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Eight Is Enough, And Eight More Is Plenty

Goat_tiny by Nico on in News

The problem with the A's is that they can't hit. Something sure turned things around in a hurry...Was it Scutaro's dramatic homerun, this year's version of the Kendall homerun (note the singular) which jumpstarted the A's offense last Summer? Was it the chance to face what the Rangers call pitching--throwing very few strikes and regretting the ones that are thrown? Or was it patience? Time. Progression to the mean.

Mark Ellis, Bobby Crosby, Shannon Stewart, and Jason Kendall all got off to slow starts whose upside was "hey, nowhere to go but up". And up they went tonight, with Ellis and Crosby rediscovering their doubles stroke, Stewart unloading his first A's homerun in a two-hit, four RBI performance, and Kendall getting back to doing what he does best: getting hit by pitches and hitting dribblers to third base he can beat out. Mix in a first-major-league-HR, 5-RBI night from the kid-who-keeps-creeping-up-higher-in-the-batting-order, and the rout is on. So as initially torrid hitters like Piazza regress to the mean, the progressors are far outweighing the regressors and the result is baserunners everywhere, with many coming around to touch the pointy pentagon base that gives you points.

Just as failure breeds failure, hopefully success will breed success in the form of a more confident and relaxed hitting team. Which is good, because after 16 games, the A's have yet to get a bad start from a pitcher. That can't last--but if the offense heats up, the A's might be in pretty good shape in the early going.

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Judge it like Ice Skating

Throw out the worst game, throw out the best.  Then look at the stats.

by MobiusKlein on Apr 20, 2007 8:23 PM PDT   0 recs

I still can't believe the pitching

That's a lot of good starts in a row!

Now we have 6 or 7 months to enjoy, to cheer, cry, and scream both in frustration and happiness. ~china bob

by baseballgirl on Apr 20, 2007 8:26 PM PDT   0 recs

Well that and T-buck

I heart that kid.

Now we have 6 or 7 months to enjoy, to cheer, cry, and scream both in frustration and happiness. ~china bob

by baseballgirl on Apr 20, 2007 8:27 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Bucked

Can't say enough about the kid.  If the start to this season is any indication, the A's have another rookie of the year.

Jim

by jarforcefatherofforce on Apr 20, 2007 8:39 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You STUPID heart that kid
"...so I figured, you know, why not test him." -- Travis Buck on One-Arm Johnny Damon

by Mossback on Apr 20, 2007 8:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Maybe it was good barbecue ;)

Good recap, except that it's spelled "rout."

Second place in gigglingone's NCAA Tournament bracket contest!

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Apr 20, 2007 8:26 PM PDT   0 recs

Now it all makes sense:
My childhood paper rout was a blowout.
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 Apr 20, 2007 8:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I was at the 2000 OU-Texas game in Dallas...

OU won 63-14 (a thing of beauty).

Anyhoo, I was in the endzone, surrounded by OU fans. And as Oklahoma scored the first touchdown of the second half (making it 49-17), a guy with a deep Okie accent behind me turns to his son and says:

The root is on!

Anyway you spell it or say it, it sounds good to me!

CAN U HIT? Dfdng Div Chmp seeks offense. Must b rep'ment lvl+ in field (SSs ex'd). Call Billy B @ 510-638-4900.

by GreenNGoldSooner on Apr 20, 2007 8:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Might have been...

a foreign exchange student from Canada, eh?

"Get Heavy!" - Kotsay

by OaklandInvader on Apr 20, 2007 8:46 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

the root ...the root

the root is on fire.......

by curlichick on Apr 21, 2007 10:20 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You gotta love them Okies

The Aggies of the North.

"...so I figured, you know, why not test him." -- Travis Buck on One-Arm Johnny Damon

by Mossback on Apr 20, 2007 8:47 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

OT: Has Mariano Rivera lost it?

Second consecutive appearence where he has looked gassed.  They'll be roasting him in the tabloids tomorrow...

"Congratulations to the Oakland Athletics on their 2007, 2008 and 2009 Western Division Championships" --Rev Halofan

by BruceBochte on Apr 20, 2007 8:28 PM PDT   0 recs

He might be losing a little velocity,
but he should still be very effective with a 91-92MPH cutter instead of 94MPH, because his command is so impeccable. I think he'll regain/maintain his command and be effective as long as he can throw 90+MPH. But he might go from very great to very good pretty soon, if not now.
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 Apr 20, 2007 8:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

yes he has

and i really don't consider any thread about an AL player to be too off-topic.

jones also had a horrible blown save for the tigers in the past week.  that's a hell of an achilles heel for a team with assumptions of postseason play.

by notah8er on Apr 20, 2007 11:00 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

well, he blew a couple of saves

last April too, didn't he? Hell, this is too hard for 2:40 a.m. Here's two games...

