Washburned Away

by louismg on Apr 25, 2007 9:33 PM PDT in News

It's one thing to hope the A's offense will put up a few crooked numbers against a not-so-good Seattle Mariners squad, but today's performance on the scoreboard made you go "OOOOOOOOO..." As in, "Ooooooooo, that's ugly."

After receiving an other-worldly 16 runs of support in his last outing, Joe Blanton was probably somewhat relieved tonight to see the A's he knew and loved were back to their usual ways, making him feel at home again. Against Jarrod Washburn, the A's couldn't manage anything more than three little singles, and in both cases, made the runners' presence moot by helping out with a double play - first with Piazza's 5-3 GIDP with a full count in the 4th inning, and to complete the 2-0 shutout, Chavez pulled a more traditional 4-6-3 in the 9th. While he may or may not have been safe by an eyelash, or an inch, or however those miniscule measures are assigned, the truth was that the A's never really threatened.

Blanton pitched well, as he and Washburn made rapid work of both team's offenses, wrapping up the game in a Maddux-like 1 hour and 47 minutes. The only blemishes on Kentucky Joe's record were a pair of left-field solo shots, from former Oakland A Jose Guillen, and in the 8th, the first of the year for Kenji Johjima.

With Kotsay, Bradley, Kielty and Swisher out, it's tempting to chalk tonight's loss up to the inexperienced youth of fill-ins Danny Putnam or Travis Buck, or the rustiness of Dan Johnson in his first game back, but truth be told, Washburn just outpitched the A's squad tonight, including the regulars. It wasn't Putnam, Buck and Johnson hitting into double plays. Instead, it was Piazza and Chavez - two guys who know their way around the batter's box.

Also, in case you missed the news, bringing up Johnson meant sending somebody down, and today's unlucky winner was the much beloved, but little played, Adam Melhuse, who joins the AAA Sacramento squad. Piazza is anticipated to back up Kendall in case of emergency, and in his pre-game interview with Ken Korach, A's manager Bob Geren was extremely cagey about any long term plans, whether regarding Melhuse or even if Dan Johnson was the new every day first baseman. As we are all too familiar with here at AN... the forecast is "day to day".

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Washburn was simply dealing,

agree. My only beeflet is that the A's didn't really adjust to how many strikes he was throwing--this would have been the night to stray from the "take a lot of pitches" approach and start whacking at the first pitch, which was often the best pitch to hit in the at bat.

With that approach, I feel we could have had at least 5 singles and 3 DPs.

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 25, 2007 9:37 PM PDT reply actions

I totally agree with you Nico!

No adjustments made. Oh well. Bring on Batista! Is Melhuse finally going to be traded somewhere? Can he be traded? Maybe Piazza misses catching and that's why he's not hitting so well?

by A'sfansince1970 on Apr 25, 2007 9:40 PM PDT up reply actions

Free Melhuse Now!

(That's my irrational side speaking)

I believe instead that the A's will call up Suzuki, and that they expect Melhuse to be released. Please let me be wrong.

More than just ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/

by louismg on Apr 25, 2007 9:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Whether it's Melhuse or Suzuki

called up, this is strictly a 10-day stopgap move. The A's have no intention of Piazza catching an inning--they know Kendall can play 10 straight games no problem while the OFers get well, so Melhuse draws the short straw for the next week-and-a-half.

But doesn't the following mean Melhuse has to clear waivers? "A player who has been in the Major Leagues for parts of three different seasons is out of options, and must clear waivers in order to be sent down beginning with his fourth big league season."

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 25, 2007 9:49 PM PDT up reply actions

Fosse/KenKo on radio said he had an option left

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

by Randy Bell on Apr 25, 2007 9:50 PM PDT up reply actions

in the pregame stuff

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

by Randy Bell on Apr 25, 2007 9:51 PM PDT up reply actions

I heard that as well.

I concur with Randy and raise you one.

More than just ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/

by louismg on Apr 25, 2007 9:53 PM PDT up reply actions

I thought I heard that,

but how? Melhuse has definitely played parts of three major league seasons prior to 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 Apr 25, 2007 9:53 PM PDT up reply actions

By the way, I'm not disputing

that Melhuse has an option left, I'm just wondering how I still don't understand the options rule when I swear I read English very goodly.

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 25, 2007 9:55 PM PDT up reply actions

He was up on the 25-man roster the entire time.

The option is only played when he's sent down to AAA.

Free of Elderberry smell since 12:20PM 4/19/07

by DMOAS on Apr 25, 2007 10:17 PM PDT up reply actions

No he didn't.

