Oakland can't put Mathis in foul mood

Jeff Mathis no longer is that demoralized rookie catcher who left a dreadful series in Oakland last season with his head hanging low. He returned to the Bay Area today with his confidence soaring.
During a late April series in the Athletics' ballpark last season Mathis dropped two foul popups in one game, and during one at-bat he was called for interference while trying make contact on a hit and run.
“Any time you go through a series like that you have to get something out of it and I think I did,” said Mathis, choosing to look on the bright side.
Things certainly are looking much better now. Mathis guided Kelvim Escobar and John Lackey to solid starts in the first two games of the series against the Mariners and before going hitless Wednesday night, he had seven hits in his previous four games.
“It's going to relax you when you win ballgames and play well, especially as a team,” Mathis said. “It's going to take some of the pressure. I'm still trying to focus on being relaxed and calm out there and just having some fun.”