Well Now, That's a Little Bit Better!

by baseballgirl on Apr 4, 2007 9:48 PM PDT in News

Side Note: Not to look a gift horse in the mouth, but someone should tell the A’s offense that Harden was on the mound. I would think that our other pitchers might need the run support just a little bit more.

My goodness, how much do I love Harden! Someone once described having Harden on the A’s like having a awesome new toy, one that you don’t get to play with very often, and one that you have to play with very carefully, but it’s the best toy that you’ve ever had and sometimes you can’t believe you even have it.

Harden breezed through the first nine batters, retiring them in order. Ichiro had Seattle’s first hit, although he needed a golf club more than a baseball bat because of its location. Harden walked a batter and gave up a hit in the fourth, but settled down to retire A’s-killer Sexson, and by the time all was said and done, his line looked like this: 7IP, 3H, 0R, 2BB, 7K. Marshall and Street finished off the game in impressive fashion, with Street striking out two of the three batters he faced.

Meanwhile, the A’s found their offense early. MaEl, en route to his five RBIs, while riding his sparkly unicorn, cleared the bases to break the game open, and it seemed like everyone else got into the action from there. Shannon Stewart looked good, literally hitting the ball right up the middle with each at bat, Bradley continued his torrid start, Piazza got his first AL hit, and before being replaced by Marco Scutaro (who ironically made an error in his first inning of work), even Crosby had a solid hit. He was supposed to sit tomorrow (for rest, I assume), but maybe that will change.

And yes, I did hear some rumors about a possible deal involving cable and MLB, but I refuse to get excited until a) the contract is inked and b) I have baseball playing in my house. However; if it does, I will quite literally be the happiest person on this planet. Expect a diary filled with nothing but random screaming.

Soooo....

<gulp>

The A’s, complete with starting pitchers Gaudin and Kennedy, take on the Angels starting tomorrow night for a four game series in what should be a preview of the AL West battle.

Let’s Go Oak-land!!

Tweet Comment 82 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Long Live King Richard!

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

by Randy Bell on Apr 4, 2007 9:48 PM PDT reply actions

'night everybody

rest up, work or study, and get ready for tomorrow!

by OaklandSi on Apr 4, 2007 9:49 PM PDT reply actions

G'Nite Oak!

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

by Randy Bell on Apr 4, 2007 9:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Love the signature

lightning-quick recap!

by mikeA on Apr 4, 2007 9:50 PM PDT reply actions

It was nice having 3 nights of quality pitching

The A's could just as easily have won either of those first two games.
Tomorrow we get to feel like the M's fans did tonight: helpless as Major League hitters clean up on mediocre pitching. Here's hoping Kennedy can throw better tomorrow than that Batista clown did tonight. And that our offense gets itself in a little groove.

"I know they say it's like kissing yer sister, but I guess that depends on what kinda sister you got." Rene Lachemann

by Elvez on Apr 4, 2007 10:04 PM PDT reply actions

Gaudin tomorrow, Kennedy Friday

Be afraid, and then very afraid. Maybe the Angels' tendency to be free-swinging will bail out Gaudin. One can hope; at least he has good stuff.

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 4, 2007 10:09 PM PDT up reply actions

ooooh, that's right...forgot all about

that it is the Angels.... sheesh, pressure (for me behind the mac and back to mlbtv, sigh)

At my IMac, where suffering is optional.

by ak_A on Apr 4, 2007 10:35 PM PDT up reply actions

The Angels aren't throwing their best either ..

These first two contests could be a battle in which best offense wins:

Gaudin vs Saunders
Kennedy vs Moseley

Last year, the A's tended to play better {prevail}, in Anaheim, and vice versa with the Angels in Oakland .. so we'll see ..

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

by Randy Bell on Apr 5, 2007 6:20 AM PDT up reply actions

not sure about Monday night

Felix perhaps only gave a glimmer for one run (when Buck made it to 3B). Haren was good but not the King that night.

But I do agree about Tuesday...

by OaklandSi on Apr 5, 2007 8:35 AM PDT up reply actions

Or at least...

the A's pitching in the first two games was good enough to expect a win. Felix just happened to be better than Haren, and Joe got shafted.

