A Mistake by the Lake
by Tyler Bleszinski on Jun 28, 2007 12:16 PM PDT
in News
130 comments
The A's should've won this game. Ron Flores should not have pitched to Jason Michaels. Flores has gone into a deep funk on the road trip and has been smacked around and if you look at Flores' stats, he is much better against lefties than righties. Even still, he would've given up the lead to Sizemore a few batters earlier had it not been for one of the best catches I've ever seen. Nick Swisher made what should be one of the best Web gems of 2007. At the same time, it isn't exactly like Ruddy Lugo is a much better choice. You've kind of have to pick your poison with this assortment of bullpen arms right now. And the choice to have Casilla go two innings last night did wind up biting the team in the butt today because he was unavailable. The A's are back to the Island of Misfit Toys in the pen. Geren probably looks down there and goes, "Hmmmm, Colby Lewis, Ruddy Lugo or Ron Flores? Hey Latch, pour me another whiskey."
Yet, the A's drop the series 3 games to one and now head into New York to face the Yankees. I'm hoping that Nick Swisher doesn't have anything wrong with him. Because the last thing this team needs is to lose its number three hitter because then you're going to see Chavez back in the three or four spot. Although I still think Chavez looked like a different batter these last two games. He got his RBI because he went the other way. It's like he suddenly decided to try and put the ball where it's pitched rather than try and pull everything.
And despite the double for Crosby today, my patience is running thin with the supposed shortstop prodigy. He lost all kinds of balance on a swing against Borowski because he was trying for a bomb. Just keep the freaking inning going, Croz. Please. I did think when Kotsay got a hold of the ball that it was going to drop for a brief second. Albeit it was a smidge too brief. And I'll be honest that I was screaming for Buck to hit for Kendall in that inning. Kendall proved me wrong. And I really thought Stewart was going to come through since he was the man of the hour. Still, if the A's didn't take the lead in that top of the ninth, you're dealing with the bullpen issue and the A's aren't likely to come up with a win in a matchup against too many bullpens right now. You've basically got Casilla and Embree (if Embree isn't tired) and that's it. The rest of the pen has to have you wanting to sniff glue.
It's basically up to the starter right now to get through at least seven right now if they want a chance for the win and even then it's still a tossup. Blanton pitched well today against a very good offense, but it wasn't enough. Dan Johnson did have four hits today and is hopefully getting out of the huge tailspin he went into. I'm just worried about Swisher right now. The A's need Nick to be healthy or the outlook is not so good for our boys in green and gold. Cust can't carry the offense by himself.
Any way, it was a frustrating seven games for this team. The A's sit at 1-6 on the road trip now and head into one of the tougher places in baseball to win. 2-5 would've looked a lot better and then maybe if you can win two of three in NY, you come home 4-6. Now the best they can do is 4-6 and that's with a sweep. And with the state of the A's pen, that's highly unlikely.
On a side note, the Cleveland announcers are soooooo annoying. Here is a sampling of things they said throughout the series (paraphrased):
"Pronk (Travis Hafner) is pacing in the on-deck circle like a caged tiger just wanting a chance."
My response: A caged tiger? Really? What's this, a Siegfried and Roy show?
"Despite Borowski's 6 ERA, he's been awesome this year and only really had two games that he'd like to have back."
My response: Yeah, he has two blown saves. Good call, master obvious. But he's also giving up a ton of hits and eventually you will learn like the Cubs did that Borowski isn't someone you want closing games regularly.
"Can Jack Cust hit against any other teams that don't have Indians on the uniform?"
My response: Uh, Cust has hit the Indians well, but he's got a .352 average in June and a 1.030 OPS over the season. Not all 287 ABs have come against the Tribe. I know you meant this in jest, but it just sounds ill-informed.
And the most annoying which they repeated ad nauseum throughout:
"Wow, the Indians are really crushing the ball but they just keep hitting them right at people. Yeah, I'm tired of these at-em balls."
My response: This goes under the "our team can do no wrong" category. So many announcers fall into this trap, even if their team stinks. I'm really surprised about it, but I guess I shouldn't be. So many of these guys are basically marketing tools for the public to eat up. Ah, it makes you appreciate Vin Scully and Ken Korach that much more.
Now some of these things may be factual, but really, you guys just come across as tools (not the marketing kind either). Sometime in the near future, I'm going to put up a post that has all of the moronic things these other announcers say. I love MLB.TV because I get to watch all the A's games, but the biggest negative about it is I've been subjected to the other team's announcer about 80 percent of the time this year. Twice I've been able to actually see the pictures of the game and hear Ken Korach call play-by-play. Those have been heavenly. But the rest of baseball has got some really crappy guys doing TV. Holy s%&# do they stink.
Much like this loss.
