Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Abad, Pomeranz proving reliable options for A's
Share This Post
Comments
Tuesday, April 8, 2014 - 12:00pm
Follow @joestiglich

One early-season bright spot for the Oakland A’s has been the emergence of their left-handed bullpen contingent.

Fernando Abad and Drew Pomeranz both are proving to be reliable options from the left side to complement late-inning setup man Sean Doolittle. Both were acquired in offseason trades and both are getting their number called by manager Bob Melvin.

Neither has allowed a hit through six combined appearances, and both have helped their cause with their ability to retire right-handed hitters. That’s one reason both stuck around when the A’s needed to make a bullpen roster move Monday. Right-hander Evan Scribner was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento to make room for Ryan Cook when he was activated from the disabled list.

[RELATED: A's activate Cook]

“We saw it early with Abad in the spring,” Melvin said. “His velocity has always been around 95 (mph). He has a power breaking ball and he throws some changeups to right-handers that can keep him in the game if a team has two lefties with a righty in the middle.”

Abad, acquired from Washington in one of the A’s first moves during a busy offseason, impressed in the spring and has maintained that success in the regular season. He has yet to allow a run or hit over his three outings (3 2/3 IP), and he’s struck out five against two walks. Right-handed batters are 0-for-7 against him, lefties 0-for-4.

“I like him because he’s got deception, he’s not easy to pick up,” said a major league scout who requested anonymity. “The thing that concerns me is his command. He really falls off to the third-base side and runs away from his arm, and that elevates his pitches.”

But the same scout said Abad seems to stay more compact when he pitches out of the stretch. Similarly, Pomeranz has found comfort and success so far this season throwing predominantly from the stretch.

Pomeranz was a starter for Colorado for much of his previous three big league seasons. But coming out of the spring, the A’s had a need for bullpen help because Jesse Chavez switched from relieving to starting due to injuries in the rotation. The A’s have the option of still grooming Pomeranz for starting duty -- the fact he was the fifth overall pick in the 2010 draft speaks to his ceiling -- but right now he’s looking at home in the bullpen.

“You might get more out of his arm in the ‘pen,” the scout said. “You’ll get more velocity than if he’s pacing himself as a starter. Maybe they found something there.”

Pomeranz has yet to allow a hit through three scoreless appearances. He’s walked two and struck out one. Righties are 0-for-5 off him and lefties 0-for-4.

“Pomeranz seems to have acclimated well” to relieving, Melvin said.

With Cook’s healthy return from shoulder tendinitis, the A’s have the full makeup of a bullpen that was considered one of the toughest units in the majors entering the season.

Oakland (4-3) ranks fourth in the American League in bullpen ERA (2.63) and second in opponents’ batting average (.157) entering Wednesday’s game at Minnesota. The A’s are off Tuesday and play two more against the Twins before heading to Seattle for a three-game weekend series.

 

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

David Lee responds to critics
David Lee on injury: ' See how I'm doing day to day'
Otero: 'In the end it's a win and that's all that counts'
Kings fan hits half court shot, wins car

Giants

LIVE: Diamondbacks vs. Giants
Bochy doesn't see a distracted Sandoval
Giants lineup: Arias in for Hicks at second
Selig slights Bonds, hints Aaron is MLB's home-run king
Read More

Athletics

Angels' Hamilton out 6-8 weeks with torn thumb ligament
Rewind: Bullpen drama overshadows A's victory
Top prospect Russell tears hamstring, out at least month
Instant Replay: Johnson blows save, but A's win in 11
Read More

Sharks

LIVE: Sharks vs. Ducks
NBC SPORTS LIVE EXTRA: Sharks vs. Ducks
Playoffs drawing nearer as Sharks visit Ducks
In the Crease: Sharks still fighting for division vs. Ducks
Read More

49ers

Culliver charged with felony, two misdemeanors
Beckham meets with 49ers scout at LSU pro day
49ers-Ravens joint exhibition practices make sense
49ers open exhibition season vs. Harbaugh, Ravens
Read More

Raiders

Raiders continue hosting draft prospects
NFC North dominates Raiders preseason slate
Schaub 'a realist,' won't be upset if Raiders draft a QB
Scott Bair's Raiders chat transcript (4.8.14)
Read More

Warriors

Western Watch: Suns move to within game and a half of W's
Warriors' Lee says don’t count him out
Ayesha Curry's breakfast bread pudding
Monte Poole's Warriors chat transcript (4.9.14)
Read More

NCAA

UMass basketball player Gordon announces he's gay
UConn routs Notre Dame to claim ninth national title
Historic title game boost for women's basketball
Former W's coach Musselman leaving ASU
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets
  • Amy G.
  • Insider Andrew Baggarly

Latest News

LIVE: Diamondbacks vs. Giants

More Stories

Bochy doesn't see a distracted Sandoval
(6)
Giants lineup: Arias in for Hicks at second
(3)
See more >

GIANTS VIDEO

Toe the Rubber: Tim Lincecum vs. Bronson Arroyo
Toe the Rubber: Tim Lincecum vs. Bronson Arroyo
See more >

GIANTS TALK

Selig slights Bonds, hints Aaron is MLB's home-run king
Giants look like first offense-over-defense team since Bonds Era

GIANTS INSIDER

  • Judge rejects San Jose antitrust claims against MLB
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

Angels' Hamilton out 6-8 weeks with torn thumb ligament
Associated Press

More Stories

Rewind: Bullpen drama overshadows A's victory
(2)
Top prospect Russell tears hamstring, out at least month
See more >

A's VIDEO

Otero: 'In the end it's a win and that's all that counts'
Otero: 'In the end it's a win and that's all that counts'
See more >

