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TOM JONESAn umpire's opinion of his jewelry Saturday flusters Dewon Brazelton, still winless away from Tropicana Field.
OAKLAND, Calif. - It's always something when Dewon Brazelton strays too far from home.
On Saturday, Brazelton's night was thrown off kilter before he even threw a pitch. Home plate umpire Gary Cederstrom ordered Brazelton to remove a black rubber-band-type bracelet from his left wrist.
"A black rubber band on a black man," Brazelton said. "I don't want to get on the umpires, but how is a black rubber band on a black man a distraction? You got guys with tattoos and ear rings and necklaces, and (a bracelet) that is on my glove hand is a distraction? I don't understand that."
That typified Brazelton's night.
"He got flustered," was manager Lou Piniella's three-word explanation to what happened to Brazelton.
Brazelton was knocked off balance by Cederstrom then the A's delivered a knockout blow in the first inning by striking for three runs. The A's eventually built a 5-0 lead in a 5-4 victory and Brazelton's strange road woes continued.
Brazelton has never won a game away from Tropicana Field. At home over his two-season big-league career, he is 7-2 record with a 2.76 ERA. On the road, though, Brazelton is now 0-10 with an ERA just over 7.
Piniella is quick to point out that the Rays are a better home team than a road team and perhaps that has led to Brazelton's Jekyll-Hyde performances. He also mentioned Brazelton's good road efforts that did not result in victories.
And, finally, Piniella suggested most of Brazelton's road troubles came last season, but this season's numbers suggest it is more than just coincidence that Brazelton is different pitcher on the road. This season, Brazelton is 6-1 with a 1.60 ERA at home, 0-4 with an ERA of 8.20 on the road.
"I don't know what to tell you," Brazelton said. "It's not like I go out there and say, "Oh, God, I'm on the road.' It's not like that."
Brazelton tried to explain that he didn't pitch much different Saturday than he did Aug. 22 when he beat the A's 2-1 at Tropicana Field. He said ground balls that were gobbled up in the 2-1 victory barely sneaked through holes on Saturday.
Then again, he gave up two long homers Saturday and the bottom line: He pitched only four innings, giving up five runs on six hits.
"I felt like I went out there and things just happened," Brazelton said. "I did the best I could."
There is some good news for Brazelton. His next start is Thursday.
At home.