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A's are like a doctor making house calls
curing the ills of each team they visit. Yankees must be looking forward to the weekend.
by bolt on Jun 28, 2007 12:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
One question
Why couldn't Harden pitch today to Michaels? Is his little shoulder twinge that painful that it's keeping him from making one appearance to one batter? If so, then why does Geren expect Harden to pitch at all for the Yankees series?
by lenscrafters on Jun 28, 2007 12:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I thought they said Harden would
be available for one or two innings on Friday or Saturday.
by Tyler Bleszinski on Jun 28, 2007 12:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Roto said he was available last night.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 28, 2007 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So if he's okay to go tomorrow
I guess the injury must not be that serious. In that case, why isn't he okay to pitch to one batter today?
by lenscrafters on Jun 28, 2007 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Believe it when you see it. Doubt Thomas. Doubt!
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 28, 2007 12:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
hard to have a sane bullpen
when at one of them can pitch no more than 2 innings a week. Except for the top two (Embree & Casilla) the rest are on the Sac-Oak shuttle as often as MLB rules allow. Injuries to the other top three (Duke, Street, Calero) destroy any additional chance.
A sane BP would have given us 2 more wins. Wear it.
by MobiusKlein on Jun 28, 2007 12:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Outstanding question- the article I read
yesterday said that he was available for two innings last night so it sounds like the trials & tribs of Harden are nowhere near being solved.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 28, 2007 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
that's a very interesting question
It seems as though the answer is that either (a) Harden is more hurt than he and the team are letting on, or (b) his rehab/conditioning program to stretch back into starting capacity trumps concerns over losing individual games.
by monkeyball on Jun 28, 2007 12:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think it's a little of both
but basically they have a schedule for him, and they're not going to change it based on the circumstances of the game.
by mikeA on Jun 28, 2007 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
"Island of Misfit Toys"
We sure do have a "choo-choo train w/ square wheels" going on right now. We've got a "water gun that shoes jelly" and there is probably a "jack-in-the-box named Charlie" too. Who awww these people?
We gotta get our pen back. Until then we better get used to taking our lumps.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 28, 2007 12:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I guess the equivalent
would be the Angels missing K-Rod, Shields and Speier all at once. That's kind of what we're facing right now.
by Tyler Bleszinski on Jun 28, 2007 12:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
One difference
The Angels have an offense, so even though they would lose more close games, they would win more with their offense. Lost in all the consternation over the bullpen is the fact that the A's scored 3 runs today against one of the best offensive teams in baseball. If the A's do not address their offensive woes, they are going to continue to play close games, and close games create heartbreak.
by BlameChannel53 on Jun 28, 2007 12:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Shoe jelly?
by Poppy on Jun 28, 2007 12:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
OWTF? "Shoots"
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 28, 2007 12:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
This Series
It just goes to show you how important having a healthy and effective bullpen is. Some of these guys are AAA pitchers at best. Don't work in the big show.
I too have lost patience with Crosby. I never thought he would ever really replace Tejada, but this guy has regressed each season. He just doesn't look good in any phase of the game to me.
Finally, I agree about the Indians announcers. However they don't hold a candle to those idiot announcing teams for the Giants, Angels and especially the White Sox.
GO A's!!
by RudiFan on Jun 28, 2007 12:23 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
WhiteSox announcers are the worst....
and most biased....can't stand them
by mills16 on Jun 28, 2007 12:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Blez: Welcome to the life of the NRAF
Indians announcers are not even in the Top 5 of Worst Announcers...
My List:
- Angels (Hud & Phyz - JUST PLAIN AWFUL)
- White Sox (Hawk - "Stretch jBall!")
- Mariners (Hendu & the Guy who screams when M's score runs)
- Giants (Kuip & Kruk - "Sit down meat")
- Devil Rays (Old Guys w/ zero knowledge about opposition)
by Colorado Fan on Jun 28, 2007 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
One disagreement
I do not think the Mariners announcers belong in that group or not nearly so high. They may be homers, but they actually go get some knowledge of the opposing team before the game. I like it when an announcer explicitly says he talked to the opposing team's announcers, or makes it apparent he talked to some one in the know. Which is one reason I would flip the White Sox and Angels. I am in mariner ladn so have to listen to them anytime the A's play the Mariners.
A lot of those pretty much seem to only be able to repeat what is in the press packet and the rest is based on rumor, speculation, and listening to Baseball Tonight and Joe Morgan.
by Donner on Jun 29, 2007 9:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
White Sox announcers...
