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Brawny and all the fine paper products from Georgia Pacific are proud to support the A's. Game 16 MVP Shawn Purcell will be awarded a roll of paper towels for his efforts. Should he be unable to perform his duties, Ryan Metcalfe will be awarded a roll of Quilted Northern.

A's survive sluggish start, feisty Mets
Purcell goes 4-for-4 and pitches two shutout innings to lead A's in 11-5 victory
With the Mets hungry to make the playoffs and the A's bloated on a two-game lead in the AL, the lackluster A's almost saw their winning streak come to end, but continued to be a team that gets better as the game ferments. The A's finally busted out of their offensive doldrums with a four-run eighth to put away the pesky Mets 11-5 and assure themselves at least a tie for first place with a two-game lead and two to play. Brent Everett broke out of a mini-slump and pumped some life into the A's with a sharp single and a stolen base to lead off the eighth. Kevin Metcalfe followed by ripping a 3-2 pitch down the line in left to score Everett. Rene Torres walked and Clint Yeager followed with a single to load the bases. Billy Dodson followed with an RBI single and the runs kept scoring with quality contact from Ryan Metcalfe (fielder's choice) and Mike Mastro' sacrifice fly. The A's made solid contact throughout the day rapping out 17 hits, but struggled to score runs after a three-run first. Billy Dodson (3-for-4) started the game with a perfect bunt single, stole second and scored on a soft single to right by Ryan Metcalfe. Brodie Nissen hit a two-out RBI double and scored on a single by Shawn Purcell, who finished the game 4-for-4 with two RBIs. "I figured he'd help our pitching, but I never thought Shawn would hit this well for us," Ryan Metcalfe said. "He should be a key figure in the post-season with his arm and his bat." Purcell broke a 4-4 tie in the fourth singling home Mike Mastro' who hit a leadoff double. The A's struggled to score runs off Ken Wright who continues to be one o the REBL's craftiest veterans. The A's threw the entire rotation at the Mets and seemed to keep them off balance with multiple looks after peppering Kevin Kennedy to the tune of six hits and four runs in the first two innings. Ryan Metcalfe pitched his best inning of the season, following Kennedy with a 1-2-3 third with the aid of a spectacular backhand stab by Mastro at third "That's as good as I've seen Ryan pitch," said Nissen who's first caught Metcalfe more than 15 years ago. Purcell followed with a scoreless fourth and fifth, despite giving up two hits and two walks, to pick up the victory. Purcell got out of trouble with two strikeouts in the fourth and one in the fifth. Jon Breidinger and Dodson closed out the game, each pitching two innings and allowing three hits. Breidinger struck out five and Dodson gave up one run after a 1-2-3 eighth. The A's can lock up the No. 1 seed with a victory against the Nationals next Sunday at 10 a.m. against the Nationals.		Brodie Nissen went 3-for-4 with an RBI double in the first to get the A's to an early 3-0 lead.	Shawn Purcell was a perfect 4-for-4 driving in the game-winning RBI with a single in the fourth.
		Billy Dodson displays his soft hands at short, during a 3-for-4 game against the Mets.	Jon Breidinger pitched two shutout innings for the A's, striking out five of the 10 batters he faced.
Purcell - MVP
	Brawny and all the fine paper products from Georgia Pacific are proud to support the A's. Game 16 MVP Shawn Purcell will be awarded a roll of paper towels for his efforts. Should he be unable to perform his duties, Ryan Metcalfe will be awarded a roll of Quilted Northern.