Oakland closer Bailey’s long road to Citizens Bank Park

Just outside the visitors clubhouse at Citizens Bank Park, the Oakland A's family will-call list sat on a small, red table hours before Saturday's interleague game against the Phillies. The seventh and eighth entries read: "Wife, Amanda Bailey," and "Parents, under William Bailey."

On Saturday night, cheers could be heard throughout the park as Oakland closer Andrew Bailey got a save against the team he grew up rooting for in Haddon Heights. He's grown up a lot since graduating from Paul VI High, winning the American League rookie of the year award in 2009, and making two all-star appearances. The 6-foot-3, 240-pound righthander has put up great numbers over his career - 140 strikeouts in 1412/3 innings with 56 saves and a 1.66 ERA - but that's only when he can stay on the field.

Bailey, 27, has pitched in just nine games this season because of a forearm injury that kept him on the disabled list until his season debut on May 29. He also missed time in 2010 with elbow and rib-cage injuries.

Saturday night, he earned his fifth save of the season, giving up no runs in 11/3 innings of Oakland's 4-1 win. "It's going to be a long season for us if we don't have him," A's starter Gio Gonzalez said. "Stay healthy - that's all we need him to do."

   - Tim Rohan