MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
A's send Komine back down
Associated Press
OAKLAND, Calif. » Kalani High School product Shane Komine was optioned to Triple-A Sacramento yesterday, a day after giving up a pair of home runs to the Texas Rangers.
Right-handed reliever Jay Witasick returned from the Oakland Athletics' 15-day disabled list after missing seven weeks with tendinitis in his left ankle.
Left-hander Brad Halsey will join Komine at Sacramento. He was sent down after last night's 14-0 loss to Texas.
Witasick allowed two hits, two runs and two walks in one inning yesterday against Texas, boosting his ERA to 16.20 in six appearances this season. He also forgot his shoes before the game, forcing him to wear teammate Justin Duchscherer's cleats -- which were a size too small, causing his feet to go numb.
Witasick also missed 47 games early in the season with a sprained left ankle. The 11-year veteran hadn't pitched for Oakland since June 19, but made 11 rehab appearances with Sacramento.
Halsey was roughed up by the Rangers yesterday, yielding six runs, three hits and two walks while getting just one out. Manager Ken Macha said Halsey will make two starts for the River Cats before returning to the A's for a series in Toronto later in the month.
Komine, who pitched his college ball at Nebraska, made two starts for the A's, getting no decisions with a 5.00 ERA. The right-hander left Tuesday night's game against Texas trailing 4-0, but Oakland rallied for a 7-6 victory.
Komine was Sacramento's hottest pitcher when he was called up last week, winning six straight games and only giving up a pair of earned runs in 42 1/3 innings.
The A's still have four players on the disabled list: shortstop Bobby Crosby, right-hander Rich Harden and left-handed relievers Joe Kennedy and Scott Sauerbeck.