Open Thread: Game 8 - A's at Minnesota (cont.)

by Tyler Bleszinski on Apr 11, 2006 7:31 PM PDT in News

A's down 7-6 after Chavy's second home run of the evening. Fatherhood must be agreeing with him. Or Gerald Perry. Or perhaps Frank Thomas hitting behind him. Whatever it is, it's beautiful.

LET'S GO A'S!!!!!!!

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I don't think it's Thomas.

At least, not tonight.

by atomopawn on Apr 11, 2006 7:31 PM PDT reply actions

I think the threat of him

is almost as effective, in terms of Chavez seeing better pitches.

Chavez also looks better at the plate...he looks like he has a clue up there. In other years it took at least a month for him to look comfortable up there.

by OaklandSi on Apr 11, 2006 7:59 PM PDT up reply actions

I'll say it again...

at least Ken Doll can't ground into a DP

"Baseball doesn't owe me a thing. I owe my whole life to baseball." ~ Kirby Puckett

by smith1051 on Apr 11, 2006 7:31 PM PDT reply actions

COME ON

KENDALL!

by OaklandDynasty on Apr 11, 2006 7:32 PM PDT reply actions

new thread mojo

The 2006 Oakland A's: Ridin' with the King

by tblazrdude on Apr 11, 2006 7:32 PM PDT reply actions

Not working tonight

by Tyler Bleszinski on Apr 11, 2006 7:37 PM PDT up reply actions

Congrats Ken Doll for staying out of the DP

"Baseball doesn't owe me a thing. I owe my whole life to baseball." ~ Kirby Puckett

by smith1051 on Apr 11, 2006 7:33 PM PDT reply actions

Damn....

by OaklandDynasty on Apr 11, 2006 7:33 PM PDT reply actions

It's been one week.

I don't even like talking about how Chavy has started...but DAMN!

"Any shots that I'll be callin' will be to the bartender!" -- Band Camp

by Sharon on Apr 11, 2006 7:34 PM PDT reply actions

at least we'll have a good part of the lineup in

for the 9th to get that lead back...someone tell macha to switch out ellis for scoot

by breedingewoks on Apr 11, 2006 7:34 PM PDT reply actions

Aaaaarrgggghhhh Extra Innings

Only two A's games this week after playing them seven straight days to open the season.

by easyraider on Apr 11, 2006 7:34 PM PDT reply actions

Extra Innings is the devil

"If you ever get tired, you just look at Kendall."- Bobby Crosby

by KendallGurl18 on Apr 11, 2006 7:36 PM PDT up reply actions

I count four...

Tomorrow's game, then all three of the Texas series this weekend.

"There was talk about getting a big name manager. Casey Stengel, guys like that. But they were all dead." --Mark Kotsay

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Apr 11, 2006 7:37 PM PDT up reply actions

I exaggerate

Two this work week (even though I am on vacation) - Wednesday and Friday.

by easyraider on Apr 11, 2006 7:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Ooh.

Dodged a bullet there.

by gawker on Apr 11, 2006 7:35 PM PDT reply actions

Juan Rincon

hasn't allowed a run in this young season.

The 2006 Oakland A's: Ridin' with the King

by tblazrdude on Apr 11, 2006 7:35 PM PDT reply actions

ah

Guess they're going with Nathan. Even better.

The 2006 Oakland A's: Ridin' with the King

by tblazrdude on Apr 11, 2006 7:37 PM PDT up reply actions

Come on, Captain Kirk.

Keep us in the game.

by gawker on Apr 11, 2006 7:37 PM PDT reply actions

the people pushing the buttons on the minnesota fox channel are a bunch of amateurs... this is about 4 pitches now that we haven't seen because they were too slow to cut back to the center field camera. unacceptable!

by spoiltvictorianchild on Apr 11, 2006 7:37 PM PDT reply actions

Is Batista's uniform #77 his age also?

"Baseball doesn't owe me a thing. I owe my whole life to baseball." ~ Kirby Puckett

by smith1051 on Apr 11, 2006 7:38 PM PDT reply actions

Macha

Does he go with Scoot here?

The 2006 Oakland A's: Ridin' with the King

by tblazrdude on Apr 11, 2006 7:38 PM PDT reply actions

Is that Slusser in front?