"I know they say it's like kissing yer sister, but I guess that depends on what kinda sister you got." Rene Lachemann

by Elvez on Apr 4, 2007 10:06 PM PDT reply actions

You almost never see as many hitters

so late on fastballs as we saw tonight off Harden, and the offspeed stuff had the hitters baffled consistently. Health + Harden = Cy Young. I'm just sorry he's missing the LAA series; if we split that series, I'll be very happy, coming back home 2 out. Just maintain contact with the Angels for a while...

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 4, 2007 10:07 PM PDT reply actions

Where's the optimism?

After our offense tonight? C'mon! The A's will kick butt on Joe Saunders tomorrow and Gaudin will pitch well and so will Joe K! So, anybody switch to Direct TV? I was seriously contemplating, then saw the cable news and that Dish is still negotiating. Guess I'll sit tight and see what happens. Go A's!

by A'sfansince1970 on Apr 4, 2007 10:27 PM PDT reply actions

I Agree, Sometimes Lately AN is sounding like ..

ESPN Baseball Tonite .. and that ain't intended necessarily as a compliment .. I liked the comment someone made in yesterday's game thread, - that ESPN analysts reminded him of dogs on a busy street, - chasing the latest and fastest car that comes by. In other words, they are "sensationalist" and not good long-term analysts. Here on AN it seems we have some remarkable "laypeople" so knowledgable with the stats and sabermetrics, - but it seems we also have some chronic pessimists and whiners who lack patience or who seem to forget that baseball is a long long "marathon" season and not a "sprint" - I am speaking as one who is still relatively new to this Site .. this exhortation not intended to single anyone out or offend anyone ..

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

by Randy Bell on Apr 5, 2007 6:28 AM PDT up reply actions

Let me balance that by saying ..

I have wanted to say this, because I don't know how long I'll stay here at AN, so taking opportunity now to say it -- but I am really impressed with this Site. The leadership, Blez and Nico and others, are great. Most of the fans who post here, have to be some of the most knowledgeable fans in the world. I guess it reflects the diversity of the Bay Area, what with two world class universities {Stanford and Berzerkely} and a diverse culture. I hope I never appear too negative because for the most part I am very impressed with the level and quality of fans we have here. The above minor criticism only intended to exhort everyone to remember what a long long season baseball is, and not get too down in the dumps or over-react to a small sample size or a small stretch of games .. I know, it is hard because our emotions run the gamut .. as, we all want the A's to win .. but you guys are the best .. ;-)

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

by Randy Bell on Apr 5, 2007 7:33 AM PDT up reply actions

of course it's a long season

but the nature of fandom is to wallow in the moment, so I'm pretty tolerant of the passionate and sometimes overly optimistic or overly pessimistic pronouncements here -- especially in the game threads.

by OaklandSi on Apr 5, 2007 8:37 AM PDT up reply actions

Let it go buddy...

I think I can help you with this one and make your stay with AN all the better. Let these kind of complaints go. Everyone here knows that Piazza & Buck will hit. We know there's a good chance that Crosby will probably find the inner-superstar within eventually. If you don't take these kinds of negative comments with a HUGE grain of salt, you're going to drive yourself nuts (the stale, germy, greasy hands been touching them all day, several years old bar nut type nuts). Especially if we have another one of our typical slow starts. Usually around June you'll see the turn of the emotions towards what you've been pushing and seeking from the rest of us. Give us time to warm up and get that negative energy out of ourselves (the offseason is never good for the soul of a baseball fan).

Why do we do it? It's simple. It's like comfort food. Should we eat the gallon of icecream? Probably not. Why do we eat it? Because it's tasty and feels good right now. Will we regret it when we start packing on the weight? Sure. Will we have to work hard over the Summer to burn it off? You betcha.

So are we being super critical of our team and their players right now? Absolutely. Are we serious and should we be taken serious when we are doing so? Nope.

What should you do about it? Joke along and enjoy the ride. 'Cause one way or another we'll be there at the end of the season.

