A's Scoot To 7 Games Over .500

by Nico on Aug 4, 2006 9:57 PM PDT in News

By the time their respective careers are over, no doubt Bobby Crosby will own better offensive stats than Marco Scutaro. But for at least one magical night, the "wrong guy" played the part of the mashing shortstop, as Scutaro hit for 7 total bases, provided the biggest hit, and put an exclamation point on the evening with an important insurance run.

Meanwhile, don't look now but the A's are climbing towards division-leader respectability, with a record that is 7 games over .500. OK, not respectability perhaps, but at least pulling away from "Padre territory". Most importantly, the A's have suddenly put 3 games between them and the Angels, who just had their Colon removed and can't be feeling as good about their chances as they were feeling a week ago. How quickly things change in baseball--and how quickly they change back, which is why it is imperative that the A's take two steps forward without taking one back. If today's efforts by Scutaro and Ellis are any indication, the A's may be able to do just that.

It's remarkable how when Bradley and Thomas are both in the lineup, suddenly the A's offense looks respectable--not incredible, but good enough to combine with top-notch pitching and defense to get the job done. With Bradley and Thomas working opposing pitchers and having quality at-bats every time, Payton can afford to hack away, Chavez can provide punch lower in the order, and everything seems to fall into place.

Finally, props to Jay Payton for going from "broken bone?" to "great game" in 48 hours. His "hustle double" and circus catch showed that while he may not be the A's prototypical "take-and-rake and play defense with fundamentals" guy, he was a good player to hang onto. Bradley, Payton, Scutaro--it might turn out to be Beane's finest trading deadline yet!

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Hugs for the team!!!

I'm thrilled with EVERYONE tonight!!!

"I'm living in a cuckoo clock!" ~HollywoodOz
"I'm your huckleberry." ~grover

by baseballgirl on Aug 4, 2006 9:58 PM PDT reply actions

Nice Game

Let's keep on rolling.

by oaklandbbfan on Aug 4, 2006 10:01 PM PDT reply actions

After a season that always felt doomed...

suddenly things have changed. As of now that change is pretty easily traced to the Bradley homer on AN Day.

It seems like the A's finally mind be over the hump. They're certainly easier to feel good about when you consider:

--Bradley back
--Chavez feeling and looking much better
--Zito still on the team
--Haren dealing as well as ever
--Blanton much more solid
--Loaiza having two straight decent outings
--The bullpen
--The Angel's sudden woes

That's a great deal of good news for a team that's had little.

by RLangford on Aug 4, 2006 10:02 PM PDT reply actions

I agree

But the texas lineup is scary. Next week's games are important to win and widen our lead.

by oaklandbbfan on Aug 4, 2006 10:07 PM PDT up reply actions

The Angel's sudden woes?

Who has made the move to pick up Andrew Jones? I say the Angels.

"Pick him off". Coach Fitz

by Sashulia on Aug 4, 2006 10:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Possible, but not likely

Given that every NL team gets first crack. And even if they claim him, they have to deal for him. He won't come cheap at all.

by RLangford on Aug 4, 2006 10:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Plus the Angels

Don't want to trade any prospects to win now

Goliath, dissatisfied with his size advantage, decided to buy David's sling, which took steroids.

by TexasAsfan on Aug 5, 2006 8:27 AM PDT up reply actions

I think you trace it back to the previous day

and the memorable Zito curtain call. Suddenly the team had a heart and a soul and they have been running ever since.

by willcmatthews on Aug 4, 2006 10:23 PM PDT up reply actions

people are always looking for some

memorable moment... the kendall home run, the zito curtain call, the bradley game winning home run.

but why not trace it back to july 26 when haren beat the red sox?
that's when we started winning a lot more often than losing (7-2), with the two losses being a loaiza start (usually an automatic loss) in which he pitched pretty well and the loss to the angels in which we lost on a bunch of infield hits and plays at the plate. both one run losses.

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 Aug 4, 2006 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions

Fair enough

I just thought that was a big win psychologically, but you're right about any string of good play not being about a moment or a game. I'd agree.

by RLangford on Aug 4, 2006 10:40 PM PDT up reply actions

As long as we're on the sunnyside...

