Detroit – A picture of “Nacho Libre” is plastered above Nick Swisher’s cubicle in the Oakland A’s locker room. Bobby Kielty’s hair appears on loan from late Sex Pistols frontman Sid Vicious. Eric Chavez wears Vans and faded blue jeans.
This is a clubhouse full of characters and character.
“Everybody that comes in here fits in and becomes a member of this family,” infield coach Ron Washington said. “We keep things loose.”
That’s what makes Oakland’s play in the American League Championship Series so alarming. The A’s enter tonight’s refrigerator-weather game tonight at Comerica Park with their season hanging in the balance because of ugly mistakes. They have been strung tighter than Eric Clapton’s guitar, making uncharacteristic mistakes.
Chavez, who has won so many Gold Gloves teammate Jay Payton suggested his next one be called Platinum, has shown limited range at third base. He has failed to make two crucial plays, leading to runs in the first two losses. Starter Esteban Loaiza pointed a finger at Chavez on Wednesday night: “If he makes that play with bases loaded in the fourth inning, it’s a different game,” he lamented.
Chavez made no excuse for why he didn’t handle Alexis Gomez’s groundball. The reality is Chavez appears a step slow, rigid from painful hamstring injuries that have sabotaged his season since the first day of spring training.
“It’s a play I usually make,” Chavez said.
The ball ricocheting off Chavez’s glove is a Cliffs Notes version of the series. In summary, everything that went right against the Twins has gone wrong against the Tigers. Barry Zito and Loaiza went 1-0 with a 2.08 ERA in the division series. Detroit has sprayed the A’s linescore with graffiti, tagging them with an 11.17 ERA.
Even more damaging, Frank Thomas, Swisher and Marco Scutaro are 0-for-22 with 11 strikeouts. The A’s lineup isn’t good enough to win without a meaningful contribution from Thomas, in particular, his slump glaring for a team that is 3-for-21 with runners in scoring position.
“I am not worried about this team,” said Thomas, whose bat speed seems overmatched by the Tigers’ flamethrowers. “It’s going to be cold. But we have to continue to grind. I really have to get it going. We are going to be fine.”
History hollers otherwise. Since the advent of the best-of-seven series in 1985, 16 teams have taken a 2-0 series lead and all but three have advanced to the World Series. And that’s not even taking into account the Tigers’ home-field advantage.
The Tigers are undefeated at Comerica Park this postseason, the city has reawakened to baseball, and not even setup man Joel Zumaya’s wrist injury (he won’t be available today) can temper their enthusiasm. They are oozing confidence, as closer Todd Jones admitted. Translation: If the A’s starting pitcher doesn’t keep the game closer, this series could be over this weekend.
“We aren’t eliminated, but you never want to go down 3-0. The (Tigers) have looked like the better team,” Chavez said. “We really need (Rich) Harden and (Dan) Haren to step up.”
Footnotes
Today’s start was shifted from 6 p.m. to 2:30 because of concerns over a potential snowstorm. … Tigers manager Jim Leyland believes Zumaya will be available Saturday, if needed. The good news is Fernando Rodney has been just as effective, reaching 97 mph on his fastball with a nasty changeup. … The Rockies lost intriguing left-hander Justin Hampson, who was claimed on waivers by the San Diego Padres. The Rockies’ roster sits at 37.
Troy E. Renck can be reached at 303-954-1301 or trenck@denverpost.com.
