Aaron "Bleeping" Boone

by louismg on Jun 7, 2006 8:36 PM PDT in News

I don't know if any of you have ever tried to "watch" an A's game by using your Blackberry or wireless phone, refreshing the game page through ESPN or any other providers, but I was doing just that this afternoon when Joe Blanton's putting runners on caught up with him - in the form of Aaron Boone. If you have ever followed a game this way, you know any kind of significant delay in updates, despite refreshes, means something very good, or in this case, very bad, has happened. Boone's 0-0 in-game record quickly filled my screen with the wrong kind of numbers... 1-1, 1R, 1HR, 3RBI.

By the next refresh, the game score read 4-0, and the line below followed with 1-1, 1R, 1HR, 1RBI. For those scoring at home, that was when Grady Sizemore sized up Blanton's pitch as home run worthy and took him back to back... and made me much more interested in finding out if I'd missed any e-mail on said Crackberry instead of seeing if Joe could pull out of it.

Being a good A's fan, I didn't stay away long, but it looks like Joe's 2006 roller coaster continues, even as we get Rich Harden and Esteban Loaiza back to resume their roles in the rotation. Fresh off his complete game shutout (albeit against the Royals), Joe didn't fool many in Cleveland today, and his successors didn't fare too much better.

In my mind, the best play by Cleveland may not have been one of the four home runs the team hit, but instead the unintentional intentional walk handed to Frank Thomas in the sixth inning with the bases loaded. Rather than risking a 6-0 game turning to a 6-4 contest, the Indians would much rather face Bobby Kielty with the bases juiced and the opportunity to turn an inning-ending double play.

Ronnie Mac did his part too, although TV replays clearly showed Peralta didn't come anywhere near second base to get the lead runner. With Frank Thomas hitting well in May and June, raising his average 46 points (from .188 to .234) and slugging 9 home runs, the Indians took the A's biggest threat and snuffed it out. That's what good teams do, and the Indians are a contending team in what will be an intriguing AL Central race this year with Detroit and Chicago.

Tomorrow's game will see Loaiza take on Jason Johnson at 9:05 a.m. PDT. Yes. In the morning.

Tweet Comment 65 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

i think cupcakes needs to be removed from the

rotation. he's not helping the team at all.

"I thought it was cute," Oakland's Nick Swisher said of Kotsay's blast with the petal-colored bat

by larrysgurl on Jun 7, 2006 8:53 PM PDT reply actions

Hope you still feel that way ...

after you see Loaiza pitch tomorrow.

by IM4Oakgal on Jun 7, 2006 8:58 PM PDT up reply actions

i'm just hoping that i won't throw my remote

through the TV watching him pitch.

in all honesty though he can't do worse then blanton did today.

"I thought it was cute," Oakland's Nick Swisher said of Kotsay's blast with the petal-colored bat

by larrysgurl on Jun 7, 2006 9:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Parker Dentist Taxidermy?

"Her vocabulary was as bad as, like, whatever."

by Zonis on Jun 7, 2006 8:56 PM PDT reply actions

Yes, Zonis,

but only with a lymphatic spatula zoologist.

Can I just say that Ambiorix Burgos really sucks? Thank you.

The A's need a little sustained momentum, not to follow up a winning series with a losing one and call it "progress"...Too many games given away in May to celebrate stretches of 4-3. Which means the A's really need Sloaiza to get them a series win tomorrow or the A's are just running in place while the Rangers are setting the pace and the Angels are rising.

We all celebrated the Halos' awful start, but Blez' worst fears are coming to fruition: talented young guys called up to get their feet wet now, accelerating LAA's return to "team to beat" status.

Gak.

by Nico on Jun 7, 2006 9:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Why do they think that...

Loaiza is a good choice to pitch when he didn't do well in his rehab assignment?

by IM4Oakgal on Jun 7, 2006 9:06 PM PDT up reply actions

I think they're figuring

that the adrenaline of a big league game will crank his fastball up to 85 MPH.

by Nico on Jun 7, 2006 9:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Oh it's all about location Nico!

