Payback sucks!

Remeber just last week when nothing could go wrong? Everyball ball found it's way through the infield. A runner on third would score with or without the benefit of a hit. Umpires blew all the calls in the favor of the Green and Gold. Wow, those days were fun. I guess what goes around comes around.
It is hard to complain about losing a game because of a blown call, but damn it hurts. I think Guicionni (sp?) is one of those umps who never makes a mistake in his own mind. I doubt he would admit it today that he blew the call. I watched a replay of him reacting the inning before when he called a strike on Luis Matos I believe. Matos tried to check his swing and was given a strike on the appeal to first. Roberts reacted and Guicionni threw his hands up at Roberts like "How do you have the gaul to question me?"
Does anybody fly by the seat of their pants more than Joe Blanton? Who walks more lead off men and then some how gets an inning ending double play more? Nobody I tell you!
Let's hope Kotsay is starting to get some strength back. Kendall needs to get going as well. I might think about moving Ellis to the lead off spot right now, or at least the number two hole. He's putting the bat on everything and taking the gaps. With Chavey hitting we need somebody to be on base when he comes to the plate.
Maybe with Kendall starting to slow down it is tme to get Melhuse some more time. I wonder if Kendall being in a pennant race for the first time this late in the season is starting to take it's toll. Never in his career has he had so much pressure on him at this time in the season. It's big game after big game for him right now. Playing the Expos in August was not exactley a pressure situation for him in prior seasons.
I am pleased that the defense has been holding up for the most part during this lull. As the old cliche goes, speed and defense never slump. Well, we have no speed, so let's consentrate on the "D."
I have been gone for a couple of days so Tuesday night's game was the first I have seen since Friday so you will have to excuse my thought, but Byrnsey looks wrong in the high black socks. I never saw him in a Rockies kit but it is just wrong. I think it looks more out of place than when I first saw Hudson, Mulder, Tejada or Giambi in their new digs.
One more quick thought, I love the Eck jersey retirement. He deserves it and I was glad a lot of his old teammates were there as well. But who is next? It's got to be Rickey!!! You could probably terll from my name that he would be my choise, but come on. They already had a Rickey Henderson Day a couple of years ago when he was with the Pads and they were in town. It's cool if they grandfather Danny Haren in with the number. But let's get Rickey's name on the wall!!!!
Let's salvage this game this afternoon and get ready for for the Royals. We can not be expecting the end any streak against the Royals. That attitude never works.

Go A's!!!!!