Whitewashing, Part Deux

by Nico on Apr 8, 2006 9:14 PM PDT in News

How much would you pay a pitcher with a 36-11 career record? When you send Barry Zito out to face a division rival, that's exactly what you get. Zito's first two starts of the season put an exclamation point on the extremes that are Barry, but against the AL West, Zito is certainly consistent: consistently great. Zito sounded like he was really on his game tonight. (That's right, sounded. Comcast really does suck. OK, now I'm officially over it. I'll shut up. And switch to digital.)

In case you missed it, the A's set a franchise record tonight (as the Mariners fell to 7-12 on days dedicated to celebrating Dan Wilson's career). Never before have the Oakland A's given up only three hits over two consecutive games. With 20 consecutive scoreless innings, A's pitchers are still barely halfway to the team record, but then again, the pitching staff doesn't have Gorman Heimueller, Chris Codiroli, Bill Krueger, or Mike Warren anymore.

In a season's first week, you can't draw any conclusions about the season as a whole, but you can have fun looking at the "early trends". A good one is Joe Kennedy, who retired Ichiro tonight after coming in to get Giambi in his last outing. Another good one is that the A's appear to have left their defensive sloppiness in Arizona. A bad one is Dan Johnson, whose bat looks slow through the zone and who must feel like he's 0/50. Hang in there, DJ; this too shall pass.

Finally, Chris Shelton is hitting .688 and slugging about 5.000, while Joe Blanton has 8 shutout innings on 2 hits, and Gustavo Chacin was solid in his debut. Willie McGee, you retired too soon.

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Comments

Chris Shelton

deserves the AL Pkayer of the Month award. I think he could go 0 for the-rest-of-April and still end up with a .400 average.

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

by grover on Apr 8, 2006 9:18 PM PDT reply actions

Shelton

And the Pirates let him go a couple years ago in the Rule V draft... no wonder they suck.

by OaktownTribesman on Apr 8, 2006 9:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Shelton

Weren't you making fun of ohad for drafting him (in the 16th round)?

God, a man makes light of a serious situation and all of a suddent xbox and looney toons are all over him. - salb918

by andeux on Apr 9, 2006 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions

I thought we were

making fun of ohad for his big ears.

by Nico on Apr 9, 2006 12:37 PM PDT up reply actions

Ohad does NOT have big ears

They just look big because he's got a small noggin.

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

by grover on Apr 9, 2006 1:03 PM PDT up reply actions

I was definetly making fun of Ohad

throughout the draft, but I don't think I included Shelton in the mix.

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

by grover on Apr 9, 2006 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Matt and Marcus are

more tolerable with a win. This is more like it...on track now, I think...choo, choo.

the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005 but BB's got the fix for 2006.

by ak_A on Apr 8, 2006 9:18 PM PDT reply actions

I never doubted that Zito's games would

be more like this one than the last start

by OaklandSi on Apr 8, 2006 9:18 PM PDT reply actions

I am Bad

I am rooting for Angels to finish off the Yankees (3-1 Angels after 8-1/2). That's how much I hate the Yankees. The NY media will tear their throats out.

by SportySpice @ Athletics Nation on Apr 8, 2006 9:29 PM PDT reply actions

Angels/Yankees

I feel bad rooting for either team, isn't there a way that they could both lose?

by Chavez4Prez on Apr 8, 2006 9:32 PM PDT up reply actions

you know

i just told my girlfriend I was switching to the Yankees for this inning because angels with Rodriguez is worse than the Yankees. Either way it is a decent day when they play each other because at least one of them loses!

by homerozzieandthestraw on Apr 8, 2006 9:32 PM PDT up reply actions

that's a tough one

but since the A's may want those extra few games at the end of the season, I am holding my nose and rooting for the Yanks

by OaklandSi on Apr 8, 2006 9:33 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm bad, too

I have a horrible headache, and I'm rooting for the Angels because that game is the last thing I have to get into the paper before I can go home.

Nobody Girl

by day-to-day on Apr 8, 2006 9:37 PM PDT up reply actions

what paper do you work at?

It's Saturday night, and I'm monitoring the scanner for any murders/mayhem. All's quiet so far (knock on wood).

by mami blez on Apr 8, 2006 9:42 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm rooting for the Angels too, frankly.

I love the A's and hate the Yankees. After that, I have to think. We all have those teams.

by Nico on Apr 8, 2006 9:41 PM PDT up reply actions

great performances

Reminds me of the Zito/Harden combo agasint texas last year. Let hope we just made it blanton/zito/harden combo for the series!

by homerozzieandthestraw on Apr 8, 2006 9:31 PM PDT reply actions

one error, not zero?

