The popular fan blog Athletics Nation likes to beat up on outfielder Scott Hairston but tonight, Hairston made believers out of them yet by knocking a grand slam, the first of his career, in the bottom of the seventh that turned out to be the game-winner.

The recap itself is pretty simple: Scott Hairston, AN’s favorite whipping boy lately, endeared himself to the faithful with a towering grand slam in the 7th inning that turned a 2-1 deficit into a 5-2 win. The grand slam came off a right-hander, reliever Shawn Kelley, and made a winner out of Gio Gonzalez, who had just finished 7 IP and left the game trailing — only to be returned the winning pitcher. Other observations on the game.

Tonight, redemption is spelled “S-C-O-T-T.”

In other news, Ichiro Suzuki, the Mariners All-Star outfielder, collected his 2,oooth career hit in the Major Leagues and received a standing ovation from the Oakland faithful.

Efforts to keep the A’s in Oakland increasingly look bleak.

San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Oakland Chamber of Commerce sent a letter to local businesses in an attempt to keep the team in the city.

Meanwhile, in the South Bay, a report released claims that should the A’s move to San Jose, it would bring $130 million in new spending and create 2,000 jobs.

Local leaders in San Jose like the sound of economic stimulation:

With a fully operational facility in 2014, the ballpark — designed to be the new home of the Oakland A’s — would create 1,000 new jobs paying wages of about $62 million, according to the report.

“San Jose is ready to play ball,” said San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed. “As the largest city in northern California and one of the most dynamic markets in the U.S., the time is right for professional baseball to turn its attention to San Jose.”

Forbes looks ahead at the obstacles in the way of the 40 mile move down south:

The only thing still holding up a deal: Major League Baseball, which designated San Jose as territory officially belonging to the cross-bay San Francisco Giants. MLB would have to bless the A’s move to San Jose, a move that would likely involve a sweetener for the Giants. The territory distinction has always rankled A’s owner Lew Wolfe, who points out that all three of baseball’s other two-team markets (Los Angeles, Chicago and New York) are designated by MLB as shared territories. Only the Bay Area is carved out separately.

“I just think it’s a little unfair,” says Wolfe, who believes that the bum economy could well lower the $461 million estimated price tag thanks to the lower bids going out all over the construction industry.

Bailey was the A's lone representative at the All-Star Game this year.

All-Star rookie reliever Andrew Bailey continues to be a lone silver lining to this rather disastrous season for the Oakland Athletics as he was named Rookie of the Month for the American League in the month of August.

Oakland Athletics closer Andrew Bailey has been voted the August recipient of the Gillette presents American League Rookie of the Month Award.

In 11 scoreless appearances during August, Bailey went 2-0 and was a perfect 7-for-7 in save opportunities, permitting just four hits over 11.0 innings pitched. The 25-year-old right-hander collected seven strikeouts and did not walk a batter, extending his streak to 14 consecutive appearances (14.0 innings pitched) without issuing a free pass. Bailey, who was the only rookie named to the 2009 All-Star Game, has now converted each of his last 16 save opportunities dating back to June 17th, two short of the Oakland rookie record of 18 set by Huston Street in 2005. The Voorhees, New Jersey native allowed just one hit with six strikeouts over his first eight appearances of the month, collecting a save in each of his first three. Bailey, who holds the Wagner College school record of 237 strikeouts, ended the month with saves in three consecutive appearances on August 27 th and 29th on the road vs. the Angels, and on August 31st against Kansas City at home. The sixth round selection in the 2006 First-Year Player Draft is now 6-3 with a 1.88 ERA and 21 saves on the season. The 21 saves, which leads all Major League rookies and is tied for eighth overall in the A.L., is two shy of the Oakland rookie record of 23 set by Street in 2005, when he won the A.L. Rookie of the Year Award by the BBWAA. In addition, Bailey ranks second among A.L. relievers in strikeouts (76) and opponents batting average (.173), third in innings pitched (72.0), tied for third in wins and fifth in ERA.

It’s September and the Athletics are collecting utility bills in the American League West basement so one of the few things A’s fans have to look forward to are the September call-ups with the late season roster expansions. Scout.com:

For much of the year, Craig Breslow was the only lefty in the Oakland A’s bullpen. He got some company when Jay Marshall was added to the ‘pen in August and now he will find plenty of comrades with the arrival of three new lefties to Oakland’s bullpen: Jerry Blevins, Dana Eveland and Brad Kilby.

Both Blevins and Eveland were on the A’s Opening Day roster, but both struggled early in the season and were sent down to Triple-A Sacramento. Blevins has been one of the River Cats’ most reliable relievers since being sent down. In 63.1 innings, he has posted a 3.84 ERA with 62 strike-outs and only 18 walks. Blevins spent the bulk of last season as the A’s primary left-handed reliever.

Eveland’s time in Sacramento has been more of a mixed bag. He has an 8-6 record with a 4.94 ERA and 92 strike-outs against 51 walks in 124 innings for Sacramento. Eveland has made 21 starts for the River Cats. Over his last 10 starts, he has struck-out 50 in 59.1 innings, but he has a 6.37 ERA. It isn’t immediately clear whether Eveland will get any starts with the A’s in September or if he will be a long reliever. The A’s are moving to a six-man starting rotation starting on Tuesday.

Kilby will be making his major league debut and has been added to the A’s 40-man roster for the first time in his career. Oakland’s 29th round pick in 2005 out of San Jose State, Kilby has been a top reliever in the A’s system since the start of his pro career. He has a 2.13 ERA and 77 strike-outs in 63.1 innings for Sacramento this season and a career ERA of 2.52 in five minor league seasons.