A's TALK

Instant Replay: Johnson blows save, but A's win in 11
AL West: Hamilton injures thumb on headfirst slide

A's INSIDER

  • Rewind: Bullpen drama overshadows A's victory
  • Top prospect Russell tears hamstring, out at least month
  • Instant Replay: Johnson blows save, but A's win in 11
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets
  • Insider Kevin Kurz

Latest News

LIVE: Sharks vs. Ducks
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

NBC SPORTS LIVE EXTRA: Sharks vs. Ducks
Playoffs drawing nearer as Sharks visit Ducks
(4)
See more >

SHARKS VIDEO

McLellan: 'We were emotionally not attached to the game'
McLellan: 'We were emotionally not attached to the game'
See more >

Features

In the Crease: Sharks still fighting for division vs. Ducks
Kennedy getting an increased role for Sharks

SHARKS INSIDER

  • Tigers ride Verlander to shutout win, avoid ALDS collapse
  • Leyland 'slept great' after Game 4 loss
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

Western Watch: Suns move to within game and a half of W's
Associated Press

More Stories

Warriors' Lee says don’t count him out
Ayesha Curry's breakfast bread pudding
See more >

WARRIORS VIDEO

David Lee responds to critics
David Lee responds to critics
See more >

Features

Monte Poole's Warriors chat transcript (4.9.14)
Western Watch: Mavs pull within one game of Warriors

WARRIORS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets

Latest News

LIVE: Kings vs. Trail Blazers
CSN Bay Area staff

More Stories

Kings face Blazers looking to snap three-game skid
(2)
Kings put end to Durant's streak, but fall to Thunder
(2)
See more >

Watch

Kings fan hits half court shot, wins car
Kings fan hits half court shot, wins car
See more >

Features

Limiting Durant key as Kings host Thunder
Kevin Johnson to lead search for NBPA head

Fantasy Hoops

  • The Daily Dose: Dose: Durant's Triple-double
  • PRO BASKETBALL TALK
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy 49ers Tickets
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Insider Matt Maiocco

Latest News

Culliver charged with felony, two misdemeanors
(15)
Matt Maiocco

More Stories

Beckham meets with 49ers scout at LSU pro day
(9)
49ers-Ravens joint exhibition practices make sense
(2)
See more >

49ers VIDEO

Maples Pavilion hosts Gold Rush tryouts
Maples Pavilion hosts Gold Rush tryouts
See more >

WEEKLY REWIND

Rewind: 49ers just 'an inch or two' away from Super Bowl
(67)
Matt Maiocco

49ers INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Buy Raiders Tickets
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Insider Scott Bair

Latest News

Raiders continue hosting draft prospects
(1)
Scott Bair

More Stories

NFC North dominates Raiders preseason slate
(3)
Schaub 'a realist,' won't be upset if Raiders draft a QB
(6)
See more >

RAIDERS VIDEO

What to make of Manzel's visit to Oakland
What to make of Manzel's visit to Oakland
See more >

WEEKLY REWIND

Raiders Rewind: Overmatched vs. Broncos
(29)
Scott Bair

RAIDERS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Earthquakes sign GM to extension
(1)
Associated Press

More Stories

Report: Quakes' Lenhart out four weeks with MCL sprain
Quakes' Wondolowski scores as USMNT draws Mexico 2-2
(1)
See more >

Watch

Homegrown Tommy Thompson ready for 'next level' with Quakes
Homegrown Tommy Thompson ready for 'next level' with Quakes
See more >

Shop

ANDREW BAGGARLY

Bochy doesn't see a distracted Sandoval
(6)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Warriors' Lee says don’t count him out
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

Culliver charged with felony, two misdemeanors
(15)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Raiders continue hosting draft prospects
(1)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Playoffs drawing nearer as Sharks visit Ducks
(4)
See more >

JOE STIGLICH

Rewind: Bullpen drama overshadows A's victory
(2)
See more >

RAY RATTO

Hey Bud, it's dishonest to call Hank Aaron 'true home run king'

TOP STORIES

  • Angels' Hamilton out 6-8 weeks with torn thumb ligament
  • Rewind: Bullpen drama overshadows A's victory
  • Top prospect Russell tears hamstring, out at least month

Say Hey Tuesdays

Join us for Say Hey Tuesday – every Tuesday Giants home game.

ALL-STAR TEACHER

Vote for your favorite All-Star Teacher here!

The winner gets $20k for his/her school!

AFF - A'S

Authentic Fan Friday - A's

Come to Authentic Fan Friday at the A's! 

Sit in the Value Deck and score free giveaways - get more info here!

 

NCAA

Former W's coach Musselman leaving ASU
Relive the 2014 NCAA Tournament

MORE

  • SaberCats
  • Preps
  • Biz Ball
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • Golf
  • Tennis
  • Ray Ratto

 

TICKETS

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets
Curry Jersey
Giants Fitted Hat
49ers Hoodie

Mega Menu: Shop

  • Giants
  • A's Shop
  • 49ers
  • Raiders Shop
  • Warriors
  • Kings Shop
  • Sharks Shop

Mega Menu: Shop - Tickets

  • Giants Tickets
  • A's Tickets
  • 49ers Tickets
  • Raiders Tickets
  • Warriors Tickets
  • Kings Tickets
  • Sharks Tickets

Latest Videos

David Lee responds to critics
David Lee responds to critics
See more >

ONLINE SHOWS

  • Buster Knows Squat
  • Romo's Relief
  • Humm BB
  • Diamond Girls
  • Bullshootin'
  • Amy G.’s Exclusives
  • Learning with the Pros

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • Yahoo SportsTalk Live
  • CSN Talent

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Andrew Baggarly - Giants
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Casey Pratt - Field of Teams
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California