Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Rewind: Chavez makes statement with shut-down outing
Share This Post
Comments
Wednesday, August 19, 2015 - 5:30pm
Follow @joestiglichcsn

OAKLAND – Everyone agrees that Jesse Chavez is an asset to the A’s pitching staff.

There’s less consensus on what role he’s most effective in.

Is he a starter? A reliever? Some sort of hybrid, able to fill in wherever the need arises?

Chavez wants to be known as a starter, and a durable one. That’s why his standout effort on a sun-drenched Wednesday afternoon at the Coliseum meant so much to him. He logged eight innings for just the fourth time in his career, held the Los Angeles Dodgers to two hits and struck out six over a career-high 116 pitches in a 5-2 A’s victory that completed a two-game sweep.

“It gives me a good idea that the work that I put in will lead to results,” Chavez said. “That’s all I want to show is that I’m still working to get through this season, a full season, as a starter. And I wanna build off this.”

Chavez viewed his previous start in Toronto as a positive step, when he struck out nine over six innings in a 4-2 loss. Still, he entered Wednesday 2-6 with a 5.48 ERA over his previous nine outings. The narrative is that Chavez’s slender build makes him susceptible to wearing down over the rigors of a long season, and the numbers support the theory.

He came into this start with a 3.72 career ERA before the All-Star break, 5.97 after it.

[INSTANT REPLAY: Chavez propels A's to sweep of Dodgers]

“He’s on a mission to prove that wrong,” A’s manager Bob Melvin said. “He’s had a couple tough outings, but for the most part he’s been consistent all year. And he really wants to get in a good, full season where he doesn’t wear down. He’s very aware of what’s happened in the past … so he’s doing all he can to combat that.”

Who would have guessed the pair of starters that would help propel a two-game sweep of the National League West-leading Dodgers?

Felix Doubront, cast off by the Toronto Blue Jays earlier this season, matched up against Clayton Kershaw on Tuesday and threw six innings of one-hit ball, effectively working around his wildness. He’s earned himself another start, Melvin confirmed, which will come Monday at Seattle as the rotation currently shapes up.

Then Chavez followed up with eight strong innings Wednesday. Most impressive was that Chavez’s cutter, his go-to pitch, wasn’t dialed in like normal. He relied on other pitches, particularly his sinker and changeup, to keep the Dodgers at bay.

It was the cutter that Jimmy Rollins hit for a two-run homer in the third to give Los Angeles a 2-1 lead. But with the A’s leading 3-2 in the eighth, the tying run at second and Rollins batting again, Chavez got him swinging on a nasty curve, then let loose with an emphatic yell as he left the mound.

“He just competes every time he’s on the mound,” catcher Josh Phegley said. “Today, being able to make adjustments when his pitches weren’t quite what he wanted them to be, just shows he’s versatile. He’s got a lot of weapons.”

There are plenty of unknowns moving forward with the A’s rotation beyond ace Sonny Gray. Two rookies – Chris Bassitt and Kendall Graveman – are trying to prove they belong. Chavez wants to show his durability. And Doubront hasn’t been an effective regular starter in the bigs since 2013 with Boston.

Melvin acknowledged the possibility Wednesday that injured rookie Jesse Hahn will be shut down for the season. And A.J. Griffin and Jarrod Parker remain question marks as they’ve yet to return after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2014.

But over the past two days, the starters came through, helping the A’s reverse the bad vibes from their recently completed 0-7 road trip. That was no easy task considering the A’s itinerary. They flew back from Baltimore in the middle of the night Monday, then opened their homestand Tuesday night against the Dodgers followed by a Wednesday matinee.

They’ll get a needed day off Thursday.

“I think winning the game (Tuesday) night … everybody was a little more invigorated this morning,” Melvin said. “Today was probably a little bit tougher. I know it’s the first time my alarm clock has woken me up in a long time. A win today, and we’re finally able to enjoy an off-day.”

