Ziegler's Streak Ends At 39

As poorly as the A's have played since the weekend before the All-Star break, one nice number for the team was rookie reliever Brad Ziegler's scoreless streak.

But that ended Thursday. Brad Ziegler worked one scoreless inning against Tampa Bay to run his consecutive scoreless inning total to 39, tying the record for a single-season scoreless streak by a major league reliever set by Al Benton of the Indians in 1949 (though Benton did allow runs during that streak while working as a starter).

In the ninth inning Thursday, Ziegler walked Akinori Iwamura with one out and then gave up an RBI double to B.J. Upton. It was the first run Ziegler had allowed in the big leagues, covering nearly three months.

Most of the A's other notable statistics are dismal of late. The club has lost 14 of 16, and by losing to the Rays in extra innings Thursday, the A's have lost nine consecutive series for the first time since 1979. They have the AL Central-leading White Sox arriving for a weekend series Friday.

The A's did end their string of 15 consecutive games in which they had scored no more than four runs. That was an Oakland record.

In honor of Ziegler’s streak, the A's are offering a ticket promotion. In celebration of Ziegler breaking a 101-year old record, fans can purchase tickets in the Plaza Level Outfield and Plaza Reserved sections for just $1.01 for the game against Minnesota on Friday, August 29.

These specially priced tickets will be available online at oaklandathletics.com/ziggy by entering the coupon code “Ziggy” (subject to availability, while supplies last). Tickets will go on sale starting at 9:00 am PT on Friday.

A's Notes

--OF Jack Cust tied his own Oakland record by striking out in his 19th consecutive game. Cust also has struck out in 38 of his past 39 games. His 150 strikeouts lead the American League and already are the ninth-highest total in Oakland history. Cust is batting .225, which puts him near the bottom of the league.

--RHP Sean Gallagher, who missed his last start with shoulder soreness, lasted four innings Thursday against Tampa Bay and allowed four hits, four walks and three runs. He was limited to 91 pitches after having his turn skipped last time around. His ERA stands at 4.60.

--DH Frank Thomas passed Reggie Jackson for 20th on the all-time RBI list by tying the game in the bottom of the ninth. Thomas' base hit scored Cliff Pennington and gave Thomas 1,703 RBIs. Next on the list, at No. 19, is Honus Wagner with 1,732.

--1B Daric Barton hit a two-run double in the second inning to snap an 0-for-13 streak. Barton, a rookie, is batting .209, the lowest mark in the majors. His .305 slugging percentage is third lowest in the majors.

BY THE NUMBERS: 3-19 -- Oakland's major league-worst record since the All-Star break, through Aug. 10. The A's had dropped 21 of their past 24 and in a one-month stretch went from nine games over .500 to nine games under.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "If I can come back and play third, that would be awesome. But what I told the A's is, 'I want to be productive in the middle of the lineup again, I want to swing the bat for you guys again.' I'm hopeful I'll be able to do both." -- Eric Chavez on the possibility of returning to his old position after being scheduled for surgery to repair the labrum in his right shoulder.