You know right down the middle of the plate ...

by IM4Oakgal on Jun 7, 2006 9:10 PM PDT up reply actions

On the plus side,

the weather in Cleveland right now is very unsettled. It's the perfect antidote to the obligatory grand slam.

by Nico on Jun 7, 2006 9:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Seriously,

Doesn't Loaiza coming back as a starter...feel like a giant step back?

by IM4Oakgal on Jun 7, 2006 9:18 PM PDT up reply actions

From the start,

I've advocated for Loaiza to make at least one bullpen appearance first to establish where he is in regards to major league pitching. Tonight, for example, was a perfect chance to measure Witasick (guess what we learned...he's rusty and he still sucks) without it costing us a game to find out one way or the other. We can't count on a rainout every time.

by Nico on Jun 7, 2006 9:20 PM PDT up reply actions

I think we would all agree with you.

How many games will he have to lose before they decide that it's too many? A bullpen appearance could reassure or at least let us know that he SUCKS!

by IM4Oakgal on Jun 7, 2006 9:24 PM PDT up reply actions

correction:

let us know that he still sucks.

by IM4Oakgal on Jun 7, 2006 9:25 PM PDT up reply actions

From what I saw tonight and with Zito last night

is their fastballs are consistently in the 88 range with an occasional 91 MPH fast ball. Loaiza supposedly is hitting 88 on the gun now which is enough if he has control with the other pitches.
I don't know what to think of Blanton, at times his curve was unhittable, but at other times it was like he was throwing batting practice. At this point in time it seems that Sarloos might be a better option.
Can we get Bonderman, Reinieker or the guy who is now the ace of the Cincy staff back? Maybe we can do what the Angels do, bring up one of their minor league pitchers to come up and win 3, Jason Windsor anyone?

by china bob on Jun 7, 2006 9:28 PM PDT up reply actions

Keep talking ,,,

I WANT to believe.

by IM4Oakgal on Jun 7, 2006 9:30 PM PDT up reply actions

re

Blanton was working at 88? Is he on that Kiko and Huston kinda hurt but sucking it up plan?

by 31Boots on Jun 7, 2006 9:41 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't think so.

I got home after Blanton was gone, but 88 MPH isn't that unusual for him. He can get up to 91 MPH, but not consistently--that's more his "rear back for something extra" speed. I've seen him dominate at 88-89, and I've seen him stink at 88-89.

by Nico on Jun 7, 2006 9:43 PM PDT up reply actions

re

I'm sure you've seen many more Blanton starts than I (being in Texas I've seen maybe 10), but I know he's worked in the low 90s in the games I've seen (reaching back to get 94.) If he's at 88 typically, I feel a lot less sure about his future than I used to.

by 31Boots on Jun 7, 2006 9:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Anybody planning on just sleeping through...

Loaiza's start tmrw? Not a bad idea; saves time that would be wasted on clawing your eyes out.
Woof!

"Hope for the best, prepare for the worst." - La Russa

by OaktownRajah on Jun 7, 2006 9:01 PM PDT reply actions

I'm planning

to drink my way through it. After all, it will be 9:00am.

by Nico on Jun 7, 2006 9:05 PM PDT up reply actions

it will be noon for me so i guess i'll watch it.

i like to torture myself apparently.

"I thought it was cute," Oakland's Nick Swisher said of Kotsay's blast with the petal-colored bat

by larrysgurl on Jun 7, 2006 9:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Pick the bar, i'll be there.

"Hope for the best, prepare for the worst." - La Russa

by OaktownRajah on Jun 7, 2006 9:07 PM PDT up reply actions

How 'bout Moe's Tavern?

We can tell Moe we're looking for Amanda Hugginkiss.

by Nico on Jun 7, 2006 9:11 PM PDT up reply actions

A Mr. Nico P. was arrested this

morning for being intoxicated..."I, hic, have rights, I am an A's fan, don't you know who I am? I am a phamous blawgahhhh"

the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005...in 2006?...prove it.

by ak_A on Jun 7, 2006 9:15 PM PDT up reply actions

'why macha, why beane, why loaiza!!!"

the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005...in 2006?...prove it.

by ak_A on Jun 7, 2006 9:16 PM PDT up reply actions

At least if I were brutally murdered,

the headline would read, "Famous Blogger Slain!"--whereas yours would just read, "Man Stains Carpet".

by Nico on Jun 7, 2006 9:17 PM PDT up reply actions

probably spontaneaus combustion

the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005...in 2006?...prove it.

by ak_A on Jun 7, 2006 9:19 PM PDT up reply actions

If I'm the victim, yes.

