I usually don't remember dreams, but I've been recalling more in recent days, for some reason. Last night, I dreamed I was talking with Billy Beane, and he asked me how well I could pitch. Well, I guess that's just a sign of how horrible the A's bullpen has been with those five pitchers on the DL. If I'm even subconsiously contemplating the idea that I could do a better job than them, well, then things are really, really bad.

Before this dream, fortunately, the A's managed to get through a game without using any of those replaceable middle relievers. Barry Zito pitched into the eighth, and Huston Street took it from there. The A's seven-game losing streak was mercifully over.

A victory tonight would sure make this roadtrip less painful. Kirk Saarloos rarely pitches beyond the sixth inning, even on a good day, but maybe tonight he can make an exception. Better to dream for a miracle like that, than to dream that I can suddenly learn how to pitch.