I thought that Crosby had one in game 1...

by MobiusKlein on Apr 8, 2006 9:34 PM PDT reply actions

Crosby did have an error

One thing for sure is thatNico's is not in line for his 2nd consecutive gold keyboard, Wash reall needs to spend some time with him :)

by homerozzieandthestraw on Apr 8, 2006 9:39 PM PDT up reply actions

I remembered that, actually,

and already corrected it. Initially, I was going on what I heard on the broadcast, but I may have misheard it, because there was definitely the Crosby error.

by Nico on Apr 8, 2006 9:40 PM PDT up reply actions

"no errors since . . ."

Is what I heard.

by MobiusKlein on Apr 8, 2006 9:42 PM PDT up reply actions

No errors since...

their last one? That would make sense.

by Nico on Apr 8, 2006 9:47 PM PDT up reply actions

Don't forget

the error came AFTER he hurt his finger and couldn't squeeze his glove correctly. Just thought I would point that out. =)

"I hope everyone here gets 450 at-bats, makes millions and millions of dollars and we win the World Series. That's my utopia." - Macha 3/29/06

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Apr 8, 2006 9:43 PM PDT up reply actions

I always root for the Yankees over the Angels

this early in the season. Don't lose sight of the number one priority which is to beat all AL West teams to get into the playoffs !

by IM4Oakgal on Apr 8, 2006 9:38 PM PDT reply actions

It's not rational

But everything about the Yankees irks me. Have you seen their comments in the media? We "should" have won these game. They truly believe they're entitled to win all the time. Because they're Yankees. Even over at Pinstripe Alley, the Yankees are listed in first place in the standings, even though they're last. Because that's their rightful place in the universe, they believe.

OK, I'm going to calm down now. Happy thoughts. Happy thoughts.

by SportySpice @ Athletics Nation on Apr 8, 2006 9:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Thank God someone said it

Those rooting for the Angels crack me up..WHo cares about the Yankees...Every game the Angels wins hurts us..esp when they beat good teams.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Apr 9, 2006 12:39 AM PDT up reply actions

That's right Oaktoon

The only time I would root for the Yankees over the Angels is if 1. We were out of it for the division win and we were competing with the Angels for a wild card or 2. We were so out of it and I was feeling Yankee hate to the max.

by IM4Oakgal on Apr 9, 2006 10:18 AM PDT up reply actions

Agreed

Whatever is most likely to help the A's out that is what I am rooting for. Since i think it is more likely that we will be competing with the Angels for the West crowm that the Yankees for a wild card spot, go Yankees.

Actually as I posted here last year. It is not so much cheering for the Yankees to win but for the Angels to lose.

by Larry E on Apr 9, 2006 10:49 AM PDT up reply actions

Huddy coming up on Buans show

the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005 but BB's got the fix for 2006.

by ak_A on Apr 8, 2006 9:50 PM PDT reply actions

Wow, Kotsay was half-way to a cycle tonite.

Keep it up Mark & co.!

2006 Oakland A's: Making history, one game at a time.

by OaktownRajah on Apr 8, 2006 9:51 PM PDT reply actions

i miss huddy!!

by gotgreen on Apr 8, 2006 9:53 PM PDT reply actions

Unfortunately, at the moment,

bats don't.

by Nico on Apr 8, 2006 9:57 PM PDT up reply actions

booooooo!!!!!!

Meanie.

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

by Sharon on Apr 8, 2006 9:58 PM PDT up reply actions

yuk yuk yuk

Giants got lucky.

2006 Oakland A's: Making history, one game at a time.

by OaktownRajah on Apr 8, 2006 9:59 PM PDT up reply actions

I just heard the Huddy interview

his voice still catches when he discusses the A's not trying to sign him...

by OaklandSi on Apr 8, 2006 10:07 PM PDT up reply actions

In old A's news

Eric Byrnes was pivotal in the Brewers come from behind victory over Arizona. In the bottom of the ninth of a tie game, the Brewers had a man on second in a tie game.

Carlos Lee hit one up the middle and Byrnes fielded the ball and threw one of his patented throw-so-hard-that-I-fall-over-myself-but-it's-still-a-rainbow -and-the-runner-safe.

I miss some things about Byrnes, but I don't miss that.

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Apr 8, 2006 10:07 PM PDT reply actions

You can view the video at

MLB.com. It's on the front page and it is free to view.

