Landon Powell News

In the absence of any big moves, the Rays have two glaring needs to address in the off-season, the catcher position andthe bullpen.

Acquired from the Cubs in a six-player deal that sent A's right-hander Rich Harden and Chad Gaudin to Chicago in July of 2008, catcher Josh Donaldson showed enough promise in 47 games at Class A Stockton after the trade to earn an invitation to big league Spring Training this year.

If the A's were conducting a clinical trial or product testing, this past season might be considered Phase 1: Pitching.

I hope Spring Training is better for me. Well, there isn't much to say about tonight's game, unless Morrow is on your fantasy team.

The A's are loading up with right-handed hitters today - five of them and switch hitters Landon Powell and Cliff Pennington - against lefty Joe Saunders.

That turned out to be the case - Gonzalez wasn't at his best in the Angels' 7-4 victory, which eradicated the A's hopes of finishing above .500. Oakland could still finish even, but would have to win all six remaining games to do so.

Los Angeles Angels' Kendry Morales, right, hits a two-run home run as Oakland Athletics catcher Landon Powell looks on during the third inning of baseball game, Sunday, Sept.

The remaining youth-filled roster is making a case that it might be time to replace the experienced players' likenesses with some of their own.

Texas Top 8th - Craig Gentry is Pinch-Running for Marlon Byrd. - Marlon Byrd was hit-by-pitch. Bases loaded with one out and Hank Blalock due up.

"Maybe, I don't know," he said. "It's looking more like it. ... I hope I'm back, bit it's not my decision and I know they have some things to think about, if they want to spend that money on me or someone else.

That's how the A's turned a daunting road trip against three teams fighting for their playoff lives into one of their most successful roadies since 2006, when they were a vibrant, gifted and veteran team that fell one step short of the World Series.

A's rookie Landon Powell's first love in baseball is catching. But if it helps him get in the lineup, he's willing to learn to love playing first base and taking cuts as a designated hitter, too.

Oakland Athletics' Kurt Suzuki, right, eludes the tag from Cleveland Indians' Jamey Carroll on his way to second base after Landon Powell hit the ball in the seventh inning of their MLB game at the Oakland/Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, Calif., on Thursday, Sept.

Just as his manager did before the game, A's rookie right-hander Trevor Cahill stood in front of his locker and spoke with optimism about the future of the organization.

Scott Hairston is on the bench in the first game since his baserunning nightmare in Chicago.

A's manager Bob Geren gave starting catcher Kurt Suzuki the day off on Sunday in order to keep him fresh for the upcoming series against the White Sox in Chicago.

All games on WSCR-AM 670. Season series: A's lead 4-3. Tuesday: 7:11 p.m.; CSN+, CLTV.

Scott Hairston's seventh-inning grand slam Sunday lifted the Oakland Athletics to a 5-2 win over the Seattle Mariners.

Gio Gonzalez pitched a career-high seven innings Sunday, and the manner in which he did it throughout a 5-2 victory over the Seattle Mariners has the A's encouraged.

Scott Hairston ended a day of frustration for A's hitters with a grand slam in the seventh inning Sunday to key the A's 5-2 win over the Seattle Mariners at the Oakland Coliseum.