Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Rewind: Believe it or not, relief in sight for A's bullpen
Share This Post
Comments
Saturday, September 19, 2015 - 12:30am
Follow @joestiglichcsn

Optimism … hope … potential.

These aren’t three words you would associate with the A’s bullpen for most of 2015.

As the season winds down, however, Oakland’s beleaguered relief corps is flashing some signs of encouragement. That was apparent in Friday’s 4-3 victory over the Houston Astros. It was the offense –- specifically, the home run ball –- that propelled the A’s to a late-inning comeback win for the second day in a row.

[STIGLICH: Instant Replay: Valencia's two homers power A's past Astros]

But it was the bullpen that held the Astros down over the final three innings and made that lead stand. The 'pen entered Friday with a 5.04 ERA dating back to Aug. 16. Not great, but let’s set that aside for a moment. Take in the individual components that suggest the A’s might have some decent pieces to build around looking ahead to next season.

It starts with a healthy Sean Doolittle. Through nine appearances since coming off the disabled list, his velocity has improved and he’s showing the ability to throw his fastball by hitters. If he’s able to finish this season strong and go through a normal offseason –- free of injury and rehab –- that has to make the A’s front office feel better about the ninth inning.

Then there’s rookie Ryan Dull, who has been nothing short of sensational in his first taste of the big leagues. The tendency would be to ease a reliever into the majors with some lower-pressure outings. Manager Bob Melvin has done the opposite with Dull, thrusting the right-hander into scenarios as pressure-packed as possible for a team that’s 20 games under .500 in September.

On Friday, Dull made quick work of the Astros in a 1-2-3 eighth, so Melvin sent him back out for his first save opportunity since being promoted Sept. 1. He retired his first two hitters, and after walking Colby Rasmus, got pinch hitter Preston Tucker swinging on a 92 mile-per-hour fastball to ice the victory.

[RELATED: Dull comes out sharp once again in A's victory]

Lefty Drew Pomeranz also looked sharp in a 1-2-3 seventh that featured two strikeouts.

That trio provides a potentially effective late-inning nucleus for the A’s as they ponder their 2016 bullpen.

It figures they could target relief help with their offseason shopping given how this season has played out. Oakland’s bullpen entered Friday with the fewest saves in the majors (23), tied for the fourth-most blown saves (21), the third-most first-batter RBI allowed (58) and tied for fourth in first-batter home runs allowed (15).

A portion of these struggles can be attributed to Doolittle’s shoulder issues that sidelined him most of the first five months, robbing the A’s of their closer and creating a ripple effect felt up and down the bullpen. But others have struggled unexpectedly, and there figure to be plenty of open competition for relief spots come spring training.

There are signs of promise, however -- signs that even just a month or so ago didn’t seem to exist.

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Matt & Mindi: 49ers' secondary 'taught major lesson' by Steelers
Woodson believes lot of Raiders grew up in win over Ravens
Murray: 'Pick your poison' with Cooper, Crabtree
Woodson feels responsibility to teammates to play with injury

Giants

NL West Watch: Pirates edge Dodgers, Giants pick up game
Giants' offense ends scoreless streak to beat D'backs
Giants lineup: De Aza, Parker in corner outfield vs D'backs
Giants Toe the Rubber: Jeremy Hellickson vs Tim Hudson
Read More

Athletics

Rewind: Zito completes his return to the major leagues
Instant Replay: Astros use long ball to blast Brooks, A's
A's lineup: Vogt returns from injury, batting sixth
A's Toe the Rubber: Aaron Brooks vs Collin McHugh
Read More

Sharks

Sharks scrimmage day before preseason opener
Defensemen vying for open spots on Sharks blue line
Sharks eager to name next captain after last season's miscalculation
Ward, Jones, Martin get comfortable in first Sharks practice
Read More

49ers

Seahawks fall to 0-2 after loss to Rodgers, Packers
Romo breaks collarbone in Cowboys' win over Eagles
49ers notes: Steelers focus on shutting down Hyde
Steelers' Roethlisberger, Brown teach 49ers' defense lesson
Read More

Raiders

Carr exhibits great 'poise' on Raiders' game-winning drive
Raiders notes: Comeback win 'special moment' for Del Rio
Woodson on playing injured: 'I never plan on missing a down'
Raiders, 49ers shouldn't be trusted to do good things regularly
Read More

Warriors

Report: Warriors offer Barnes lucrative four-year extension
Warriors outlook: Indispensable Green must lead, improve shooting
Warriors outlook: Ezeli must stay healthy, build off playoffs
SoCal outfit to commission Warriors' championship rings
Read More

NCAA

Stanford returns to AP Top 25 college football poll
Ray Ratto's Top 25: Shaw clearly messing with us in Week 1
San Jose State goes cold in second half, falls to Oregon State
Stanford upsets No. 6 USC in Coliseum
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Amy G
  • Insider Alex Pavlovic
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets

Latest News

NL West Watch: Pirates edge Dodgers, Giants pick up game
CSN Bay Area staff

GIANTS VIDEO

Hudson 'looking forward' to A's series: 'Trying to have fun' ending career
Hudson 'looking forward' to A's series: 'Trying to have fun' ending career
See more >