Jeff of Lookout Landing: "Crosby turns routine play. The Mariners didn't plan on this unforeseen turn of events."

by DMOAS on Apr 5, 2007 8:40 AM PDT up reply actions

Should I Interview Myself?

Absolutely!

Love and Kisses,

Donald Rumsfeld

by camperdog on Apr 5, 2007 8:48 AM PDT up reply actions

Thanks dmoas

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

by Randy Bell on Apr 5, 2007 9:15 AM PDT up reply actions

Agree, DMOAS

AN is a bad place to take yourself seriously and a great place not to. That's why I refuse to take anyone seriously, myself included, even though Cindi thinks I should take her seriously, or at least to the mall.

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 5, 2007 9:19 AM PDT up reply actions

I Will Remember this Comment

.. the next time Nico gets locked into a heated debate about bullpen usage .. {g} .. j/k .. don't take me seriously ..

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

by Randy Bell on Apr 5, 2007 9:34 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm worried for you...

because you've only spent three regular-season games with us so far. What did you think I was talking about when I said, earlier, to BRACE YOURSELF? ;)

by Poppy on Apr 5, 2007 9:36 AM PDT up reply actions

Actually, Geren's explanation this morning

was better than the ones I could presume (though I still think he played it wrong). He said if the A's were trailing he was going to leave Blanton in and then go to Duke later--presumably just to get work in. I hadn't thought about that combo, and it makes more sense to me to put Duke in when trailing "because he needs to get in anyway" than because it's "the best strategy". However, given this, logic still dictates he should have put Duke in with the game tied (if he wanted him to get in anyway) rather than getting Calero up suddenly.

What Geren hopefully learned: Better to go with the guy who has already been preparing to come in than to change plans so late. I absolutely believe Calero rushed to get ready and that it affected his performance; just my opinion, but it was my opinion before he got hit so I think it's fair game.

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 5, 2007 9:42 AM PDT up reply actions

IMHO darned if you do, darned if you don't

What Geren hopefully learned: Better to go with the guy who has already been preparing to come in than to change plans so late. I absolutely believe Calero rushed to get ready and that it affected his performance; just my opinion, but it was my opinion before he got hit so I think it's fair game.

I'm sure a manager learns as the season progresses but my opinion, which hasn't changed either, is that we were destined to lose that game regardless -- the A's pen just looked "rusty" to me, both Kiko and Duke -- and of course it is just "water under the bridge" which nobody will remember come August-Sept .. there will have been wayyyy too many other controversial calls and close games .. and we may end up watching the Angels {not us} on TV in October anyway no matter what strategy we employ .. I hope not, but their pitching looks better and deeper ..

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

by Randy Bell on Apr 5, 2007 9:51 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm more about process than outcome

Had the process satisfied me, I wouldn't criticize due to the outcome. And I don't think Geren's managing of that situation cost us the game; I just don't think it was a good process.

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 5, 2007 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions

Hopefully he learned something from it

I guess some are suspicious of geren because of his close relationship with beane but if you hear enough of his interviews he sounds {to me} like a pretty bright guy; not the type of guy to fail to learn and adapt ..

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

by Randy Bell on Apr 5, 2007 10:44 AM PDT up reply actions

Can I call him "Jesus Harden" from now on?

Finally, I feel good again. The last two days were a downward spiral for me, but after this 9-0 win, I realize that the A's are indeed a major league team, and we will win more than 40 games this year. (It's probably not a good thing to have my personal well-being be so attached to a baseball team, but them's the breaks in life.) This is what the A's are SUPPOSED to do with Harden on the mound, and Miguel Batista on the other mound (well, the same mound).

Now we can only hope and pray the Gaudin and Kennedy have one win between them.

by Philip Christy on Apr 4, 2007 10:53 PM PDT reply actions

Hey as Geren reminded me

Some of the best teams in baseball lose at least 60 games. Too bad we couldn't have Harden start every day ;-)

by Tyler Bleszinski on Apr 4, 2007 11:04 PM PDT up reply actions

There is no Baseball Savior but ..

