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Buck shows he's ready for return to A's
The rehabilitating outfielder goes 3 for 5 in a Cats victory.
By Matt Patterson - Special to The Bee
Last Updated 12:36 am PDT Saturday, May 10, 2008
Story appeared in SPORTS section, Page C5
If Friday night was any indication, it won't be long before the A's have one of their most prized young players patrolling the outfield.
Outfielder Travis Buck helped push the River Cats past Oklahoma 5-2 at AT&T Bricktown Ballpark. It was Sacramento's third consecutive victory over the RedHawks.
Buck, 24, went 3 for 5 with four RBIs. Buck has been in Sacramento on a rehabilitation assignment after going on the disabled list with shin splints April 24.
"Things feel great," Buck said. "The thing with shin splints, the only thing you can do is rest. … Unfortunately I had to go on the DL, but in the end it paid off. My shins feel great. My legs feel really good. I'm just having a lot of fun with guys I came up through the system with."
Buck was the No. 36 overall pick in the 2005 draft. He broke into the big leagues last season, hitting .288 with seven homers and 34 RBIs.
"It's finally good to put together some good at bats," he said. "(Oklahoma starter Eric) Hurley is an unbelievable pitcher. He's got a bright future. So it was finally good to have some quality at-bats against a good pitcher."
Buck hit a two-run homer off Hurley in the seventh inning, just after the RedHawks had tied the score 1-1 on a hit by shortstop Joaquin Arias in the sixth.
"It's good to see Travis get it going," Sacramento manager Todd Steverson said. "He's had some time off to try and get his rhythm back. It's nice to see organizationally for a guy like that to get healthy again."
Buck provided the offense, and River Cats starting pitcher Danny Borrell frustrated RedHawks hitters. Borrell went six innings and allowed four hits and one earned run. He struck out seven.
"It was definitely a pitcher's duel pretty much the whole game," Buck said. "When you're facing a guy with Hurley's caliber, you're going to want your pitcher to do the same to have a chance, and (Borrell) pitched just as good, if not better."
Steverson and Buck said there is no timetable for the outfielder's return to the A's. He was supposed to rejoin the team Friday, but Oakland elected to extend his rehab time. He was hitting .154 in 15 games with Oakland.
"It's out of my hands," Buck said. "Hopefully it will be sooner rather than later. But I'm having fun, and when they know I'm ready, and when I know I'm ready to go up there and contribute right away, that's when it's going to happen."
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