A blown save and a loss (BS, L)

Came in with it tied and gave up 2 in the 10th (L)

See the latest dumbass thing I've done -- camUra

by hunter on Apr 20, 2007 11:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The new A-Rod.

One can only hope.

"Kotsay is 31... Kotsay's back is 127." - Jeepers

by Ozzz on Apr 21, 2007 12:19 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

unusual spring for sure
AN dharma, where suffering is optional, except with kendall.

by ak_A on Apr 20, 2007 8:31 PM PDT   0 recs

Yeah--just look at the
A's-White Sox series, the A's-Yankees series, last night's CLE-NYY game, and tonight's NYY-BOS game, for all the bizarre late inning developments. Way more than usual.
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 Apr 20, 2007 8:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

{puts pants back on}
Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Apr 20, 2007 8:32 PM PDT   0 recs

then shuts blinds
AN dharma, where suffering is optional, except with kendall.

by ak_A on Apr 20, 2007 8:33 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

This SUCKS, living in Sacramento, the game can't

even be found on the Radio, and ESPN, hasn't shown ANY other baseball highlight except Yankees/Redsox, right after the game they went to BBTN, and they showed highlights until Sportscenter, and then it lead off Sportscenter, and now they are talking about it again, AAARRRRGGGGGHHHHH

by theblackpearl on Apr 20, 2007 8:33 PM PDT   0 recs

Black Pearl?

I finally broke down and purchased Gameday Audio for 15 bucks. It is well worth the money. I was tired of listening to the game through Fuzz on reg radio.

by IM4Oakgal on Apr 20, 2007 8:36 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I was in Sac. a couple of weeks ago

and it was very frustrating....with 1140am not doing every game, and that scratchy KAHI in Auburn.

AN dharma, where suffering is optional, except with kendall.

by ak_A on Apr 20, 2007 8:38 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Try the FM side 1690 FM

I was coming down from Placerville to Sacto, and on to the Bay Area, and I got the game okay (this was Yankees, last Friday).  AM was terrible, but FM was fine!

"- J. Duchscherer relieved J. Duchscherer" per Yahoo! Sports Box Score

by One won lost won on Apr 20, 2007 10:20 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Young Buck on postgame interview with Vince

Loves facing lefties, makes him concentrate more, tries to go middle-away with the ball (re base clearing double vs Chen).

Has always hit well vs. Texas organization.

Really buys into the deep count, see a lot of pitches A's approach.

From the sounds of it, no veteran delivered the traditional shaving cream pie to the face during the rookie's first player-of-the-game interview.  Hopefully there'll be plenty more chances.

"Nothing says romance like a pile of rocks."

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Apr 20, 2007 8:34 PM PDT   0 recs

It's comforting to know that he
can't be bothered to concentrate fully when facing righties. Jerk.

<write seventh "man-crush love note" to Buck since noon>

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 Apr 20, 2007 8:36 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

you make me laugh
"robots with way too much intelligence, this chick, a healthy Eric Gagne..." ~cutthemullet

by LAXile on Apr 20, 2007 8:39 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

me too, but in a

sad sort of chuckle

AN dharma, where suffering is optional, except with kendall.

by ak_A on Apr 20, 2007 8:41 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

So..you only chuckle when it's cloudy?
Huh. I always thought that baseball's version of a home run is the motherf---ing home run itself. -FJM

by oblique on Apr 20, 2007 8:42 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

he already gave that interview

when he scored the winning run in game 1 of the Yankees series

by OaklandSi on Apr 20, 2007 8:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

He said he hit the TX org well that night?

What an odd thing to say...

Did he get the shaving cream pie treatment?  I didn't see that one.

"Nothing says romance like a pile of rocks."

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Apr 20, 2007 8:57 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I think what he meant was:
He already gave his first "rookie on-air interview" and wasn't pied.

I certainly hope we have plenty more opportunities to see it, too.

by RenoTy on Apr 20, 2007 8:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

thank you

it's always nice to see someone understands

by OaklandSi on Apr 20, 2007 9:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

What FSU was talking about, was someone wrote tha

Buck said he hits the Tx Organization well.  That is strange for a rookie playing against a team for the 1st time, and asked did he get the pie treatment

by theblackpearl on Apr 20, 2007 9:13 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Check his minor stats

Bet he's huge against TX teams.

Now we have 6 or 7 months to enjoy, to cheer, cry, and scream both in frustration and happiness. ~china bob

by baseballgirl on Apr 20, 2007 10:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

If so, he would have had fun in the Texas League.
"Kotsay is 31... Kotsay's back is 127." - Jeepers

by Ozzz on Apr 21, 2007 12:24 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Interesting to see what will happen when they

stop throwing Buck so many fastballs and more junk.  I think he's just about proven that he can hit an MLB fastball...

