The first 3 innings were the normal get settled with a beer and peanuts and then things started to change. Here is an eyewitness account of the game viewed from Section 127, Row 21, looking at the live game and scoring the game on paper which gives you some different views of what is happening
In the 4th inning there was a funny play when we were on offense – an almost rundown between 1st and 2nd that shifted to an almost rundown on another runner between 2nd and 3rd and then an error at third that advanced our runners and we scored. It was fun to watch.
At the end of the 5th I turned to Keith and said “Are you watching this? 3 up, 3 down, every inning! It’s a thing of beauty. Shields had 93 pitches by then. I think Braden must have been around 48 or 58. It seemed like he was going to last a while in the game.
At the 6th, I noticed we had 11 hits and Rays had 0. People started checking the scoreboard. We had left men on base every inning since the 2nd inning and the Rays had never left an inning with a man on base. This was not like a typical A’s game! And we had 4 runs. And Kouzmannoff (Koooooooouz) was catching balls in Byrne’s style near the stands. We still had three up, three down going.
By the 7th, we started thinking we might have a no-hitter on our hands but dared to say it too loud for fear of cursing the game. And the Rays had a new pitcher in after Shields had thrown 103. We started rooting more and more for Braden. No one was warming up.
In the 8th, the entire crowd started yelling “Let’s go Oakland” in unison. There was a spirit of team pride behind it that I haven’t heard for a very long time. Everyone together, all for the A’s. And I asked Keith – a no hitter and a shutout, isn’t that something like a perfect game? I wasn’t quite sure so I sent a text to my nephew. I was worried when Longoria led the inning because he had 7 homeruns under his belt. He flied out. For the 3rd out against Upton, especially after two strikes, everyone was on their feet. The bottom of the 8th began with a double but we were all thinking about the top of the 9th.
In the 9th, all the players took the field and there was a slight delay waiting for the pitcher. Then jersey 51 came running out and the place went wild. There was tension in the air with every at bat, every pitch. The A’s pulled together like every play was going to be for Braden and the outs would be there. It was amazing. And then the scoreboard verified it – it had been a perfect game! And Chris text’ed me “I can’t believe you saw a perfect game”. And don’t you just love it when the A’s do one of those big team pile ons?!?! Braden hugged his grandma. The team kinda hung out on the field. No one wanted to leave.
It was awesome. Is it all downhill from here? Will I be able to settle for anything less than a no hitter?!?!? We are so lucky. I am so glad Keith bought tickets.
The A’s defense was outstanding. Kouzmannoff pulled off 2 or 3 fabulous plays including one where he caught a pop-up as he ran inside the A’s dugout. The ref was right with him BTW. And of course I did not have my camera! Still we are going to frame today’s sports section and our tickets. It most likely will be awhile before we see this happen again.
A beautiful Sunday here and since the A’s are at home, it was time to go to the game. The ballpark is about a 25 minute drive for us and going to see the A’s has more or less become part of our life-style.
slams! It was right down to the wire! We some gloves there but no balls came our way. The Guinness was good but I think the shrimp and fish combo was left over from last season and just re-heated. We managed to get most of us on the big screen at the stadium, watched Stomper clown around, and saw lots of pitcher and other changes as both teams were still setting the opening season line-up.
