A’s Bullpen: This Win Is OURS!

by baseballgirl on Sep 2, 2007 4:48 PM PDT in News

Well, like most of the A’s ballpark, the A’s announcers, and Dallas Braden, I thought that the game was over early, as Braden got absolutely lit up again by the Tigers. There may be a reason that Dallas Braden is not succeeding at the major league level: He’s simply not making major league pitches.

But unlike the usual story where the opposing team goes ahead big and early and cruises to the win, the A’s offense and bullpen teamed up to take Braden off the hook. The A’s offense amazingly tied the score at seven in the ninth, capped off by Suzuki’s huge 2-run homerun, but after the A’s put three more runners on base against Todd Jones with nobody out, Piazza proved he is a true Athletic by grounding into a 6-2-3 double play, leaving the winning run at third with two outs. Add to that the great block by Pudge, and the barely-hung-onto ball off Johnson’s bat, and the A’s were denied the win in the ninth.

The A’s bullpen kept the A’s in the game by not giving up a run after the Braden/Lugo combination let seven score. Colby Lewis, Andrew Brown, Jay Marshall, and Santiago Casilla collectively shutout the Tigers, and Huston Street mirrored their performance in the tenth to get the A’s offense back up to bat.

Mark Ellis took one for the team to lead off the tenth, prompted the dry comment from Brad Fischer, "We’ve got ice". Then in a play that never works out right for the A’s; with Hannahan batting, Ellis was sent, the bunt sign was pulled, and the game was won by a simple bloop single exactly on the line.

This game was great from the seventh inning on, after another discouraging start by Braden. The A’s really pulled things together in the seventh, pulling within two runs, and never really gave up, going all the way to extras, led by the bottom three of the order: Hannahan, Scutaro, and Suzuki, who all had great days. I like watching rookies. I’d like to keep Hannahan and Suzuki, please.

Final Score: A’s 8, Detroit 7

The A’s come down my way tomorrow night to play the Angels. Game time is at 6:00 PM

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Sundays are special

for the A's and various late inning heroics.

If only everyday was a Sunday.

All Games and Comments are Subject to Blackout

by Hit4TheCycle on Sep 2, 2007 4:38 PM PDT 0 recs

nice to see hannahan come through twice

after he missed that (very tough) ball in the first inning.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Sep 2, 2007 4:41 PM PDT 0 recs

Just when I think I'm done....

something happens to pull me back in. I think that's why I love this team. Have a nice day off (if you get it) tomorrow.

"Whoa, are you saying... a testosterone-addled Rich Harden, in a fit of misplaced aggression after growing several extra pairs, ran over LAXile?" Poppy

by Jennifer on Sep 2, 2007 4:44 PM PDT 0 recs

Even if I don't get "it" I am still hoping to

have a good day tomorrow.

Nice job, fellas. Helluva comeback.

"He thinks the lady doth protest too much." -Larry David (or Shakespeare)

by ohtobe21likehuston on Sep 2, 2007 4:52 PM PDT up 0 recs

Did you collapse onto the kitchen floor

after typing that first sentence?

by mikeA on Sep 2, 2007 4:53 PM PDT up 0 recs

LOL

"Whoa, are you saying... a testosterone-addled Rich Harden, in a fit of misplaced aggression after growing several extra pairs, ran over LAXile?" Poppy

by Jennifer on Sep 2, 2007 4:54 PM PDT up 0 recs

<meeting>

Beane: Kots, you're a great shaving cream guy. We're thinking of moving you into that role full-time next year.

by mikeA on Sep 2, 2007 4:50 PM PDT 0 recs

wotta great win

I missed the whole first half of this game but listened to innings 6-10 on the radio. I turned it on just as the A's were scoring their first runs, then listened the rest of the way. Probably because of missing the beginning, it just felt to me like the A's were going to come back in this one. I've had the reverse feeling... where they open up the big lead and slowly lose it... so it was great to see our guys come back in this one. Great bullpen effort and steady offense- pretty good RISP hitting (Piazza excepted).