If you're the victim, it was probably me.

by Nico on Jun 7, 2006 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Anybody see the recent Ranger's win?

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/wrap.jsp?ymd=20060607&content_id=1494039&vkey=wrapup2005& amp;fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
This just makes me sick.

"Hope for the best, prepare for the worst." - La Russa

by OaktownRajah on Jun 7, 2006 9:07 PM PDT reply actions

that means 8am here...good lord, i could

watch the game then go to work...just a little late.

the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005...in 2006?...prove it.

by ak_A on Jun 7, 2006 9:21 PM PDT reply actions

I'm sure nobody would notice

by Nico on Jun 7, 2006 9:22 PM PDT up reply actions

quite active tonight...hitting the sauce?

the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005...in 2006?...prove it.

by ak_A on Jun 7, 2006 9:23 PM PDT up reply actions

The Viagra, actually.

by Nico on Jun 7, 2006 9:27 PM PDT up reply actions

I think Nico is counting down the days...

until the end of the school year....

One week, one bottle of tequila.
One week is five days, so better have five glasses of rum.
Fifve dayz iz 20 clazz proids, o btr hve 20 shuots of whizzzkeee...

<thud>

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Jun 7, 2006 10:10 PM PDT up reply actions

Illove math

Hic.

by Nico on Jun 7, 2006 10:14 PM PDT up reply actions

Nobody will be happier than I am ...

for this school year to end.

Today a kid asked me "Mrs. _ is it wrong to wear a t-shirt to school that says flowers $20, dinner $60...taking her home to your place? Priceless."

I answered that shirts with sexual innuendos are not allowed at school. Another boy named Orlando said "Dennis she GOT it!" Like only kids between the ages of 11 and 15 could posssibly understand anything sexual . Apparently we have amnesia on the topic after the age of 20. It's been that kind of a year.

by IM4Oakgal on Jun 7, 2006 10:23 PM PDT up reply actions

I have (bleeping) jury duty tomorrow.

So of course I'll miss most of the game. Hopefully I won't be relieved that I missed the game, although I'm kind of feeling like it might be that way. But if/when Loaiza sucks, we have Kirk and Halsey in the 'pen to (hopefully) bail us out. We shall see.

by whiteshoes40 on Jun 7, 2006 9:22 PM PDT reply actions

Here are some things

you might want to say early on in the questioning:

"They're always guilty--otherwise why would they be on trial?"
"If the 5 voices in my head don't agree, is it a hung jury?"
"Do these trials work the same way as on the planet Zorgov?"
"I was a juror last time--can I be the judge this time?"
"You can just call me reztips."

by Nico on Jun 7, 2006 9:25 PM PDT up reply actions

I got out of jury duty

In a drunk driving case, I was asked if I drank alcohol. When I said I didn't, and was asked why, I said, "I don't like being out of control."

The defense dismissed me in the next round of voir dire.

More ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/ | Archive

by louismg on Jun 7, 2006 9:31 PM PDT up reply actions

I REALLY want this to go well..

...but I actually a little upset that a) Loaiza is not starting in the bullpen and b) Saarloos doesn't get to back up his last start.

"Baseball is like church. Many attend but few understand." ~Wes Westrum

by baseballgirl on Jun 7, 2006 9:33 PM PDT reply actions

Maybe Saarloos can

at least back up third base for Loaiza.

by Nico on Jun 7, 2006 9:40 PM PDT up reply actions

I hope Macha makes the call in the first inning...

for the first pinch-pitcher in MLB history.
Power to Saarloos!

"Hope for the best, prepare for the worst." - La Russa

by OaktownRajah on Jun 7, 2006 9:45 PM PDT up reply actions

Hmm...I'm listening,

but I still want to hear what your friend cokaine has to say...

