A's Street sorry for shouting match with Geren

0 Comments | Oakland Tribune, Sep 10, 2008 | by Joe Stiglich

DETROIT -- Reliever Huston Street met with members of the A's coaching staff, including manager Bob Geren, on Wednesday to clear the air about a heated verbal exchange that took place during Tuesday's victory over the Detroit Tigers.

Street was not pleased after Geren pulled him in favor of Brad Ziegler on Tuesday with the bases loaded and two outs in the eighth inning.

Street could be seen yelling as he stepped into the dugout, and television cameras showed him shouting on the bench toward pitching coach Curt Young. Things escalated as Street got into a more direct argument with Geren after Geren returned to the bench.

It was enough for Street and Geren to meet behind closed doors after Wednesday's 5-2 victory.

"There's a right way and wrong way to express that frustration, and I think that's why I felt like I needed to apologize for being unprofessional," Street said.

Geren would not comment specifically about the incident Wednesday.

"We talked about it," he said. "It's something that happens in the heat of the battle."

Street said he was more upset over not being allowed to pitch to Gary Sheffield (who was intentionally walked with two on) than he was over being pulled. Street struck out Sheffield with two men on the last time they faced each other at Comerica Park on Aug. 10.

Things have simmered since Geren removed Street as closer and replaced him with Ziegler in early August. Street has pitched well lately and hopes to get another crack at closing.

"Do I still feel like I can get guys out in the ninth? Absolutely. Did I have a bad month? Yeah. Am I bitter that I'm not the closer? No," he said. "Ziegler's been getting the job done. Joey (Devine's) been getting the job done. Do I know if I'm a part of the direction of this team? That, I guess, remains to be seen."

Gio to the 'pen

Geren announced that struggling starter Gio Gonzalez will be shifted to the bullpen temporarily. His Saturday start will be taken by fellow rookie Josh Outman.

Gonzalez has a 9.32 ERA in seven starts since being promoted from the minors.

"I think pitching in relief in a few non-pressure situations might be best for him," Geren said."

Looking ahead

The first draft of the A's 2009 schedule is out. Some highlights: A season-opening four-game series in Anaheim against the Angels; interleague series on the road against the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego and at home vs. Arizona and Colorado, along with the typical home-and-home with the Giants. One wrinkle the A's hope to get changed: A stretch that sandwiches the All-Star break in which the A's would fly cross-country to Boston twice in a three-week period.

Minor matters

The Stockton Ports, the A's Single-A affiliate, won the California League's North Division Finals Wednesday night as Corey Brown's three-run double and Josh Donaldson's two-run double ignited a 9-4 victory over the San Jose Giants. Donaldson, a catcher acquired from the Chicago Cubs in the Rich Harden deal, had two more hits in the series-deciding Game 5, and is hitting .433 in the postseason. Stockton hosts South champ Lancaster tonight to start the best-of-five California League Championship Series.

Meanwhile, the A's Triple-A Sacramento lost 11-2 to Oklahoma to even up the best-of-five Pacific Coast League Championship Series. It marked the first PCL Championship Series loss in the River Cats' history _ three-time PCL champion Sacramento was 10-0 all-time before Wednesday night. Chris Denorfia's first-inning home run was one of the lone Sacramento highlights. The series shifts to Oklahoma for the final three games, if necessary, with Game 3 on Friday night.

-- Joe Stiglich