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Apr 8, 2006 10:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Just realized:

the one hit that the Mariners mustered tonight was off of Kotsay's glove.

How close were we to a combined no-hitter?

Copernicus felt the same way about the geocentric crew.

by salb918 on Apr 8, 2006 10:13 PM PDT reply actions

yeah

i was watching baseball tonight and at the beginning of the show they said there was almost a no-hitter today.
halfway through the a's highlights, i realized they meant the game i had just watched!

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Apr 8, 2006 10:21 PM PDT up reply actions

He Mentioned that

in his interview after the game. He said it was his fault and had he gotten it, they would have had the no hitter and would have been celebrating. I wanted to yell through the TV, "Celebrate! Two shut out games in a row, that is reason enough to celebrate!" I couldn't believe he was blaming himself for not making that play! I knew he was a profectionist, but I never realized how hard he was on himself.

"I hope everyone here gets 450 at-bats, makes millions and millions of dollars and we win the World Series. That's my utopia." - Macha 3/29/06

by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Apr 9, 2006 1:32 AM PDT up reply actions

or...

They would have left Z in for the 7th when he, tiring, would have blown the no-hitter. I think it would have been VERY hard for Macha to pull Z for pitch count reasons before the 7th...

by Apricot on Apr 9, 2006 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions

Just got back to the hotel here in Seattle

It was a fun game to watch. I was worried about Zito after Monday, but it looked like he had a different pitch tonight and was doing a great job keeping it inside. I thought the wheels were going to come off when he plunked a couple in a row - but he was keeping it inside nicely! It was cold in Safco tonight. Looking forward to tomorrows game too!

There were some A's fans about! I was in section 131 behind home plate. 121 tomorrow! I'll be in travelling green!

Go A's!

by Knobby on Apr 8, 2006 10:15 PM PDT reply actions

in other baseball news...

this is the longest bonds has gone without a home run since 1998.

hmmm..... 1998, why does that year sound so familiar? oh yeah, bonds started juicing after the 1998 season.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Apr 8, 2006 10:19 PM PDT reply actions

He also has 4 walks, 2 intentional in 4 games.

2006 Oakland A's: Making history, one game at a time.

by OaktownRajah on Apr 8, 2006 10:21 PM PDT up reply actions

pitchers aren't giving him anything to hit

by OaklandSi on Apr 8, 2006 10:30 PM PDT up reply actions

and neither, apparently, is BALCO

n/m

by GreenNGoldSooner on Apr 9, 2006 8:35 AM PDT up reply actions

it would be interesting to see

-- if the pitchers started actually pitching to Bonds -- whether he would still be jacking the pitches out of the ballpark, or whether they would merely be fly balls.

by OaklandSi on Apr 9, 2006 11:05 AM PDT up reply actions

good week

a's in first place, white sox and yankees both 1-4.
it's been a good week.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Apr 8, 2006 10:26 PM PDT reply actions

And Kevin Millwood

lit up like Burning Man. Twice.

by Nico on Apr 8, 2006 10:30 PM PDT up reply actions

the lesson there

never accept any amount of money if it means having to pitch for the texas rangers.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Apr 8, 2006 10:32 PM PDT up reply actions

It sounds like great advice,

but I still think if the Rangers offer me $50 million to pitch for them, I'll probably go ahead and accept.

The funny thing is, I'd probably end up as their #3 starter by August.

by Nico on Apr 8, 2006 10:39 PM PDT up reply actions

You think it'd take

you till August to move up to the #3 spot? You are WAY too optomistic about the Ranger's rotation.

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

by grover on Apr 9, 2006 6:50 AM PDT up reply actions

Not much of an excuse

Justin Verlander the rookie pitched 7 shutout innings in that ballpark tonight...

by OaktownTribesman on Apr 8, 2006 10:56 PM PDT up reply actions

obviously that doesn't apply

to pitchers i've picked to finish top two in the RoY voting...

http://www.athleticsnation.com/comments/2006/4/3/14505/14071/1#1

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Apr 8, 2006 11:04 PM PDT up reply actions

so you don't believe much in

King Felix? Not saying you're right or wrong, just curious...

My Preemptive Kendall HR post: *OH MY GODDDD!!!* JASON KENDALL HIT A HOMER!!! Wooooooo!!1
My Blog.

by rungood on Apr 9, 2006 8:05 AM PDT up reply actions

Felix surpassed the 50 IP mark last year

in Seattle. Which means he is no longer considered a rookie.