"Congratulations to the Oakland Athletics on their 2007, 2008 and 2009 Western Division Championships" --Rev Halofan

by BruceBochte on Apr 20, 2007 9:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

He's hit some good ones

Felix Hernandez, Francisco Rodriguez, Marino Rivera...to name a few.

Now we have 6 or 7 months to enjoy, to cheer, cry, and scream both in frustration and happiness. ~china bob

by baseballgirl on Apr 20, 2007 10:08 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

thanks Nico

i just want to post a comment of appreciation to you and some of the other front pagers and regulars.  quite often your comments make me chuckle, which is sometimes embarrassing at work where Bessel functions and Fourier analysis do not usually cause laughter...  
---------
on another note, i'm not sure that i'm glad to see mariano blow another one tonight.  sure, i'm pleased to see the yanks lose, but it does take just a tiny bit of scoot's glory away if everyone starts beating up on rivera.

by danh on Apr 20, 2007 8:47 PM PDT   0 recs

Bessel Functions?

Are you working in a cylindrical geometry?

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Apr 20, 2007 8:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

De nada, DanH
The pleasure is mine, and sadly I've used all the Spanish I know so I'll just shut up now.

Oh wait: tequila!

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 Apr 20, 2007 10:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

16 runs, game 16

So tomorrow, the A's will score 17.

"...so I figured, you know, why not test him." -- Travis Buck on One-Arm Johnny Damon

by Mossback on Apr 20, 2007 8:47 PM PDT   0 recs

I saw the game on tv

The A's hitters were all on and the rangers pitching staff looked horrible tonight.  Giving up 16 runs and 12 walks will do that to you.  Even when the A's made outs they were productive outs.  It was sweet

Go A's!!!! www.GamingDomination.com

by 3Chavy3 on Apr 20, 2007 9:03 PM PDT   0 recs

blanton

the mlb wrap notes

The offensive outburst was a welcome change of pace for Joe Blanton, the Oakland right-hander who had received run support of one run or less in 22 of his first 67 career starts (going 0-19 in those contests).

that's kind of remarkable, because his career record is 30-24.  Which means that he's 30-5 when getting 2 or more runs.  I know, i know, meaningless stat.  But, still.

by danh on Apr 20, 2007 9:04 PM PDT   0 recs

No, its not a stupid stat.

It means Blanton keeps us in games. A lot of games. And is a good pitcher.

"Schleep is for babies. Gamers play all night." Nintendo Fanactic

by capper3 on Apr 20, 2007 9:56 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I realize that the Yanks and Sox aren't seperate

things but a merged corporate entity called YankSox and based in Bristol, Connecticut...

"Congratulations to the Oakland Athletics on their 2007, 2008 and 2009 Western Division Championships" --Rev Halofan

by BruceBochte on Apr 20, 2007 9:14 PM PDT   0 recs

Just back from the game

WOW!!!  Where has that offense been hiding?  It was ridiculously fun.  I almost felt sorry for McCarthy the way he was getting booed.  It was like he was throwing batting practice or something.  Biggest screw up of the night:  standing in the freaking concession line when Travis hit his homer.  Unbelievable how slow they were.  It was the shortest line and I still missed an inning and a half.  Walking back to the car, the cop at the intersection said we couldn't cross but my daughter could because she was wearing the freebie Rangers hat.  So my son and I started chanting "lets go Oak-land!!"  He let us cross to shut us up. I love being an A's fan at the Ballpark in Arlington.  Skipping Kennedy's start but will be there for Chad on Sunday.

by kapers on Apr 20, 2007 9:37 PM PDT   0 recs

I wish Kennedy were doing the same
:-{
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 Apr 20, 2007 10:04 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

HEEEE!

You got your wish, though. Somehow Kennedy's starts don't seem like the travisty they are when Gaudin is also in the rotation.

Now we have 6 or 7 months to enjoy, to cheer, cry, and scream both in frustration and happiness. ~china bob

by baseballgirl on Apr 20, 2007 10:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Tonight was a travisty

and I loved every minute of it! (Wait, it's the morning now.)

by mikeA on Apr 21, 2007 8:09 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That game was fun!

Not so much for the wife though (she's the ranger's fan of the house.)

My only regret is being one section to the right of Buck's first major league HR.

It was fun to watch live though!

by Gromit1025 on Apr 21, 2007 12:33 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

OT - you know the day/season is weird when ..

.. Mariano Rivera is blowing saves and Armando Benitez is getting saves .. so it was tonite!  :)

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Apr 20, 2007 9:56 PM PDT   0 recs

That's a whole lotta getting the groove back.

A's hitters were on fire tonight!  Now that they have some confidence, they will be dangerous (especially with the stellar pitching.)  I can't wait to play Seattle again!

