At 9-16, the Sacramento-bound Athletics are more competitive than expected early this season. Of course, 9-16 is not good, but the A's did not win their ninth game until May 12 last year, which improved them to 9-31. They even took a series from the defending World Series champion Texas Rangers on the road earlier this month. Starters Paul Blackburn and JP Sears have combined for a 2.65 ERA in their 10 starts, and after a wretched start (2 for 20 with 12 strikeouts!), Brent Rooker has slugged five home runs in his last nine games. The star of the...