....are the worst in all of sports. The only announcers even close to them are the guys who do Minnesota Gophers hockey. (not like anyone from Oakland has probably heard them, though)
by rageon on Jun 29, 2007 6:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
blame of the game falls on Cust
Three singles? Singles, Jack? Singles are not one of the Three True Outcomes, Jack.
by monkeyball on Jun 28, 2007 12:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
LOL
Sometimes Cust-er gets the Indians, sometimes the Indians get Cust-er.
by McFood on Jun 28, 2007 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bury Doyle's heart at wounded knee
by monkeyball on Jun 28, 2007 12:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Blez, not to pick nits,
but perhaps you mean "shortstop prodigy" instead of "prodigal shortstop."
Yeah, I'm in a pissy mood.
by salb918 on Jun 28, 2007 12:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Nah, I think he meant prodigal
The younger demands his share of his inheritance while his father is still living, and goes off to a distant country where he "waste[s] his substance with riotous living", and eventually has to take work as a swine herder.
link.
Sounds like Crosby.
by mikeA on Jun 28, 2007 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wrote a long ass wrap
and that's the one comment you make.
You really are a Blez H8r.
by Tyler Bleszinski on Jun 28, 2007 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ooh, lunchtime.
Should I have the puppy dog or the long ass wrap?
by McFood on Jun 28, 2007 12:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is that ass wrap like Saran Wrap?
by Poppy on Jun 28, 2007 12:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey, I told you I was in a pissy mood.
Why can't you make the A's win? I'm scared, Blez. Hold me.
by salb918 on Jun 28, 2007 12:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Anyway, upon re-reading the story it appears
that you are right and I am crazy. All is as it should be.
by salb918 on Jun 28, 2007 12:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
<puts on Air Supply>
by Tyler Bleszinski on Jun 28, 2007 12:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
As far as I know.... the only band to have two
guys sing love songs to each other. I'm not sure they were courting each other but it really was disturbing to watch their VH1 classic videos.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 28, 2007 1:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
As long as we're picking nits
might I politely point out to everyone that the phrase is "ad nauseAm"?
The phrase is from Latin, and the noun is the accusative form of nauseA (not nauseUS). In general -- and if there are any exceptions, I can't think of them -- a Latin noun is not going to have an accusative ending in -um unless the nominative ends in -us (or -um).
I realize the misspelling is so widespread that it probably outnumbers the correct spelling, but it's still wrong. If those of us who ought to know better start spelling it right, maybe everyone else will catch on.
by iglew on Jun 28, 2007 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If it weren't for Bloons, I would be upset
Instead, I am a blissful catatonic. Thanks, gotgreen. :)
by TurnTwo on Jun 28, 2007 12:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
How come there has been no link to Bloons?
Enable me.
by Poppy on Jun 28, 2007 12:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You asked for it.
http://www.ninjakiwi.com/bloons.html
by TurnTwo on Jun 28, 2007 12:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Blez, you swore...
Put a quarter in the swear jar.
by McFood on Jun 28, 2007 12:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Ah yes
but I covered it in stars and other various symbols. It doesn't count...
by Tyler Bleszinski on Jun 28, 2007 12:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, shut the F%&# up!
by McFood on Jun 28, 2007 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Seems to be becoming a trend: Geren's
failure to remove the LOOGY after facing the left handed hitter he was brought into face. The lefty then ensues to get hit hard vs. the right handed hitter. I know the BP is in bad shape but he has done this time and again with Marshall and now Flores.
by SwisherSweet33 on Jun 28, 2007 12:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
LOOGY bad vs lefties too
so why bother taking them out for a righty?
by MobiusKlein on Jun 28, 2007 12:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
why put a reliever in period. Let the starter's
arm fall off completely. It just makes more sense to me.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 28, 2007 1:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
There's really nobody else to go to.
It annoyed me for a while too, leaving Marshall in there against righties, but the fact of the matter is that he needs each reliever to be able to handle an inning of work.
Obviously they can't.
by OldhamA on Jun 28, 2007 1:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
And Geren had to replace Flores anyway
so what benefit was there in not replacing him when they HAD THE G____M LEAD!
Three hard hit balls, one requiring heroics to turn into an out.
by MobiusKlein on Jun 28, 2007 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hate sleeping through an A's game on my day off
and finding out it was a loss was even worse.
When is that cavalry coming in?
by oaklandSMASH on Jun 28, 2007 12:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
It sounds like Duke might be ready
next week if he continues to feel fine, which is great news because then it will give the A's three pitchers who aren't horrible. Duke, Embree and Casilla. Maybe Street gets back soon after the All Star break, if we're lucky.
by Tyler Bleszinski on Jun 28, 2007 12:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hope you are right Blez.
Nice wrap up by the way. Thanks for the continued hard work.
by SwisherSweet33 on Jun 28, 2007 12:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
15 Day DL
Doesn't it seem like when other teams put guys on the 15 Day DL that they're actually back in 15 days??? Like they're a little hurt or sore or whatever and they need some time to rest?