.. a healthy Rich Harden, for an entire year .. might come close to "saving" the A's Season .. but we'll see .. I'm sure hoping and praying he stays healthy! :)

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

by Randy Bell on Apr 5, 2007 6:48 AM PDT up reply actions

Where did this unicorn business come from?

When did the game turn into Fantasia?

Maybe Ellie can find more unicorns in Disneyland...

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

by OaktownRajah on Apr 4, 2007 11:17 PM PDT reply actions

You want unicorns?

We've got unicorns!

http://www.athleticsnation.com/story...

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 5, 2007 1:32 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm predicting...

a Scutaro and Ellie tag team bashing at the bottom of the lineup tomorrow nite! It'll be Wrestlemania 45 except nobody loses their hair.

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

by OaktownRajah on Apr 4, 2007 11:20 PM PDT reply actions

Travis Buck

Looked a little lost up there (3Ks). At least he took some walks and scored a run.

by bringbackgallego on Apr 4, 2007 11:33 PM PDT reply actions

He will be fine

.. the kid can hit .. it is his first time in the bigs .. butterflies and all, y'know ..

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

by Randy Bell on Apr 5, 2007 6:14 AM PDT up reply actions

Addendum: Piazza will be fine too ..

.. the guy can flat out hit at the MLB level .. give him time ..

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

by Randy Bell on Apr 5, 2007 6:33 AM PDT up reply actions

And I Doubt We Will See Kendall strikeout thrice

.. three times in one game .. maybe GIDP three times, but not 'K' three times .. {g} .. that is extremely rare and reminds us of what a small "sample size" we have with only three games into the season ..

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

by Randy Bell on Apr 5, 2007 6:43 AM PDT up reply actions

But he did

have that one good AB coming back from behind in the count to work a walk.
He did seem to look at too many good pitches though.

"Good or bad, I don't know. This is awesome." ~Nick Swisher

by humdinger on Apr 5, 2007 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions

I love Rich Harden.

No, not like that.

by Poppy on Apr 5, 2007 6:41 AM PDT reply actions

I'm a little disappointed.

Nothing about MaEl?

"How dare Swisher take time off from his busy schedule of professional sex to draw a walk." Jeff, LL

by Jennifer on Apr 5, 2007 6:43 AM PDT up reply actions

You're kidding.

How long have you known me? Doesn't it go without saying?

I decided that I have to buy whatever is in the vending machine slot E-4 every day, from now on. Even if it's something disgusting like beef jerky.

by Poppy on Apr 5, 2007 7:05 AM PDT up reply actions

[slaps self]

What was I thinking?

"How dare Swisher take time off from his busy schedule of professional sex to draw a walk." Jeff, LL

by Jennifer on Apr 5, 2007 7:29 AM PDT up reply actions

That sounds like a more fitting snack

for Swisher or Blanton mojo.

by mikeA on Apr 5, 2007 7:30 AM PDT up reply actions

I wonder...

Vending Machine Mojo probably only works if I actually eat what I buy. That's not going to work out very well for me. And what about weekends?! I'll have to come to the office on weekends in order to visit the Machine! And while I'm on vacation, or sick!

Sheesh, forget it.

by Poppy on Apr 5, 2007 7:52 AM PDT up reply actions

Why not

buy your own vending machine for home and stock it with glittered cupcakes?

by mikeA on Apr 5, 2007 7:58 AM PDT up reply actions

"your own vending machine for home"

Aren't those called refrigerators?

"How dare Swisher take time off from his busy schedule of professional sex to draw a walk." Jeff, LL

by Jennifer on Apr 5, 2007 8:03 AM PDT up reply actions

Yes...

So just label one of the drawers or shelves E-4 and stock stuff you know you'll want to eat before a game there. Problem solved. And you have a new conversation piece for the occasional guest that'll lead you to discussing the A's (as if you needed another).

Jeff of Lookout Landing: "Crosby turns routine play. The Mariners didn't plan on this unforeseen turn of events."

by DMOAS on Apr 5, 2007 8:26 AM PDT up reply actions

Don't let us down now Poppy!

I know it sucks, but this is for everyone!

