Rain in Oakland Results in an Extra Day of Rest

Tom Candiotti, set to make an early start because of Jimmy Haynes’ sore shoulder, got a break Tuesday night when rain and sloppy field conditions forced the postponement of Oakland’s game against Detroit.

Candiotti (3-3) had switched nights with Haynes, but now Haynes will pitch today and Candiotti will go Thursday, A’s Manager Art Howe said.

“I didn’t want to give Jimmy too long a layoff in between starts,” Howe said. “Besides, I like him being in between Candiotti and [Kenny] Rogers.”

Howe said the postponement was in Candiotti’s best interests, anyway.

“We’re looking at the long haul too, August and September,” he said. “You don’t want Candiotti pitching every fifth day.”

Steady rain throughout the day made the field at the Oakland Coliseum a mess, although it was not raining at the scheduled game time of 7 p.m.

The game, the opener of a scheduled three-game series, was tentatively rescheduled for the next trip the Tigers make to Oakland, Aug. 21-23, but the exact date was not set.

Candiotti was scheduled to start against Detroit right-hander Greg Keagle (0-5). Keagle will now face Haynes (1-1) today.

“As a pitcher, you expect to pitcher every fifth day. The day I get to pitch is the only day I get to be ornery at home,” Candiotti joked. “Today was my day to be ornery.”

The postponement also gives the A’s a much-needed day off. April 23 was a travel day, but their last actual day off was April 7.

Haynes was eager for his start.

“I felt good today,” he said. “You’re always interested to see how it feels.”

The A’s were coming off a 7-4 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on Monday night. Oakland had lost its two previous games.

Detroit is only 3-13 on the road this season.

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NEXT SERIES FOR ANGELS

WHO: Detroit Tigers

WHERE: Edison Field

WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.

Saturday, 7 p.m.

Sunday, 5 p.m.