Why does it seem like our 15 Day DL is NEVER 15 days, but is actually more like a month or two or three?
Frustrating.
I know nobody in the organization wants to blame this all on Larry Davis, but at some point ...
by Crosbino on Jun 28, 2007 12:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
There is 15 day and 60 day.
The difference is the 15 day opens up a roster space on the 25 man roster. The 60 day opens up a roster space on the 40 man roster. So, unless you really need the spot on the 40-man roster there is no reason to put anyone on the 60 day DL.
I think you are suffering from an observational bias.
by Donner on Jun 29, 2007 12:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The question then
is does he step right into the closer's role, or does Geren give him a couple of outings before moving him there?
by IndianaAsfan on Jun 28, 2007 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Embree
I'm not so sure that Embree isn't on the verge of being horrible. I don't know if it's the pitch selection or what, but Embree is living off of his fastball, and batters are waiting for him to groove one...and he's obliged quite a bit lately.
by Colorado Fan on Jun 28, 2007 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
just checked the results
holy sh*t we blew it again. @$#%@^@$#%$%
by ak_A on Jun 28, 2007 12:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
This is the kind of series........
that is the toughest to stomach as a fan, because we could have easily taken the series 3-1. IF we had our normal bullpen armor the series would have been much different. oh well.
by bigmacattack on Jun 28, 2007 12:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
my first post........
this has been the most frustrating week....when we pitch well, we cant hit. When we hit, we cant pitch. When we hit and pitch well, sure enough the bullpen blows it...(let's face it people, Embree is no closer, although he's done decent job so far, he's bound to blow a save every few times out)....can anything go right on this freakin road trip????
oh, and Blez....the White Sox announcers are BY FAR THE WORST to listen to!!! especially when they are talkikng about AJ...
by PSHABAZ on Jun 28, 2007 12:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
yeah, the White Sox announcers are terrible...
But to me, by far the most irritating are the Angels nitwits. Every time I hear "Big Daddy Vladdy" I want to hurl up my dinner.
by coffee roaster on Jun 28, 2007 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That, and...
..."gettin' Figgy with it" when talking about Chone Figgins. Please, spare me.
by UncleLeo on Jun 28, 2007 6:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bad Move by Geren
I know Blanton's pitch count was high. There were two runners on and one out. Blanton had gone 102 pitches. It was clear he was losing it, or had lost it. But the idea of bringing in someone like Flores or Lugo at that point, at any point when a game is on the line, strikes me as a mistake. Better Blanton losing it than these guys.
With a two-run lead, the worst that can happen is a homer followed immediately by a double. Which is what happened after Flores induced a fly out.
This is why won-lost records have been so degraded, and why pitchers no longer win 20 games in a season. It's been my thought for a while that you don't let your 11th or 12th man on your staff decide whether you win or lose games. I can understand bringing in Ricardo Rincon in that situation, or Kiko Calero in a cold spell, because that's what these guys are getting paid for --- but bottom or the barrel minor leaguers? Nope.
by richwol on Jun 28, 2007 12:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The issue
The issue wasn't pulling Blanton, it was putting in Flores for anyone beyond Sizemore, especially after Sizemore took him for a ride.
Flores looked pathetic against Michaels (and against all right-handers). Shouldn't have been in there.
Though I honestly can't think of a better option ...
by Crosbino on Jun 28, 2007 12:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yup
Geren has had a real rough go of it during this series. A Blanton on his final 15 pitches is much better than Ron Flores against Jason Michaels. Geren also panicked last night and used Casilla in a very low leverage situation.
by DKNJ on Jun 28, 2007 12:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
At the same time,
could you really blame Geren for sending out Casilla? It seemed like the Indians were charging back and who else could you have turned to in the pen at that point?
The problem is that Geren is really handcuffed by a lack of reliability down in the pen right now. He's kind of damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. And really Blanton got lucky on the base running mistake by Shoppach. He didn't really get an out. Geren seemed to have no choice. If he leaves Blanton in (Blanton has gone over 100 pitches every time out in June I believe) and gets burned, then it becomes, why the hell didn't you get him out of there?
by Tyler Bleszinski on Jun 28, 2007 1:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bad offense + Bad bullpen = Stupid Manager
Geren looks stupid because his decisions end up not working. They don't work because we have an offense that can't hit and a bullpen mostly populated by pitchers that don't belong in the MLB. Geren is not perfect, but he is not the problem.
by BlameChannel53 on Jun 28, 2007 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Geren's not perfect....
and he's definitely not the problem. to give him his props he's kept the club loose through all the injuries and hasnt made obvious mistakes like Macha did.
at the same time, some of his bullpen decisions over the past week must be questioned. he has overworked Embree and Casilla in situations where other pitchers might have done the job and then they havent been available or havent been as effective in games we could have won otherwise. yes, the injuries mean that our bullpen is pretty much a sack of s**t right now, but the really good managers find a way to get the job done. hopefully, he'll learn quickly.
by oak1 on Jun 28, 2007 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, if you tell him ahead of time
that he's (Blanton) going the distance, he might have done better. Sure he looked like he had trouble, but how many times have the A's not scored at all with two on, even NO outs? Give the other team a crack at it!