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

by grover on Apr 9, 2006 8:45 AM PDT up reply actions

Felix Hernandez isn't a rookie

Not eligible anymore.

by OaktownTribesman on Apr 9, 2006 8:47 AM PDT up reply actions

Verlander/Millwood

The difference is that Verlander was throwing 95+ past the Ranger hitters, and when they did catch up, he would drop that 83 mph change and make them look foolish. Millwood has neither of those.

I've already started sending "Millwood Ho Park" to people I know that are Ranger fans

by Chavez4Prez on Apr 9, 2006 6:13 AM PDT up reply actions

Kev Ho Park?

by OaktownTribesman on Apr 9, 2006 8:48 AM PDT up reply actions

Or as Dylan Thomas might call him,

Under Mill Wood.

by Nico on Apr 9, 2006 8:52 AM PDT up reply actions

22

Whoever wrote the comment about Byrnes' patented throw I am cracking up all the way here on the east coast. I still wear my #22.

by katieanneblack on Apr 8, 2006 10:45 PM PDT reply actions

go to your

local screen printing place and have them take of the byrnes and replace it with bradley. then you'll be set.

by Backspin on Apr 8, 2006 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Dan Wilson

That's why it said Dan at the top of the Diamond...

by Hit4TheCycle on Apr 8, 2006 10:57 PM PDT reply actions

i think it was

that nike "dan vs dave" summer olympics advertising campaign....

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

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

Secret to Zito's success tonight?

He's pitching with his eyes closed now.

by OaktownTribesman on Apr 8, 2006 11:04 PM PDT reply actions

"Use the force, young Zito!"

by OaktownTribesman on Apr 8, 2006 11:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Is he also breathing through his eyelids...

...like the lava lizards of the Galapagos Islands?

MMMM... gotta love the "new season" smell ~~ jlaff

by Poppy on Apr 8, 2006 11:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Yes.

Yes he is.

by Nico on Apr 8, 2006 11:19 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm a conspiracy theorist...

So Zito does horribly against they Yanks, but then great against another team? Meanwhile, all the Yanks are saying he'd be a great fit on their team? Any one else see something suspicious here?

"We don't start nothin', but we don't take nothin' either" - Dusty Baker

by Philip Christy on Apr 8, 2006 11:21 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't see it

What good would it be to blow chunks when facing the team that has an interest in you? It's an audition. Unless you suspect Barry Zito is already on the Yanks' payroll... which would be quite the conspiracy theory.

by OaktownTribesman on Apr 8, 2006 11:26 PM PDT up reply actions

You mean that maybe

he's a spy for Homeland Security, mingling with players from countries that export a lot of cocaine while secretly gaining enough info to create a fake passport? Yeah, it's occurred to me too.

by Nico on Apr 8, 2006 11:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Does that mean that

Alyssa Milano was 14 ?

by green star oakland on Apr 9, 2006 12:25 AM PDT up reply actions

Well

That's Zito, anything can happen on any given day. My shock of the day, watching WGN and realizing that the Royals are not the Royals anymore.

Everyone here is a baseball fan.

by doublehustle22 on Apr 8, 2006 11:09 PM PDT reply actions

Or you know,

the fact that you were watching WGN and Ken "The Hawk" Harrelson!!!

Oh snap.

by Hit4TheCycle on Apr 8, 2006 11:21 PM PDT up reply actions

And people

made fun of me for drafting shelton in my fantasy league. pshhhhh

"It is like Menudo, where guys reach a certain age and are kicked out of the band. And they go on to be Ricky Martins somewhere else." -Billy Beane

by WhiteElephantGuy on Apr 8, 2006 11:23 PM PDT reply actions

Yeah,

that's why we make fun of you. Ri-i-ight.

by Nico on Apr 8, 2006 11:31 PM PDT up reply actions

I meant

people in my league. I didn't even know you guys make fun of me. That hurts.

"It is like Menudo, where guys reach a certain age and are kicked out of the band. And they go on to be Ricky Martins somewhere else." -Billy Beane

by WhiteElephantGuy on Apr 8, 2006 11:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Are you saying

I'm out of your league? That hurts.

by Nico on Apr 8, 2006 11:37 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm flattered...

but I don't swing that way. If it was Cindi, though...

"It is like Menudo, where guys reach a certain age and are kicked out of the band. And they go on to be Ricky Martins somewhere else." -Billy Beane

by WhiteElephantGuy on Apr 8, 2006 11:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Oh c'mon...

