Oakland's bullpen pitched 7 1/3 scoreless innings Tuesday night in the team's 12-inning victory, but that should be no surprise given the way the unit has opened the season.
Even without injured co-closer Joey Devine, the A's relief corps has been sensational in the first week and a half of the season, allowing one run or fewer in six of seven games. Michael Wuertz and Andrew Bailey, both new to the bullpen, have yet to allow a run, and both have worked in five games. Bailey is a rookie who never pitched above Class AA until making the opening-day roster; he was converted from a starter to a reliever only midway through last year at Midland, but, he said, the role suits him. As a starter, he tended to try to be too fine and would get in trouble nit-picking, and as a reliever, he is more aggressive and throws more strikes.
Wuertz, who fell out of favor with the Cubs last year, was acquired for two minor-leaguers, and he had a terrible spring, with an ERA approaching 9.00. His slider is far more effective away from the dry air in Arizona, and Wuertz has worked 5 1/3 innings and allowed two hits while striking out six.
Russ Springer, signed as a free agent to provide some veteran experience, hasn't allowed an earned run in four outings. He has allowed four hits and a walk, and he has struck out five in four innings.
A'S 6, RED SOX 5 (12 innings): Travis Buck, batting .091 entering the game, had three hits on a cold and extremely windy night at the Coliseum, and he drove in the winning run with two outs in the 12th by barely beating out an infield single with the bases loaded. Oakland, which was swept by Seattle over the weekend, has taken the first two games of the series against the Red Sox.