Given the bullpen, it's almost like back to the Billy Martin days, when the starters went 9, and hoped it wasn't tied, because Martin still would not use the bullpen. At least, that's what I'd wish for.
by One won lost won on Jun 28, 2007 1:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That thinking has some merit
I agree, with 102 pitches, Blanton should have had something in the tank to get it done. I remember how Mulder used to say, he often was more focused with a tying run at third and one out.
It's great when you have options, but not Flores. All his outs have been loud except for about 10% of them.
Given the A's bullpen, they should have told Blanton "Complete Game, win or lose" at the start.
by One won lost won on Jun 28, 2007 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Update: I'm wrong about that one
According to Blanton, his "tank" was empty after 40 pitches. He claims he was already on fumes. Says he cannot go for long on a 9AM (he's on WC time) start.
Okay, so Geren pulled him because he had to.
Marshall? Ugh.
by One won lost won on Jun 28, 2007 10:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
speaking of biased announcers,
has anyone ever listened to Ray Fosse? He must be sleeping with Kendall, every time JK does something, anything, Ray says "see that's the way it's done". If i hear that one more time, i'm going to throw up.
by littleA on Jun 28, 2007 1:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
As an MLB.tv subscriber I never, ever get to hear
the A's announcers, much to my annoyance.
by OldhamA on Jun 28, 2007 1:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The other thing Fosse does...
is agree with a point before the other announcer has even made it. Paraphrasing from today:
Korach: "Now that time..."
Fosse: "Yup."
Korach: "Peralta was shaded toward the middle, which gave Kendall a bigger hole between third and short to shoot that ball through."
by Soaker on Jun 28, 2007 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe So
But at least Fosse never roots against and bad mouths the opposition like that Cornpone Hawk Harrelson does. The "Hawk" constantly runs down the opponents (unless the White Sox have a safe lead) and whines about the umpires.
His picture needs to be put next to the word "tool" in the dictionary.
by RudiFan on Jun 28, 2007 1:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Fosse has the "cred"
He caught Catfish, Vida, Eckerseley, etc. Two WS champ teams. All-Star team selection. Perhaps he is a bit unpolished, with the "Yup, yep" stuff, and he has a tendency to do all the verbal work in an interview, but I'd take his authority over almost all other broadcasters, as he has done it on the field.
by One won lost won on Jun 28, 2007 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I am sorry...
He caught Catfish, Vida, Eckerseley, etc. Two WS champ teams. All-Star team selection.
Gives no one cred for announcing baseball. See Joe Morgan.
Not that I have a problem with Fosse. Just do not want to give any credit to arguments that could be applied to that wanker Joe Morgan.
by Donner on Jun 29, 2007 1:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I understand that point
by One won lost won on Jun 30, 2007 8:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
"Juuust a bit outside..."
by The Dogfather on Jun 28, 2007 2:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I loved the time
Kendall hit a weak ground ball to advance the runner, and Fosse said, "He always finds a way to get it done." If "get it done" is secret code for grounding out, then you are correct, Ray Fosse.
by day-to-day on Jun 28, 2007 11:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nice wrap, Blez
Well put, and the same irritations I have with announcers. Even KenKo blew a couple today, Shannon Stewart's "High Drive" in the 9th that went to the 2nd baseman, and a foul pop the previous inning that Kendall watched go into the stands.
How about this phrase that I just thot up?
"Swung on, and popped straight up over home plate and foul. Kendall is tracking it, moving toward the screen, but it's out of play."
Instead, I wasn't sure where the ball went until Ken said it was in the seats! and foul!
Vince made an exciting call on Swisher's catch. The diff in the ballgame? was well explained. If Swisher had "taken his time" (Fosse) and got the ball to Kotsay, it would have been a double play with an extra out available. Instead, his throw MISSED Kotsay. Kotsay had to chase down the toss.
That's how this season is going. Every conceivable "help" is lost, and every extra walk (see Embry on Tuesday) "hurts".
I still think our broadcast team is the best. Kuiper is somewhat too much "other things" talk, but overall we have a lot to be thankful for, for what we hear and see for Athletics games. You hear some guys describe a game winning home run like they're observing an old lady finding a parking space.
by One won lost won on Jun 28, 2007 1:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I think Kuiper makes waaay too many mistakes ...