Down to the nightclub We go bump-ty, bump-ty, bump, BUMP CITY!!!

by 510Fever on Apr 20, 2007 9:59 PM PDT   0 recs

OT-Seattle ..

.. lost 8-4 tonite but they came back in the top of the 9th and forced Scoscia to use K-Rod.  Do any of you remember Ellison of the Giants?  He got traded to Seattle; and made the last out tonite by K'ing ..

.. the Athletics may be small-market but they have BIG-heart! ..

by Randy Bell on Apr 20, 2007 10:02 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

pointy pentagon base that gives you points

Makes up for the blank post earlier.

''Certain types of players are born for the dramatic, and Marco Scutaro is one,'' teammate Nick Swisher said.

by fridaynightfan on Apr 20, 2007 10:05 PM PDT   0 recs

I'll have you know that MANY
people emailed me to say my blank post was by far my finest work all year. So now who looks stupid? OK, no one actually emailed me, but my point is that I don't have one.
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 Apr 20, 2007 10:08 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Point taken

Thus, you have none.

"- J. Duchscherer relieved J. Duchscherer" per Yahoo! Sports Box Score

by One won lost won on Apr 20, 2007 10:25 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

When you spell it,
shouldn't it be "nwon"?
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 Apr 20, 2007 10:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Or, "nun"...
Just found out "forgo" is preferred to "forego" for spelling.  WHo'da thunk it??!!

...messed up "Jumble" for me...that spelling "forgo".

"- J. Duchscherer relieved J. Duchscherer" per Yahoo! Sports Box Score

by One won lost won on Apr 25, 2007 6:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

<blank>
"I Will Not Relent, I Am Driven"... Clutch
Bring Back The Bash!!!

by Shippee33 on Apr 21, 2007 12:52 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow, what a game to have to have to miss.

It would have been so nice to watch a game without developing bleeding ulcers.  A's pitching gives up ten hits and holds the Rangers to four runs!  And we score 16 times!  Have we scored 16 runs all year?  Did we just double our total?  

I needed a little good news.  Because as of today, I am now the proud father of a third teenage daughter with a drivers license.  I am actually on the Christmas list of the CEO of my insurance company.  

"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on Apr 20, 2007 10:32 PM PDT   0 recs

By the way,

anyone interested in buying a fully restored 1964 Sunbeam Alpine?

"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on Apr 20, 2007 10:42 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yes.

I'm more interested in getting it for free.

"Kotsay is 31... Kotsay's back is 127." - Jeepers

by Ozzz on Apr 21, 2007 12:30 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

OK, that might get me

thrown off the Christmas list...but if you want my address let me know!  Show up really late...

"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on Apr 21, 2007 10:09 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Has it been accepted that Harden will miss the...

start on Tue? The gloom hanging over this situation is crappy.

Anyways, Kennedy and Melheuse will not get an easy task as the battery tomorrow especially now that the Rangers are stealing and they want revenge for tonite. I just hope the A's can handle the sinkerballer Loe. Otherwise, it might just be a repeat of tonite in favor of the Rangers.

With the Oakland A's, the intravenous drip is always half full!

by Oaktownmagical07 on Apr 20, 2007 11:56 PM PDT   0 recs

well, his response as reported

in Slusser's column wasn't encouraging.

by OaklandSi on Apr 21, 2007 9:57 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

This , , ,

Is bad analysis.

Who started for the Rangers?  B. McCarthy.  How well had he done thus far?  Not very.

In 3 starts he had reached 14 innings total, averaging 4.66 innings a start with a 7.07 ERA.

The A's offense, obviously, is not prolific.  But, they have, arguably, faced good pitching (for the most part) thus far this season.  B. McCarthy does not equal good pitching.  

The ability of the A's offense was well qualified to do what they did tonight.

by migueltejada on Apr 21, 2007 12:41 AM PDT   0 recs

But you must recall previous occasions

when anemic A's offenses have made some awful pitchers look great.

by green star oakland on Apr 21, 2007 12:58 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

True

I don't dispute that.  

by migueltejada on Apr 21, 2007 3:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

A's Fan Graph tonight

is a thing of beauty:

From Fangraphs.com. We had, what, a 97% chance of winning after Buck double? Honestly, Sunday's graph was much more awesome, but this one really inflates the ego.

by Philip Christy on Apr 21, 2007 12:58 AM PDT   0 recs

Piazza ... hold the anchovies ...

... it's comforting to know that even though Big Mike went hitless, it happened when the A's lineup was cluttered with hits.  Just as he went oh-for-five, there will be a night when he'll go five-for-five.  Or something to that extent.  Sure, I miss The Big Hurt big-time, he was so much fun to watch, but Mr. P's bat will get hot ... soon I hope, if not sooner.

Darn it, Bill, you just made Toledo even holier.

by Edwinwinwin on Apr 21, 2007 12:59 AM PDT   0 recs