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The Oakland Telegraph
15 August 2033
Dundee throws magnificent 1-hit shutout as A's finally overhaul the Rangers
By Juan Hit-Shutout, useless opposition correspondent
Oakland starter Brad Dundee last night threw a sensational one-hit shutout to lead his side to a riveting 1-0 win over division rivals Los Angeles Angels. By "riveting", what we really mean is "pretty dull, unless dynamite pitching aided by rookie ball standard batting is what rocks your boat".
Dundee could only pitch at the batters that stepped up to the plate in front of him, of course. And very effectively he did too. He allowed just one hit and one walk from his nine innings, striking out 11 hapless Angels. Despite his fabulous display, his incompetent team-mates in the lineup nearly contrived to deny him the win he so richly deserved. They too were held scoreless through 8 innings, but managed to nick it in the bottom of the 9th when second baseman Herb Childress scampered home on a walk-off RBI single by catcher Chun-mei Leong.
The win elevated the A's to 76-37 on the season. They have been much improved on last year's ultimately successful but nevertheless stuttering campaign, especially in the pitching department. But unfortunately the tenacious Texas Rangers refuse to go away in the battle for the American League West. The A's have steadily pegged them back the last couple of weeks, and last night's opposite-of-a-run-fest victory finally overhauled Texas, giving Oakland a razor thin half game lead. Will losing the division lead break the confidence of the Rangers, or can they fight back and regain their lead? We look poised to see a "squeaky bum time" end to the season.
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