Recker set to start first MLB game, will bat 8th in Oakland lineup

FROM KEITH GROLLER

When he arrived in New York City with the Oakland Athletics on Tuesday, Anthony Recker was told he would be given an opportunity to play.

He wasn't told when or where that opportunity would come.

But Recker, the Catasauqua High product who was called up from Triple-A Sacramento earlier this week to be the A's backup catcher, said he would be told the night before that he was going to get a start.

Recker has indicated to at least one friend that he could be in the starting lineup today when the A's and Yankees close out their series at Yankee Stadium.

And he was right.

Oakland has posted the lineup for today's game in the Bronx and Recker is hitting eighth in the A's order for the 1:05 start. The A's will be sending Rich Harden (4-2) to the mound to be opposed by the Yankees Phil Hughes (4-4).

Recker will hit behind shortstop Cliff Pennington and ahead of third baseman Scott Sizemore in Bob Melvin's lineup.

Recker was hitting .287 with 61 runs scored, 24 doubles, 16 home runs and 48 RBIs at Triple-A Sacramento. He was chosen to the Pacific Coast League all-star team.

Even though Recker has yet to play for the A's, he might be a good luck charm since Oakland has taken the first two games of the three-game series in the Bronx.

After this series, Oakland moves on to Boston for a three-game set beginning Friday night.


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