Offensive

by Tyler Bleszinski on Sep 17, 2007 10:20 PM PDT in News Comment 15 comments

[A's lose 4-0 to the Mariners.]

It's funny, just when I start to feel good about the A's offense and the prospects for 2008 they throw me a huge 12-to-6 curveball and make Miguel Batista look like Cy Young. It felt like one of those nights where the A's could get plenty of baserunners, but they could never come up with that big hit. For example, Jack Cust comes up in a huge spot in the first inning and can't get anything, but he comes up in the fourth and whacks a double. I understand the situation is different the pitch selection is probably different, but we've gotten used to that as A's fans over the last few years.

I just feel bad for Haren. The A's got together and decided to get Haren exactly zero runs on his birthday. I honestly thought that the difference would wind up being the three-run home run because it didn't seem like the A's were going to get shut out. Alas, they did.

One quick note...check out this diary. Apparently the Ranger fans are siding with their sociopathic pitcher. Hey, stay classy, Texas. I know that you haven't had any excitement over your baseball team in years and things like this bring out the inner-maniac in all of us, but how can you really side with that pitcher? Any way, go ahead and have your joy. The only thing your team wins in recent years are chair or cameraman throwing contests. Oh and apparently hitting players that whack around your horrid pitching.

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Batista worked so slowly tonight

that I swear Danny Haren turned 27 and 28.

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 Sep 17, 2007 10:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I will say that the home plate ump

had one of the best strike zones I've seen in a long, long time. I'm always getting on them so I figured I'd point out when I thought a strike zone was good.

by Tyler Bleszinski on Sep 17, 2007 10:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

he may have worked slowly

but the game itself moved pretty fast, especially compared with the Texas games.

Then again, facing a pitcher who actually pitched well, and not having much offense, does speed up a game.

by OaklandSi on Sep 18, 2007 7:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I did feel a sense of relief

that the A's were facing a pitcher that was more interested in pitching than plunking.

I loved it when Kurth Suzuki ran across the infield to do the rundown -- not sure I've ever seen a catcher do that.

by OaklandSi on Sep 18, 2007 7:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe he put the A's batters to sleep!

They sure looked sleepy. Bring back the Rangers bad pitching! Oh wait the Mariners are just as bad! Oh well, better game tomorrow hopefully.

by A'sfansince1970 on Sep 17, 2007 10:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Tonights game was frustrating to say the least...

I too feel bad for Danny as not only should he had win #15 but actually win #16. (If you remember back to Embree's not so finest hour). Apparently, the bullpen has cost Danny 5 wins. (I wonder what the number would be if you counted poor run support and hitting).

However, there are some positives regarding Danny:

He is not as tired as we feared going 8 IP.
He has come out of his "slump" with two solid outings that should have been wins. He gave us a chance to win and that is all you can ask for in a SP.
Although the HR he allowed was not his finest moment, he did pick up another quality start which I believe is #26. (Please correct me if I am wrong).
And Danny and Kurt seem to be working better together. 3 ER in 8 IP is nothing to sneeze at.

As sad as it is to see Danny not get his deserved wins, we have to remember that he will be our ace for years to come. I would rather him go through these disappointments now while building a greater trust now with Kurt than in 2008 when we are hopefully contending.

by AsWin on Sep 17, 2007 10:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

snore

Got home a little while ago. You put it right Blez... the A's turned Batista into Cy Young tonight. I was thinking the same thing walking across the BART ramp.

This game was so crappy that the highlight for me was actually the National Anthem sung by the SF Boys Choir (my buddies' son is a singer). I thought it was interesting that the A's gave the kids free tickets - I joined them in sect. 207, while the Giants kicked them out after their singing when they sang the Anthem at their house (can you believe that!!??!). Well, I guess I should say they offered them tickets- at full price.

While I'm not really a huge fan of the Anthem ritual, I was disappointed to hear a rumor that all Anthems next year will be the pre-recorded, generic, Anthem, and that there won't be more live performances.

by Brian in 317 on Sep 17, 2007 10:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

They're probably afraid

one of the singers will throw out an f-bomb--you know, "And the rocket's red fuck..." We MUST protect our youth from hearing cuss words!

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 Sep 18, 2007 8:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I took my friend to her first A's game

and the A's chose today to shut down their offense.

I felt really bad for Haren cos he looked solid tonight and I seriously thought that we're finally going to get him his 15th win. I hope Haren wouldn't take it personally, but it sure felt like the rest of the A's were trying hard to work against him.

my cupcakes!

by EllisFanatic on Sep 17, 2007 11:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

yay rookies!

here's blevins before today's game.

by gotgreen on Sep 17, 2007 11:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Runs? We don't need no stinking runs!

But hopefully Padilla is suffering from stinking runs caused by Swish's head-to-spleen blow.

PS Nice job tearing the Rangers a new one, Blez! Just cuz they suck worse than us doesn't mean they aren't worthy of our disdain.

"It was OK," Swisher said. "I got the shoulder down, but I didn't wrap. You gotta wrap and drive."

by LAXile on Sep 17, 2007 11:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

padilla's teammates injuries

The Rangers did not escape unscathed in the incident. Both Hank Blalock and Jarrod Saltalamacchia suffered neck injuries while trying to pull apart the combatants in the scuffle. Saltalamacchia's injury was described as whiplash.
"I only thought you could get whiplash in a car accident," Washington said.

link

by gotgreen on Sep 17, 2007 11:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

One word:

Karma

by Threepwood XX on Sep 17, 2007 11:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Two words

Ass clowns.

I hated Texas before. They got a mini reprieve when Rogers left and then another when Wash went there. No more.

I declare a jihad upon the Rangers faithful.

No blood feud. Feh.

Able was I ere I saw Elba.

by Leopold Bloom on Sep 18, 2007 7:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rangers GM calls Beane

Rangers GM called Beane and said the rangers are sorry for what happened. Washington also had Padilla appologise to his team mates for making the overworked bullpen work some more. Even texas knows the pitcher is a dumb ass.

by Arcman on Sep 18, 2007 7:37 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs