Doolittle ecstatic about saving Zito's (probable) last MLB start
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}September 30, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Sean Doolittle (62) and catcher Stephen Vogt (21) celebrate the 8-7 victory against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The Oakland Athletics were in full-on 'spoiler' mode on Wednesday, capitalizing on four errors by the Los Angeles Angels to the tune of seven unearned runs en route to an 8-7 victory that threw a wrench in the Halos' hunt for a postseason spot.
The Angels fell a half-game behind the Houston Astros for the second Wild Card spot in the AL after A's closer Sean Doolittle was able to find his way out of a bit of a mess in the bottom of the ninth.
37-year-old Barry Zito started the game for Oakland in what may very well have been his final appearance as an MLB player. He only managed four innings, but left with a lead the A's wouldn't give up.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}After the game, Doolittle sounded downright ecstatic about pitching in a game started by Zito, as he told John Hickey of the Bay Area News Group:
As for Zito, he joked a bit with A's reporters after the game regarding his future plans and expectations:
Doolittle's injury-plagued 2015 season is representative of the sour year the A's have had as a team, though managing to be a thorn in the Angels' side at this point in the season probably felt good.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}It was also rather appropriate, given this bit of A's trivia pointed out by SCOUT.com's Melissa Lockard:
With his future ahead of him, perhaps Zito will make good on his previously stated interest in becoming a full-time Nashville musician...