Think about the addition of Harden to all that happy-happy-joy-joy. Yeah, let's not get ahead of ourselves. But still, it's fun to imagine adding him to the mix for the stretch drive.

PS: Check out Jeff's hilarious illustration on the top of his game wrap-up at Lookout Landing. You have to admire a person who can laugh when they're down.

A's 2006 record when I attend: 7-6

by peanut gallery on Aug 5, 2006 12:37 AM PDT up reply actions

That is a HILARIOUS image.

"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."

by Kyli on Aug 5, 2006 11:46 AM PDT up reply actions

Imagine ....

if ...

we had .....

rich

"Their team is full of a bunch of shitty nobodies pieced together from the moneyball scrap yard." -- Halos Heaven 7/31/06

by SportySpice @ Athletics Nation on Aug 4, 2006 10:09 PM PDT reply actions

And about the Padres

Can I show why the comparison is a little unfair to the A's?

Last year the Padres got off to a very good start and then played below .500 for 4 months. They were 33-19 at the end of May and finished 82-80. That's 49-61 to take the division. Truly humiliating. Deserving of mockery.

But we were 23-29 after 52 games, ironically our low point coming after exactly the same number of games as the Padres high.

Since then we are 35-22, very respectable, and given our schedule likely to get better. And, of course, we are playing in a tougher league than they played in last year.

So we've never really been like them. They got much worse as the season went on. We've gotten better.

by RLangford on Aug 4, 2006 10:11 PM PDT reply actions

true

padres were in a division with lousy to mediocre teams. we're in a division with decent to good but flawed teams.

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 Aug 4, 2006 10:18 PM PDT up reply actions

And I have to remind everyone,

As far as our record is concerned, we ARE the 9th best in mlb. I know we've been on sort of a tear here, but the records have been similar for a while now.

I think the impression of the NL worst from last year stems from the fact that even Seattle is performing. That is, even the worst in our division is performing better than half of the mlb teams.

by RenoTy on Aug 4, 2006 10:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Run Differential

485 Runs Scored
483 Runs Scored Against

This looks like a .500 Team to me...but I will take it.

COME ON, OAKLAND, COME ON!

by Colorado Fan on Aug 5, 2006 11:33 AM PDT up reply actions

Completely different note,

but would anyone here do what the Gnat fans did tonight after Barroid was ejected / after the game?

"The hard... is what makes it great."

by Jjjsixsix on Aug 4, 2006 10:17 PM PDT reply actions

I didn't hear about what happened.

Tell us.

by IM4Oakgal on Aug 4, 2006 10:18 PM PDT up reply actions

Ok I just read about it.

No I would never throw garbage onto the field for any reason.

by IM4Oakgal on Aug 4, 2006 10:21 PM PDT up reply actions

No, Never

No matter how mad I was, I would never resort to that kind of behavior. That was a mob rule scene. I was watching it and that was disgusting. Kruk and Kuip were certainly mad as hell at Bond's and the fans behavior and expressed it.

Baseball is life. . . at least that is what my sweatshirt says.

by 0R0H0E on Aug 4, 2006 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Did it once before

I was at a basketball game, and there was a bad call, and the home fans started throwing things, and it was a close game, so the referee announced "If anything else gets thrown onto the court the home team will receive a technical" So I, rooting for the road team, threw trash on the court with like 2 minutes left and they ended up winning.

Home court advantage my ass

Goliath, dissatisfied with his size advantage, decided to buy David's sling, which took steroids.

by TexasAsfan on Aug 5, 2006 8:29 AM PDT up reply actions

that's wrong

but pretty funny

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 Aug 5, 2006 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions

lol

seeing as you're from Texas, if you had done that at a football game, I don't think you'd have lived to tell about it.

I am no drunkard, I'm a hard-working man.

by Cutthemullet on Aug 5, 2006 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions

If I threw garbage from my seat...

...it would just hit someone in my own section.

