 Near the end of the 2012 season, Pennington had started playing second base after the Athletics acquired Stephen Drew from the Arizona Diamondbacks to play every day shortstop, also due to the demotion of second baseman Jemile Weeks.Pennington went to the post season for the first time in his career as the Athletics won the AL West in 2012.They were eliminated in the ALDS by the Detroit Tigers in five games.