... many of which suggest that he just doesn't do his homework or know the game very well.
Or maybe I'm unfairly charging him with other announcers' errors. But didn't he commiserate with Stewart last night that the rain delay might've cost the A's the win if eventually the game was called?
by The Dogfather on Jun 28, 2007 1:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think Kuiper's shortfall is more
like "If you're five foot five, no sense pretending you can actually dunk."
I don't mind mistakes too much, as long as you can listen to the rest. Who was the guy with the SF Giants who they nicknamed "Check that", as he made so many mistakes, and started almost every third sentence with "Check that, the count is actually..." . That's pretty gaulling.
Kuiper kind of "coat-tailed" on his brother. Given an absolutely meritous trial and no politics, would he have been with a TV announcer?? Kind of doubt it.
by One won lost won on Jun 28, 2007 1:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
New rules . . .
Starters must go nine, unless their arms fall off sooner . . .
Bullpen pitcher can only be used in a game if blood alcohol is greater than .08 . . . (and Geren can only call on the bullpen if his BA is .16 or greater) . . .
A's get an extra (fourth) out in a designated-during-the-game-inning . . .
Most cumulative/team DL days wins the pennant, instead of most wins . . .
Larry Davis "defects" from the A's during the All Star Game, and is "allowed" to join any other team, in any other league, in the world . . .
by millbraeforAsfan on Jun 28, 2007 1:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
For the most part, Ray is ok...
...but when it comes to Jason Kendall, that man can do no wrong...i realize Ray is a former catcher and appreciates the grit, whatever the he-- that is...but I'm sick of hearing him say how great JK is..
by littleA on Jun 28, 2007 1:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I just woke up
And a friend of mine from school who lives in Cleveland
greets me with this:
the moral bank (1:07:49 PM): ron flores
the moral bank (1:07:57 PM): thx
I had no idea what he was talking about, and then I found out and, well, if that isn't a great start to your day I just don't know what is.
by walk off bunt on Jun 28, 2007 1:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
We're all gonna die!
Yeah, losing a game sucks. But at least we're not Royals or Devil Rays fans. I'll take a .500 team full of underachieving overachievers.
by JediLeroy on Jun 28, 2007 1:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Good thinking
As you said, over-achieving is more palatable than a "no chance, no interest" setup.
by One won lost won on Jun 28, 2007 1:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Since When Did 100 Pithces....
become the MLB benchmark for success/longevity of a stater? Is there some analysis that says a pitchers arm will fall off at 110 pitches?
Is it that SPs just are not conditioned (physically and mentally) to go nine innings?
by EastbayBen on Jun 28, 2007 1:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
yes: that was definitively proven ...
... at precisely the same time as those damn kids today stopped having to walk 6 miles uphill in the snow each way to school and do their homework in charcoal on the back of a shovel.
by monkeyball on Jun 28, 2007 1:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I actually found a site...
wish I could locate it now, which showed that there is absolutely no proof that there is any difference between throwing 110 and 130 pitches in terms of injury possibility, and certainly none between 100 and 130 pitches.
by richwol on Jun 28, 2007 4:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I meant in that last sentence..
..between 100 and 110 pitches.
But the funny thing is, every announcer and columnist seems to think that throwing 120 pitches rather than 100 will lead to permanent paralysis, amputation and perhaps terminal cancer. I don't get it.
NO PROOF is NO PROOF.
by richwol on Jun 28, 2007 4:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Blanton said he was done after 40
he said he was messed up by the early start, and had nothing goin'. At 100 pitches he was on fumes...his assessment.
"Who ya gonna believe??! Me, or your own two eyes??!
-Groucho Marx
by One won lost won on Jun 28, 2007 10:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Wednesday Led to Thursday
In some ways, the poor bullpen performance Wednesday led to Thursday's problems. If the pen could have held Cleveland to fewer runs in the middle innings during the Wednesday blow out, Casilla would not have had to enter Wednesday's game and would have been available on Thursday when needed in the 7th. So Braden and Lewis are partially responsible for Thursday's disappointing loss by not setting up the bullpen for the next game. That said, it is tough to blame players who should not even be on a big league roster for not getting the job done. I can't wait until we get our real bullpen back.
by scarr1 on Jun 28, 2007 1:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Misdirection
"Pronk (Travis Hafner) is pacing in the on-deck circle like a caged tiger just wanting a chance."
