Nice Win, Bitches

by Tyler Bleszinski on Jun 18, 2007 9:46 PM PDT in News Comment 47 comments

Sorry for stealing your thunder, Tony. But I can't help but love this kind of game. Excellent pitching, key hitting by Nick Swisher and Mark Ellis and a quick time elapsed on it. Two hours and ten minutes. Blanton pitches eight strong and Embree closes the door.

I mentioned before the game how I loved how Geren moves the lineup around based on who is hitting well and it worked out perfectly tonight as Ellis, who is hitting .323 in June and has an OPS of 1.002 for the month, came up to bat at a crucial point in the game. The A's still win without the three-run bomb, but it makes the decisions less crucial. You can leave Blanton out there for eight full without having to have a quick hook if it's a 3-1 game at that point.

And I have to mention Travis Buck. The kid is having an amazing season and is one of the big reasons the A's have performed as well as they have in 2007. He's hitting .284 with an .884 OPS for the season. And he's been a good defensive player as well. It's good to see that Beane's belief that he had another Andre Ethier in Buck is coming to fruition. It also eases the pain of Milton Bradley's many ailments.

Blanton did a good job in shutting down a team who is 11th in baseball in runs scored. Course a lot of that I imagine would have to do with their home ballpark, but still, the Reds never really had a huge threat. Blanton worked quickly and effectively, it was almost like watching Mark Mulder, especially with his curve working. The A's won the first one in the last series too. Let's hope they reverse the trend and win the next two in this one.

And it appears as though the A's could soon be getting both Rich Harden and Justin Duchscherer back. Harden will probably be back sooner than Duke, but it will be nice to get two of the best back in green and gold soon. Milton Bradley will also be returning any day now.

Now we turn our eyes towards Anaheim and watch Houston's bullpen continue to blow the five-run lead they had. It's now down to merely two runs. Ugh.

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Is there any subtext to

the Bradley situation? He wasn't activated today, but he was on the bench (not in Sacramento), and apparently Geren was very non-committal about when he would return.

It's almost like either the A's are irritated with him or they don't want to make a roster move right now. Anyone have any insights?

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 Jun 18, 2007 9:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I get the feeling they don't want to make a

roster move. Who are they going to send down if they do? They're getting into a sticky situation with all the players who are about to come back.

by Tyler Bleszinski on Jun 18, 2007 9:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would think an exchange

of Bradley for Furmaniak would be an upgrade. And by the time you might need a second backup INF, Donnie Murphy should be eligible again. Unless the A's are still unsure about Chavy's health, but he looked fine tonight.

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 Jun 18, 2007 9:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sacramento had an off-day today.

Maybe he'll be resuming his rehab tomorrow?

Kettlecorn! Swishercorn!

by TurnTwo on Jun 18, 2007 10:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think Bradley's got a strained subtext

Comes from not stretching out his metaphors. They should really be running him through more extensive similed starts.

Shit! Kendall's catching. ~grover @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 18, 2007 11:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The Astros stink.

"We were s--, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."

by lenscrafters on Jun 18, 2007 9:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Angels refuse to die

by Zonis on Jun 18, 2007 10:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

fired up mlbtv to catch the astros/angels

freaking tied in top of ninth ..... one out man on first on mlb, come on.

subject to revision pending next issue and there are too many issues

by ak_A on Jun 18, 2007 10:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

k-rod coming in.

blow it frankie, you are due.

subject to revision pending next issue and there are too many issues

by ak_A on Jun 18, 2007 10:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

What's the rationale for bringing in dor-K in a

tie game at home?

Don't get that one unless Mickey Mouse saw something he didn't like in Shields.

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

by BruceBochte on Jun 18, 2007 10:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Trying to win

Highest leverage situation.

by MobiusKlein on Jun 18, 2007 10:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah...

Scioscia is an aggressive manager and totally unapologetic about it. I like that about him. If he were a poker player, he'd be Brunson or Ivey or Hansen... someone super aggressive that bluffs a lot.