"He should have been out for blood, like a two-mouthed bear at a monkey eating contest!" ~ McFood

by Poppy on Aug 5, 2006 10:47 AM PDT up reply actions

"...who just had their Colon removed..."

good stuff

I am no drunkard, I'm a hard-working man.

by Cutthemullet on Aug 4, 2006 10:18 PM PDT reply actions

I LOVE THIS TEAM

And I'll say it...I love baseballgirl. GO A'S!!!

by sprtsnwyn on Aug 4, 2006 10:19 PM PDT reply actions

Mark my word!

Tonite was the end of the Barry era of the Giants. It was beautiful and pathetic to watch, Barry and way worse, the fans just lose it...ON THEIR OWN LITTLE PRETTY FIELD! And hell, that was a good pitch, a strike even. Season ticket prices are coming down over there, trust me.

by baseballbill on Aug 4, 2006 10:20 PM PDT reply actions

Well said

It was the tipping point i think.

Sabean should be run out of town.

Could it be any more clear that he has rested on his laurels counting on the inhuman Barry Bonds all these years?

Barry is human and the rest of the team just clearly is not a playoff team.

Never have been frankly, they just had an inhuman Bonds.

SF is toast and Sabean needs to be roasted.

by The Hypocrite on Aug 4, 2006 10:23 PM PDT up reply actions

no way

That pitch was NOT a strike. Guaranteed if an A's player was in the batter's box this site would be up in arms about the call.

by Bearcat on Aug 4, 2006 11:19 PM PDT up reply actions

Kulpa was calling it all night

Stee-rike 2!

"YA-freaking-WHOOOOO!" ~ alaska A

by eamb on Aug 4, 2006 11:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Nico

Didn't you think that the if the A's could just stay close to the Angels after the horrendous portion of the schedule in July that we had a terrific shot once we got to August?

Aren't you--aren't all of you--pretty amazed that we have a 3 game lead on them at this point, considering the schedule that remains?

by RLangford on Aug 4, 2006 10:22 PM PDT reply actions

Not really, RLangford,

just because I'm not as surprised as most fans are when we sweep a first place team or get swept by the Diamondbacks. The only thing predictable about baseball is that it's unpredictable, and it runs in waves of ebb and flow. Because I don't think there are any great teams in the AL West, I tend to think there will be several more twists and turns before it's over, rather than any team steadily moving ahead until suddenly it's a 7 game spread.

For that reason, I'm rooting for Texas to sweep the Angels, even though the Rangers have moved ahead of LAA in the standings. I still think the Angels are the team to beat and that they will be back in first/second place after the next ebb/flow cycle. I love the A's position right now, but that doesn't mean I trust it--they've won 7 of 9, but unless they're going to play .778 ball the rest of the way, there are plenty more ebbs and flows to come...

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 4, 2006 10:37 PM PDT up reply actions

see my comment below...

two weeks ago i would have agreed. but the Angel rotation is in semi-shambles. Texas is now the bigger threat

oaktoon

by oaktoon on Aug 4, 2006 10:39 PM PDT up reply actions

If the Rangers

Can get consistent starting pitching like they have been they are dangerous, but that also means that their rotation would have to do what it has yet to do all year.

Plus, no bullpen depth if Otsuka goes down

Goliath, dissatisfied with his size advantage, decided to buy David's sling, which took steroids.

by TexasAsfan on Aug 5, 2006 8:31 AM PDT up reply actions

"the only thing predictable

about baseball is that it is unpredictable"

Man, where do you get this stuff? Totally mind blowing. zip-zap-zip they just keep coming.

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

by ak_A on Aug 4, 2006 10:41 PM PDT up reply actions

I was going to say that

"sarcasm doesn't become you," but now I realize that it's "words".

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 4, 2006 10:43 PM PDT up reply actions

gonna log off now and crack open

the "books" aka my writing portfollio...

hmmm..."And, that's what baseball is all about!" or "Baseball, that's what it is all about." or "That's what it is about, baseball!"

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

by ak_A on Aug 4, 2006 10:49 PM PDT up reply actions

Or, if you're Ray Fosse,

"Baseball, it's all about, that's which it is."