"Pronk" is a made up nickname for this clown, to distract us from his real nickname "Shrek".
by skip intro on Jun 28, 2007 2:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
but seriously.....
why was "pronk" pacing anyways? what a douche....
by PSHABAZ on Jun 28, 2007 2:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
pronk rules
project + donkey = pronk.
i think that if we turn out to be really, really lucky, our own jack cust might end up being a mini pronk more than a mini dunn or mini mini ortiz.
by Backspin on Jun 28, 2007 3:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Or end up
Jacque Cust-oh!
by One won lost won on Jun 28, 2007 10:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ruddy Lugo
Why was he even warming up? If Sizemore drive falls for a double, would Lugo have been put in the game?
I think Geren out-thunk himself leaving Flores in the game to face Michaels. I'd rather have a Righty/Righty matchup in that situation. Then, hopefully Jay Marshall would be ready to face Martinez/Hafner.
by Colorado Fan on Jun 28, 2007 2:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
If I'm Haren and Blanton...
...and perhaps one other, I have to be saying to myself: "Self, what do I have to do to win a game around here? Since these guys can't hold any kind of a lead, perhaps I should get myself in better shape to throw for 9 full innings like the real pitchers from the old days did".
by doubleplayer on Jun 28, 2007 2:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
If I'm Haren or Blanton
I'm saying: "Team, what do we have to do to win a game around here?"
I doubt any of the A's starters is hung up about individual wins when the team is losing. (And if they are, that's a really bad sign.)
by iglew on Jun 28, 2007 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nice thought, of course...
...but these young men work for lots and lots of money, get traded and are uprooted to another city when things go sour; and, have immense pride in their work (if they don't, the team is in real trouble). Further, the management has a heavy duty to surround these very good pitchers with the best support they can find. Lacking that, a good athlete (and these two are clearly very good pitchers) might give weight to conditioning themselves to toss a full 9. They know it has been done because others have done it for many, many years.
by doubleplayer on Jun 28, 2007 8:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, they have immense pride in their work
And part of that pride is thinking in terms of team wins, not individual wins. The player who thinks "me, me, me" is not a good player, and everyone -- management, other players, fans, himself -- knows it.
by iglew on Jun 28, 2007 8:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Upside Down Salaries
Player Batting AVG Salary
Suzuki .385 380,000
S.Stewart .291 1,000,000
Cust .287 380,000
Buck .283 380,000
Swisher .275 700,000
Ellis .270 3,500.000
Johnson .269 390,000
Chavez .243 9,500,000
Kotsay .242 8,000,000
Crosby .235 2,550,000
Kendall .215 12,500,000
Moral of the Story: Stop Playing Crosby, Kotsay and Kendall
by Colorado Fan on Jun 28, 2007 3:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Perfect assessment.
of the situation. Sunk cost.
by SwisherSweet33 on Jun 28, 2007 3:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Although Crosby is still young and hasn't played
a full season since his rookie year. Got to figure out what to do with him before you put him on the bench. Chavez, on the other hand, stinks. Think we could DFA him? Would anyone take on his salary?
by SwisherSweet33 on Jun 28, 2007 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You don't bench Crosby,
If the A's traded Crosby and started Scutaro every day, they could become a better team now and in the future, IMO. And I don't think Scutaro is all that good; I just think Crosby is all that bad.
by Nico on Jun 28, 2007 8:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
How can you pick on Kendall!?!?
Over a couple of carefully selected at-bats over the last two seasons he's 2 for 2 with 2 home runs!
by McFood on Jun 28, 2007 3:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dan Johnson: underpaid *and* underachieving
by monkeyball on Jun 28, 2007 4:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
DJ did well today
he was at third with one out in the 9th.
by MobiusKlein on Jun 28, 2007 5:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hard to argue with 4-for-4
by iglew on Jun 28, 2007 7:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
IT'S THE FIRST HALF, PEOPLE!
Chavy will come around, as will Kendall, Crosby, and Kotsay. Have patience. C'mon real bullpen! Get better! Unbeatable with Casilla pitching the 7th, Duke the 8TH and Street the 9th. Mix and match with Embree and Calero. Sweet! IF we can hang in by 6 by the break I say we're in good shape for a run. AND Blez, nice wrap. The other teams announcers all suck and I HATE that the A's have such a bad contract TV wise that all we get are other teams all the time. Is that why? Go A's!
by A'sfansince1970 on Jun 28, 2007 3:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
what happened to Swisher?
I missed the game because I had to work.
by larrysgurl on Jun 28, 2007 4:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't have mlb.tv...
