July 25, 2007

Scutaro keeps filling holes
By Joe Stiglich, MEDIANEWS STAFF

ANAHEIM — It usually takes a teammate's misfortune for Marco Scutaro to find his way into the everyday lineup.

Such is the case now. With third baseman Eric Chavez ailing from a sore lower back, Scutaro has started six of the past eight games at third base. "Unfortunately that's my job, (to play) when somebody is sore or somebody needs a day off," Scutaro said before the A's game Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Angels. "But that's what a utility guy is here for."

Chavez was absent from Tuesday's lineup once again with his balky back. He's suffering effects from a previous bulging disk he had in the back.

"He is feeling better," manager Bob Geren said. "There's a chance he might go (today)."

In fact, Chavez pinch-ran for Bobby Crosby in the eighth inning Tuesday after the shortstop was hit by a pitch in the wrist, and Chavez came around to score the A's fourth run on Travis Buck's fourth hit. Chavez then stayed in to play third base, with Scutaro moving to shortstop.

But the back problem has hindered Chavez throughout July, which means Scutaro had best be ready each day he shows up to the stadium. He's a natural middle infielder, having played 235 games combined in 2005 and 2006, mostly at second base and shortstop.

Scutaro has hardly been flawless at third. His four-error game July 6 against the Seattle Mariners tied the American League single-game record for errors at the position, and he let Vladimir Guerrero's hard shot get past him in the sixth inning Tuesday for a two-base error. But he's been adequate.

And with the A's carrying 12 pitchers, and no other backup infielder besides Scutaro, he's the answer when Chavez can't go.

He's started 34 games at five different positions — second base, shortstop, third base, left field and right field — the first Athletic to start at five positions in one season since Tony Phillips in 1999.

SCORING DECISION: A scorer's decision to credit A's reliever Joe Kennedy with the victory in Monday night's 12-6 win had quite a few people scratching their heads. Though the A's grabbed the lead for good early in the game, starter Chad Gaudin didn't go the required five innings needed to be credited with the victory, leaving it to the scorekeeper to make the judgment.

Kennedy entered in the seventh — with the A's already leading 12-6 — and pitched two shutout innings.

Kiko Calero, who relieved Gaudin with two outs in the fourth after the Angels shaved the A's lead from 9-2 to 9-5 and with the bases loaded, pitched 1 shutout innings and seemed worthy of getting the victory.

"I was happy with the way Joe pitched, but I felt Calero deserved the win," Geren said. A's public relations official Mike Selleck said he talked to the official scorekeeper, who explained he awarded Kennedy the victory based on his two shutout innings, which was the longest outing of any A's reliever.

Kennedy's fine work shouldn't go unnoticed. The lefty is a strong candidate to be traded, with the Philadelphia Phillies, Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers reportedly showing strong interest.

SHORT HOP: Two of the A's draft picks in June — 12th-round pick Gary Brown, an infielder/outfielder, and outfielder Nick Longmire, a 37th-round selection — took batting practice with the A's on Tuesday. Neither has inked a contract. Brown attended Diamond Bar High in Walnut and is signed to play collegiately at Cal State Fullerton. Longmire, who graduated from Grossmont High in El Cajon, signed with UOP.