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 4, 2006 10:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Split

I want the Angels and Texas to split the next two games. That would be perfect.

The Rangers still scare me. And after seeing the Angels play the last couple of days/week, I think Texas is the better team (right now, w/o Colon). They took 2 of 3 @ Minnesota. They're probably going to win the Angels series. Then, we get a shot to bring the Rangers down.

COME ON, OAKLAND, COME ON!

by Colorado Fan on Aug 5, 2006 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions

works for me

by OaklandSi on Aug 5, 2006 11:47 AM PDT up reply actions

now, now

there's still two months left to this season

let's not get ahead of ourselves

by OaklandSi on Aug 4, 2006 10:26 PM PDT reply actions

Who is this power infielder?

"YA-freaking-WHOOOOO!" ~ alaska A

by eamb on Aug 4, 2006 10:29 PM PDT reply actions

I have no idea.

However my wife would just stare and mumble something about Venezuelan man candy.

by Hang Man on Aug 5, 2006 10:02 AM PDT up reply actions

It's funny that Payton has become

pretty frickin invaluable to this team. At the beginning of the season he looked like the odd man out and now when we thought he might be injured, we all held our breath. I actually think he's a nice fit in a lineup of guys who mostly take pitches.

by Tyler Bleszinski on Aug 4, 2006 10:30 PM PDT reply actions

he's a change of pace in the lineup

considering how many of the batters take strikes, that strategy won't work with payton

by Rickeyfan on Aug 4, 2006 10:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Hrmm

Wonder if Beane & Co will consider resigning Payton after this year? Let's hope he keeps it up.

"It's never 'just a game' if you're winning" - George Carlin

by bluelightrain84 on Aug 4, 2006 10:40 PM PDT up reply actions

i have a different take

2 weeks ago it appeared that perhaps the decisive element in this division was the Angels rotation.They were playing better ball than anyone.

Now, with Colon out, Lackey bombed tonight, and aches and pains for Weaver and Escobar, things have obviously changed.

And now the question is:

is the major force in this division the Texas offense?
or is it the A's pitching and defense?

I don't think anyone can make a definitive call yet. Big series next week, though.

oaktoon

by oaktoon on Aug 4, 2006 10:37 PM PDT reply actions

3 games in the loss column

is an important leg up.

What worries me about the Rangers beyond Carlos Lee is that they have taken two very weak links out of their rotation to be replaced by Eaton and Wells.

Let's hope those two aren't so great either.

by RLangford on Aug 4, 2006 10:44 PM PDT up reply actions

Use your own fears

to assuage them: When you're worried about Kip Wells and Adam Eaton...

...Basically, now Texas has upgraded their rotation to a #2 (Millwood), and #3-#4 guys (Padilla, Eaton, Wells, Koronka). And their bullpen, after Otsuka, is very poor.

Good pitching beats good hitting. And bad hitting can hold its own against bad pitching. It'll be the A's and Angels in the end, I'm telling you. Mark my words, unless I'm wrong.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 4, 2006 10:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Oh-oh!

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/

Braves Scouts Attended Rangers Game Thursday
According to the Dallas Morning News Seamheads blog, two Braves scouts attended Thursday's Rangers-Angels game.

Evan Grant theorizes that the Rangers may have claimed Andruw Jones to block the Angels. He also described the scouts' attendance as "unusual."

Said Buster Olney today on Jones:

"If they don't trade him today without getting his approval then they never will be able to. If Jones is in the lineup against the Reds this afternoon, we'll know he's staying, at least until the offseason."

Andruw deemed it "rude" that the Braves are keeping him in the dark about this waiver business. But John Schuerholz did say "He should know that we would talk if a trade was imminent."

I would've suggested that the Braves and Rangers were discussing Chris Reitsma or John Thomson, but both look to be out for the season. Still, waiver trades are almost never as interesting as Andruw Jones.

"-1 is our runs margin after 109 games"

by A s Eh on Aug 5, 2006 8:38 AM PDT up reply actions

The key appears to be

that on August 15th, Andruw becomes a 10-and-5 player, so this is the Braves' last chance to trade him without his consent.