Macha never put him in, remember?

by danh on Apr 25, 2007 11:11 PM PDT up reply actions

beeflet? aw, I was hoping for duckling tonight

You gotta work here or you don't get a beer. ~ Ken Korach @('.')@

by monkeyball on Apr 25, 2007 11:03 PM PDT up reply actions

The simple recap:

The A's healthy lineup wasn't good. This "retooled" lineup is horrendous. One can only hope that Piazza needs his Thomas-like 100 ABs to get it going or it's gonna be a long wait for us to get healthy again. Maybe Batista can cure us of our ills for now.

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin, Seattle Mariners

by Helloooo 1st on Apr 25, 2007 9:37 PM PDT reply actions

Yup. When Crosby's batting 5th

and it makes sense, you know you're in trouble. Putnam looked overmatched, Johnson looked like the 2006 edition, and Kendall looked...well, like Kendall.

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 25, 2007 9:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Crosby = Johnson

The A's have too many players who you flat-out don't anticipate success from, such that you should be grateful on the rare occasions they produce. Crosby, Ellis, Johnson, Stewart, Kendall... if any of those guys go deep or for extra bases even, it's worth posting to the front page.

Chavez and Swisher (and a healthy Bradley or streaky Piazza) are the only guys with quasi-consistent power, and Scutaro only likes to do it when he can get slapped around on the helmet crossing home. That we had a bunch of AAAA players on today didn't really hurt our chances all that much more.

More than just ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/

by louismg on Apr 25, 2007 9:46 PM PDT up reply actions

We barely had nine warm bodies out there

.. four lefty batters in a lineup with a lefty pitcher .. DJ, Putnam, Buck, Chavez ...

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

by Randy Bell on Apr 25, 2007 9:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Chavez was safe.

by Philip Christy on Apr 25, 2007 9:57 PM PDT reply actions

Safe in all ways

except the way that gets recorded in the permanent record.

by MobiusKlein on Apr 25, 2007 10:00 PM PDT up reply actions

One of the guys in the stands

got a great photo of that play. Chavez was already in his "I hit the bag and am now starting to slow down" phase of the home-to-first run, and the ball wasn't in Sexton's glove.

When the lights...go down...in the city...

by senork on Apr 25, 2007 10:45 PM PDT up reply actions

LAA won 9-1 tonite

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

by Randy Bell on Apr 25, 2007 9:59 PM PDT reply actions

The good news is that

the A's brought down their average of players getting hurt per game tonight. It's just under one per game after this evening.

by Tyler Bleszinski on Apr 25, 2007 10:01 PM PDT reply actions

I guess you didn't see

Chavez kick the water cooler after the game...no, his foot's fine but the water cooler banged Haren in the head...Oh it's just plastic, Haren's fine...But he stumbled and accidentally tripped Gaudin...He's ok, he landed on Kendall...

...Anyway, not sure exactly how Calero broke his hip, but it's unfortunate.

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 25, 2007 10:04 PM PDT up reply actions

More on Melhuse

From OaklandAthletics.com:

Several lockers down, packing for a trip he never imagined he'd be making at this stage of his career, catcher Adam Melhuse was feeling a very different emotion. To clear room on the 25-man roster for Johnson, who was activated from the 15-day disabled list, the A's optioned Melhuse to Triple-A Sacramento.
"Yeah, definitely shocked," Melhuse, 35, admitted. "I thought these days were over for me."

"What are you gonna do?" Melhuse, clearly dejected, said with a shrug. "There's nothing, as a player, you can say or argue to change their mind, but the ... thing about it that it kind of puts things in perspective as far as where you are on the totem pole.
"Granted, I realize I'm not the key piece to the puzzle here, but as the backup catcher, you feel like you have some value. ... I don't know. Maybe I've worn out my welcome here."

More than just ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/

by louismg on Apr 25, 2007 10:01 PM PDT reply actions

Posted in the DLD, but here's my fave quote

from that article:

Asked who his No. 3 catcher is now, Geren avoided the question, saying, "We only need one, and after one comes two."

Heh heh. That's accidentally funny.

"Of all the things he does well, that's like second-to-last on the list, just above deer hunting." Jeff, LL

by Jennifer on Apr 25, 2007 10:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Team Trainers Have Media Blackout

Also from Mychael Urban's story...

A provision in the new collective bargaining agreement prevents team medical personnel from discussing specific injuries with the media unless the player signs a waiver allowing such, and the A's haven't asked any of their many injured players to sign one.

I had no idea...

More than just ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/

by louismg on Apr 25, 2007 10:03 PM PDT reply actions

Meanwhile, the GIANTS have a 7-game win streak!

.. Uggghhhhh ....

