OKLAHOMA CITY – While many of the River Cats will search for razors and say goodbye to the mustaches they donned for good luck, Chris Denorfia said his will stay.
After all, his season isn't over. Denorfia and fellow outfielder Carlos González said they will return to the A's today after learning Tuesday they would be called up.
The pair head to the big leagues after sharing an outfield with the River Cats and the Most Valuable Player award in the Pacific Coast League playoffs.
"I'm starting to like the mustache," said Denorfia, who was 1 for 4 with a run scored in Tuesday's Bricktown Showdown. "I think it's just me so far, but I'm trying to talk other people into it."
Denorfia, who played at Division III Wheaton College in Massachusetts, was acquired from the Reds last season for closer Marcus McBeth and left-hander Ben Jukich. He arrived in Oakland weeks after having Tommy John surgery on his right elbow for a ligament, which caused him to sit out the remainder of the 2007 season. Denorfia was considered a front-runner for a starting job in the A's outfield at the start of training camp, but time off following surgery seemed to hinder his performance.
After experiencing lower-back soreness earlier this season, he was placed on the 15-day disabled list, then sent to Sacramento. As it turned out, Sacramento wasn't a bad place to be, even for González, who admitted being disappointed when he first arrived.
"I feel so happy right now," said González, who was 1 for 3 with a run scored in Tuesday's win. "That was a good move for me to come back and get my comfort back."
Double take – Many River Cats said they could not have scripted a better ending to their season than to have all-around good guy Brooks Conrad come up with a diving double play to end the game.
With one out and a Yankee on first base, Eric Duncan hit a line drive at Conrad, who dove and caught the ball, then came up quickly to throw to first base for the double play.
"He smashed it, just absolutely smashed it," said Conrad. "You don't see too many games end like that."
Call The Bee's Melody Gutierrez, (916) 326-5521.
