03/19/2006 8:18 PM ET Notes: Macha bullish on 'pen's success By Rick Eymer / Special to MLB.com

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With the success of the Angels' bullpen, which many think is the best in baseball, the A's have attempted to assemble their own stubborn bullpen. So far the results have been terrific.

The six pitchers who are expected to make up the A's bullpen -- Kennedy, Huston Street, Kiko Calero, Justin Duchscherer, Kirk Saarloos and Jay Witasick -- have a combined 2.43 ERA.

"These guys threw strikes last year and it's the same bullpen," Calero said. "I feel good about those guys."

Saarloos and Kennedy could also start should the need arise. Saarloos has made a pair of spring starts. Throw starter/reliever Juan Cruz, who split time between Oakland and Sacramento last year, into the mix and the bullpen ERA drops to 2.04. Cruz has not allowed a run in 6 2/3 innings.

"Saarloos has been magnificent," A's manager Ken Macha said. "Not just this spring but through last season. He enjoys what he's doing but it's business as usual when he goes out there. His attitude has been exemplary."

Kennedy, the lone left-hander in the bullpen, looked overwhelming through his first five appearances and Macha thought he threw the ball well despite allowing a run on one hit, which raised his ERA to 1.04.

"The ball didn't get out of the infield against him," Macha said.

A's starter Dan Haren, among others, is probably happy Kennedy finally allowed a run.

"I don't want him going into the season with any kind of streak," Haren said earlier in the week. "He's throwing the best of any pitcher. I don't like playing catch with him because he throws so hard, and it keeps hitting my thumb."

Kennedy is having fun, and that just might be the key.

"When you have fun and put up good innings it makes life a lot easier," Kennedy said. "When you know your role and you're not fighting for a spot you can relax and have a little fun, maybe work on a few things. I'm getting outs and that's all I'm worried about."

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Power surge: Second baseman Mark Ellis hit the first pitch he saw from Jerome Williams on Sunday. The ball landed among some trees just beyond left field.

Ellis has hit four home runs this spring. He's suddenly become a power threat after hitting a career-high 13 last year.

"I saw some of that power in 2002 [when he hit six in 98 games]," Macha said. "Right now he's locked in. He has a short, quick stroke and his plate coverage is better so pitchers can't just put it on the outside part of the plate."

Ellis has a six-game hitting streak, with two doubles, three home runs and five RBIs during that span. He hit a career-high .316 last year after missing a season with a torn labrum in his right shoulder.

"Ellis has been unbelievable," A's starter Barry Zito said. "The way he started out after going through that injury and then having a great year; he rides that momentum. He's a great example for all the guys, even the veterans."

Roster moves: Macha wanted right-hander Shane Komine to go out on a positive note, so he scheduled the 25-year-old to start one of the split-squad games on Sunday. Unfortunately the weather didn't cooperate and Komine will spend the rest of the spring pitching at the Minor League complex.

Komine (0-1, 11.25) was one of five players sent to the Minors following Sunday's game. He made two appearances but did not start a game.

Komine and right-hander Matt Roney were optioned to Triple-A Sacramento, while right-hander Jason Karnuth, catcher Kurt Suzuki and infielder Andrew Beattie were reassigned to the Minor League camp.

Roney (0-0, 6.00) appeared in five games, walking five and striking out three in six innings. Karnuth was 1-0 with a 7.71 ERA in five games.

Suzuki played in seven games and hit .273 with an RBI. Beattie was 3-of-14 with a double in nine games.

Up next: Right-hander Rich Harden (0-0, 3.00) makes his second start for the A's on Monday when the Seattle Mariners come to Phoenix. The Mariners will start right-hander Joel Pineiro.

Rick Eymer is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

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