Skip to main content

CSN Bay Area

HOME  >  NEWS  >  SPORTS
Rewind: Donaldson's new teammates do damage against A's
Share This Post
Comments
Tuesday, July 21, 2015 - 11:30pm
Follow @joestiglichcsn

OAKLAND – The damage against Kendall Graveman and the A’s on Tuesday didn’t come from Josh Donaldson’s portion of the box score.

The All-Star third baseman went 2-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI against his former club, but he didn’t even reach base for the first time until his Blue Jays already were ahead 6-1.

Nevertheless, this night undoubtedly was about Donaldson’s return to his major league roots. And despite the general assumption that he would have loved to stick it to his old team after being traded to Toronto in November, what stood out Tuesday was Donaldson’s sincere appreciation for all that went right for him while wearing an A’s uniform.

“It’s definitely different, looking over to the other dugout and seeing Bob Melvin, and Gags (A’s coach Mike Gallego) over at third base,” Donaldson said. “It’s just one of those things where you don’t really think about it until it happens. … A lot of people (here) had a lot to do with where I’m at today, and I’m very grateful for that.”

[RECAP: Instant Replay: Blue Jays tee off on Graveman, beat A's 7-1]

Donaldson received a warm standing ovation from the Coliseum crowd before his first at-bat. But what stood out, game-wise, in the A’s 7-1 loss was just how many different people in the Blue Jays’ lineup can punish a pitcher. Graveman allowed solo homers to Edwin Encarnacion and Jose Bautista, then a three-run shot to Russell Martin that ended his night in the sixth.

Graveman, who came to the A’s in the Donaldson trade, insisted he had no extra adrenaline or nerves going against his former team. But he credited the Blue Jays for making him pay for mistakes.

“Some pitches around the zone, they laid off of,” Graveman said. “When I missed up in the zone, that’s when I got hurt.”

The A’s have fallen 11 games back in the AL West as team officials ponder their options with the non-waiver trade deadline approaching a week from Friday. Along with monitoring how the A’s are playing, they’re monitoring how well teams at the top of the AL West are playing, and the realistic chances for the A’s (43-52) to make a move.

Though the Houston Astros have tumbled out of first place and are struggling, the division-leading Los Angeles Angels (53-40) have won six in a row and are gathering steam. The A’s didn’t lose ground in the Wild Card hunt Tuesday but still trail by eight games.

[STIGLICH: Back in Oakland, Donaldson reflects on A's busy offseason]

That storyline will continue. Tuesday’s theatre centered on Donaldson, who played a round of golf at Wente Vineyards on Monday in a group that included Gallego and A’s pitching coach Curt Young.

Gallego, the A’s infield coach, was the main person working with Donaldson as he transitioned from catcher to third base in 2012, a move that blazed his trail to becoming one of the AL’s best all-around players.

Donaldson was a raw talent, but Gallego quickly noticed the desire and baseball intelligence that would allow Donaldson to excel at third.

“I always felt he knew what he wanted to get done,” Gallego said. “It was more of a conversation than a learning experience for him.”

Donaldson was asked if he had much conversation with the A’s Brett Lawrie, who came over in the trade from Toronto and replaced him at third base. Donaldson was running at third base during a late-game pitching change.

“I think a lot of people want to try to put me and him in the same boat, but we’re not,” Donaldson said. “… I’ve never had a chance to sit down and talk to him.”

Donaldson did chat plenty with Gallego while the latter was in the third-base coach’s box. But Donaldson stressed that his competitiveness wins out over friendly ties to former teammates and coaches.

“If it’s my Mom, I’m gonna tackle my Mom” if necessary, he said.

There’s two more games left before the Blue Jays leave town, and the smart money is on Donaldson playing a more central figure in the rest of this series than he did Tuesday night.

NBCBayArea.com

There is no data to display.

Video

Morning Minute: Giants take rubber match, A's walk off on Blue Jays
Gray: Blue Jays 'had really good approach' at plate
Melvin assesses Clippard's blown save vs. Blue Jays
Melvin explains why he was ejected from game vs. Blue Jays

Giants

Rewind: Posey stays hot, leads Giants to series win
Aoki could return Friday, leg 'feels as good as it could'
Instant Replay: Giants come alive, take series from Padres
How chewing gum cleared Giants, Padres benches twice this year
Read More

Athletics

Rewind: Walk-off victory was worth the wait for A's
Instant Replay: A's blow lead, walk-off on Jays in 10th
Playing with diabetes, A's Fuld faces challenges every day
Manfred: MLB might revisit pushing back trade deadline
Read More

Sharks

Sharks mailbag: San Jose could use another d-man
NHL receives expansion bids from Las Vegas, Quebec City
Tarasov leaves Sharks for KHL
Sharks notes: Leaving San Jose 'for the better,' says Burish
Read More

49ers

49ers training camp preview: Defensive line
49ers WR Ellington posts videos, looks healthy
York compares 49ers' situation to Warriors' coaching change
A week in Youngstown? 49ers alter schedule plans
Read More

Raiders

Raiders training camp preview: Linebackers
Raiders training camp preview: Defensive tackles
Scott Bair's Raiders CHAT transcript (7.21.15)
Raiders training camp preview: Defensive ends
Read More