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

by Randy Bell on Apr 25, 2007 10:11 PM PDT reply actions

Chavez knowing his was around a batter's box

is a pretty generous statement for a great defensive player that can only cover the inner half of the plate. Especially in clutch and or playoff situations. With the game on the line I would rather see:

Swisher (despite the strikeouts)
Scutaro (despite the usual lack of power)
Kotsay (despite the back)
Piazza (despite the slump)
Bradley (despite the streakiness)

Chavvy's swing right now reminds me of Scott Hatteberg's

by incarnate on Apr 25, 2007 10:21 PM PDT reply actions

Chavvy in the Clutch

You are absolutely right. Chavvy has ALWAYS been horrible in the clutch. Just awful. The dirty little secret is that his fielding has been lousy in the playoffs, too, but that's just being mean. But he's the last guy I want up there with the game on the line. For me it's Ellis #1, Scutaro #2, Durazo # 3.

by solotar on Apr 25, 2007 10:35 PM PDT up reply actions

I just want to express my admiration ...

... for the two young men who sacrificed their attendance for the honor of throwing back Seattle's two homers.

I applaud them--either for their spirit, or their prescience.

MLB has a ridiculous stick up its collective butt about that tradition.

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Apr 25, 2007 10:33 PM PDT reply actions

From watching them

it seemed that neither of them knew that they would be kciked out. The second guy should have known, considering both homers were hit to the exact same section.

When the lights...go down...in the city...

by senork on Apr 25, 2007 10:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Maybe the notorious left field bleachers ...

... could do a Spartacus by bringing some balls and having a dozen or so thrown out at once. I think it would be difficult for Security to discover who all the evil-doers were.

Unfortunately, there was nobody in the offending section last night though, and the throwers weren't wearing forest green.

I do think MLB is listening to the wrong people when they create such a prohibition. It's a charming act of fan loyalty, sacrifice and defiance of the other team to take a ball you were lucky enough to catch and give it up.

I'm sure their lawyers warned them about the risk of injury, precedent and its slippery slope -- yadum yadicis -- even 12 people who can't get out of jury duty can tell the difference between a random cellphone pitched at a player from the far reaches, and an Opposition homer tossed back onto the field, away from all.

These are the kinds of incursions on fandom that got the NFL labeled the No Fun League.

Bah.

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Apr 26, 2007 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions

I was surprised to learn

in a diary awhile back that most people here disagree with your sage words.

by mikeA on Apr 26, 2007 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions

Then I should have written "Ba-a-a-ah" above.

No, Nico. Not yours.

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Apr 26, 2007 11:44 AM PDT up reply actions

Shutout City

Wow that A's offense just looked horrible tonight. I left the game after the bottom of the 7th - there was just no doubt. Can't remember being so care free in the concession line - not a chance in the world I was going to miss any action.

With all of these injuries, no question that Chavvy is the guy who has to come up big, and apart from a bleeder through the right side he looked really overmatched up there. I didn't see his AB in the 9th but he didn't swing hard at anything all night. Listening from the radio with a buddy we debated his AB in the 9th when it really mattered: would it be a strike out or DP? I won, although my son won in Texas the other night by picking the K over the DP in that key AB. Despite the lousy results Piazza had some good swings tonight, which cannot be said about Kendall "who always gives you a quality at bat." (I like the way Fosse admires Kendall, but don't you have to change your mind when the facts don't support what you are saying?) What is the lowest slugging percentage in the history of a full major league season? Is Kendall on pace? It's as if someone told him that pop outs and ground balls to the second baseman win games. When he blooped that one weak ball into center field, I thought at first it might drop in - only to realize that Ichiro was wisely playing about six steps behind second base.

Too bad because the A's played some beautiful defense on a beautiful night at the park. As infuriating as he is at the plate when you need him, Chavvy is just so good so often in the field, and he made several tough chances look easy. Ellis had a great throw to the plate to keep the game close, and Blanton looked tough all night long. It could have been a really nice game, but it's become like soccer - the insurmountable 2-0 deficit. It was nice of the O's to gift wrap all four of the A's runs yesterday because otherwise we'd be talking about you know what.

As for Washburn "dealing", how would you know? He certainly hasn't dealt against anybody else this year. In fact, he's now pitched 4 games this year. Twice he allowed more hits than he had innings pitched, and twice he's had more innings pitched than hits allowed - surprise, both of the latter were against the A's! I'm hardly in a mood to panic, but if Swish and Bradley are going to be out simultaneously for a few weeks it's just hard to see how this club scores any runs. The A's started only one position player tonight batting more than .235! Dealing, indeed.

by solotar on Apr 25, 2007 10:33 PM PDT reply actions

Regarding Fosse's Kendall Lovefest

It was all too evident when they discussed Dallas Braden's recent start. The conversation, which was intended to champion his solid debut turned to how the youngster would never shake off such a brilliant veteran strategist as Kendall. The man walks on water and is occasionally hit by pitches.

