During his playing career, Oakland A's outfielder Jonny Gomes has earned a reputation as a guy with plenty of power, but holes in his swing.
The proverbial "book" on Gomes is he can kill a fastball, but has trouble with right-handed pitchers with good sliders. Oh, and don't even ask him to pinch-hit. Gomes was hitless in 34 straight pinch-hit appearances heading in to Saturday's game against the Padres.
So when Gomes stepped in to pinch-hit against Padres righty Luke Gregerson and his wicked slider, you'd figure a strikeout was guaranteed. But Gomes launched a long home run to left-center to break a 4-4 tie and give the A's a 6-4 win, their 5th straight.
Oakland starter Tyson Ross took a no-hitter in to the 6th inning. Carlos Quentin broke it up with his 6th home run of the year.
Will Venable added a 2-run double that gave the Padres a brief, 4-3 lead.
On Sunday, Clayton Richard gets the start against Bartolo Colon.
