OAKLAND -- In a move that could be considered a preemptive call to the bullpen, the A's have announced that left-handed reliever Travis Blackley will be the starting pitcher Monday against the Twins. Blackley will be taking the spot of Graham Godfrey who struggled with a finger injury against the Angels on Tuesday.Godfrey's misfortune gave Blackley a chance to prove himself. Once Godfrey left Tuesday's game, Blackley managed to give the A's three and two-thirds innings, allowing an unearned run. It was a performance that manager Bob Melvin admitted factored into the decision."He threw close to 60 pitches," Melvin said. "We saw four good pitches, some sink on his fastball, and a good curveball.""I'm just thankful I've got a job up here at the moment," Blackley said. "I'm doing everything I can to try and establish myself, and to try and win games. We need some wins right now."Blackley was picked up by the A's after being designated for assignment by the Giants on May 13. He is the fourth Australian born native to have been on the A's roster this season. He hasn't allowed a run since he was claimed by Oakland, all while pitching exclusively out of the bullpen. Blackley does have past experience as a starting pitcher though. Last year he pitched for the KIA Tigers in the Korean Baseball Organization, where he went 7-5 with a 3.48 ERA in 25 games, 22 of which were starts."Before this, my big league experience had only been starting," Blackley said. "So I'm treating it as the same thing. I am coming in trying to eat up innings."Godfrey, who was recalled to take Brandon McCarthy's spot in the rotation, entered Saturday's game in relief. He allowed three runs in two innings. Before the game he threw a bullpen session to test the injured middle finger on his pitching hand and reported no problems. At the time he was listed as Monday's starting pitcher. The A's apparently had a change of heart, giving Blackley an opportunity."Hoping we can have a good one on Monday," Blackley said.
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