The Devil's In The Details

by Nico on May 5, 2006 10:09 PM PDT in News

Tonight's game embodies why I hate baseball (it can be quite aggravating when your team gets 13 baserunners but only one of them makes it to the 5-sided base), and why I love baseball--because there are so many "little things" to dissect. Not being one inclined to think, intentionally, about a home loss to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, I choose to focus on the "little things," those parts of the game you might not notice until someone mentions it. For example...

In the 6th inning, Scott Kazmir was at 103 pitches, trying to get Jason Kendall out to end the inning. At that point, it was unclear whether or not he might go out to pitch the 7th. Kendall took, and fouled off, enough pitches that by the time the at-bat was over but the inning still wasn't, Kendall hadn't gotten the A's any closer on the scoreboard but he had ensured that the A's would have at least three cracks at the Devil Rays' bullpen. Due credit to Kendall for what could have been a crucial at bat.
Nick Swisher hasn't played that much first base this season, so when a bunt rolled up the first base line, there wasn't a lot of natural chemistry between Swisher and Joe Blanton. It wound up costing the A's an important run when neither fielded the ball and a sacrifice bunt attempt turned into a gift hit. Jay Payton hasn't played every day in left field, so when he and Crosby chased after a foul pop up that was Payton's ball, Crosby and Payton weren't quite in synch and the wrong guy wound up peeling off while the wrong guy stabbed at the ball from the wrong angle, and the ball dropped.

Any others to add?

Finally, if you didn't see the game, you might have gotten a slightly skewed impression of Blanton's start. On the surface, 7 IP, 3 ER, not bad. In fact, Blanton was only scored on in two innings, the 1st and the 7th. In the 1st, a bloop single and two seeing eye rollers were required to produce any tallies, and in the 7th a botched bunt is what enabled a run to score--on a shallow fly ball. Blanton really pitched an excellent game, and that's the good news to take from a game bereft of much good news short of "Hey, we came within 1.7 millimeters of tying it." Stupid game of inches that I love.

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Joe was the bright spot.

He is a determined little bulldog.

by IM4Oakgal on May 5, 2006 10:12 PM PDT reply actions

That game sucked.

So effing frustrating. Way worse than the 14-3 loss to the Tribe. I tend to cut Macha some slack most of the time about the line-up, but if he keeps batting Crosby 3rd I'm going to have to hope for an injury. To Macha, not Crosby. And despite Kendall's 3 for 4, he already ruined the night with his first GIDP. Did anybody on the planet not KNOW that was going to happen? I blame Macha, because saying "It was just bad luck." will NOT do it right NOW!

FIRE frozen chickens at MACHA NOW!

In defense of the Einar Diaz trade, his stats are very good. He has an excellent vowel/consonant ratio.

by McFood on May 5, 2006 10:23 PM PDT reply actions

Tonight's lineup

was puzzling before the game, and just aggravating after we scored only one run and lost. Lineups may not make a big difference, so it's not "why we lost," but why not either put your best foot forward or at least decide they don't matter and just draw it out of a hat? At least that way, Crosby would only bat #3 1/9 of the time, and Swish might usually get in the top 6 when he's carrying the team.

by Nico on May 5, 2006 10:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Yesterday's line up with Melhuse

and w/o Frank or Kendall

is a big improvement

Kendall's tough out has significance if the A's stage a comeback or win but otherwise it is just a tough out in an even tougher game to watch.

Defense & pitching kept us in it.
offense kept us out of it.

Looks like Frank is NOT the answer, we seem to win easier without him.

Go 880 A's! ...Is Wolff the reincarnated "Clarence the Angel" from Capra's "It's a Wonderful Life?"

by A s Eh on May 5, 2006 11:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Kendall was a tough out

the three times he got a hit tonight.