I'm not worried about the Angels getting him. Same as with Soriano, if the Angels want to give up their good prospects to get a free agent to be, I say "knock yourself out"--how great it would be for the A's if Kendrick or Aybar or Morales or Wood left the Angels' system.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 5, 2006 9:12 AM PDT up reply actions

Not to split hairs

But Jones is not a free agent to be. He would still be under contract for one more year after this one -- he just gains trade veto power in 10 days. So the Angels (if it is them) could have him for all of next year as well.

The good ones learn from their mistakes. The great ones learn from everyone's mistakes. -- James Street

by AsFanInLA on Aug 5, 2006 10:02 AM PDT up reply actions

it's difficult for me to

believe that no NL team would claim him first.

by OaklandSi on Aug 5, 2006 10:07 AM PDT up reply actions

I wouldn't call that "splitting hairs"--

I'd say that's more "that changes everything". The Angels' young talent still scares me--but it's unlikely that any of them will outperform Andruw Jones in 2007.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 5, 2006 11:48 AM PDT up reply actions

Scutaro is the biggest force of course

by baseballbill on Aug 4, 2006 10:45 PM PDT reply actions

Better late...

Yo, Nico!

Am I the first to point out that 2 is, indeed, a crooked number?

by fritzgrooves on Aug 4, 2006 10:48 PM PDT reply actions

I consider 3+ to be crooked;

2 might be slanted, but like a weeble I feel it wobbles but doesn't fall down.

If that makes sense to you, then you're probably sober. What's it like?

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 4, 2006 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions

what if you italicize it?

is it crooked or slanted then?

"The hard... is what makes it great."

by Jjjsixsix on Aug 4, 2006 10:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Kind of slooked,

kind of cranted.

Even, and yet--strangely--prime.

That wacky number, 2.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 4, 2006 11:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Oh, my goodness

We've come to spoonerism. I'm kinda liking where this is going.

Did LaRussa introduce the crooked number concept into the baseball lexicon?

by fritzgrooves on Aug 4, 2006 11:10 PM PDT up reply actions

Look, I don't like Macha

but I have to hand it to him tonight, benching Swish and playing Kotsay at first. That is doing something, I like that. Too often he just sits on his hands letting guys play who are not performing.
Tomorrow I hope he plays Jimenez at 2nd, and benches Ellis, nevermind that he got a single and an RBI tonight, he has done that about every two weeks all season. By the way, I also didn't think Payton should have been kept, I take it all back, he is having a great season, we wouldn't be ahead by 3 games without him. Now, if the A's only had a leadoff hitter, but then again, who else other than Kendall? I was watching the Bonds episode, going back and forth between the A's and Giants in the 9th inning. Poor ol' Bonds, got a pitch called a strike that was close, first time in 10 years and he couldn't stand it. He is so used to getting strikes called balls that he didn't know how to react. Anyone else would have been thrown out for arguing 5 minutes before he was. Personally it looked to me like he wanted to get thrown out. I loved it. I have seen so many pitches to Bonds called balls that were called strikes to any other guy hitting. The King is dead, long live the King.

by china bob on Aug 4, 2006 10:49 PM PDT reply actions

Yeah, I suppose I'm

going to have to give Payton his due kudos, and give myself a slap on the ass with a wet noodle.

Those two things, by the way, have nothing to do with one another.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 4, 2006 10:55 PM PDT up reply actions

slightly off topic...

I think I'm on information overload. I picked up Fantasyland yesterday afternoon, and by this point I'm almost 300 pages into it, which is good because I like the book, but I'm starting to get that glazed-over look probably reminiscent of Walker when he was researching his fantasy team a couple years ago. (When I saw that he had drafted Ellis, I had to backtrack through the years in my mind and make sure I wasn't going crazy, since I was almost positive '04 was the year Ellis was hurt.)