Warriors

Looney aims to extend range, falling to Warriors 'best thing'
Curry, Oracle Arena honored at first NBPA Awards show
Clippers' Jordan happy free agent 'fiasco' behind him
Report: Jefferson spurns Mavs, agrees to deal with Cavs
Read More

NCAA

San Jose State dismisses WR after domestic battery arrest
Pac-12 has plan for business growth, will others follow?
Report: After assaults, Fisher bans FSU players from bars
Pac-12 setting new standard with centralized conference sales
Read More
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Amy G
  • Insider Alex Pavlovic
  • Buy Giants Gear
  • Buy Giants Tickets

Latest News

Rewind: Posey stays hot, leads Giants to series win
(5)
Alex Pavlovic

GIANTS VIDEO

Cain: Erractic early, but settled down later vs. Padres
Cain: Erractic early, but settled down later vs. Padres
See more >

GIANTS INSIDER

  • Rewind: Posey stays hot, leads Giants to series win
  • Instant Replay: Giants come alive, take series from Padres
  • Giants notes: Affeldt reinstated, Osich sent down
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLB Standings
  • Insider Joe Stiglich
  • Buy Athletics Gear
  • Buy Athletics Tickets

Latest News

Rewind: Walk-off victory was worth the wait for A's
Joe Stiglich

A's VIDEO

Gray: Blue Jays 'had really good approach' at plate
Gray: Blue Jays 'had really good approach' at plate
See more >

A's INSIDER

  • Rewind: Walk-off victory was worth the wait for A's
  • Instant Replay: A's blow lead, walk-off on Jays in 10th
  • Doolittle confident he'll return to A's this season
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NHL Standings
  • Insider Kevin Kurz
  • Buy Sharks Gear
  • Buy Sharks Tickets

Latest News

Sharks mailbag: San Jose could use another d-man
(16)
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

Looney aims to extend range, falling to Warriors 'best thing'
(8)
CSN Bay Area staff

WARRIORS VIDEO

Barkley: 'Congratulations to the Golden State Warriors'
Barkley: 'Congratulations to the Golden State Warriors'
See more >

WARRIORS INSIDER

  • Warriors summer league observations: Looney shows flashes
  • Monte Poole's Warriors chat transcript (7.17.15)
  • Walton likely to replace Gentry on Warriors staff
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NBA Standings
  • Insider Bill Herenda
  • Buy Kings Gear
  • Buy Kings Tickets
  • Channel locations

Latest News

Kings announce deals with Curry, Acy, Dukan
(1)
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 >

KINGS INSIDER

There is no data to display.

  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • NFL Standings
  • Insider Matt Maiocco
  • Buy 49ers Gear
  • Buy 49ers Tickets

Latest News

49ers training camp preview: Defensive line
Matt Maiocco

49ers VIDEO

Kaepernick changing young fans' lives through Camp Taylor
Kaepernick changing young fans' lives through Camp Taylor
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

Raiders training camp preview: Linebackers
(3)
Scott Bair

RAIDERS VIDEO

Meet The Rookies: Raiders DE Mario Edwards Jr.
Meet The Rookies: Raiders DE Mario Edwards Jr.
See more >

RAIDERS INSIDER

  • Raiders training camp preview: Linebackers
  • Raiders training camp preview: Defensive tackles
  • Scott Bair's Raiders CHAT transcript (7.21.15)
  • Scoreboard
  • Stats
  • Schedule
  • Roster
  • MLS Standings
  • MLS Player Leaders
  • Buy Quakes Gear
  • Buy Quakes Tickets

Top Story

Jamaica stuns USA in Gold Cup semifinals
Associated Press

Quakes Video

Earthquakes star Thompson runs deep in soccer blood
Earthquakes star Thompson runs deep in soccer blood
See more >

Quakes Shop

JOE STIGLICH

Rewind: Walk-off victory was worth the wait for A's
See more >

ALEX PAVLOVIC

Rewind: Posey stays hot, leads Giants to series win
(5)
See more >

MATT MAIOCCO

49ers training camp preview: Defensive line
See more >

SCOTT BAIR

Raiders training camp preview: Linebackers
(3)
See more >

MONTE POOLE

Warriors summer league observations: Looney shows flashes
(29)
See more >

BILL HERENDA

Sources: Kings not interested in trading Cousins to Celtics
See more >

KEVIN KURZ

Sharks mailbag: San Jose could use another d-man
(16)
See more >

RAY RATTO

Partnership with sports could make NASA self-sustaining

ENTER TO WIN A'S TICKETS!

more

Watch our A's Baseball Breakfast broadcasts to find out how to win free tickets!

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

Pac-12 setting new standard with centralized conference sales
Florida St. dismisses QB after video shows him hitting woman

MORE

  • 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

Morning Minute: Giants take rubber match, A's walk off on Blue Jays
Morning Minute: Giants take rubber match, A's walk off on Blue Jays
See more >

ONLINE SHOWS

  • Carpool Confessions
  • Amy G’s Exclusives
  • Buster Knows Squat
  • Humm BB
  • Bullshootin'

TV SHOWS

  • All Videos
  • SportsNet Central
  • SportsTalk Live

INSIDERS

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