Impressions from Game Five

Since this game wasn't televised in Sacramento (mercifully), I was spared witnessing the ugliness. But here are my thoughts:

• First and foremost, Barry Zito has suddenly become a pariah in Athletics Nation, which is baffling to me. I'm not happy with his performance right now and I'm as frustrated as the rest of you. He may never get back to his 2002 form, but we should all be rooting for him to do so, if nothing more than to raise his value in trade discussions. Childish insults are not going to help. AN should be better than that.
• The A's offense isn't performing right now. Even if Zito had thrown nine innings, and only allowed three runs, Oakland would've still lost. The only player who is swinging the bat well is Kotsay, who is picking up right where he left off in 2004. It wasn't even RISP disease that got the guys tonight. It was SB disease (silent bat). Everyone should be required to huddle around Kotsay in the dugout between innings to try and get some of the magic in his bat. Maybe get some of that Kotsay Mojo, or Kojo.
• Huston Street pitched another scoreless inning. Our bullpen continues to be an ongoing strength.

A .500 trip wasn't what I had in mind for the first two stops on the long, 162-game journey, but you'd told me before the season started that Zito would give up 12 earned runs in his first two starts, I'd take it.

So, go get them tomorrow, Rich.