Anyway, I'm enjoying the book, but it's probably smarter to take it in smaller doses than I'm doing. :)

(Oh! I laughed at what Guardado said about Ellis... memories of the '02 ALDS and subsequent matchups... heh heh.)

by whiteshoes40 on Aug 4, 2006 10:59 PM PDT reply actions

I read that about a month ago

I found it rather enjoyable. The most fun with the book I think are simply all the different characters Walker has in his league. Well that and of course the extreme lengths he goes to to try and succeed.

Gary's Furniture gon hook you up with discount priced furniture....UP, IN, HERE

by walk off bunt on Aug 5, 2006 3:08 AM PDT up reply actions

I just found my new favorite food

An Ivardog at the Ivar's stand behind Section 117 at Safeco. Two pieces of breaded cod with some coleslaw, all in a large hot dog bun. Add some vinegar and tartar sauce and there you have it <drool>

by Flyin As on Aug 4, 2006 11:18 PM PDT reply actions

the oakland A's....

theyre so hott right now... so hot..

"The weather is hot, so I'm hot," Scutaro said with mock bravado. "Just kidding."

by TrizzleNizzle510 on Aug 5, 2006 12:41 AM PDT reply actions

Ever since Bradley's come back

I feel so at peace with this team. I have such a newfound confidence that they'll be just good enough to score the proper amount of runs and continue their great pitching that they'll take the division. There's just no reason to complain about them right now.

It's also nice that, with him in the lineup, one doesn't find themself periodically looking up Andre Ethier's stats and cringing.

Gary's Furniture gon hook you up with discount priced furniture....UP, IN, HERE

by walk off bunt on Aug 5, 2006 3:06 AM PDT reply actions

You're right about Bradley

As a long-time fan of my dearly departed Expos (RIP) BUT NOT THE WASHINGTON PRETENDERS, I can tell you that the organization in Montreal was sky-high on Milton Bradley when he was an Expos farmhand. They thought his upside was as high as Vlad Guerrero's - and that's saying something. I thought it was such a cool move by Billy Beane, not only to bring him to the A's but to surround him with father figures like Frank Thomas and Gerald Perry who can keep his volatity in check. If there's one guy who can carry the Green and Gold for the last 2 months, it's Bradley.

by Peter in Montreal on Aug 5, 2006 5:58 AM PDT reply actions

Hi Peter

I live in Ottawa and I too was a big Expos fan.

by Larry E on Aug 5, 2006 10:03 AM PDT up reply actions

ADOPT the A's

I had no choice but to adopt the A's as my team after the Expos went down....after all Ken Macha was probably the greatest bullpen coach in Expos history.

by Peter in Montreal on Aug 5, 2006 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions

And

he played very briefly on the great Expos teams of 79 and 80.

PS I've been an A's fan since the early 70's (I was born in 1966). No conflict until they played each other in an interleague series in oakland a few years ago. Fortunately i was in at a conference in Hawaii and missed all the games.

by Larry E on Aug 5, 2006 10:23 AM PDT up reply actions

conference in Hawaii

must have been very productive

I am no drunkard, I'm a hard-working man.

by Cutthemullet on Aug 5, 2006 12:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Ex-expo Angels

Did you notice how many ex-Expos/Nationals are playing for the Angels? Colon, Carrasco (Nationals), Cabrera, Izturis, Rivera, Pride, and of course Vlad.

by Larry E on Aug 5, 2006 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions

heh

I remember when the two OF prospects being touted for the Expos, at about the same time I believe, were Bradley and a guy by the name of Peter Bergeron, who was supposed to be their Carl Crawford-type...yeah, that one didn't quite work out. I don't even know if he's still playing professional ball...all I know is his average was always mired in the .220s, and he hit for no power whatsoever. Anyway, glad you adopted the A's as your team--I would adopt your city if I had the choice.

I am no drunkard, I'm a hard-working man.

by Cutthemullet on Aug 5, 2006 12:23 PM PDT up reply actions

Biggest Change

It seems that the biggest change in this current run is a change in Macha. The last few games he has managed his pitching staff correctly by having relievers warmed up BEFORE they implode so they're not left out there to give up 2 or 3 more runs before someone is warm. Also, his benching of Swish (and eventual move down of Chavez) shows that he may be willing to pull the trigger a little more quickly when a guy is cold even when it means putting someone like Kots at first in order to keep him in the lineup. I've been hating on Macha all season but it seems like he's discovering how to manage a game effectively - now if he'd only show some emotion once in a while and get himself thrown out of a game or two to show his passion for winning.