If Geren were a poker player, he'd be Dan Harrington... super conservative with a tight math-based game, but secure in the knowledge that for that tight game to work, you on occasion have to make sub-optimal moves so that the opposition knows that you make moves on occasion and always has it in the back of their mind when playing against you.

That's why I like seeing steals and bunts and hit& runs once in a while, because having them in your arsenal means that the opposition dedicates a little bit of energy worrying about them, which makes the rest of the team's game stronger.

"The problems in the world today are so enormous they cannot be solved with the level of thinking that created them."- A. Einstein

by The Pilots Dared Me To Die on Jun 19, 2007 3:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Angels are getting so lucky right now

Can't wait until their luck turns...

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

by BruceBochte on Jun 18, 2007 10:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Isn't this Munson kid

Chavvy's homie from high school?

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

by BruceBochte on Jun 18, 2007 10:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

shit...lined out. 2 out bases loaded.

subject to revision pending next issue and there are too many issues

by ak_A on Jun 18, 2007 10:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Munson

Yes, he's the one. I didn't realize he had resurfaced in the bigs until our recent series w Houston. I also didn't know he had been converted to catcher. Last I had heard he was playing 3B.

"...but we're also always open to hearing about other sandwiches if it can make our lunch better." -- Nico, channeling Billy Beane

by iglew on Jun 18, 2007 10:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

damn, asshole krod struck him out

astros leave bases loaded.

subject to revision pending next issue and there are too many issues

by ak_A on Jun 18, 2007 10:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

How much longer is dor-k under club control?

Isn't it about time the Yankees sign him?

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

by BruceBochte on Jun 18, 2007 10:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

not soon enough

subject to revision pending next issue and there are too many issues

by ak_A on Jun 18, 2007 10:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh my god

The Houston Astros suck massive potato balls.

LET'S go OAKland!!!!

by emperor nobody on Jun 18, 2007 10:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

yep

by Apricot on Jun 18, 2007 10:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

where's the butter? hmmmmm

subject to revision pending next issue and there are too many issues

by ak_A on Jun 18, 2007 10:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Wow

It's 10:33 and I am ready to go to bed after coming home from the game. Normally, I'd be waiting for BART. I like short games. I feel less groggy in the morning.

"it's like an alarm clock, WOOT WOOT!" -Bubb Rubb

by secret ASian man on Jun 18, 2007 10:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Angels

I can no longer watch the Angels play baseball, especially after an emphatic Oakland A's win. I'll start scoreboard watching in August. June is waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too early.

A's are on pace for 89.21 Wins

Blanton - 15 Starts/105 IP = 7.0IP/Start
Haren - 15 Starts/104 IP = 6.93IP/Start

Amazing.

by Colorado Fan on Jun 18, 2007 10:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Angels beat Astros...

they'll never lose again...

Take my love, take my land/ Take me where I cannot stand/I don't care, I'm still free/You can't take the A's from me!

by OaktownRajah on Jun 18, 2007 10:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

The Angels will slump!

I guarantee it!

And when they do, if the A's are hot, things will get real even real quick.

"The problems in the world today are so enormous they cannot be solved with the level of thinking that created them."- A. Einstein

by The Pilots Dared Me To Die on Jun 19, 2007 3:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

6 hits for Figgins

The sixth a walkoff triple. Pretty sweet game. I think like 100 or fewer guys have 6 hit games.

Watt Funk Staturist

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jun 18, 2007 10:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

There's a list at

Baseball Almanac.

Looks like less than 100 to me, but they don't name a total. (I'll leave it to someone else to count them....)

"...but we're also always open to hearing about other sandwiches if it can make our lunch better." -- Nico, channeling Billy Beane

by iglew on Jun 18, 2007 10:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

only 2nd player since 1969

to have a 6-6 night with a walkoff hit.

Angels are smokin' like Peter Tosh on the cover of "Legalize It".

LET'S go OAKland!!!!

by emperor nobody on Jun 18, 2007 11:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

well maybe they are just shooting

their wad early and come August or earlier they will come down to earth.

subject to revision pending next issue and there are too many issues

by ak_A on Jun 18, 2007 10:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Just back from the game

it was wonderful....although very chilly with the fierce wind. Left field bleachers yelled for Scott when he came out to stretch before the game, and he waved and grinned when he saw the HATTEBERG A PERFECT 10 banner in its old place. Cust was chatting with Adam Dunn before the game, and they parted with a big hug...very sweet.

I Want Jack Cust Bobblehead Day!

by Englishmajor on Jun 18, 2007 10:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

We were at the (windy, windy!) game tonight too

and it was fun to watch Hatte. When Chavvy and Crosby got on first base it was great to watch them chat with him on first base.

Great win tonight! But I SO thought the Angels would lose!!!

by indigo on Jun 18, 2007 11:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I thought

Cust was Adam Dunn.

You mean there's two of them...

"The problems in the world today are so enormous they cannot be solved with the level of thinking that created them."- A. Einstein

by The Pilots Dared Me To Die on Jun 19, 2007 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm really glad the A's won!

We just gotta keep winning games like this and we still have a shot to get into first place by the end of the season.

I am not convinced the Angels are as good as their record (and games like tonight's) makes them look. They can't keep this up for the rest of the year (still got a long way to go) and we are only back by what, 6 games?

I can't wait til we start to get some key guys back so I won't be so stressed out when our starting pitching isn't lights out, or we need to go to the bullpen a lot.

GO A's!!!

"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 Jun 18, 2007 11:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm not conceding the division

to the Angels by any means, nor is it time to anyway, but I wouldn't mind at all if we had to settle for the Wild Card. Playoffs are playoffs and I'd take getting there by any means possible.

The only bad part I can see is that the Angels actually make it and we can't make fun of them for having to stay home.

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

by Helloooo 1st on Jun 19, 2007 12:18 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Didn't see anything about Duke in the linked

article. And Slusser's article seems to be a lot less sanguine:

"Reliever Justin Duchscherer is throwing long toss and he could be throwing off the mound soon. Duchscherer has bone growth that interfered with his right hip. If two weeks of rest plus targeted exercise and stretching don't resolve the problem, he will require arthroscopic surgery and would miss four to six months, Duchscherer said."

Am I missing something, Blez?

by WaddellCanseco on Jun 19, 2007 6:18 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Credit to Cupcakes, he was stellar once

again.

by OldhamA on Jun 19, 2007 6:28 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

speaking of Tony ...

... how about yet another new AN t-shirt: Nice Blog, Bitches

Shit! Kendall's catching. ~grover @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 19, 2007 7:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes.

I'd buy it.

"Kots went yard. With a pink bat. Stud."

by Jennifer on Jun 19, 2007 8:29 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

that would be good.

The game represents... the checkered journey of life. - Milton Bradley

by mikeA on Jun 19, 2007 9:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think we should all start a pool on how long

milton Bradley will be healthy this time. I will try and stretch it out and go for a whole week, I will take the under though.

Go A's!!!! Mike Scioscia is a fat tub of lard

by 3Chavy3 on Jun 19, 2007 8:21 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm gonna go out on a limb

and say three weeks, followed by 5 days on the bench, followed by a pinch hit appearance, and then 15 days on the DL...

"The problems in the world today are so enormous they cannot be solved with the level of thinking that created them."- A. Einstein

by The Pilots Dared Me To Die on Jun 19, 2007 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice win, bitches!

At least that's my opinion, sabermetrically speaking.

I'll try not to swear.

by Tony on Jun 19, 2007 8:46 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Though I'm in the camp

that believes the Angels are very good this year, I have to say they have had an uncanny ability to miss opposing teams' best pitchers. And it appears they will miss Oswalt in this series.

As for last night's disappointing Angels' comeback, sheesh--talk about "Gettin' Figgy With It".

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 Jun 19, 2007 9:03 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Much prefer this type of game

And not just because we won it, although that helps. Those crazy 14-8 games just aren't enjoyable to me. I like knowing that scoring 5-6 runs means you're almost certain to win. Those St Louis games just felt all wrong. If I wanted that type of game, I'd watch the Rangers.

by peanut gallery on Jun 19, 2007 9:54 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs