Powell powers A’s to win over Kansas City
Article & photos by Andy Lopusnak of Bay Area Sports Drive Magazine
September 2, 2009

In a rare start at catcher, Landon Powell hit his first career grand slam and threw out a runner during the Oakland Athletics’ 10-4 win over the Kansas City Royals. Powell doesn’t get much playing time because the team’s usual starter, Kurt Suzuki, has caught more games at catcher this year than any other player in the American League. Suzuki, who was honored pregame as the team’s Roberto Clemente Award for his sportsmanship and community involvement, also tops the A’s in RBI and is second in home runs, which keeps Powell on the bench.

Powell has used the sparse time he’s played to make a huge difference. The 27-year old rookie posted a career-high four RBI against the Royals and has 27 of them in just 37 games played, which is the second most in the first 36 games played in Athletics history (Ben Grieve had 30 in his first 36 games). However, don’t expect to see Powell play in the team’s next series against Seattle because Suzuki will be squatting behind home plate after earning a day off from manager Bob Geren.

Oakland jumped out to an 8-0 lead after two innings thanks to Powell’s two-out grand slam in the second inning, Ryan Sweeney hitting a two-run single and two sacrifice fly balls. The A’s scored all ten runs in the first three innings. A’s starting pitcher Trevor Cahill (8-12) allowed three runs in five innings to earn back-to-back wins for the first time in more than two months. Oakland won the season series against Kansas City 6-2.