"If my uniform doesn't get dirty, I haven't done anything in the baseball game." - Rickey Henderson

by Durden on Aug 5, 2006 7:52 AM PDT reply actions

I'm convinced

That Beane has Macha hooked up to an electroshock machine, and it's finally training him to do what Beane wants him to

I still don't buy that Macha has any clue what he is doing

Goliath, dissatisfied with his size advantage, decided to buy David's sling, which took steroids.

by TexasAsfan on Aug 5, 2006 8:37 AM PDT up reply actions

nary a word on Zito, Nico?

Man do we take him for granted around here.

He was nearly unbeatable last night. In the first at bat, he threw a perfect curve ball, which was called a ball. I'm thinking "this is going to be one of those nights when Barry gets squeezed, then rocked" (seems like this always happens when the A's are on "regular" TV)... but I was wrong. He (and Kendall, who called another brilliant game) totally adjusted, without missing a beat, found what the ump wanted, and went to work. It also helped that the Mariners were hacking like crazy... but that was also likely a by product of the high level he was pitching on last night.

What a pro.

by Brian in 317 on Aug 5, 2006 7:53 AM PDT reply actions

A Pro's Pro

and if he goes somewhere next year with real offensive talent behind him-- like either of the NY teams-- he could start winning 19-20 games a year with regularity.

You know-- if the likes of Kendall, Kotsay, Loaiza and even Chavez for that matter, are worth the big coin we are paying them (and that's debatable in nearly every case)...

why shouldn't we pay 13-14 mill a year for a darn dependable starting pitcher who throws 200+ innings every year??

oaktoon

by oaktoon on Aug 5, 2006 8:13 AM PDT up reply actions

I totally agree

especially if he goes to an NL team.

Baseball is life. . . at least that is what my sweatshirt says.

by 0R0H0E on Aug 5, 2006 9:17 AM PDT up reply actions

I hope we can still sign him.

..It could happen......

RIP mAC dRe and biLL KiNg

by jme on Aug 5, 2006 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions

Pretty much a backhanded

compliment, Briansittingonthetarpsin317: Scutaro banging a single, double, and HR is noteworthy; Zito throwing 7 solid innings not so much.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 5, 2006 9:07 AM PDT up reply actions

Zero

He shouldn't have given up any runs and wouldn't have if Crosby was playing short. Scoot took too long to get rid of the ball and does have near the armstrength that Crosby does. That lead-off infield "single" turned out to be the only guy to score on Z.

Good night at the plate for Scoot though.

by Larry E on Aug 5, 2006 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions

Can we keep this up

That is the big question. Looking good now but can this sustain through the home series with Texas. Give us a little breathing room

by raiderfan on Aug 5, 2006 8:07 AM PDT reply actions

I'm with you Raiderfan

I hope the guys can keep it up.. would be nice to get back into the playoffs.

by oaklandbbfan on Aug 5, 2006 8:24 AM PDT reply actions

Playoffs

You guys get the same sick feeling?
A's make the playoffs but the offense goes sour up against--you know they'll face good pitching--and Macha again has no clue
on how to manage when everything's on the line.
And Oakland A's choke again in first round.

by Salvatore on Aug 5, 2006 8:44 AM PDT reply actions

well, without

getting into the predictions business--

a loss to the likes of Detroit, Boston or New York-- one of whom would be our first round playoff opponent-- is hardly "choking".

Those are better teams than us. Unless Harden is back and the team is at least 90% healthy.

oaktoon

by oaktoon on Aug 5, 2006 8:59 AM PDT up reply actions

The A's are in first place

and are looking like a team gaining momentum. Let's not bury them while they are still breathing.

Baseball is life. . . at least that is what my sweatshirt says.

by 0R0H0E on Aug 5, 2006 9:19 AM PDT up reply actions

You are right...