...but I do have MLB EI, and I have plenty of complaints about MLB's blackout and territory rules. As just one example, I live in Iowa, which is in neither the A's nor the Indians' markets... yet they choose which feed I get to see even when both team's are broadcasting. I'm not in either team's market, and I'm paying a buttload of money to get access, why can't they unblock both and let ME choose which one I want to watch?
by UncleLeo on Jun 28, 2007 6:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree
I live close to Chicago, yet Major League Baseball has determined that I live in Cincinnati's territory. Their games get blacked out on Extra Innings, and when I called DirecTV, they told me that my home was in Cincy's home territory. This, even though to get to a Reds game I'd have to drive 5-6 hours one way.
by IndianaAsfan on Jun 28, 2007 8:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Iowa is the "black hole of MLB broadcasting"
The entire state is in SIX team's markets. Yes, 6 teams... Royals, Cardinals, Twins, Brewers, Cubs, and White Sox. Nevermind that the nearest team is a 5 hour drive away.
by UncleLeo on Jun 29, 2007 12:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here is the thing
Crosby blows. We got to the play-offs with Scutaro. He is less frustrating to watch than Crosby. Plus, it seems as though Ellis and Scutaro have a better defensive chemisty.
Nick needs to be a first or call up Barton. DJ should not stay.
Last but not least, Damn I wish we still had Thomas.
by Scooter on Jun 28, 2007 6:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Crosby/Kendall OPS stats
Per the OPS rankings at ESPN.com, Crosby is 83 of 87 in the AL; Kendall is 87 of 87.
Memo to Ray Fosse: I don't care how much the A's pitchers love throwing to Kendall. The A's need offense and Kendall is the weakest link. Suzuki has as many home runs in 20 ABs as Kendall has in 700. Am I missing something here?
by kensington slim on Jun 28, 2007 7:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I wonder what went through Kendall's mind...
...as Suzuki's 2nd HR sailed over the fence.
by UncleLeo on Jun 28, 2007 7:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kendall start today makes sense
The backup catcher usually starts in a day game after a night game.
Also, it's a nice practice to pick one of the five starters and always pair the backup catcher with him. For Kendall, the obvious choice is to pair him with Blanton.
If Kendall starts all of Blanton's games and Suzuki starts most of the rest, I think that would be just fine.
by iglew on Jun 28, 2007 7:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Proably something like
I wonder how he does that
by Scooter on Jun 28, 2007 7:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Blez, you hit the nail
Under no circumstances do you panic with a 6-run lead and throw Casilla for two innings on Wednesday; that's just stupid, and it's why Casilla couldn't do exactly what he did on Tuesday: get out of the 7th inning mess and then handle the 8th. It cost us this game (i.e., it cost us a chance to see if Casilla could get Michaels and pitch an effective 8th, and see if Embree could pitch an effective 9th).
Geren wound up pitching Casilla with a 6-run lead and nobody on, and pitching Flores against a right-handed batter with the game on the line, instead of vice-versa. Dumb.
by Nico on Jun 28, 2007 8:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
four run lead, 11-7,
when Casilla came in yesterday, wasn't it? a bit tighter than you're characterizing it...
by skutch on Jun 28, 2007 9:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
never mind, I get it,
you were talking about Casilla's pitching the ninth
by skutch on Jun 28, 2007 9:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
PTSD
Geren was suffering it Wednesday, as a result of Tuesday's loss. Couldn't face the prospect of another body blow and so left his best BP option in there for the ninth. Conjecture based on nothing more than Geren's expression in the dugout Tuesday night...
by skutch on Jun 28, 2007 9:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
notes in journal
journal entry 6/28/207 -once again Nico's prediction came true. (breaks pencil with shaking hand)
by ak_A on Jun 28, 2007 8:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Announcers
I've got to hear quite a few announcers this season, with it being my first with MLB.tv, and yes, most of them are pretty bad. I thought the Indians guy, while not perfect, were at least middle-of-the-road quality.
But here's what I'm wondering -- was it just me, or were the Royals announcers pretty good? They made observations about game play that were actually helpful to people who knew baseball, and stayed out of the way, more or less.
I really just prefer announcers who are quiet most of the time, rather than just gab on and on (see e.g., Fox baseball). But then again, I've listened to Vin Scully most of my life, so I'm used to an extremely laid back style.
by rageon on Jun 29, 2007 7:01 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't dislike Scully...
...but his voice drones on something awful and I usually never hear a word he says after about the 4th inning. I just tune him out. I'm not a big fan of the "one guy" approach, anyway.
I thought the Indians' and Mariners' guys were ok. The ones I find refreshingly fair are the Rangers' broadcasters. Never afraid to concede a good play or praise when it's warranted, and honest in calling close plays.
by UncleLeo on Jun 29, 2007 10:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I tune...
...them all out - spend lots of time on mute. I don't need them telling me what is going on. I can see it.
by doubleplayer on Jun 29, 2007 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
John Sterling
... is another reason to hate the Yankees. Mel Allen and Red Barber must be spinning in their graves. "Our" own Vince Cotroneo (sp?) leaves a lot to be desired. He makes too many mistakes identifying who is batting, pitching etc.
by NoeValley on Jun 29, 2007 10:30 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
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