Revamped A's roster produces another walk-off win
Amid all the comings and goings on the Athletics' roster Friday, two things remained unchanged: Oakland's winning ways, and the team's penchant for walk-off dramatics.
Jemile Weeks tripled to lead off the 15th inning, and Coco Crisp hit a sacrifice fly to lift the A's to a 5-4 win over Toronto. It was Oakland's second 15-inning home win in five days; the A's beat the Rays 4-3 in a Monday marathon.
Oakland has a majors-leading 13 walk-off wins this year.
The night's ending overshadowed a busy day in which four players joined the Oakland roster and four exited.
Minor league strikeout leader Dan Straily made his major league debut, and he was in line for the win before closer Ryan Cook gave up a three-run, game-tying homer to Jeff Mathis in the ninth inning. Straily, 23, pitched six innings of one-run ball. He struck out five while allowing five hits and a walk.
While Straily was the most notable new arrival, the most notable departure was that of Kurt Suzuki. The veteran catcher was traded to the Nationals, along with cash, in exchange for minor league catcher David Freitas.
Suzuki, 28, had been the Athletics' regular catcher since June 2007, but he's in the midst of his worst offensive season. He was hitting .218 with a .250 on-base percentage, one homer and 18 RBI in 75 games.
Freitas, 23, was batting .271 with a .374 on-base percentage, five homers and 45 RBI in 78 games for high Class A Potomac. The A's assigned him to Class AA Midland.
Derek Norris returned from Class AAA Sacramento to replace Suzuki, and he could split time behind the plate with recently acquired George Kottaras.
Oakland also added Pat Neshek from the Orioles organization for future considerations, possibly cash. Neshek, 31, immediately paid dividends, throwing 1 1/3 scoreless innings and striking out three Friday in his first major league appearance of the season. He had gone 3-2 with 11 saves and a 2.66 ERA in 35 games for Class AAA Norfolk this season.
The A's placed Seth Smith on the disabled list because of a strained left hamstring, and they called up Michael Taylor from Sacramento to replace him.
Right-handed relievers Jim Miller and Evan Scribner were optioned to Class AAA to clear roster spots for the arrival of Straily and Neshek.