Let's ask her! :)

"There was talk about getting a big name manager. Casey Stengel, guys like that. But they were all dead." --Mark Kotsay

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Apr 11, 2006 7:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Er...

that's an unsettling come-hither look.

by gawker on Apr 11, 2006 7:39 PM PDT up reply actions

yeah...

He looks sorta pervy there --

by coffee roaster on Apr 11, 2006 7:42 PM PDT up reply actions

I'd go with Slusser :-)

"Baseball is a skilled game. It's America's game -- it, and high taxes." - Will Rogers

by OaklandInvader on Apr 11, 2006 7:39 PM PDT up reply actions

She looks fantastic in that picture!

She's quite awesome in general!

by nycfan @ Athletics Nation on Apr 11, 2006 7:40 PM PDT up reply actions

Interesting Factoid

The last time Nathan allowed an earned run last season on the 6th of September, he came in against the Rangers with a 7-6 lead and gave up 4 runs. The Twins lost the game 7-10.

The 2006 Oakland A's: Ridin' with the King

by tblazrdude on Apr 11, 2006 7:41 PM PDT reply actions

What was Saarloos jawing with the ump about?

They cut to the blue screen on mlb.tv as the two were chattin'.

by GreenNGoldSooner on Apr 11, 2006 7:41 PM PDT reply actions

Could be interesting in the 9th

Crosby, with a HR and line drive single batting with the bases empty, could come up with runner(s) on--due up 4th in the inning, Chavy 5th...

by Nico on Apr 11, 2006 7:41 PM PDT reply actions

Kiko with the K!

LET'S GO OAK-LAND!

"Baseball is a skilled game. It's America's game -- it, and high taxes." - Will Rogers

by OaklandInvader on Apr 11, 2006 7:43 PM PDT reply actions

rally cap time

by breedingewoks on Apr 11, 2006 7:43 PM PDT reply actions

Cap is inside out and backwards

Let's go Oak-land

by easyraider on Apr 11, 2006 7:44 PM PDT up reply actions

Gamecast still has Saarloos in an Astros cap...

...on screen.

For such a good service they're really incompetent with the photos.

by GreenNGoldSooner on Apr 11, 2006 7:44 PM PDT reply actions

Good job, Cordero, I mean, Calero

It's a shame that families get torn apart by something as simple as wild dogs. -Jack Handey

by JediLeroy on Apr 11, 2006 7:44 PM PDT reply actions

Yes!

Inning over! Our turn!

(I can't believe I have to start dinner now. Can't it wait until after the game?)

by gawker on Apr 11, 2006 7:44 PM PDT reply actions

Let's ask Macha why he waits so long to bring on

a reliever when the starting pitcher obviously has nothing and is getting bombed all over the field. Had he removed Haren sooner, the A's might be in the lead again. As it stands, unfortunately, he allowed Haren to dig a big hole. With all those rested relievers, why not yank a guy earlier when he has not stuff?
The same thing happened in the first game with Zito. Patience is not rewarded in this game...unless you have a weak bullpen, there is no excuse for waiting so long.
By the time they get in, the hitters have too big a hole to dig out of.

by Vegas Ace on Apr 11, 2006 7:44 PM PDT reply actions

well it's the 1st game of the series

and the in the 3rd Haren ONLY threw 21 pitches so it's not like his pitch count was up. Leaving in Haren was the thing to do. And even on an off day you want your pitcher to give you at least 6. I think Kenny did the right and ONLY thing

"The Toronto Bluejays G.M., J.P. Riciardi, said that watching Billy do a deal was "like watching the Wolf talk to little red riding hood" ~Moneyball

by gWiLiKeRzZz on Apr 11, 2006 7:46 PM PDT up reply actions

our bullpen was rested though. there was no reason

to leave haren in. like it was said above had macha taken haren out the A's could be winning this game.

by larrysgurl on Apr 11, 2006 7:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Nonsense! Think outside the box & win!

by Vegas Ace on Apr 11, 2006 8:14 PM PDT up reply actions

<Tilts head in confusion>

It's one game, dude. Macha did the right thing.