GIANTS INSIDER

  • Rewind: Panik optimistic about future, surgery not discussed
  • Versatile Brown enjoys every second of first start in majors
  • Instant Replay: Leake falters, Giants shut out again by D'backs
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Insider Joe Stiglich
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

Rewind: Zito completes his return to the major leagues
(1)
Joe Stiglich

A's VIDEO

Glen & Ray: A's-Giants series will be 'perfect time' for Barry Zito
Glen & Ray: A's-Giants series will be 'perfect time' for Barry Zito
See more >

A's INSIDER

  • Rewind: Zito completes his return to the major leagues
  • Instant Replay: Astros use long ball to blast Brooks, A's
  • A's promote C Bryan Anderson, place Graveman on DL
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets

Latest News

Sharks scrimmage day before preseason opener
(1)
Kevin Kurz

SHARKS VIDEO

Kurz: With Jones in fold, Sharks still need help in several spots
Kurz: With Jones in fold, Sharks still need help in several spots
See more >

SHARKS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider Monte Poole
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

Report: Warriors offer Barnes lucrative four-year extension
(23)
Monte Poole

WARRIORS VIDEO

Warriors Mission Bay arena rendering
Warriors Mission Bay arena rendering
See more >

WARRIORS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

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

Latest News

Cousins, Kings train MMA with UFC's Urijah Faber
CSN Bay Area staff

Kings Video

Sim Bhullar reveals he's 25-30 pounds lighter entering Summer League
Sim Bhullar reveals he's 25-30 pounds lighter entering Summer League
See more >

More Stories

Biz Ball: Kings going 100 percent solar in new Sac arena
Report: Kings among teams interested in C Hollins
(1)
See more >
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Matt Maiocco
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Buy 49ers Tickets

Latest News

Seahawks fall to 0-2 after loss to Rodgers, Packers
(1)
Associated Press

49ers VIDEO

Matt & Mindi: 49ers' secondary 'taught major lesson' by Steelers
Matt & Mindi: 49ers' secondary 'taught major lesson' by Steelers
See more >

49ers INSIDER

  • 49ers notes: Steelers focus on shutting down Hyde
  • Steelers' Roethlisberger, Brown teach 49ers' defense lesson
  • Instant Replay: 49ers smoked by Antonio Brown, Steelers D
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Scott Bair
  • Buy Raiders Gear
  • Buy Raiders Tickets

Latest News

Carr exhibits great 'poise' on Raiders' game-winning drive
Scott Bair

RAIDERS VIDEO

Woodson believes lot of Raiders grew up in win over Ravens
Woodson believes lot of Raiders grew up in win over Ravens
See more >

RAIDERS INSIDER

  • Carr exhibits great 'poise' on Raiders' game-winning drive
  • Raiders notes: Comeback win 'special moment' for Del Rio
  • Woodson on playing injured: 'I never plan on missing a down'
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

New York City FC holds on to beat San Jose Earthquakes
Associated Press

Quakes Video

But Seriously: How do women's sports improve audience?
But Seriously: How do women's sports improve audience?
See more >

Quakes Shop

JOE STIGLICH

Rewind: Zito completes his return to the major leagues
(1)
See more >

ALEX PAVLOVIC

Rewind: Panik optimistic about future, surgery not discussed
(2)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

49ers notes: Steelers focus on shutting down Hyde
(146)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Carr exhibits great 'poise' on Raiders' game-winning drive
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Report: Warriors offer Barnes lucrative four-year extension
(23)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Sharks scrimmage day before preseason opener
(1)
See more >

RAY RATTO

Don't worry, Warriors' Barnes will come to his senses eventually

ENTER TO WIN SHARKS TICKETS!

tix

Enter here for a chance to win a pair of tickets to the Predators vs Sharks game on 10/28!

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!

 

ENTER TO WIN A TRIP TO UNIVERSAL ORLANDO!

nbc

Click here and enter to win a trip to Universal Orlando, presented by Bookit.com!

NCAA

  • Stanford Football
  • Stanford Basketball
  • Stanford Women's Basketball
  • Cal Football
  • Cal Basketball
  • Cal Women's Basketball
  • SJSU Football
  • SJSU Basketball
  • USF Basketball
  • USF Women's Basketball
  • Saint Mary's Basketball
  • Santa Clara Basketball
  • Fresno State Football

MORE

  • Biz Ball
  • SaberCats
  • Fight Sports
  • Motor Sports
  • GolfChannel.com
  • 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

Matt & Mindi: 49ers' secondary 'taught major lesson' by Steelers
Matt & Mindi: 49ers' secondary 'taught major lesson' by Steelers
See more >

ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING

  • G-Mag
  • All A's
  • Carpool Confessions
  • Amy G’s Exclusives
  • Eireann Dolan's Call to the 'Pen
  • When Giants Fan Met Dodgers Fan

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • SportsTalk Live
  • But Seriously

INSIDERS

  • Ray Ratto - Senior Insider
  • Matt Maiocco - 49ers
  • Scott Bair - Raiders
  • Monte Poole - Warriors
  • Kevin Kurz - Sharks
  • Joe Stiglich - A's
  • Alex Pavlovic - Giants
  • TV Schedule - Bay Area and California
  • Channel Locations - Bay Area
  • Channel Locations - California