You are right about one thing...I do have a sick feeling...about reading your post! This team can beat anyone! Look at how they have played against contenders...absolutely holding their own. "Don't give up, don't ever give up." Trust Billy and the team he as assembled.

"Newsteam...let's hunt."

by tresselfan on Aug 5, 2006 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions

Halos Heaven

Just a bunch of spoiled , rich and bitter guys over there. Some of the stuff they post is hilarious.

Go A's!!!

by Vegas A's Fan on Aug 5, 2006 8:55 AM PDT reply actions

lookout landing

Go look at LL and the newest diary. Hilarious. Jeff and co., while they root for the wrong team, are some of the wittiest bloggers I've ever read.

Today's diary is a letter penned by a child of the A's thanking Seattle for all the wins.

"Because he's always cleanin' up everybody else's s**t" -Ron Washington on Jeff Tam in 'Moneyball'

by kotsaykid on Aug 5, 2006 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions

They're not spoiled...

they have to live in Orange County.

by mikeA on Aug 5, 2006 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions

Damn--I hate to say it

But that's the Oakland A's M.O. in the first round playoffs whether they're all healthy or not or up 2 games to none--they find a way to blow it-- big time.

by Salvatore on Aug 5, 2006 9:14 AM PDT reply actions

The A'S have been underdogs all season.

It won't change for the rest of this season or the post season.

Macha is a great manager. -Ron Washington

by pachydermOAFC on Aug 5, 2006 9:23 AM PDT reply actions

A's game on TV in SoCal

is it on? or is angels on?

by viveksap on Aug 5, 2006 9:50 AM PDT reply actions

It looks like Angles-Rangers will be on FOX...

and not the first-place team (if yr in the "Southland"). Of course, no real human being ever says "southland"...

Was that Tony LaRussa fast asleep in the front row at the Orinda Shakespeare festival?

by LAXile on Aug 5, 2006 9:57 AM PDT up reply actions

speaking of the angels commentators.

they are even more brutal once i saw the seattle game yesterday and their commentators were compared and contrasted.

by viveksap on Aug 5, 2006 9:59 AM PDT reply actions

I am lighting candles

at my old Arthur Rhodes shrine site in honor of Fox for showing the A's game today instead of the angles/texas. I am blessed.

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

by ak_A on Aug 5, 2006 10:28 AM PDT reply actions

In Alaska

It's probably because of the Mariners...

This year's Peja-Artest, Willis for Zito! aim: encryptthisthat

by Hit4TheCycle on Aug 5, 2006 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions

Not on EI

The game is not on Extra Innings here in Ottawa. We get the Phillies vs Mets Fox game. The 4PM games are usually available on EI but not the Fox west coast games of the week. However, I scanned my digital cable guide and saw that the game is available on Fox Seattle. I don't subscribe to this channel but I do now, for today anyway. Good deal since the "Seattle package" of five channels only costs $1.99/month and I will be billed on a pro-rated daily basis!

by Larry E on Aug 5, 2006 10:36 AM PDT reply actions

enlightened cable subscription there

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

by ak_A on Aug 5, 2006 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions

Next time we hear that Duke has back trouble...

...we'll know it's Huston's fault!

(Deanna's picture, from Marinerds 8/5/06 post)

"He should have been out for blood, like a two-mouthed bear at a monkey eating contest!" ~ McFood

by Poppy on Aug 5, 2006 11:52 AM PDT reply actions

lol, that's awesome

by whiteshoes40 on Aug 5, 2006 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions

That looks like Huston

being the pony, not the rider. The hair is too dark and curly for Duke. Plus the pony is wearing a bracelet, like Huston's. Can't tell who is getting the ride.

Must be Larry Davis's idea of conditioning.

"Their team is full of a bunch of shitty nobodies pieced together from the moneyball scrap yard." -- Halos Heaven 7/31/06

by SportySpice @ Athletics Nation on Aug 5, 2006 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Why, does each of them

have a donut in his mouth?

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 5, 2006 12:23 PM PDT up reply actions