"I know they say it's like kissing yer sister, but I guess that depends on what kinda sister you got." Rene Lachemann

by Elvez on Apr 5, 2007 8:11 AM PDT up reply actions

Sorry, but

I am not going to take beef jerky for the team.

Oh god. The Machine has jalapeno chips sometimes, too...

by Poppy on Apr 5, 2007 8:14 AM PDT up reply actions

I wonder if Machine Mojo

will work for anyone? I'm going to see what our machine has in it.

"How dare Swisher take time off from his busy schedule of professional sex to draw a walk." Jeff, LL

by Jennifer on Apr 5, 2007 8:21 AM PDT up reply actions

Do it.

If you eat something from E-4, maybe we'll get the added bonus of a Mark Gruzalottaletters error.

by Poppy on Apr 5, 2007 8:29 AM PDT up reply actions

I wonder...

If you were to take something from J-2 and flush it down the toilet, would Jeter suddenly suck? Probably not, they seem to like (things) like that over there.

Jeff of Lookout Landing: "Crosby turns routine play. The Mariners didn't plan on this unforeseen turn of events."

by DMOAS on Apr 5, 2007 8:42 AM PDT up reply actions

Trail Mix.

F'in Trail. Mix.

Sorry, not happening.

"How dare Swisher take time off from his busy schedule of professional sex to draw a walk." Jeff, LL

by Jennifer on Apr 5, 2007 8:45 AM PDT up reply actions

Do it.

Come on. It's not as bad as beef jerky.

by Poppy on Apr 5, 2007 8:48 AM PDT up reply actions

I'd rather eat beef jerky.

"How dare Swisher take time off from his busy schedule of professional sex to draw a walk." Jeff, LL

by Jennifer on Apr 5, 2007 9:02 AM PDT up reply actions

Feed it to the birds.

by mikeA on Apr 5, 2007 8:56 AM PDT up reply actions

I had almost forgotten how good Harden is

That being said, I'm not sure that I've ever, ever seen him pitch as well as he did last night. Sexson had to have missed that 88mph CHANGE-UP by three feet, and at one point Rich threw a splitter that I rewound and watched at least 8 times. I don't remember the poor fool who he threw it to, but dude didn't have a chance. Rich legitimately had four plus plus pitches working last night, and was basically unhittable. Quite impressive. How long til his next start . . . .

A kitten bats around a ball of yarn but what he's really saying is, "You know I can't knit, motherf'er." That is one foul mouthed kitten. - Mitch Hedberg

by RayRay59 on Apr 5, 2007 8:28 AM PDT reply actions

Why I love April

Mark Ellis, leading the majors in RBI

by Doug on Apr 5, 2007 8:29 AM PDT reply actions

I think we need a screen shot of that

Let's savor the moment.

Jeff of Lookout Landing: "Crosby turns routine play. The Mariners didn't plan on this unforeseen turn of events."

by DMOAS on Apr 5, 2007 8:43 AM PDT up reply actions

question

How does he manage to have an OBP lower than his AVG?

A bigger (readable) version of the screen grab is here. Is there a way to post larger (wider) pictures in the comments without getting them cut off? Some style="..." attribute?

by colin on Apr 5, 2007 9:43 AM PDT up reply actions

Because OBP includes sac flies

according to BP's glossary.

by Poppy on Apr 5, 2007 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions

Good to see an Athletic on top of a...

Leader Board (no matter how short-lived the stint).

"When I got injured, I felt disrespected. Waaannnh!" - Mark Kotsay

by FoolshGame22 on Apr 5, 2007 10:58 AM PDT up reply actions

Bradley

I had to make the screen grab large enough to show Milton down there at number 13. Though I'm sure there are a lot of people tied with 3 RBI.

by colin on Apr 5, 2007 11:22 AM PDT up reply actions

hmmmm...

I notice another (former) Athletic on that leaderboard, as well. Not a bad line, so far:

AVG OBP SLG
.500 .500 .857

And, 4 RBI.

"When I got injured, I felt disrespected. Waaannnh!" - Mark Kotsay

by FoolshGame22 on Apr 5, 2007 11:35 AM PDT up reply actions

What's your CEAEB %?

