Defeat leaves A's with worst record since '98 season

By Joe Stiglich
Contra Costa Times

last updated: September 29, 2008 02:49:42 AM

SEATTLE -- The Oakland A's packed their belongings Sunday and began scattering about, some players returning to Oakland on the team charter and others hopping a plane and heading straight home for the off-season.

In their final game, they fell short of manager Bob Geren's wish for the win that would have given them a better record than 2007. A 4-3 loss to the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field left the A's 75-86, and how one views that mark is open to interpretation.

But considering last winter's trades of four veterans, the team's surprisingly strong start in the first half, two more trades, a rash of injuries, and the second-half fade that followed, 11 games under .500 sounds about right for the A's. And though they finished with a five-game losing streak and their worst record since going 74-88 in 1998, the talk in the clubhouse was optimistic in discussing what lies ahead.

"We've got some (young) guys that got a lot of big-league experience," designated hitter Jack Cust said. "We've got a ways to go as far as where we need to be to compete with the Angels and White Sox and Red Sox, teams like that. But with the trades we made, I think we've got a lot of good players in return and hopefully we can mature."

Sunday's finale didn't have much riding on it, but it included some noteworthy story lines. Josh Outman, obtained in July's trade of Joe Blanton, took the final start of the season and went six innings, allowing eight hits and three earned runs. Hardly spectacular, but he showed some promise since getting called up earlier in the month.

Travis Buck belted a homer down the right-field line to lead off the game. One of the early-season disappointments when he was demoted to the minors, Buck bounced back after getting recalled Sept. 16 and hit .367 with four homers in 12 games.

The A's will have a crowded outfield situation to sort out in the spring, with Buck, Ryan Sweeney, Carlos Gonzalez, Aaron Cunningham, Rajai Davis and Chris Denorfia all in the mix.

Denorfia earned Geren's praise in the manager's pre-game chat with reporters Sunday and drew starts in the final two games, as Geren juggled his outfield plenty over the past couple of weeks.

Buck helped his cause with his impressive showing and gained confidence from it, as his post-game comments reflected.

"It means a whole lot -- it wasn't a lost year," Buck said. "I showed improvement to myself. I know I'm a great player, I know they know I'm a great player. It's all about not having negative thoughts."

• Comments
• Add Comment
• Disclaimer