Score One For The Skipper

It took some help from a think-accented, Venezuelan, midget, but Macha finally out-managed someone. It only took 493 games.

So here's to you Ken Macha. This pack's on me. (Delivery courtesy of Tony DeFrancesco)

Seriously, when you've got Scott Proctor, literally the 25th man on your roster, and Mariano Rivera, arguably the best reliever in the history of the game, both warming up in your bullpen, who in their right mind chooses to go with Proctor in the 9th inning of a tie game?

And it wasn't just Joe Torre's stupidity that earned Macha five pieces of his favorite treat. To his credit, he made some pretty good moves.

Okay, he made ONE good move. But that's one more than I'm used to seeing in any given game.

Macha could have gone with Kennedy with two outs in the 6th and two lefties in a row due up, but he didn't. He went with Duchscherer. And after making Cano look like a dope, he tossed a scoreless 7th.

Kennedy was pretty much Kenny's only option in the 8th, since he used up about 17 pitchers in Monday's blow-out. And, luckily, that worked out too.

I'll admit that if Macha had his full arsenal of bullpen arms available, he might have very well fucked everything up. But fortunately for us, he chose to display just about every one of his relievers to the Opening Night audience.

In my heart of hearts, I know that it was bench coach and manager-in-waiting Bob Geren that chose to go with Duchscherer in the 6th, but this ONE time, I'm willing to let Macha have his time to shine.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCUTARO GETS AN A
Single in 9th upends Yankees
Susan Slusser, SF Chronicle

A'S REPORT
Crosby expected to miss week with deep cut in left finger
Susan Slusser, SF Chronicle

Who else? Scutaro gets it done
Crosby replacement gives A's dramatic first win over Yankees with RBI single in ninth
Josh Suchon, Oakland Tribune

A'S NOTES
Injured Crosby out a week
Josh Suchon, Oakland Tribune

Harden has the right stuff for greatness
Monte Poole, Oakland Tribune

Scutaro walks off as a hero
HIS CLUTCH HIT IN 9TH ALLOWS A'S TO FORGE VICTORY OVER YANKEES
Joe Roderick, Knight Ridder

Crosby's finger isn't broken but will idle him for week
Joe Roderick, Knight Ridder

Scutaro swats Athletics past Yankees
Walk-off single gives A's their first win of the season
Rick Eymer, Special to MLB.com

No Excuses From Proctor as Yanks Fall in 9th
Tyler Kepner, NY Times

Yanks forget their 'A' game
Scott takes loss, but all to blame
Sam Borden, NY Daily News

OPPORTUNITY BUT NO KNOCKS
George King, NY Post

Proctor, Yanks suffer tough loss vs. A's
Walk-off single does in Bronx Bombers for first time in 2006
Mark Feinsand, MLB.com