First Pitch: A's Fuentes lays into manager after loss
Things got uglier for Oakland after the game, when Fuentes, who has absorbed the loss in his last four appearances (an Oakland record), was highly critical how A's manager Bob Geren has used him.
"There's just no communication," Fuentes said, according to MLB.com. "Two games on the road, bring the closer in a tied game, with no previous discussions of doing so. And then, tonight, in the seventh inning, I get up. I haven't stretched, I haven't prepared myself. If there was some communication beforehand I would be ready to come into the game -- which I was, when I came into the game, I was ready. Just lack of communication. I don't think anybody really knows which direction he's headed."
Fuentes, 35, was brought in to start the eighth inning Monday and allowed a walk and fielder's choice before being pulled for Michael Wuertz, who allowed the Angels to go ahead.
The left-hander, who has nine saves this season filling in for injured Andrew Bailey, was also brought in during ties in the 10th inning twice and the 11th once in his three previous games, including two against the Giants over the weekend. He lost all three games, allowing two earned runs and five hits while walking two in 1 2/3 innings.
"The games in San Francisco were unorthodox managing," said Fuentes, who has 196 career saves. "I thought it was a National League thing. But tonight was pretty unbelievable."
When the bullpen phone in Anaheim, Calif., rang in seventh inning Monday, Fuentes he thought bullpen coach Rick Rodriguez "misspoke."
"I thought it was some sort of miscommunication, but he said, 'No, you're up,' so I got up and cranked it up," Fuentes said. "You can't try to guess along with them. Very unpredictable."
Fuentes was asked how he thought Geren has handled him. "Pretty poorly," he said.
How much communication does he have with Geren? "Zero."
Fuentes said this was a "pretty drastic difference" from relations with his previous managers. He also said Geren told him at the beginning of the season that he's the A's closer.
"I've always said I've used a guy in the right situation," Geren said before Monday's game. "The eighth inning is a good spot for (Grant) Balfour. If there's a better spot in reverse (with Balfour and Fuentes switching places), we could do that, too. It's about winning games."
According to the Oakland Tribune, Geren also indicated he was reluctant to use unproven pitchers in crucial late-inning situations.
When told what Geren said, Fuentes replied: "He should share those comments with us rather than with you guys."
Fuentes (1-7 with a 5.06 ERA in 23 appearances), was asked if the air needed to be cleared with Geren: "At this point, I have nothing to say."
He has already said plenty.
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