Anyway, we do have a .300 hitter on the team: Jason Kendall. Oh, batting average. I thought you meant slugging percentage. Never mind.

by Nico on Jun 7, 2006 9:48 PM PDT reply actions

Her cousin Mary Jane told her...

good hitting beats good pitching.

by IM4Oakgal on Jun 7, 2006 9:52 PM PDT up reply actions

My friends THC and LSD said...

today's game was not representative of what the A's offense will be in the coming months. With Bradley rusty coming off the DL, Perez subbing for Chavy and Kielty in the lineup, no, there wasn't much punch.

That reminds me. I'm hella thirsty.

Root Beer Float

by Ice Cream on Jun 7, 2006 9:55 PM PDT up reply actions

My friend, after Loiaza's outing

tomorrow may be electro-shock therapy. I'll make the appointment for late morning.

the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005...in 2006?...prove it.

by ak_A on Jun 7, 2006 9:59 PM PDT up reply actions

They are

The Indians, Chavez with back spasms, Kielty in there and Blanton who has been inconsistent and you have a recipe for disaster, Loaiza please win.

"Talk about impressive. My point is this: Break's over."- Josiah Bartlet

by doublehustle22 on Jun 7, 2006 9:57 PM PDT reply actions

That being said,

I would currently rate our offense as average, our rotation as average, and our bullpen as average.

I wonder why we're playing about .500 ball...

by Nico on Jun 7, 2006 9:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Help me out...

Last I saw, the A's were 11th (in the AL) in runs scored, 10th in SLG and 9th in OBP. "Average" might be a wee bit better than the offense actually is, right now. Just sayin'

by Aaron C on Jun 7, 2006 11:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Ummmm

maybe because we're average?

by luvsthecurveball on Jun 8, 2006 12:37 AM PDT up reply actions

Joe's on a roller coaster?

Where are the ups?

Putting the "fun" in "perfunctory"

by Poppy on Jun 7, 2006 10:16 PM PDT reply actions

seattle

"I thought it was cute," Oakland's Nick Swisher said of Kotsay's blast with the petal-colored bat

by larrysgurl on Jun 7, 2006 11:05 PM PDT up reply actions

bets for what inning we see Saarloos

I hope it is the 6th, but I bet it is the 4th.

by Bigtoe on Jun 7, 2006 11:10 PM PDT reply actions

Why on earth???

With Milton back, did we still have to see Kielty tonight?? Seriously?

by Bigtoe on Jun 7, 2006 11:11 PM PDT reply actions

I'm guessing Macha

liked his numbers against Byrd: .333 AVG, .815 SLG, 1.172 OPS.

"I really don't see how it affects me that directly except for doing these interviews." -- Brad Halsey on giving up No. 714

by day-to-day on Jun 7, 2006 11:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Currently

Jason Windsor > Joe Blanton

COME ON, OAKLAND, COME ON! June 19th - June 21st, 2006 ** Oakland Athletics @ Colorado Rockies **

by Colorado Fan on Jun 8, 2006 12:20 AM PDT reply actions

No...

Jason Windsor = Unknown

Cupcakes = Not so good.

"the reason why hitting the ball on the "sweet spot" of the bat feels so good is that the ball is contacting at the bat at a vibrational node." - salb918

by McFood on Jun 8, 2006 12:49 AM PDT up reply actions

9:00 is so early to start drinking...

I just hope that Macha keeps Loseapallooza on a short leash today and lets the boys stay in the game.

It would be so depressing if, say, he gave up 6 runs in the first few innings and was allowed to stay in, even if he clearly has nuttin'. Talk about deja vu.

by coffee roaster on Jun 8, 2006 6:26 AM PDT reply actions

T.S. Eliot got it wrong: May is the cruelest month.

by GreenNGoldSooner on Jun 8, 2006 6:59 AM PDT reply actions

hmmm about an hour to game time

i can go to work anytime....but i am feeling, not well, i should not be in the office, at least this morning...cough, cough. but then again with the A's pitching, i may get sicker.

the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005...in 2006?...prove it.

by ak_A on Jun 8, 2006 7:56 AM PDT reply actions