Oakland fires Macha after negotiations break down

Ken Macha will walk away from the Oakland Athletics after seven years with fresh memories of another winning season, despite a young and injury-depleted lineup.

He hopes potential employers appreciate that, too.

Macha was out of a job as A’s manager Wednesday after failing to reach an agreement on a new contract, which he called one of several “massive disappointments” in his tenure.

“Who knows how the rest of baseball views you?” Macha said hours after general manager Billy Beane said there would be no further negotiations with the third-year skipper.

“I can go home and sleep and know that we used tremendous character to get through this season,” Macha said.

Macha led the A’s to the American League West title in his first year as manager in 2003, the club’s fourth straight playoff berth. But Oakland failed to reach the postseason the past two years despite a 91-win season in 2004 and 88 victories this year.

“We offered a three-year deal with a club option and they countered with a three-year deal without a club option,” Beane said. “I don’t think we were ever going to be able to bridge the gap. It was a significant gap.”

The A’s seemed out of it in May when they had two eight-game losing streaks and finished the month 7-20. Oakland rebounded with another strong second half, overcoming injuries to key players, including shortstop Bobby Crosby and No. 2 starter Rich Harden.

Macha was 275-211 in three seasons with the A’s.

Peavy holds out hope despite injury

Jake Peavy is optimistic he can pitch again with a broken rib if the San Diego Padres get to Game 4 of their National League Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.

“I wouldn’t rule it out,” Peavy said. “We’ve got a great medical staff taking a look at all of our options, and I feel like we’ve got some pretty good options that we can take advantage of. … Hopefully, those can make me feel a whole lot better than I feel right now and I’ll get back out there.”

The Padres’ ace said team doctors are considering a numbing injection into the break, on his right side.

Peavy, who led the league in strikeouts while going 13-7 with a 2.88 ERA, said doctors believe his start in Game 1 worsened a rib injury sustained during an on-field celebration after clinching the West title last week.

Selig claims drug policy still in works

Baseball and its players are still negotiating over a tougher drug-testing agreement, Commissioner Bud Selig said, one week after union head Donald Fehr testified a new agreement could be in place before the end of the World Series.

“There’s been no change,” Selig said while watching the playoff game between the visiting Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox. “I’m very hopeful. We need to get it done.”

Clearing the bases

Oakland right-hander Rich Harden had surgery on his non-pitching shoulder to reattach the labrum. Harden, 23, went 10-5 with a 2.53 ERA in 19 starts. … First-base coach Brett Butler’s contract will not be renewed by Arizona, the Diamondbacks announced from Phoenix.