A's Insider notes: Colon's fountain of stem cell youth

May 30, 2011A'S PAGEA'SVIDEO

Paul GutierrezCSNCalifornia.com

Colon finds fountain of stem cell youth? - Thirty-eight year-old Yankees starter Bartolo Colon pitched as though it was his Cy Young Award season of 2005. In hitting 95 mph on his 103rd and final pitch, Colon threw his first complete-game shutout since July 5, 2006. The right-hander did not walk a batter and allowed four hits while striking out six. He's also making many wonder about, well, his comeback in using his own fat and bone marrow stem cells.

Not the "start" he envisioned - Trevor Cahill had a hiccup in his last start, last week in Anaheim. So, of course, he'd make amends against the team he was 0-2 with a 12.60 career ERA in the New York Yankees, right? Um, not so much. The right-hander struggled with his command early and paid for it with a three-run first inning and surrendered another run in the seventh en route to the deflating defeat. Cahill equaled season highs with four earned runs allowed and five walks surrendered in his 6 23 innings. Perhaps most painful, the two-run home run hit by Mark Teixeira came on a hanging off-speed pitch on a 1-and-2 count. Plus, it was the first time the A's had given up three runs in the first inning this season.Buzzing Cervelli's tower - Francisco Cervelli was a last-minute addition to the Yankees lineup when - no, Jorge Posada did not beg out of the lineup - Russell Martin was scratched with a sore toe. Cervelli almost had a sore head after twice being buzzed by Cahill and dropped. Perhaps it was in retaliation for Cervelli stealing second base in the second inning when he was not being held at first base? In any event, he would later swipe second again on a double-steal, becoming the first Yankees catcher since Joe Girardi on June 27, 1996 to steal two bags in the same game.Missing average history - The A's had a shot at some unique history. Had they defeated the Yankees, they would have evened their record at 166-166 in games played from May 31, 2009 through May 30, 2011.Geren in pinstripes, a look back - A's manager Bob Geren spent parts of four seasons with the Yankees - 1988 through 1991 - so there's always a sense of nostalgia floating around his pregame meeting with reporters whenever the Bronx Bombers are in town and their media crush. Just for kicks, a look at Geren's hitting stats for the Yankees: in 249 games, he batted .237 with 19 home runs and 70 RBI. He also struck out 151 times in 620 at-bats and walked 36 times.Lineup shift coming? - It's no secret that first baseman Daric Barton is struggling at the plate. After going 0-for-4 Monday, Barton is three for his last 25 to drop his season batting average to .206. Asked if he would contemplate dropping Barton in the lineup from the No. 2 spot, Geren said, "That's worth taking a look at."Rosales on the mendGeren also said utility infielder Adam Rosales (fractured right foot) could potentially join triple-A Sacramento this week for a rehab assignment. Rosales has been on the disabled list since March 22 and has been playing in As extended spring training minor league games in Phoenix.