We're all switch hitters on a slow Friday night...

by Nico on Apr 9, 2006 7:14 AM PDT up reply actions

Let's make like Kielty should

and stick to one side of the plate

Mom..! Meatloaf! ..F@#$!!

by JediLeroy on Apr 9, 2006 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions

BTW..

I mash ladies

Mom..! Meatloaf! ..F@#$!!

by JediLeroy on Apr 9, 2006 9:58 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm sure that comment

has the ladies lining up to date you. :-}

by Nico on Apr 9, 2006 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions

Would you care to join me

for some soylent green? Muhuhaha!

Mom..! Meatloaf! ..F@#$!!

by JediLeroy on Apr 10, 2006 1:39 PM PDT up reply actions

I didn't watch or listen to the game,

so maybe this has been covered, but why the heck was Kotsay leading off against Moyer? Does he have good stats against him or something? It almost seems ridiculus, seeing as their both lefties and Kotsay is not really our leadoff guy. Then of course there's the fact that DJ got the start over Swisher. Has Macha or anyone explained this yet?

"We don't start nothin', but we don't take nothin' either" - Dusty Baker

by Philip Christy on Apr 8, 2006 11:24 PM PDT reply actions

Kotsay

Yeah, he went into the game with like a .500+ batting average against Moyer. He's crushed him in the past, and crushed him tonight too.

by OaktownTribesman on Apr 8, 2006 11:27 PM PDT up reply actions

No, but Nico did

in the initial game thread. Kotsay was 14/24 (.583) lifetime against Moyer. His HR and triple didn't exactly reveal Macha's ignorance.

by Nico on Apr 8, 2006 11:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Hargrove's managing in Game 2...

...was a classic example of costs of rigid lefty-righty orthodoxy (walking DJ to get to Scutaro?!?).

Especially ex post facto, it's really hard to argue with Kotsay leading off.

by GreenNGoldSooner on Apr 9, 2006 8:42 AM PDT up reply actions

Oh, I wasn't arguing,

it just made no sense before the game. Now I know, and knowing's half the battle.

"We don't start nothin', but we don't take nothin' either" - Dusty Baker

by Philip Christy on Apr 9, 2006 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions

GI Joe!

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

by KendallGurl18 on Apr 9, 2006 12:08 PM PDT up reply actions

It should really be two hits over two games

because that ball that Perez screwed up on at short wasn't ruled an error. He was deep in the whole, but it it was not a hard play. I think Blanton should be credited with eight innings of 1-hit ball.

"I've watched Marco win a couple ballgames for us when I was on deck.'' ~Mark Kotsay

by scutaroknowstheway on Apr 8, 2006 11:28 PM PDT reply actions

No, that was a base hit

If Perez fields it cleanly, his throw is still probably too late. The ball was deep in the SS hole; no way you can assume an out if the play is made cleanly by an average infielder, which is pretty much the standard.

by Nico on Apr 8, 2006 11:30 PM PDT up reply actions

It'd'ha' been ruled an error

at the coliseum

by OaktownTribesman on Apr 8, 2006 11:32 PM PDT up reply actions

No, at the Coliseum

it would have been ruled a triple.

by Nico on Apr 8, 2006 11:33 PM PDT up reply actions

My gut

Says Kennedy may end up in the rotation before the year is out.

I just said killed, meant strangled and made a punching motion

by pbruins92 on Apr 9, 2006 6:08 AM PDT reply actions

My gut tells me two things:

Saarloos and the best Rivercat would start before Kennedy ever saw the first inning
I need to lay off the ice cream for a while

by Nico on Apr 9, 2006 7:13 AM PDT up reply actions

agreed.

Nico's right...Kennedy's splits against lefties/righties are so skewed the the opposing manager would just stack the lineup against him.

Check out Nico's good diary on the subject

My Preemptive Kendall HR post: *OH MY GODDDD!!!* JASON KENDALL HIT A HOMER!!! Wooooooo!!1
My Blog.

by rungood on Apr 9, 2006 8:41 AM PDT up reply actions

Lay off the ice cream? Inconceivable!

Not when there's this.

Black Cherry

by Ice Cream on Apr 9, 2006 11:37 AM PDT up reply actions

your gut is really saying

that you need to try the new flavor of Boca burger. I understand the cross up. My guts word for Joe Kennedy is close to its word for soy burgers in general.

"Mommy and Daddy are going to take a nap before the baseball game starts..."

by Athletics fan and runner on Apr 9, 2006 7:36 AM PDT up reply actions