Shorthanded A's scrap out victory

"Crap Map" Breidinger receives largest fine in team history for getting lost

The game began in chaos, but ended with the A's in control.

The A's scrambled to avoid a forfeit, calling player/manager Ryan Metcalfe out of work and off the DL to have a full team after last minute emergencies struck down Billy Dodson, Kevin Metcalfe and reserve Lloyd Dorris. Metcalfe arrived 10 minutes before game time only to discover rookie of the year candidate and scheduled starting pitcher Jon Breidinger was not at the park, leaving the A's with 8 players.

Metcalfe handed the ball to old reliable, Kevin Kennedy, who didn't allow an earned run and only four hits in six innings to lead the A's to a 13-1 victory over the Red Sox, who strangely finished the game with eight players due to injury after the A's started the game with eight.

"Nothing seems to phase the big guy," Metcalfe said. "Not only is Kennedy a cool customer but he seems to have a calming effect on the rest of the team. We are never far behind or worried with him on the mound."

The game was tied 1-1 in the second when Breidinger arrived.

"I got lost," Breidinger explained. "The map told me to take a left at Albuquerque."

He put on his cleats just in time to pop out and end a rally in the second, forcing Metcalfe to banish him to right field. He responded to hit a two-out, two-run double to put the A's ahead to stay in the fourth and Clinton Yeager followed with a hustle double to drive in Breidinger to make the lead 4-1.

The A's scored four more runs in the fifth with consecutive singles by Mike Mastro' Brodie Nissen, Keith Lederer to start the inning. An RBI ground out by Kennedy followed and Rene Torres hit a single and Breidinger ended the rally with a sac fly.

Doubles by Metcalfe and Mastro' as well as RBI singles by Lederer and Breidinger led to a three-run sixth that put the Sox away. Yeager finished with three hits. Mastro', Metcalfe, Lederer, Torres and Breidinger all had two hits with Breidinger leading the team with four RBIs.

Kennedy led the A's scoring three runs and improved his record to 3-0 on the mound. Yeager threw strike in his first pitcher appearance of the season and Breidinger closed out the game by striking out four in two innings. He may get the start against the Mets next week, though Metcalfe is still grumbling about the tardy talent.

"He's not out of the doghouse yet," Metcalfe said before docking him two weeks salary plus $1.

Better late than never: Jon Breidinger arrived just in time to hit a two-run double that put the A's ahead to stay. He finished 2-for-4 with four RBIs and struck out 4 in two innings.

Keith Lederer had his second straight two-hit game and has continued to give the A's steady defense at second base and in the outfield.

Mike Mastro' picked up Billy Dodson at short with fine defense & went 2-for-4.

Kennedy- MVP