All Hit, No Field

by Nico on Sep 11, 2007 10:40 PM PDT in News

I’m talking, of course, about Mark Ellis, who may make errors all the time (didn’t he make one just, like, 102 games ago?) but he’s always good for three—heck, make it four—hits. Ellis now has 10 hits in the last 3 games, the likes of which the A’s haven’t seen since Carney Lansford did it.

Dallas Braden continued to prove that two-pitch pitchers make for 4.1 IP starters, and if you only saw this series you’d think the A’s really knew what to do with the bases loaded. Nice to see that the A’s can draw a lot of walks and win the game.

Sure, the A’s blew a 4-1 lead when Seattle scored three in the bottom of the 5th, but the A’s got right off the deck with three of their own in the top of the 6th to send the Mariners to their 15th loss in their last 17 games and pull the A’s to within 5.5 games of second place (hey, ya gotta play for something). Final Score: A's 7, M's 4. It was a great game, and I’m just sorry Chris Guccione had to miss it. Seriously, what was up with that?

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good night

The long sobs of autumn's violins wound my heart with monotonous languor.

by ak_A on Sep 11, 2007 10:35 PM PDT reply actions

Andrew Brown

I'm not sure why the A's don't consider converting Andrew Brown to a starter like was done with Gaudin. Brown certainly has much better stuff than DiNardo and Braden, and they're the team's 4th and 5th starters. If Duke comes back, Brown will at best be the 3rd or 4th reliever, much less important than the 4th or 5th starter.

by SA on Sep 11, 2007 10:44 PM PDT reply actions

Maybe he throws to hard...

To have much stamina? I don't really know his history, but if he got conditioned as a reliever then his excellent velocity probably comes from him throwing 100% everytime he comes in.

If it were an easy process to build up his stamina while keeping his fastball around 95, than it would be a no-brainer, but somehow I don't think it's really easy for a pitcher to do.

by RenoTy on Sep 11, 2007 11:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Too many good 2nd relievers is not a bad problem

to have! Let the boys down there stay well rested and healthy!

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay, Rage, rage against the dying of the light. - Dylan Thomas

by AintEasyBeinGreen on Sep 12, 2007 1:00 AM PDT up reply actions

That was as vindictive a strike zone

as I've ever seen. No doubt McLaren deserved to get tossed, but man, for the rest of the game the plate was like three feet wide when the M's were hitting. Guccione wasn't even being subtle. On the A's behalf I enjoyed it, but it made me feel kinda dirty afterwards.

The smart money lies

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Sep 11, 2007 10:59 PM PDT reply actions

The Ump Looked P***ed the Whole Game

If there was anybody who wanted off the field, it was him. Why didn't he throw himself out?

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

by louismg on Sep 11, 2007 11:16 PM PDT up reply actions

agreed

definitely didn't look like the night to argue with this guy.. I think Braden realized that right when he started to argue the balk.

by Shut it Down on Sep 11, 2007 11:32 PM PDT up reply actions

heh

When umpires act like this, is it any wonder people are calling for an electronic strike zone?

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

by lenscrafters on Sep 12, 2007 12:13 AM PDT up reply actions

no place for ump attitude

I didn't see this game, only listened on the radio, so I'll take your word that CG altered his strike zone in the A's favor (though on several occasions KK and VC did comment on the strange strike zone).

That an umpire would have a "vindictive" strike zone against an entire team shows an incredible lack of professionalism. I can understand an ump doing this for an at bat for one player (if he's being given a hard time), but not against an entire team for an entire game. I sure hope he doesn't do that in an important game (like playoffs), 'cause having the ump help determine the outcome of the game really ruins the validity of the competition.

I can understand how it would make you feel "dirty"; knowing that we won partly thanks to bad umping kind of leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

by Brian in 317 on Sep 12, 2007 6:40 AM PDT up reply actions

Giggity!

Chris Guccione at home.

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

by The Dogfather on Sep 12, 2007 6:43 AM PDT up reply actions

Dallas Braden

gets hit more often than Robin Givens.

Signatures? We don't need no stinking signatures.

by jubjub on Sep 12, 2007 4:29 AM PDT reply actions

he seems to be confirming the observation

of many, that he might not have the stuff to be a major league starter.

I remember Chris Guccione being associated with a poor call at 1st base in a game some years ago -- anyone remember which one that was?

by OaklandSi on Sep 12, 2007 5:56 AM PDT up reply actions

MaEl better keep an eye on Dallas Braden...

"The guy's got a 4,000 fielding percentage," A's rookie starter Dallas Braden said when asked about Ellis' errorless streak ending. "[But] if you stab him, he's going to bleed. He's human."

link

"I'd rather see a good ass-slap anyday." ~ pam5981

by Poppy on Sep 12, 2007 7:00 AM PDT reply actions