More than just ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/

by louismg on Apr 25, 2007 10:39 PM PDT up reply actions

"one player tonight batting more than .235!"

the average OPS of all the position players to play for us to today is .522! Then don't forget the number of players in the lineup who you wouldn't normally put in to face a lefty. For however long we go with a lineup who's average OPS is .522, we can expect to score very few runs against even the weaker pitchers in the league. We have a lineup destined to face a no hitter. And it will be very tough for us to ask our starting pitching to keep us in these games when we won't be able to score runs; but until we get some of our better bats healthy, it will be up to our pitching to be lights out to keep us in games.

"Length matters, and if anyone tells you otherwise they're just trying to spare your feelings."-green star oakland

by F171615 on Apr 26, 2007 1:16 AM PDT up reply actions

Why is there a big Kendall sign in left field?

Like he's ever gonna hit it there...

Offense was crap, Blanton was stellar. Turn the page, get em tmrw.

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

by OaktownRajah on Apr 25, 2007 10:41 PM PDT reply actions

Its not entirely an injury free day...

Roy Steele apparently missed his first home game of the season.

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...

Melheuse also has hurt feelings... :(

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

by OaktownRajah on Apr 25, 2007 11:10 PM PDT reply actions

I have to give Melhuse credit though

He could have Halseyed out and blasted management over this, but he took it as well as can be expected given the circumstances.

Free of Elderberry smell since 12:20PM 4/19/07

by DMOAS on Apr 25, 2007 11:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Hudson got hudson'ed tonight

or is better to call it Rincon'ed?

by danh on Apr 25, 2007 11:47 PM PDT reply actions

In all fairness,

he did leave the game with the bases loaded and no one out.

"We are a complete freak show." -- Billy Beane

by day-to-day on Apr 26, 2007 12:14 AM PDT up reply actions

Too many left-hand hitters

...who didn't hit anything. If more A's would hit like Shannon Stewart, we'd be OK.

It's a dark day in Oakland when Adam Melhuse gets sent down to Sacto. A switch hitter who can catch, play first, and play outfield should be appreciated right now. At the least, they should have waited to activate Johnson until the other guys had a righty on the mound.

Judging from TV, Swisher needs to go on the DL anyhow, as that injury didn't look like the flea bite he was making it out to be.

We've got a helluva lineup now:

1st base: torn labrum
2nd base: fractured fingers, recovered
SS: Broken back, recovered.
3rd base: broken wrist, forearm strain, hamstring, recovered
LF: Plantar fasciitis, recovered
CF: Backbone implant
RF: hamstring
C: weak-hitting psycho

P1: Novelty item: a healthy and talented player
P2: Obesity
P3: China Doll
P4: Bulging dick neck
P5: Toy in the Cracker Jacks box

Bullpen: hanging on for the moment.

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

by BubbaDude on Apr 26, 2007 3:27 AM PDT reply actions

I can't help but think that somewhere,

Macha is doing a little dance while exclaiming, "you got enough AB's now Melllllhuuuuseee?"

"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 26, 2007 4:30 AM PDT reply actions

That damn Blanton

He just doesn't know how to win.

by jahs34 on Apr 26, 2007 7:20 AM PDT reply actions

Yeah, two solo homers is inexcusable!

But if he had pitched a shutout, our AAAA team - with its banged-up veteran boyz, four lefties lineup, three AA rooks, Scutaro in outfield, no offense - might still be playing! .. uggghhhh ....

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

by Randy Bell on Apr 26, 2007 7:25 AM PDT up reply actions

But we'll do better tomorrow, er, today ..

.. always end on a positive note if possible ..

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

by Randy Bell on Apr 26, 2007 7:26 AM PDT up reply actions

Yeah...

It's pretty sad when our starters have to pitch shutouts EVERY GAME to keep us in it.

We just need some bat, badly! Our best hitter right now, Chavez, is well under .300.

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

by 510Fever on Apr 26, 2007 9:32 AM PDT up reply actions

But our pitchers are doing a great job.

And our hitters will do better tomorrow.

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

by 510Fever on Apr 26, 2007 9:40 AM PDT up reply actions

AN Day

Just sent funds for 2 tickets for AN Day. Very much looking forward to meeting you all.

Go A's!!!

Stupidity should be painful!
http://all-about-sportsblogs.com

by ByondF1 on Apr 26, 2007 8:31 AM PDT reply actions

Question about CF.

What ever happened to Javier Herrera? I heard a lot about him, then he got injured, then...I haven't heard about him since. He's not on the Rivercats roster, so where did he go?

by danmerqury on Apr 26, 2007 9:00 AM PDT reply actions

Is there any hope for the O this season?

I am trying to stay positive and I know that Swish and Bradley were out of the lineup. But this is Jarrod Washburn who is a BAD pitcher. I am not sure which is more pathetic getting shut out by the Texas Rangers or By "ucky Beaver" Jarrod Washburn. Really Really sad.

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

by 3Chavy3 on Apr 26, 2007 9:44 AM PDT reply actions