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Bochy: 'Too many missed opportunities' in loss to Pirates
Melvin: A's couldn't get big hit when they needed it
Bassitt: 'This sucks, I want to win'
Kuiper & Fosse: Bassitt has kind of arm A's can build around

Giants

Instant Replay: Pirates walk off on Giants bullpen
Giants lineup: Leake returns, Adrianza at second base
Morse knows what injured Pence is dealing with
Giants notes: Bumgarner helps cause with fifth homer
Read More

Athletics

A's lineup: Crisp moves up in order, Reddick back in right
A's reinstate Doolittle from DL; option Otero to Triple-A
Rewind: Bassitt bears down despite lack of offense
Instant Replay: Bassitt solid, but lack of runs dooms A's
Read More

Sharks

Former Sharks still seeking employment
Sharks unveil new goalie mask for Martin Jones
Richards, NHLPA seem to have good case against LA Kings
What went wrong: 2014-15 San Jose Sharks
Read More

49ers

Top 10 49ers to watch vs. Cowboys
49ers obtain latest Levi's Stadium field from Arizona desert
49ers stockpile draft picks in 2016 and '17
Tomsula unsure whether Bowman will play Sunday
Read More

Raiders

Top 10 Raiders to watch vs. Vikings
Raiders getting money's worth on 'business trip' vs. Vikings
Rivera 'really comfortable' in role, despite added competition
QBs Carr, Bridgewater forever linked by draft status
Read More

Warriors

JR Smith announces return to Cavaliers
Monte Poole's Warriors CHAT transcript (8.21.15)
Jarell Eddie gets invite to Warriors camp, to compete for roster spot
Surgery sidelines Warriors' top pick Looney 4-6 months
Read More

NCAA

Ruling dismisses college athletes from forming union
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Amy G
  • Insider Alex Pavlovic
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets

Latest News

Instant Replay: Pirates walk off on Giants bullpen
(13)
Alex Pavlovic

GIANTS VIDEO

Bochy: 'Too many missed opportunities' in loss to Pirates
Bochy: 'Too many missed opportunities' in loss to Pirates
See more >

GIANTS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Insider Joe Stiglich
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

A's lineup: Crisp moves up in order, Reddick back in right
CSN Bay Area staff

A's VIDEO

Melvin: A's couldn't get big hit when they needed it
Melvin: A's couldn't get big hit when they needed it
See more >

A's INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets

Latest News

Former Sharks still seeking employment
(27)
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

  • Former Sharks still seeking employment
  • Sharks Q&A transcript with Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Sharks mailbag: Do Ward, Martin improve culture?
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider Monte Poole
  • Buy Warriors Gear
  • Buy Warriors Tickets

Latest News

JR Smith announces return to Cavaliers
(2)
CSN Bay Area staff

WARRIORS VIDEO

Warriors' Finals MVP Andre Iguodala honored in hometown
Warriors' Finals MVP Andre Iguodala honored in hometown
See more >

WARRIORS INSIDER

  • Monte Poole's Warriors CHAT transcript (8.21.15)
  • Jarell Eddie gets invite to Warriors camp, to compete for roster spot
  • Surgery sidelines Warriors' top pick Looney 4-6 months
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets

Latest News

Kings' Karl starting off on right foot with Rondo
(1)
Rotoworld.com

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

Cousins, Gay to attend USA Basketball minicamp in Vegas
Kings' preseason schedule features two home games
See more >
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Matt Maiocco
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Buy 49ers Tickets

Latest News

Top 10 49ers to watch vs. Cowboys
(2)
Matt Maiocco

49ers VIDEO

Maiocco: 49ers wanted to keep Carrier; is Levi's game-ready?
Maiocco: 49ers wanted to keep Carrier; is Levi's game-ready?
See more >

49ers INSIDER

There is no data to display.

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

Latest News

Top 10 Raiders to watch vs. Vikings
(1)
Scott Bair

RAIDERS VIDEO

Del Rio: 'We're changing the mindset, the culture'
Del Rio: 'We're changing the mindset, the culture'
See more >

RAIDERS INSIDER

  • Top 10 Raiders to watch vs. Vikings
  • Raiders getting money's worth on 'business trip' vs. Vikings
  • Rivera 'really comfortable' in role, despite added competition
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Wondolowski scores twice, Quakes rock Sporting KC 5-0
(1)
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

A's reinstate Doolittle from DL; option Otero to Triple-A
(2)
See more >

ALEX PAVLOVIC

Instant Replay: Pirates walk off on Giants bullpen
(15)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

Top 10 49ers to watch vs. Cowboys
(2)
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Top 10 Raiders to watch vs. Vikings
(1)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Monte Poole's Warriors CHAT transcript (8.21.15)
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Former Sharks still seeking employment
(27)
See more >

RAY RATTO

Harbaugh brothers now known as Birth-And-Rebirth Twins

FOLLOW US!

Follow us on Twitter @CSNAuthentic.

SAY HEY TUESDAY

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

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

  • 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

Melvin: A's couldn't get big hit when they needed it
Melvin: A's couldn't get big hit when they needed it
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

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