On to the 10th. Emil Brown walked to lead off the bottom of the 9th, and Ryan Sweeney promptly bunts Brown to second. Really! Okay, so Sweeney, a fringe major leaguer, is swinging a .267/.325/.320. But he's not a guaranteed out. He's no Jack Cust (whom was replaced, wisely, as a defensive replacement last inning, A's up 1-0), but still. Just gave away our 25th out of the ball game. Brown moves to second, Crosby grounds him to third. Hannahan walks, and Rajai Davis grounds out to end the inning. Brown does not score.

A's still win the game, on an exhilarating walk-off single by Brown in the 10th. Huzzah! A great win. But we were given 30. Yes, I'm counting the 10th inning, because we were fortunate enough that Huston Street only allowed the single, albeit tying, run in the 9th. He gives up more than that, and we're playing from behind in the bottom of the 9th. And giving away the 25th out. Not so much an annoyance as it is a curiosity, I think -- earlier I heard Korach and co. calling a Donnie Murphy steal in the third. Who are these guys? I thought. A steal and a sac bunt in the same game. In Oakland!

A quick look at the books -- okay, we're 13th in the AL in steals, and 14th in sac bunts. Let's not make it a habit, boys. I'm serious: with the bats humming like they are (.318/.418/.442 as a team, RISP), why give away any runners (the risk associated with a stolen bases) or any batters (with sac bunts) at this time?

Anyway, high five to Emil Brown, who doesn't look like he's going anywhere when the roster gets shaken up. My prediction, for what it's worth:

1. Harden replaces Smith in the rotation, straight up. Smith returns to Sacramento, he of the 1.03 WHIP and 7.15 K/9. He won't be there long, whether he comes back in long relief or to replace Harden (who just tweaked his shoulder as you read this sentence).
2. Foulke replaces Braden in the bullpen, straight up. In mop-up duty. Yes, I know, he's Keith Foulke. But he needs the work. And really, who does he replace? Do you really want to disrupt Brown, Casilla, Devine, Embree, or Street (who isn't going anywhere, until July, at least)? All but Street are red-hot, and Street had a nice little streak going into tonight. Braden's the only guy to go. And he has options remaining.
3. Buck replaces Sweeney in the outfield. They're pretty similar players, on the whole. Buck has a bit more power and upside, it seems, but Sweeney appears to be able to stay healthy. Bottom line, neither dynamic enough to share a roster spot, probably. Especially with Davis now on the roster. Can't say I'm a huge Davis fan yet (but I should be!: .357/.400/.571), but he does have the righty thing going, and is nice late-inning insurance for the frying pan that is Jack Cust's glove.

Sweeney has options, I think. And the infield seems to work, despite my worries of having two designated hitters in Sweeney Sr. and Thomas. We do this again when Chavez rejoins the team, but it smells a bit like the Harden return: you know it's not going to last long and someone who's been exceeding expectations (Donnie Murphy, most likely, in this case) is sent packing. Unless Beane can talk Steinbrenner & co. in to acquiring Chavey as insurance for A-Rod. I could actually see that happening, if A-Rod, who's never injured, has any complications.

Sorry, Chavey -- a great guy, by most accounts, but you're just not a fit on this team any longer. You know, something like one or two promising young players, not a Haren-6 passel of prospects. Beane'd be crazy not to do this. And it's not so crazy of a scenario, actually. So let's start that rumor now:

Chavez and his remaining two-and-a-half years (totaling ~$30m) for Damon Sublett (2B, A) and David Robertson (RHP, AAA), says a source close to David Forst. 

That's enough wishing/rumoring for one night. I leave you with Emil Brown: