Open Thread: Game 35 - A's vs. Indians
Obviously, the A's offense has been the peg for every story the last couple of days. And it certainly is good to see.
However, today's game offers an interesting matchup on the mound: two pitchers who have yet to fully establish their major-league creds or their specific roles.
Fausto Carmona, who blew up rather spectacularly last year as the Indians' rookie closer, has been performing well in starting role thus far in '07. And the A's Dallas Braden has been solid but not entirely reliable in a handful of fill-in starts for the A's.
And while, yes, the A's offense has blossomed, the team's continued success over the course of the season depends strongly on the continued dominance of the starting pitching. Let's see if Braden can demonstrate that he deserves the role with which he's been presented.
[As I'm going to the game today, I'll post a couple of spare game threads above this one. Please use 'em judiciously. And if someone could post lineups when they're announced you may earn yourself a heroic mention in a future Poetic Interlude. Speaking of which, the opening stanza of a new P.I. after the jump. Yes, it's another Dylan, and yes, it's another Cust-themed one.]
Lineups:
Cleveland
Sizemore
Michaels
Martinez
Garko (BOO!)
Peralta
Nixon
Blake
Barfield
Gutierrez
Oakland
Stewart, LF
Swisher, In the field-not-to-be-mentioned
Chavez, 3B
Johnson, 1B
Cust, DH
Crosby, SS
BUCK!, RF
Scutaro, 2B
Kendall, C
Billy, Injury and the Jack of Custs
(Original here. Full adaptation to follow in the game wrapup this afternoon.)
The spring training was over, the A's were all plannin' for a fall,
The Coliseum was quiet except for the DL'in' in the hall.
The beer-ban still not lifted and the whole outfield shut down,
Anyone with any sense had already left town.
He was standin' in triple-A lookin' like the Jack of Custs.
He moved across the injured room, "Set it up for everyone," he said,
Then everyone commenced to start gettin' on base before his turns at bat.
Then he walked up to the home-plate and he swung hard with a grunt,
"Could you kindly tell me, friend, what time the show begins?"
Then he moved around the basepaths, face down like the Jack of Custs.
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Do we know who was sent down for Braden?
todd walker
another one bites the dust
by J Rod @ Athletics Nation on May 12, 2007 11:31 AM PDT up reply actions
oh man...
that bites.
by OaktownRajah on May 12, 2007 11:42 AM PDT up reply actions
Walker was DFA'd not sent down to minors
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Marty Lurie says no Hafner today...
Very good since it is daytime and Braden got hit hard last time.
Agreed ..
.. the lumberjack "Pronk" scares me ..
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 12:00 PM PDT up reply actions
I wish Texas could beat the Angels just once...
or maybe several times this year!
Colon has beaten them 11 times in a row
Yikes! .........
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 12:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Taking a shine to the new look a's?

We are going to WAX Carmona and the Tribe today...come on boys, let's put a good pasting on them!
Sounds like you'll be getting your wish Re:Gaudin
Radio pregame said Billy Beane is sold on keeping him in the rotation ..
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 12:46 PM PDT up reply actions
I guess I'm the only admin not at the game today
<searches for the lineups>
Lineups have been posted
No Bradley, Swisher in the field-not-be-mentioned, BUCK!
Hope for no balls hit ..
.. in the field-not-be-mentioned? .. Hehe .. Good to see Buck back in the lineup - Go A's !!!!
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 12:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Harden
I'm still waiting for news on when Harden is going to begin throwing. Earlier in the week it was reported that it would be when the team got back to Oakland. Well ...
I think he has started throwing long toss?
Not sure what his program is or how long it takes, though. Heard that E-Lo is making progress too. Will be interesting the decisions the A's make with the rotation when they both get back. :)
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Apparently he did last night
"A's RHP Rich Harden threw on the side before the game as he attempts to come back from a strained right shoulder."
link: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?... (in the game notes)
by FireballerHARDEN on May 12, 2007 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions
I think they're taking it slow with him
.. since he just came off the DL ..
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 12:44 PM PDT up reply actions
Carmona is RHP
Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that Carmona is a RHP meaning Bradley would have to bat LH which was the side that was giving him difficulty because of his wrist injury.
BUCK!!
Classic Gameday link
Get with the times.
Everybody uses the information-overload resource hog gameday now.
New Gameday can kiss my ass.
mlb.tv
does anyone know why certain games are "national" live blackouts, yet they aren't nationally televised? just wondering since I'm paying out the butt for mlb.tv premium, why I miss games that aren't televised.
thanks. :)
It's Saturday
Apparently they have an agreement with FoxSports to not air any game that starts before 5 or 6 eastern time on Saturdays. It's ridiculous.
Yeah...
So can we watch 0 games on MLB.tv today because of the 1 game on FOX?
by Bleeding the Green and Gold on May 12, 2007 1:04 PM PDT reply actions
Sizemore K's
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:08 PM PDT reply actions
Michaels singles
after fouling off so many pitches ..
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:11 PM PDT reply actions
a 12-pitch AB ...
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Martinez K's
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:14 PM PDT reply actions
Texas looks absolutely awful ..
Is anyone else watching that game right now?
by Bleeding the Green and Gold on May 12, 2007 1:15 PM PDT reply actions
Why Don't they play that bad against US ???
.. only against the Yankees and Angels do they suck to the utmost! ;-(
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Makes one wonder if the Angels will go ..
17-2 against Texas like we did against Seattle last year? Or maybe make it 19-0 ??
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Seems when they play the Halos ..
.. they don't pitch well, don't field well {bad defense}, and don't hit well ..
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:19 PM PDT up reply actions
Garko grounds out to SS
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:15 PM PDT reply actions
Stew walks then steals 2nd
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:21 PM PDT reply actions
and Nick doubles in Stew! :)
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:22 PM PDT reply actions
6-4 double play shucks
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:24 PM PDT reply actions
Does anybody get nervous when
the A's score? As if it might be the last time they ever score?
not as nervous as when ..
.. the opponent scores .. :)
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:25 PM PDT up reply actions
I feel bad for Wash
I'm listening to the game on the radio as I work on my yard. Horrible D!
On a better note: A's just scored!!
by letsgoas on May 12, 2007 1:24 PM PDT reply actions
BOOOOO!!!
Did you see Chav's brother Casey?
Slightly more Mexican than Eric.
Who kidnapped the real Dan Johnson?
Cust homers !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:25 PM PDT reply actions
LOL!
KenKo:
"The legendary Jack Cust."
Crosby K's to end the inning, it's 3-0 A's
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:28 PM PDT reply actions
DJ
Isn't that 8 hits in last 9 official ABs. Hitting .423.
Peralta grounds out to SS
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:31 PM PDT reply actions
Trot Nixon grounds out to 2nd
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:32 PM PDT reply actions
Blake walks
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:33 PM PDT reply actions
Barfield triples, Blake scores
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:35 PM PDT reply actions
No thanks
Uh, keep the bad news to yourself. ; )
TeeHee you want totally biased reporting! :)
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Jack Cust
I'm very happy to say he is now a starter on my fantasy team, and considering I am desperate for power, it's looking like a great move
Gutierrez K's to end the threat
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:37 PM PDT reply actions
It's 3-1 A's over Tribe after 1.5 frames
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions
see today's diary
told ya :)
Kam Loe has certainly settled down....
now if the Rangers can muster some offense and get him off the hook for that 5 run debacle.
Texas cannot hit Angels pitching ..
.. to save their lives! .. shucks ..
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:40 PM PDT up reply actions
The Rangers can't really hit anyone's pitching
right now, if you look at their line up it's not that great, especially with how much Blalock has fallen off
Buck grounds out 5-3
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:39 PM PDT reply actions
and Scut grounded out to SS
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions
and Kendall grounded out to SS, inning over
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:45 PM PDT up reply actions
hey
can someone tell me in detail how chavez hit into that dp with that pop up to the short stop?
by moneymaker1025 on May 12, 2007 1:40 PM PDT reply actions
bad baserunning by Swisher
.. to get doubled off 2nd after Peralta made a nice overhead catch, I think ..
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:41 PM PDT up reply actions
because he sucks
lol
can someone tell me in detail of chavez's dp
by moneymaker1025 on May 12, 2007 1:41 PM PDT reply actions
just did
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions
more detail...
chavez sees runners in scoring position, and he freaks out, can't hit
EEK it was Swisher's fault to get doubled off
C'Mon be fair .. :)
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions
more fun to be funny
Tex just homered there is some hope
5-2 Angels now ..
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:44 PM PDT reply actions
Cust is so eclipsing my
perception......that Scutaro seems more like a toy pop-gun where before i would consider him at least a .22 short cartridge.
Sizemore flies/lines out to Stew (nice catch)
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:46 PM PDT reply actions
STEEEEEEEEWWWWWWW!
Remember the chant? Bring it back!!! STEWWWWWWW!
Michaels lines out to Chavez at 3B
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:47 PM PDT reply actions
Martinez grounds out to Chavez
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:50 PM PDT reply actions
Stew flies out to RF, Swisher K's
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:54 PM PDT reply actions
and Chavez grounds out to 2nd
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Garko singles to RF
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 1:59 PM PDT reply actions
Peralta singles to LF
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:00 PM PDT reply actions
TeeHee it is easier to type! :)
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions
Nixon flies out to RF, runner advances to 3rd
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:02 PM PDT reply actions
yep
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Blake singles up the middle, Garko scores
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:05 PM PDT reply actions
Are you watching the game
on extra innings?
by Bleeding the Green and Gold on May 12, 2007 2:08 PM PDT up reply actions
Why doesn't Braden
Ever use his screwball? It's meant to be his best pitch. You'd think he'd go to it in a trouble situation like that.
Barfield flies out to CF
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:06 PM PDT reply actions
the kid ain't ready
I think he's going to be a good pitcher, but not yet. He's overmatched.
by ClutchSteinbach on May 12, 2007 2:06 PM PDT reply actions
runners advance on passed ball
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:09 PM PDT reply actions
Gutierrez on infield single, two runs score
Chavez could not make a good throw .. E5 for the 2nd run ..
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:11 PM PDT reply actions
dj needs to learn how to dig
that wasn't even a dig, it ball was belt high after the bounce..
great catch by chavez, though..
but I guess in hindsight he should have eatin' it..
Yep
DJ's costing us a few runs with his defence at first. Wonder if we can get away with Cust in one of the corners, DJ as DH and Swisher at First?
I've been wondering what they will do
if johnson and cust are still hot when piazza and kotsay are back..
It'd be a good problem to have
Somebody would be traded no doubt. I'd probably get rid of Kotsay, unless his back surgery has been successful - his defence has regressed every year as an A (and his bat was never anything special).
Sizemore pops up to Crosby
our turn to bat, let's get those runs back ..
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:13 PM PDT reply actions
Scoring change: passed ball -> wild pitch
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:15 PM PDT up reply actions
radio only
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:16 PM PDT up reply actions
DJ walks
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:16 PM PDT reply actions
Cust K's
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:18 PM PDT reply actions
BBG:
who signs the ball you won the other day?
Crosby doubles, DJ to third
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:19 PM PDT reply actions
5-3 Angels-Rangers now
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:21 PM PDT reply actions
and Buck walks (bases loaded now)
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:22 PM PDT up reply actions
Bases loaded.
Eek.
Gameday died.
how many outs?
nobody out
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:23 PM PDT up reply actions
correction there was one out
DP got them out of the inning
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Bases loaded.
Marco up.
0-1- foul down to third.
0-2 fouled back right.
Rangers almost take 6-3 lead
on blalock blast. Still 5-3 after 6
by Bleeding the Green and Gold on May 12, 2007 2:25 PM PDT reply actions
Even Yahoo and ESPN died
no one has got past Johnson, with no pitches counted.
by One won lost won on May 12, 2007 2:25 PM PDT reply actions
that was insane
that DP should have been physicaly impossible..
an amazing turn with Buck right on top of him...
Unfortunately sounds like they made a nice play
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:28 PM PDT up reply actions
Michaels flies out to Buck in RF
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:27 PM PDT reply actions
and Martinez walked
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:33 PM PDT up reply actions
It's not Marco time quite yet...
The game wasn't on the line
Garko flies out to buck in RF
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:31 PM PDT reply actions
Peralta K's
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:34 PM PDT reply actions
Indians lead 4-3 after 4.5 frames
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions
yep i forgot to post that
Are you serious about not using "Stew"? {grin}
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Hey.
"Stew" is a revered name around here. I just don't think we should throw it around lightly.
by Philip Christy on May 12, 2007 2:38 PM PDT up reply actions
Kendall grounds out to Barfield
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:38 PM PDT reply actions
Stewart K's
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:39 PM PDT reply actions
Swisher K's to end the 5th inning
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:41 PM PDT reply actions
Nixon flies out to Stewart in LF
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:44 PM PDT reply actions
Blake singles to RF
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:45 PM PDT reply actions
Jason sails a throw to 2nd, runner advances 3rd
stolen base and E2 ..
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:48 PM PDT reply actions
Barfield triples to deep LF, Blake scores
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:49 PM PDT reply actions
seems we've been playing sloppy 'D' today ..
that wasn't Stewart's fault, though ..
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:50 PM PDT up reply actions
We have four at-bats left
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions
yes
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:55 PM PDT up reply actions
Gutierrez K's
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:52 PM PDT reply actions
Texas had bases loaded in bottom of 7th but ..
.. failed to score .. Shields K'd Texeira to end the threat ..
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:53 PM PDT reply actions
DiNardo in relief for the A's
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:54 PM PDT reply actions
Sizemore flies out to Crosby (snowcone catch)
.. ends their half of the 6th inning ..
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:55 PM PDT up reply actions
How big was Peralta's play on Chavvy's ball?
game would be tied right now...
Tough game here, but I believe in Cust.
Chavez grounds out to Barfield
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 2:58 PM PDT reply actions
DJ grounds out to pitcher
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 3:00 PM PDT reply actions
Cust walks
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 3:01 PM PDT reply actions
'Three true outcomes'
are those the three?
Crosby grounds out to Peralta
.. broken bat ..
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 3:03 PM PDT reply actions
didnt take long
for the a's to revert to their bad habits.
scoring in the first and then the runs dry
up the rest of the way.
hitting into double plays with the bases
loaded
leaving runners in scoring position
getting doubled off on pop-outs
by oak1 on May 12, 2007 3:06 PM PDT reply actions
Michaels singles to LF
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 3:07 PM PDT reply actions
Kendall
Don't even bother throwing it next time.
Michaels steals 2nd and advances to 3rd
on E2 throwing error by Kendall
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 3:10 PM PDT reply actions
As much
as I'm sure we all appreciate your commentary of the game (seemingly being able to predict what will happen next to a really cool effect). Could you do us a favor and lie to us? At least until our offense shows up. You know, despite the fact that there's a runner on and no outs in the 7th, I'd like to hear how Dinardi threw a perfect inning. :)
8 Nothing!!!
The Indian's generously gave up their 5 runs for some Warrior tickets.
kendall
throws the ball into CF again on a steal.
2 throwing errors today
what's the deal -- he cant get the ball out
of the infield with the bat, so he's doing
it with the glove???
by oak1 on May 12, 2007 3:11 PM PDT reply actions
He's just showing off
his fool's gold glove.
Martinez grounds out to third
runner cannot score
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 3:11 PM PDT reply actions
WHEN WILL THEY REALIZE
That Kendall just can't play anymore. He sucks at the plate... he sucks in the field. Why is he on the team?
His Spunkiness?
And his penchant to cry
anytime he doesn't see his name on the lineup card.
Calero
looks a pale shadow of his '06 self.
his sliders continue to be high in the
zone.
with Duke and Calero struggling, our
bullpen doesnt look as strong as it
did at the beginning of the season.
by oak1 on May 12, 2007 3:14 PM PDT reply actions
agree
Calero cannot throw anything but the slider, and now teams are waiting that out more....
Or, all that Kendall is calling is the slider.
by One won lost won on May 12, 2007 3:16 PM PDT up reply actions
Garko singles to left CF, run scores
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 3:15 PM PDT reply actions
is it just me,
or does it seem like every time an athletic makes an error, the run comes around and scores?
and a puppy dies.
It's truly tragic
3 free runs given away
if you add Chavvy's throwing error.
and Swisher would have scored on Cust's
HR if not for poor baserunning.
we should be leading this game 4-3.
by oak1 on May 12, 2007 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Yes, and also note
that if the Indians feared getting thrown out, and no steal, the grounder to third would have gone for a DP.
Kendall is unraveling in all aspects.
by One won lost won on May 12, 2007 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Nixon grounds out to 2nd, runners advance
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 3:20 PM PDT reply actions
Witasick in relief
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 3:23 PM PDT up reply actions
Peralta walks, double steal is the order
for the situation.
Kendall wouldn't dare throw.
by One won lost won on May 12, 2007 3:20 PM PDT reply actions
rangers/angels
angels up 6-3 going into the bottom of the 9th
So far this season the Angels are doing what ..
.. the A's used to do - beating up on the rest of the division ..
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions
Barfield pops up to Scutaro - on to bottom of 7th
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 3:25 PM PDT reply actions
Buck singles up the middle
against Fausto Carmona ..
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 3:28 PM PDT reply actions
Scutaro with bloop single
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 3:31 PM PDT reply actions
Milton Bradley in to PH
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 3:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Run!
Bradley flies out to CF
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 3:32 PM PDT reply actions
Oh. My. God.
Pinch hitter.
are we officially gone to new thread?
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Stewart GIDPs
by Randy Bell on May 12, 2007 3:33 PM PDT reply actions
Why cannot the A's play for a run?
I don't believe the stats. A sacrifice should be more of a sure thing at the MLB level, and the A's should be getting a run here, there by advancing the runner.
...and if there is a runner at third, how much bat control to avoid the DP???
by One won lost won on May 12, 2007 3:39 PM PDT up reply actions

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