I don't believe in clutch hitters. But I do believe in Marco Scutaro. - salb918

by paige20 on Apr 11, 2006 7:49 PM PDT up reply actions

If Guardado was still with the Twins....

"Any shots that I'll be callin' will be to the bartender!" -- Band Camp

by Sharon on Apr 11, 2006 7:45 PM PDT reply actions

Swish

Ellis and Kotsay.Come on boys!!!

by Alejandro on Apr 11, 2006 7:46 PM PDT reply actions

Let's go Ellis

by easyraider on Apr 11, 2006 7:47 PM PDT reply actions

let's go OAKLAND!

clap clap clap clap clap!

"The Toronto Bluejays G.M., J.P. Riciardi, said that watching Billy do a deal was "like watching the Wolf talk to little red riding hood" ~Moneyball

by gWiLiKeRzZz on Apr 11, 2006 7:47 PM PDT reply actions

Wow

That was quick.

The 2006 Oakland A's: Ridin' with the King

by tblazrdude on Apr 11, 2006 7:48 PM PDT reply actions

Damn Nathan

Feel free to start out someone with a ball

by easyraider on Apr 11, 2006 7:49 PM PDT reply actions

the A's keep hacking at the 1st pitch

...are they strikes at least?

by vishal on Apr 11, 2006 7:49 PM PDT reply actions

Kots HR now please!

"Baseball is a skilled game. It's America's game -- it, and high taxes." - Will Rogers

by OaklandInvader on Apr 11, 2006 7:49 PM PDT reply actions

Fatherhood and Chavez

Maybe the lack of sleep has caused Eric to revert to a less cerebral approach at the plate.

You know See-Ball, Hit-Ball. Hit ball over fence get to sit back down and rest for a few blessed minutes.

Why yes. I am a ray of warm and fuzzy sunshine.

by grover on Apr 11, 2006 7:49 PM PDT reply actions

pinch hit

they should pinch hit scutro for crosby! we need a clutch hit!!!!

by Mr Athletics on Apr 11, 2006 7:50 PM PDT reply actions

C'mon Cros!

"Baseball is a skilled game. It's America's game -- it, and high taxes." - Will Rogers

by OaklandInvader on Apr 11, 2006 7:50 PM PDT reply actions

All right. A walk.

Now let's do something about it.

by gawker on Apr 11, 2006 7:50 PM PDT reply actions

good eye good eye

"It was shock. You almost feel you have three or four innings to play, but you go home." -- Alex "Mr. March" Rodriguez after losing to Mexico in the WBC

by haze on Apr 11, 2006 7:50 PM PDT reply actions

pinch runner

yeah right

The 2006 Oakland A's: Ridin' with the King

by tblazrdude on Apr 11, 2006 7:50 PM PDT reply actions

Yes Kotsay

by easyraider on Apr 11, 2006 7:50 PM PDT reply actions

Here we go Nico!

by nycfan @ Athletics Nation on Apr 11, 2006 7:51 PM PDT reply actions

lol

"Any shots that I'll be callin' will be to the bartender!" -- Band Camp

by Sharon on Apr 11, 2006 7:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Alright Cros

We put him on base, now you get him home

I don't believe in clutch hitters. But I do believe in Marco Scutaro. - salb918

by paige20 on Apr 11, 2006 7:51 PM PDT reply actions

LETS GO OAKLAND!

CLAP
CLAP
CLAP CLAP CLAP

by Mr Athletics on Apr 11, 2006 7:51 PM PDT reply actions

I accidentally reloaded my mlb.tv ....

...at the start of the inning, and now I've lost the feed.

HELP!

by GreenNGoldSooner on Apr 11, 2006 7:51 PM PDT reply actions

Just get to Daddy

by easyraider on Apr 11, 2006 7:52 PM PDT reply actions

there we go

first one was a ball

"It was shock. You almost feel you have three or four innings to play, but you go home." -- Alex "Mr. March" Rodriguez after losing to Mexico in the WBC

by haze on Apr 11, 2006 7:52 PM PDT reply actions

that was close

by kvn on Apr 11, 2006 7:52 PM PDT reply actions

lets go croz!

get on base for chavy!

"The Toronto Bluejays G.M., J.P. Riciardi, said that watching Billy do a deal was "like watching the Wolf talk to little red riding hood" ~Moneyball

by gWiLiKeRzZz on Apr 11, 2006 7:52 PM PDT reply actions

did I just say that?

"The Toronto Bluejays G.M., J.P. Riciardi, said that watching Billy do a deal was "like watching the Wolf talk to little red riding hood" ~Moneyball

by gWiLiKeRzZz on Apr 11, 2006 7:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Make him throw a strike Croz

"Baseball doesn't owe me a thing. I owe my whole life to baseball." ~ Kirby Puckett

by smith1051 on Apr 11, 2006 7:53 PM PDT reply actions

good gawd

i just tuned in....sheez

the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005 and finally the fix for 2006.

by ak_A on Apr 11, 2006 7:53 PM PDT reply actions

Why is it

something bad happens whenever you tune in late?

Why yes. I am a ray of warm and fuzzy sunshine.

by grover on Apr 11, 2006 7:55 PM PDT up reply actions

inevitably (it seems)

and one of those not so good days where a win by the A's would bolter things up too...figures. i am being tested.

the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005 and finally the fix for 2006.

by ak_A on Apr 11, 2006 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions

You're being tested

and the rest of AN suffers.

But no pressure.

Why yes. I am a ray of warm and fuzzy sunshine.

by grover on Apr 11, 2006 9:16 PM PDT up reply actions

Damn!

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Apr 11, 2006 7:53 PM PDT reply actions

GAME BLOUSES!

DARN!!!

"The Toronto Bluejays G.M., J.P. Riciardi, said that watching Billy do a deal was "like watching the Wolf talk to little red riding hood" ~Moneyball

by gWiLiKeRzZz on Apr 11, 2006 7:53 PM PDT reply actions

Damn I thought that was dropping

"Baseball doesn't owe me a thing. I owe my whole life to baseball." ~ Kirby Puckett

by smith1051 on Apr 11, 2006 7:54 PM PDT reply actions

Good game

No way they make it interesting last season.

The 2006 Oakland A's: Ridin' with the King

by tblazrdude on Apr 11, 2006 7:54 PM PDT reply actions

Yep...

Let's try again tomorrow.

G'night, y'all!

"There was talk about getting a big name manager. Casey Stengel, guys like that. But they were all dead." --Mark Kotsay

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Apr 11, 2006 7:55 PM PDT up reply actions

poop

GO whoever is playing our division rivals at the moment!

by kvn on Apr 11, 2006 7:54 PM PDT reply actions

they're playing...

each other.

by vishal on Apr 11, 2006 7:55 PM PDT up reply actions

I just can't win tonight

by kvn on Apr 11, 2006 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions

it's okay

the A's thing this season so far is lose first game, win the next two (or three) to take the series.

by gotgreen on Apr 11, 2006 7:54 PM PDT reply actions

Yes, plus...

Twins Home Opener, Kirby Puckett tribute, 48,000 fans, a lot of emotion for the Twins...Baseball Gods not on A's side. But at least Bill King rained out the Giants game!

Just win, baby!

by Coach Cleats on Apr 11, 2006 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Oh BOO

On a side note, I never would've thought I'd be wishing Chavy was up to bat with the game on the line in April, but man is he on fire right now!

by nycfan @ Athletics Nation on Apr 11, 2006 7:55 PM PDT reply actions

First game we've lost...

...that I really think we should have won.

No way we should have waited so long to go to the pen.

by GreenNGoldSooner on Apr 11, 2006 7:55 PM PDT reply actions

What a fun game.

Made purely enjoyable by Chavy.

"Any shots that I'll be callin' will be to the bartender!" -- Band Camp

by Sharon on Apr 11, 2006 7:55 PM PDT reply actions

even that we lost.

anybody getting a pattern here?
lost to skankees 1st game. won series
lost to seattle 1st game. won series

by Mr Athletics on Apr 11, 2006 7:55 PM PDT reply actions

it's official

we're gonna go on the longest opener-dropping, series-winning streak EVER!

by kvn on Apr 11, 2006 7:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Except in the playoffs!

Just win, baby!

by Coach Cleats on Apr 11, 2006 7:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Oh well

Guess I will go watch the Angels and hope they lose. What else to do on a Tuesday at 8:00.

by easyraider on Apr 11, 2006 7:55 PM PDT reply actions

Ah well.

