September 22, 2008 Cliff Pennington, the A's likely second baseman the rest of the way, had a big night on Monday as he had two hits at the plate and two steals on the bases.
Our View:Pennington is hitting .262 overall but .327 in September in 49 AB. He has also scored nine runs and swiped three bags in what is shaping up to be a fine month for a player hoping to earn a utility role with the Athletics in 2009.
September 9, 2008 Infielder Cliff Pennington will try his hand at second base on Tuesday night against the Tigers. He is listed as the starter and hitting ninth. Pennington has thus far played nine games at third base and seven games at shortstop in his brief career.
Our View:It looks like someone is gearing up for a utility role in 2009. Marco Scutaro would be proud.
August 17, 2008 There was a bright spot in the A's loss to the White Sox on Sunday afternoon: Cliff Pennington got his first Major League hit, according to MLB.com. The reserve infielder replaced Bobby Crosby at shortstop in the eighth inning, and responded in the bottom half of the inning with a sinking liner off White Sox starter Javier Vazquez that dropped under the glove of right fielder DeWayne Wise, who dove but could not make the catch.
Our View:Pennington was called up from Triple-A Sacramento on Tuesday. A first-round Draft pick in 2005, Pennington had not played above Double-A before this season, but led the A's farm system with 91 runs scored over stints at Midland and Stockton. Up next for the 24-year-old will be Pennington's first big league road trip, a 10-game, three-city journey that begins Monday in Minnesota. The A's will also play in Seattle and Anaheim before returning home to play a four-game series against the Orioles.
August 12, 2008 The A's are going to give prospect Cliff Pennington the start at third base this evening as they face the Tampa Bay Rays, according to the San Francisco Gate.
Our View:The A's haven't put out a release yet, but Pennington is working out on the field with hitting coach Ty Van Burkleo. Manager Bob Geren tends to put new callups in the lineup and with Jack Hannahan struggling mightily on the last road trip, it's a good bet Pennington is at third tonight. The former first-round pick has been playing there recently at Triple-A Sacramento, and he's been one of the River Cats' hottest hitters of late. To make room on the roster, the Gate believes the A's have designated Brooks Conrad for assignment.
