with Mets physician David Altchek on Tuesday in New York City.RELATED: Ross statssplitsgame logs
Meanwhile, after limiting Kansas City to two runs in six innings today, Ross improved to 2-2 on the season. It was his third straight solid start and he has allowed three earned runs in 19 13 inning over that stretch, lowering his ERA from 4.82 to 2.51.
Really, his only bad outing since replacing Braden in the rotation was his first start, on April 22 at Seattle, when he took the loss after giving up three runs on four hits and four walks in 4 13 innings on his 24th birthday.RELATED: Seattle 4, A's 0 -- April 22 boxscore
Since then, he's altered his mechanics by slowing his delivery and flummoxing opposing hitters.Ross showed his athleticism In the second inning against the Royals. Covering third base on a busted play, the 6-feet-6 Ross took a quick toss from Kevin Kouzmanoff and dived into the bag, tagging out a head first-sliding Jeff Francoeur.RELATED: A's take series with 5-2 win over Royals
It was a dangerous play. A special play. A play that wins over an entire clubhouse. And makes you forget -- for the moment anyway -- what you've lost in the process.

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