The problems tonight weren't Melhuse vs. Kendall;

it was Crosby, not Swish, hitting 3rd. And Thomas-- when will his bat awaken??

oaktoon

by oaktoon on May 6, 2006 2:31 AM PDT up reply actions

starting to see Thomas' Oakland debut

as kind of similar to Baron Davis' first full season in Oakland. He's been able to play as much as we'd hoped, but uh ... maybe he could play a little better?

by rubin sierra on May 6, 2006 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions

"A" for attendance

"?" for production.

We have to make it easier for pitching to win

Let's go Free-mont! <stomps feet> So sorry, please excuse my clumsiness Mr Wolff, certainly, I'll help you down the stairs. <checks for witnesses>

by A s Eh on May 7, 2006 11:39 PM PDT up reply actions

Why was Swisher down so low is my question

English 101: Remedial Kick-Ass
"Cause only one language kicks ass, and that's the one we're teaching!"

by Zonis on May 5, 2006 10:28 PM PDT reply actions

Because the players write the line-up

This is what happens when you let the guys stuck in AAA make up the batting order.

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

by grover on May 6, 2006 7:40 AM PDT up reply actions

The lineup! My God...the lineup!

Giants fans are fighting back. I'm now hearing "Let's Go Shopping!"- jeepers

by baseballgirl on May 5, 2006 10:28 PM PDT reply actions

Won't somebody think of the LINEUP?

"The first night, we were right there," Bradley said. "All we needed was a couple of touchdowns, and we would have had them."

by jeepers on May 6, 2006 9:08 AM PDT up reply actions

"The lineup! My God...the lineup!"

Weren't those Kurtz's dying words at the end of "Heart of Darkness"?

Or was it Marlon Brando, muttering something about Rhodes and flat fastballs?

"Mistah Kielty -- He dead."

I miss Bill King.

by Checkswing HR on May 6, 2006 9:08 AM PDT up reply actions

Swish has 10 homers ...

and he isn't in the top 5? What is Macha thinkin????????????

by IM4Oakgal on May 5, 2006 10:29 PM PDT reply actions

What is worse than where Swisher was...

...was the fact that Payton was before him, and Kendall after.

"Thanks for the good work kid, now I'm gonna neutralize ya, have a good evening..."

by Schinto on May 5, 2006 10:31 PM PDT reply actions

Shint...

A good point . i agree with it.

by IM4Oakgal on May 5, 2006 10:33 PM PDT up reply actions

good observations Nico

I just got back from the game and I agree with you. I really liked Kendall's at bat because he drove up the pitch count. Also, earlier Keilty had a heck of a drive to center field that just didn't make it over the wall. Oh well, that's just the way it goes sometimes. At least Street looked good.

-roscoe

by roscoe on May 5, 2006 10:34 PM PDT reply actions

you mean Duke?

by Brian in 317 on May 6, 2006 8:27 AM PDT up reply actions

Duke pitched well but

I was most happy to see Street. Nice to have a sure fire closer. Wasn't this Hustons first day back from injury?

by roscoe on May 6, 2006 9:26 AM PDT up reply actions

No

Huston pitched an inning in ANA. The brawl game.

In *your* endo.

by Jennifer on May 6, 2006 9:33 AM PDT up reply actions

How come bad pitchers

(such as the Rays pen) always seem to get healthy against our hitters? I just kept thinking that the A's were going to come back the entire game. Eventually they had to come through, right? RIGHT? Apparently not.

Tyler Walker had allowed something nine of his past 21 batters he'd faced to reach base. Why does he suddenly get better against the A's? Ugh. Missed opportunity to gain in the division.

by Tyler Bleszinski on May 5, 2006 10:34 PM PDT reply actions

I will say this about Walker:

I saw his D-Rays debut because it was against the Red Sox while I was in Boston, and he was dreadful--no command or control, topped out around 89-90. He was much better tonight; he actually threw the ball well.

