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Rich Hill, Oakland Athletics’ $6 Million Dollar Man, Pitches a Gem

By Mark Sigmon

Apr 25, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Oakland Athletics shortstop Marcus Semien (10) is congratulated by teammates after scoring in the sixth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 25, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Oakland Athletics shortstop Marcus Semien (10) is congratulated by teammates after scoring in the sixth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oakland Athletics’ $6 Million Man Comes Through With Solid Start vs. Tigers

When the Oakland Athletics pulled out their checkbook last winter and shelled out $6 million for a journeyman pitcher named Rich Hill, some fans had their doubts. When Hill struggled in Arizona, the doubts mounted. Hill was forced into an emergency Opening Night start, and he got knocked out in the top of the third inning.

At that point, some A’s fans were ready to declare the “Rich Hill Experiment” a failure. It seems, however, that Hill has righted the ship.

Hill has three wins in his last four starts. He seems to be improving every time he takes the mound. Last night, he made the high-powered Tigers hitters look foolish. Hill’s breaking pitches just froze the Tigers time after time. When they did make contact, the Detroit hitters either beat the ball into the ground or popped the ball up. Hill was masterful, with eight strikeouts and no walks and no runs allowed. He gave up four hits while pitching through seven innings.

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A’s fans probably will not fully embrace Hill until he wins a few games at the Coliseum. It would be good, however, to note that while the A’s went after Hill, the Red Sox signed David Price to a contract worth $276 million. Hill and Price both have three wins on the season. Hill has 37 strikeouts while Price has 46. (14 came last night against the Atlanta Braves, who have gone two weeks without hitting a home run.) And the key statistic…Hill has an era of 2.42 while Price has an era of 5.76. Just sayin’…

The game really was about Rich Hill and his masterful pitching, but it would have all been for naught without some offense. Josh Reddick had a nice game. He went 3-4 with a stolen base and a run scored. It was especially nice to see the bottom of the order come through in this game. Khris Davis, batting seventh had a key rbi single in the top of the fourth. Yonder Alonso, in the eight spot, chipped in a single. He was on base when Marcus Semien, batting ninth, put the game out of reach with a two-run home run in the top of the seventh.

Next: A Closer Look at Chris Bassitt, and His Sinker

It seems a little odd that the team leader in home runs is batting ninth, but that’s the Oakland A’s. They do odd things. Semien also continued his steady fielding. I don’t want to jinx him, but Semien has only made one error on the year… (knock on wood!)

All in all, it was a good night for the Athletics. They got back into the win column and guaranteed at least a .500 road trip. Sonny Gray goes tonight against Justin Verlander. Verlander has struggled this season, and A’s fans would really enjoy it if the hitters could lay some lumber on him.

It would be nice to get a little revenge for 2013 and 2014.