(Comments Exclusively About Eric Byrnes Percentage)?

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Apr 5, 2007 3:48 PM PDT up reply actions

I didn't mention Byrnes in that comment...

lol

"When I got injured, I felt disrespected. Waaannnh!" - Mark Kotsay

by FoolshGame22 on Apr 5, 2007 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions

No, you're thinking of

BMP (Byrnes Mentions Percentage). CEAEB % includes allusions.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Apr 5, 2007 5:01 PM PDT up reply actions

Big Ups for MaEl, Ma-shell

Glimpses of the 05 Ellie last night. Battling AB with bat speed. How bout the Rule5er Jay Marshall debut. And, with our dominant pitcher in the 3 spot, how will this match us up for April?

"We're Menudo," -BB

by eshock on Apr 5, 2007 8:38 AM PDT reply actions

first full inning for marshall that is, nt

"We're Menudo," -BB

by eshock on Apr 5, 2007 8:40 AM PDT up reply actions

Let's clone Harden

We need 4 new names for King Richard's clones, so they can all start.
In that rotation, maybe none of them will get injured all year!

by streetfan on Apr 5, 2007 10:48 AM PDT reply actions

They also need to wear disguises,

so no one will suspect they're Harden clones. Maybe one could wear a really grotesque beard like Danny Haren wore when he didn't want to be recognized at Spring Training...

by Poppy on Apr 5, 2007 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions

Right, a beard

Rich never has a beard, just stubble, so that's a good start!
Maybe Cindi could dye their hair all different colors for disguises?

by streetfan on Apr 5, 2007 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions

Omigod! How about:

auburn
burnt auburn
auburn peach
auburn sunset

I'm really into auburn right now; can you tell?

-Cindi.

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 5, 2007 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Great Cindi!

So what is Kielty's shade? Flame auburn?
I think he is our only redhead?

by streetfan on Apr 5, 2007 4:05 PM PDT up reply actions

ooo

one of them can wear high socks!

"I never saw a hooligan I did like. They're like left-handed pitchers, they all have a screw loose somewhere." - The Asphalt Jungle

by drmmerchk on Apr 5, 2007 1:29 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm becoming mighty fond of Shannon

it almost feels like he's always been an Athletic

"San Jose A's of Fremont" is already being mocked by Angel's fans

by ArakSOT on Apr 5, 2007 10:55 AM PDT reply actions

Twins seem to be similar team to the A's

.. in their small market status and their philosophy of player development .. so the transition to the A's probably not too much of a change for Shannon .. not to mention he gets to play on home grass half the time .. and all of the teams in the AL-West play on grass ..

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

by Randy Bell on Apr 5, 2007 12:27 PM PDT up reply actions

Street also looked impressive.

I know it was in a no-pressure situation, but he kept the ball down the entire inning, threw a couple of wicked change-ups, and breezed through. He looked sharper to me last night than I can remember him being in a long time.

"Good or bad, I don't know. This is awesome." ~Nick Swisher

by humdinger on Apr 5, 2007 10:58 AM PDT reply actions

Me too

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 5, 2007 11:02 AM PDT up reply actions

I will let my tag explain my feelings....

by HardenForCy on Apr 5, 2007 12:43 PM PDT reply actions

I have

been impressed by Bradley's hitting so far and if he can stay healthy, he'll hopefully go .300/25/80 but of course Ellis looked very good out there with his bat.

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

by doublehustle22 on Apr 5, 2007 2:51 PM PDT reply actions

Its just not fair

Harden should not be able to have so many filthy pitches its just not fair. 100mph heater and a nasty change and splitter its just not very fair to hitters.

www.GamingDomination.com

by 3Chavy3 on Apr 5, 2007 3:42 PM PDT reply actions

Nice win, bitches!!!

Wow. That was close. It's been so long, I almost forgot how to do it. (Insert sex joke here).

I'll try not to swear.

by Tony on Apr 5, 2007 4:37 PM PDT reply actions

Can't, because if it's been so long,

then it's clearly not about your sex life. :-(

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 5, 2007 6:02 PM PDT up reply actions