But yeah, give me 3 innings to make up a one-run deficit against Harper, Camp, and Walker, and I'll take my chances.

by Nico on May 5, 2006 10:40 PM PDT up reply actions

May Thus Far

Record: 3 Wins, 2 Losses
Runs Allowed: 24 (4.80 RPG)
Runs Scored: 27 (5.63 RPG)

So we ARE scoring much better then we have been, but the problem is that 22 of those runs have come in two games. The good news though is that if you strike out the Cleveland Blowout, the RPG goes to 2.50. And that is great.

English 101: Remedial Kick-Ass
"Cause only one language kicks ass, and that's the one we're teaching!"

by Zonis on May 5, 2006 10:35 PM PDT reply actions

You know that a lineup

needs more thought when you can turn it upside down and it still works about as well.

by Nico on May 5, 2006 10:37 PM PDT reply actions

And one more thing!

Does anybody set up a throw on a fly ball worse than Kielty?!?! Besides Byrnes, that is. You back up on it and get some momentum toward the base you're throwing to!!! They taught it in Little League! They taught it in g--damn rec. softball!! Kielty, you SUCK AT IT!!!

And if I see one more medium deep fly ball from Frank Thomas because he can't yank out anything besides a waist-high fastball on the inside half of the plate, I'm going to drop a bowling ball on his ankle from the tarp deck!!!

And all you sub-.200 hitters, YOU SUCK!!!!

AHHHHH!!!!!

That may have been more than one thing.

Seacrest, and all the A's hitters in clutch situations tonight....OUT!!!

In defense of the Einar Diaz trade, his stats are very good. He has an excellent vowel/consonant ratio.

by McFood on May 5, 2006 10:37 PM PDT reply actions

Great observation about Kielty

The whole time the ball was in the air, I kept muttering, "Get a running start, you slow, stupid, not-so-ambidextrous clown!" Luckily, it was a high fly ball, so I had time to mutter it 2-3 times.

by Nico on May 5, 2006 10:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Why doesn't Kots kick his ass for that?

Oh yeah, there's a special place in hell reserved for people who punch clowns.

In defense of the Einar Diaz trade, his stats are very good. He has an excellent vowel/consonant ratio.

by McFood on May 5, 2006 10:44 PM PDT up reply actions

Yup, it's between

the places reserved for people who injure puppies and Jennifer.

by Nico on May 5, 2006 10:45 PM PDT up reply actions

I saw that too, and was appalled

The guy might still have scored, but jeeze.

And the late throw was off line, but for some reason the tv folks called it a strong throw.

(That and the inability of DJ to get it out of the infield in the similar case, 1&3 later.)

by MobiusKlein on May 5, 2006 11:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Frank Thomas

is starting to upset me as well.

by Hombre Palo on May 5, 2006 11:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Why doesn't Johnny Gomes fan club call...

itself "Gomes Gnomes"?

I don't know, but Alaska.

In defense of the Einar Diaz trade, his stats are very good. He has an excellent vowel/consonant ratio.

by McFood on May 5, 2006 10:41 PM PDT reply actions

Juno?

Oh, right, you said you didn't.

by Nico on May 5, 2006 10:42 PM PDT up reply actions

All the sneaux makes it too cold to rhyme well

Maybe andeux knows.

Defeat d'Anaheim!

by FreeSeatUpgrade on May 5, 2006 10:47 PM PDT up reply actions

I asked him,

and he said actually, neaux.

by Nico on May 5, 2006 11:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Juneau...

...how to spell Juneau?

Dorian on Bonds: "Still, I love it when Bonds wins at the game that he plays."

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on May 6, 2006 6:45 AM PDT up reply actions

My spelling of Alaskian cities

is definitely just seaux-seau. Oeaux well.

by Nico on May 6, 2006 8:22 AM PDT up reply actions

since i exited the game

before its portended ending, shortly after stupid ronnie macs ill position for throwing off the fly ball. gee, i missed the alaska fun and games with mcsnackster and nicorette.

the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005 But will 2006 do the trix?

by ak_A on May 6, 2006 8:03 AM PDT up reply actions

Are you saying

I tend to gum up the threads? Or that I patch them up?