I must say this, though: I'm glad they stayed in the game. It's nice to see some hits.

by gawker on Apr 11, 2006 7:55 PM PDT reply actions

anyone else tired of being OWNED by the twins

i know I am

"The Toronto Bluejays G.M., J.P. Riciardi, said that watching Billy do a deal was "like watching the Wolf talk to little red riding hood" ~Moneyball

by gWiLiKeRzZz on Apr 11, 2006 7:55 PM PDT reply actions

we won the season series last year

I believe 7-4; including 3-1 in the Metrodome.

As to the 2002 playoffs, well that's something we'll never forget.

oaktoon

by oaktoon on Apr 11, 2006 7:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Wow.

Everyone is taking this remarkably well.

If you had told me last year that Tony Batista would beat the A's with a three run homer, I would have looked at you funny. But it sure is nice to see Chavez and Crosby put together good offensive games.

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Apr 11, 2006 7:58 PM PDT reply actions

yeah

that was a good game. we kept fighting, but they got the big hit. its two bad that of all our jacks this season, they've all been solos except for chavvy with 2 2run shots. not too often a guy like buatista is gonna beat our pitchers, and not too often haren will give up 6 runs in an inning. we'll be fine. lets hope loaiza bring something to the table tomorrow.

by Backspin on Apr 11, 2006 8:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Perfectly good AB by Crosby.

Nathan's good.

You guys who are railing on Macha: Come on! The least impact a manager has on a game is those days when his starter gets roughed up.

The problem tonight? Throwing too many pitches down the middle to a team that had walked 12 times in 6 games, to guys like Tony Batista. Not Ken Macha's fault, that's for sure.

by Nico on Apr 11, 2006 7:59 PM PDT reply actions

Exactly

I have nothing against Ken Macha. I think he is a perfectly good manager. I think he decided after the first few hits that Haren could get roughed up, but it's better that its happening now then during the pennant race. This has only made Haren more aware of his pitches.

I don't believe in clutch hitters. But I do believe in Marco Scutaro. - salb918

by paige20 on Apr 11, 2006 8:01 PM PDT up reply actions

wel, wellll, who are we to blame?

someone must be take the blame!!!!

the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005 and finally the fix for 2006.

by ak_A on Apr 11, 2006 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions

You.

"Any shots that I'll be callin' will be to the bartender!" -- Band Camp

by Sharon on Apr 11, 2006 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Okay, I will go to the closet

and pick out a stuffed animal or perhaps break one of my hundreds of figurines placed all over the house...wait, the penguine used to be pointing south...who moved it>

the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005 and finally the fix for 2006.

by ak_A on Apr 11, 2006 8:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Blame Danny Haren,

for throwing too many cookies to a free-swinging team. Live and learn. Which is why you don't yank your young pitchers every time they give up a few hits.

by Nico on Apr 11, 2006 8:03 PM PDT up reply actions

sure, why let a little thing like costing us

a game get in the way of Haren's development?

JUST KIDDING = ) smiles, sunshine, unicorns

by kvn on Apr 11, 2006 8:08 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm glad Macha stuck with

Haren. He wasn't getting tatooed -- a lot of balls were falling into holes -- and it was the Batista PA that killed him.

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Apr 11, 2006 8:03 PM PDT up reply actions

This may be unfair

but watching Haren is also not as frustrating as watching Zito throw pitch after pitch and walk guys left and right. Not a good comparison maybe, but at least Danny throws strikes. I guess we have to live with the fact that sometimes those strikes will be hit quite far.

by nycfan @ Athletics Nation on Apr 11, 2006 8:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Totally fair.

I was thinking the same thing while watching this game.

"Any shots that I'll be callin' will be to the bartender!" -- Band Camp

by Sharon on Apr 11, 2006 8:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Agree--

remember the Mooneyham days where you'd watch the A's walk 12? This is a problem I can live with. I would, however, disagree that there weren't a lot of balls tattooed in that inning. There were a lot of line drives, and not a lot of cheap shots, except for the ones I kept taking from my living room.

by Nico on Apr 11, 2006 9:06 PM PDT up reply actions