Don’t the A’s know that they’re not supposed to beat Johan Santana at all, much less at home, where he was undefeated this year? Apparently they didn’t get the memo, but if anyone missed a memo, it was the Twins hitters, who didn’t know that if they’re patient enough, Barry Zito would have walked in three runs. Zito walked 99 batters in 2006, compared to Santana’s 47. Game One of the playoffs is not the time to expand the strike zone, yet that’s exactly what the Twins hitters did.
You can’t fault Santana. He struck out eight, walked one, and scattered five hits over eight innings. But one of those hits was a big blast by Frank Thomas just inside the left field foul pole. Thomas also hit a second home run and mega-big insurance run off of Jesse Crain in the ninth. The A’s looked like they came to play – check that play where Jason Kendall nearly picked off Jason Bartlett at second in the eighth – while the Twins looked extremely uptight and nervous. Check, once again, that play where Bartlett was nearly picked off at second, then stopped halfway between second and third on a fielder’s choice. Bartlett also booted a routine double play ball. Look for him to be grabbing some bench in Game 2.
This changes the entire momentum of the series. Now Oakland only has to win two out of four games, and the win today guarantees that they will play two games at home. Hey Boof, how are your nerves, rookie?
Game Two starters: Esteban Loaiza (11-9, 4.89) vs. Boof Bonser (7-6, 4.22)
