A's Recall Pitchers Sean Gallagher, Jerry Blevins from Sacramento;Option Gio Gonzalez, Eric Patterson to Triple-A Club


 OAKLAND, Calif-5/04/09. - The Oakland A's today recalled right-handed pitcher Sean Gallagher and left-handed pitcher Jerry Blevins from Sacramento, and optioned left-handed pitcher Gio Gonzalez and infielder/outfielder Eric Patterson to their Triple-A affiliate.

Gallagher, acquired by the A's from the Chicago Cubs in the Rich Harden trade last July, had tossed 5.0 hitless innings over two starts for Sacramento since being sent down by Oakland April 23.  A member of the A's 2009 Opening Day roster, he had posted a 1-0 record and 8.10 ERA in three relief appearances during the first three weeks of the season. Last year, Gallagher scrolled a combined 5-7 mark and 5.15 ERA in 23 games, 21 starts, for the A's and Cubs.

Blevins, who also broke camp on the A's Opening Day roster, was 0-2 with a 3.72 ERA in six relief outings for the River Cats.  He allowed four runs in only 0.2 innings for a 54.00 ERA in two games out of the bullpen for Oakland before being shipped to Sacramento April 18.  Blevins was a key member of last year's bullpen, as he compiled a 1-3 mark and 3.11 ERA in 36 relief appearances for the Athletics.

Gonzalez, who had only been recalled from Triple-A Sacramento Saturday, pitched five innings in relief for the A's yesterday in Seattle.  He entered the game in the 10th inning and allowed three runs, five hits and four walks, struck out one batter and threw 108 pitches, receiving a no-decision in a 15-inning game eventually won by the Mariners, 8-7. His 108 pitches were the most by a major league reliever since Esteban Loaiza tossed 109 pitches in 4.2 innings for the New York Yankees Sept. 26, 2004 against Boston. 

Patterson, who entered the 2009 season with a .196 average in 50 career games with the Cubs (2007-08) and A's, was batting .125 (1 for 8) for Oakland since being recalled from Sacramento last Wednesday.  Patterson was also part of the Harden trade with the Cubs last July.  He had a nine-game hitting streak (12 for 32, .375) with Sacramento at the time of his promotion last week and was tied for third in the Pacific Coast League in steals (nine).