Anthony Recker News

Los Angeles Angels' Howie Kendrick is tagged out at home plate by Oakland Athletics catcher Anthony Recker during the first inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, May 22, 2012, in Oakland, Calif.

The A's certainly showed Angels how it's done tonight. A What exactly they showed them probably isn't what most fans would have liked.

Yoenis Cespedes has no timetable for a return, but the A's center fielder took a step in the right direction Tuesday.

Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Adam Lind makes a catch on a pop fly from Oakland Athletics' Anthony Recker during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Wednesday, May 9, 2012, in Oakland, Calif.

Box W:Y.Darvish L:T.Milone S:J.Nathan HR: OAK- None TEX- A.Beltre Oakland Top 1st - UMPIRES: Home,Tim Welke; First, Laz Diaz; Second, Mike Everitt; Third, Lance Barrett; - Jemile Weeks doubled to left.

If you are going to lose, you might as well lose to the best in the business, and the best would be Justin Verlander .

He got his first taste of the majors in 2011, and earned his first Opening Day roster spot this season with Oakland.

The A's have far exceeded expectations in 2012. They are 16-15, just 4.5 games behind the Texas Rangers and occupying second place in the AL West in what many analysts tabbed as a rebuilding year for the franchise.

After an emotional comeback win, the A's could not muster much against Toronto starter Brandon Morrow and lost 5-2 in the second of a two-game series.

Tampa Bay Rays'r Matt Joyce, left, hits a two-run single in front of Oakland Athletics catcher Anthony Recker during the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, May 6, 2012, in St.