S-s-sssmokin'!!!

by Nico on May 6, 2006 8:24 AM PDT up reply actions

sigh, there is no end to it

well, i catch a break from this manic diversion with two weeks in denver for work training. Looking forward to my first Rockies game...and a paucity of AN reading...i need to step away from day to day, blow by blow following.

the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005 But will 2006 do the trix?

by ak_A on May 6, 2006 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions

If you were a bit younger,

I would worry about Nico teen withdrawal.

by Nico on May 6, 2006 9:37 AM PDT up reply actions

I recommend the patch

Tastes much better than the gum.

Defeat d'Anaheim!

by FreeSeatUpgrade on May 6, 2006 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions

Kielty should play every time vs. lefties

He may suck in the OF but he hit's lefties as well as anyone on the team. When Bradley comes back I'd like to see an OF of Kielty, Kotsay, and Bradley with Swisher at first and Payton as a late inning defensive replacement/pinch runner.

by McBain on May 5, 2006 10:58 PM PDT reply actions

Given Keilty's defensive

instincts, and Thomas' offensive funk, I suppose you could also make a case for Keilty DHing against LHP.

by Nico on May 5, 2006 11:05 PM PDT up reply actions

This loss is very frustrating

Bats came out flat .... AGAIN. I don't care if we were facing a lefty tonight, why is it that Macha feels the need to change the lineup every single day.

Crosby batting third? Swisher seventh?

I guess it could be worse but I'm just frustrated.

by Hombre Palo on May 5, 2006 11:30 PM PDT reply actions

Kazmir

Is a pretty good young pitcher, it's not like the A's were taking on some guy who doesn't have a bunch of natural talent.

by Chavez4Prez on May 6, 2006 6:36 AM PDT up reply actions

Yes he is...

Rare to see the phrase "pretty good young pitcher" attributed to a Devil Ray. Good for them!

Still, multiple runs would've been nice...

Dorian on Bonds: "Still, I love it when Bonds wins at the game that he plays."

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on May 6, 2006 6:52 AM PDT up reply actions

Well

they fleeced the Mets and got him while giving up Victor Zambrano, way to go Steve Phillips, no wonder you are on ESPN now

by Chavez4Prez on May 6, 2006 9:52 AM PDT up reply actions

Steve Phillips wasnt the GM then.

Jim Duquette was.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on May 6, 2006 10:27 AM PDT up reply actions

The lineup

Sometimes I think Macha is more satisfied with a R-L-R-L lineup than he is with one that scores runs. Maybe it's an OCD thing

I miss Bill King :(

by gojohn10 on May 6, 2006 12:25 AM PDT reply actions

Hey

Quit polishing a turd, this game was pathetic. We would have made it competetive if we played any type of small ball.

by mrlebowski79 on May 6, 2006 5:03 AM PDT reply actions

New idea

Macha can keep Crosby in the #3 spot, but there's a catch.

Every time Crosby bats in the #3 slot and does something good (hit, sac fly, etc.) Macha gets a $10K bonus.

Every time Crosby does something bad (you know, the other 99% of the time) Macha gets fined $50K. All proceeds from the fines go towards charity. This way, even if A's fan everywhere suffer from watching Crosby bat third, we know in our hearts that our pain is helping make the world a better place.

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

by grover on May 6, 2006 7:51 AM PDT reply actions

The game...

...was hard to watch. Can't you just see Washington saying to himself: "Good Lord, if I had this team it would be much different..."

Thomas's spring training is over. It's time for him to start hitting - the ONLY reason he is here. Lacking that, he sits, period! Look distressed doesn't count as a good at bat. It's almost as if he looks at the pitcher and knows he'll throw it by him. Time to quit?

Crosby batting third must be some kind of joke no one else gets.

Swisher, who is carrying this team, batting far down the order borders on stupid.

There are two other men that can play second base and WHO CAN HIT. Let's work them in NOW.

