Oakland @ Los Angeles preview
Angel Stadium
Last Meeting ( May 15, 2010 ) Oakland 3, LA Angels 12
One day before the season began, the Oakland Athletics stunningly designated Jack Cust for assignment. It seemingly meant the end of Cust’s time with the Athletics despite leading Oakland in homers each of the past three seasons.
But Saturday night in Anaheim, look who was back with the injury-decimated Athletics. Yep, one Jack Cust.
The Athletics recalled Cust from Triple-A Sacramento and installed him in left field and batted him sixth in the order during a 12-3 loss to the Los Angeles Angels in the second game of a three-game series.
Cust was a final-roster cut-down casualty despite hitting 84 homers over the previous three seasons. The move was a surprise because the Athletics hit an American League-low 135 homers last season.
He passed through waivers and was eventually outrighted to Sacramento. Not surprisingly, Oakland again is struggling to produce the long ball – the A’s entered Saturday’s game with just 22 homers. (Eric Patterson hit Oakland’s 23rd homer Saturday).
Cust went 0-for-3 with a walk in his return – he also dropped a fly ball in left field, furthering his reputation of being a liability in the field – and his presence could mean Oakland is close to de-emphasizing the role of Eric Chavez.
Cust’s April demotion opened up the designated hitter role for Chavez but the former standout third baseman hasn’t produced. Chavez is hitting .258 with just one homer and nine RBIs. He’s no longer capable of playing the field regularly because of major back issues.
Cust had four homers and 19 RBIs in 33 games in Triple-A and it remains to be seen what his role will be – or if he will be sent back down - when some of Oakland’s injured players return.
Catcher Kurt Suzuki (ribcage), outfielder Coco Crisp (pinkie), second baseman Mark Ellis (hamstring) all are close to being activated. Outfielder Travis Buck (oblique) also is on the disabled list but isn’t close to returning.
Joel Pineiro will get a chance at Oakland’s depleted lineup today in the finale of the series.
Pineiro (2-4, 4.50 ERA) has lost three straight decisions since beating Detroit on April 19. He tossed 6 1/3 shutout innings against Tampa Bay in his most-recent start on May 10 but wasn’t involved in the decision of a game the Angels won 5-4.
In his career against Oakland, Pineiro is 8-8 with a 4.68 ERA.
Trevor Cahill (1-1, 4.60 ERA) starts for the Athletics. Cahill allowed two runs and four hits in 5 2/3 innings against Texas in his last outing. He wasn’t involved in the decision.
The Angels scored a season-high 12 runs in Saturday’s victory over Oakland. First baseman Kendry Morales had two homers and five RBIs. He leads the Angels with nine homers and 28 RBIs.