And when the music stops . . .

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John Shea from the North Side of Chicago, where the A's wrap up their interleague series with the Cubs . . .

Today's musical-chair loser is Ryan Sweeney. who's out of the lineup. Yesterday, Rajai Davis was omitted after a three-hit game. Today, Sweeney. Manager Bob Geren said it's partly because of Sweeney's achy knees.

Conor Jackson, who led off in place of Davis yesterday, is hitting second. Geren called the newcomer a "top of the order hitter," and Jackson agrees.

Dallas Braden's on the mound, looking for his first win since his Mother's Day perfect game. Geren cited elbow and ankle issues for Braden, saying, "In fairness to him, he's battling through some injuries and going out there every fifth day. He's been OK. I hope today will be his break."

Before the game, Geren was asked about his history at Wrigley Field, and he mentioned the home run he hit in 1993 against Dan Plesac. It was a seventh-inning shot to left-center, giving the Padres a 4-1 lead. Fred McGriff homered in the eighth, and they won 5-4. Geren had three hits that day, out-hitting Tony Gwynn (two) and Gary Sheffield (one).

Geren homered one more time. It came later that season in the second-to-last game of his career.

"It's a big treat for these (players) to come to a park like this with the history here," said Geren, not necessarily speaking of his own.

Coco Crisp will play his third rehab game with Triple-A Sacramento. Geren said the plan is for Crisp to play five innings his first two games, seven innings his next two games. Take a day off. Then play nine innings for three or four games before joining the A's on the homestand.

The lineup: CF Davis, LF Jackson, 1B Barton, C Suzuki, 3B Kouzmanoff, RF Cust, 2B Ellis, SS Pennington, LHP Braden.

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Posted By: John Shea (Email, Twitter) | June 17 2010 at 10:46 AM