--RHP Dan Giese made what the A's called a spot start Wednesday against the Rangers after LHP Dana Eveland was demoted to Class AAA Sacramento because of control problems the day before. Giese, waived by the Yankees before the season started, went 5 2/3 innings and allowed eight hits and three runs while striking out three. Giese gave up a solo homer to Elvis Andrus in the first, the fourth homer Giese has allowed in five appearances, the other four in relief.
--3B Jack Hannahan made his first start of the season Wednesday night against Texas. Bobby Crosby, who had been playing third base since Eric Chavez and Nomar Garciaparra went on the disabled list last week, made his second start of the season at second base. Hannahan went 0-for-2 before being lifted for PH Gregorio Petit in the eighth. --OF Ben Copeland, a Rule 5 draftee, was activated before Tuesday's game with the Angels. Copeland had been on the disabled list since the start of the season after incurring whiplash-like symptoms after running into the wall making a catch during spring training. Oakland must keep Copeland on the roster all year or waive him and then offer him back to the Giants for $25,000; it's unlikely he'd stick on the roster all year, but with two days off next week, the A's can go with 11 pitchers for a brief time.
BY THE NUMBERS: 2.61 -- The A's bullpen ERA entering Sunday, the best mark in the majors at that point. Opponents were batting .188 against Oakland relievers, which was also the lowest mark in the majors.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "The guy is a great athlete. He's 6-foot-5, Greek physique, an all-state basketball player in high school." -- A's starter Dallas Braden, on OF Ryan Sweeney, who went over the wall in Texas to rob Ian Kinsler of a home run.
