In a season in which the A's have not been afraid to shake up things, Howe got the blender out again Thursday, putting Eric Byrnes in center field, and leaving Terrence Long off his lineup card for only the second time this season.

"I just felt that Byrnsie deserved the opportunity to play and it felt like it was a good time to do it -- day game after a night game, an opportunity to see what we have in Byrnes as far as playing center field," said Howe.

Howe's move paid off, as Byrnes' leadoff homer in the third ignited a four-run frame that pushed the A's to victory.

So does that mean that A's fans should expect to see more of Byrnes in center?

"We'll see," said Howe.

Byrnes hopes so. "I'm not going to lie to you guys, it's not as much fun when you're sitting on the bench," he said. "The way I look at it is that I just have to take advantage of every opportunity I get."