So the A's finally won again. The offense was still crap, since they only managed four hits and a walk against Doug Waechter and two relievers, but luckily, two of those hits were homers by Erubiel Durazo, and each was preceded by a walk or hit, so the A's managed four runs despite the otherwise dismal hitting.

The win is more thanks to Mark Redman's six and two thirds shutout innings than it is to any shaking off of offensive doldrums on the A's part.

Arthur Rhodes is looking pretty alarming for a guy with a three-year contract, as he gave up two home runs, then let the bases get juiced before getting out of the 9th inning with an A's win. It's similar to what he did against the Yankees on Wednesday, giving up a leadoff homer to Jason Giambi, then loading the bases before getting out of the inning. In both cases, the outcome of the game wasn't changed, as the A's lost 5-1 instead of 4-1 on Wednesday, and won 4-2 instead of 4-0 last night. Obviously, though, that doesn't change the fact that Rhodes has a 4.09 ERA at this point, and has probably made a number of A's fans long for the days of good ol' Billy Taylor in the closer role.

At least Chad Bradford pitched well again, going an inning and a third to bridge the gap between Redman and Rhodes. Bradford was also pitching when the A's caught Carl Crawford stealing, helping his reputation as a guy who holds runners well. Crawford had an awful night on the bases, as he was picked off and caught stealing, nullifying any utility his two singles may have had for the Devil Rays.