The A's decided to start this year the same way they did last, losing the third game in their opening series. It was a one-run loss again, as Barry Zito pitched well, giving up two runs in eight innings, despite four walks, but took the "loss" (once again showing the folly of that statistic) as the A's could only muster one run (another homer by Jermaine Dye) against the Rangers's Colby Lewis and assorted bullpen buddies.

The A's managed four walks and ran Lewis's pitch count up to 105 in just 5 1/3 innings, but couldn't get anything going for extra bases, aside from Dye's home run. It's hard to string enough singles and walks together to get a big inning, which is why doubles are nice.

Final note: Chad Bradford threw the top of the ninth for the A's, getting three outs on six pitches, all strikes. That's the kind of performance that'll allow him to throw 100 innings this year if the A's so desire. Six pitches! If this were spring training, he'd have to go out and keep throwing on the side so he could get his full work in.

Oakland's off today, with a weekend series against Seattle up next.

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