BTW, any comments on the effect of closing the upper stands? Has the attendance increased at all? I get the impression, in more ways than one, that we are watching a semi-pro game at the Oaks park in Emeryville.

by doubleplayer on May 6, 2006 8:49 AM PDT reply actions

Last night's attendance

of around 12,000 was a season low, which on a Friday night = rather pathetic. Fans are not exactly storming the Coliseum to make sure they get a seat.

by Nico on May 6, 2006 9:37 AM PDT up reply actions

Somehow reducing the supply of cheap tix 80%

has resulted in fewer fans in the stands. Who woulda thunk it?

Defeat d'Anaheim!

by FreeSeatUpgrade on May 6, 2006 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions

what they need to do

is tarp the second deck and bleachers as well. Then the Coliseum's "coziness" would be the talk of baseball.

by rubin sierra on May 6, 2006 11:14 AM PDT up reply actions

I agree. And don't the

sections down each line kind of spread out the first deck too much?

by Nico on May 6, 2006 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions

Monkeyball called it

Ultimately the fiendish plan is to have only one seat, the most exclusive ticket in all of baseball, and sell it to Warren Buffett.

http://www.athleticsnation.com/comments/2006/1/27/114530/505/34#34

Defeat d'Anaheim!

by FreeSeatUpgrade on May 6, 2006 11:25 AM PDT up reply actions

This is...

...looking more and more like the closing up of the shop for Oakland. I can see them in Fremont or in the Pleasanton area where the weather is much, much better; where there are more families willing to pay the price; and where they will draw from San Jose as well as the Central Valley. I'm hearing virtually nothing out of the politicians (Brown, Dellums, etc.) in Oakland. I think it's over. They just haven't announced it yet.

by doubleplayer on May 6, 2006 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions

I think Oakland announced it,

by saying, "How can we miss you if you won't go away?"

by Nico on May 6, 2006 12:26 PM PDT up reply actions

dan hicks

the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005 But will 2006 do the trix?

by ak_A on May 6, 2006 12:38 PM PDT up reply actions

I agree on all counts

The clock is ticking on Big frank-- it's like the Hatteberg nightmare from last year, only worse.

Move Crosby down to 6th or 7th permanently. Bat Swish and Chavy either 2-3 or 3-4 all the time.

oaktoon

by oaktoon on May 6, 2006 9:48 AM PDT up reply actions

I just wrote something

about F. Thomas to put in the post-game wrap. Check it out after the game...

by Nico on May 6, 2006 10:07 AM PDT up reply actions

It seems like...

Crosby starts really pressing when he's in the 3rd spot. He was doing well when he hit 5th.
If anything, Swisher should be moved into the three hole. I think he'd handle it better.

I really think Ellis is gonna come around soon. Save Scutaro for ninth inning heroics.

by alamedagirl on May 6, 2006 9:57 AM PDT up reply actions

who's stupider?

Macha for batting Crosby third or Harold Reynolds and every other dumbass-in-a-suit at ESPN who picked Crosby as his preseason AL MVP?

This has been a fun thread to read; since I didn't see any diary topics about it, I was thinking--am I the only one who noticed how freaking stupid last night's lineup was? Of course I am not the only one. People say I'm a dreeamer ... but I am not the only one.

by rubin sierra on May 6, 2006 11:12 AM PDT reply actions

OK...

...today is game #30? Isn't it time to have a set lineup, subject to injuries and scheduled days off? IMO, if management hasn't figured out its team by now, managment hasn't been paying attention.

As much as I like these guys, I believe they play better as a team when they know exactly where they will be playing and how they will be batting in the lineup. It's time to make these kind of MANAGEMENT decisions - and I don't think it is all Macha.

I'm not close enough to it to make those decisions, but we all know a couple of things:

Crosby should not be batting third; Thomas is not scary yet and may never be again; we need a bone fide leadoff hitter; Loiza should not be in the starting 5; and, Johnson is not yet a premier major league first baseman and may never be.

by doubleplayer on May 6, 2006 11:58 AM PDT reply actions