by Brian in 317 on Sep 2, 2007 4:59 PM PDT 0 recs

How great is it to have guys who care

Watching Suzuki round first on his HR with his fist thrust into the air was great theater. So much better than Cust hanging his head as he walks away from another 3rd strike, or Kotsay as he turns back to the dugout after hitting into another DP.
I have no stats on the number of Chavez walk off hits, but am I wrong in thinking that Hannahan has already gone ahead of Chavez and Crosby in that category? Yes, yes, I know I must be wrong but it sure seems like Hannahan gives the A's a good at bat when the game is on the line, and I know I am not wrong in saying that neither Crosby nor Chavez ever give a good at bat in a clutch situation. I hope the A's are as impressed as I am with Hannahan. It goes without saying that Suzuki will be with the A's next year, Kendall! we hardly miss you.

by china bob on Sep 2, 2007 5:13 PM PDT 0 recs

But Hannahan doesn't play for the A's

Jack Hannahan - OAK
Jack Hannahan collected three hits and as many RBI against the Tigers on Sunday.
Hannahan doubled once and singled twice while also scoring once. The third basemen has hit .286 with three homers, 13 RBI, and 12 walks in 19 games since joining the Astros. With Eric Chavez out for the season, Hannahan should play regularly for the season's final four weeks. Since he's off to a fast start, he's well worth using in AL-only leagues.

by theblackpearl on Sep 2, 2007 5:28 PM PDT up 0 recs

That probally was the result

Of a spellcheck mishap....

"I Will Not Relent, I Am Driven"... Clutch

Bring Back The Bash!!!

by Shippee33 on Sep 2, 2007 6:23 PM PDT up 0 recs

Great finale today

Give them Angelinos Hell BBG!!!

Represent the G&G!!!!

I'll have a sandwich and a draft - Bill King (RIP)

by BleedGreen on Sep 2, 2007 5:27 PM PDT 0 recs

If you think the A's suck ...

you don't know Jack!

"Ten times thy self were better than ten Hattebergs" -- Monkeyball, channeling Shakespeare

by iglew on Sep 2, 2007 5:29 PM PDT 0 recs

How much would it suck

to be a Tigers fan now?

In the midst of a pennant race, your team blows a 7-run lead against a line-up of "who's that guy, again?"s, and then scores a total of one run in 5.1 innings against Lugo, Lewis, Brown, Marshall, Casilla and Street.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Sep 2, 2007 5:40 PM PDT 0 recs

Almost as bad as being a Mariners fan

I think they have lost like 10 games in a row now...

"I Will Not Relent, I Am Driven"... Clutch

Bring Back The Bash!!!

by Shippee33 on Sep 2, 2007 6:24 PM PDT up 0 recs

Not to mention the Orioles

Give up 30 runs in one game. Get no-hit by a rookie fresh from the minors. What's next?

"Ten times thy self were better than ten Hattebergs" -- Monkeyball, channeling Shakespeare

by iglew on Sep 3, 2007 12:14 AM PDT up 0 recs

Kinsler just hit a jimmeny jack off of

Cletus, the slack jawed yokel. Cheap mamma jamma then hits Vazquez.....and as we play by schoolyard rules, when a Rangers pitcher hits an Angel he'll get ejected. Bleh.

As for the game, I'll be honest, I left my computer after we went 3-0 down. Really surprised we came back to win it. I'm delighted for Zuke and Supermannahan, I hope they stick around next year.

Oh and I may have missed it, but did Murphy die?

by OldhamA on Sep 2, 2007 5:46 PM PDT 0 recs

just flew back from the game

(at least it felt that way).

It began by winning tickets to the game (even though I was prepared to buy tickets). On a very hot day they happened to be full shade seats, very comfortable.

Braden only threw changeups and fastballs, the latter only twice touching 90 mph according to the coliseum radar gun (fwiw, the fox telecast radar gun yesterday was consistently 2 mph slower). Meanwhile Robertson was looking practically unhittable.

Down 7-0 and facing a long afternoon with Ruddy Lugo and Colby Lewis, the guys in the back of section 210 turned up the volume and pumped energy into the crowd, and (coincidentally?) the A's started their comeback. I was glad when Rodney and Zumaya came in, because I felt like the A's might have a chance against them (although seeing that Zumaya can throw 79 mph changeups to the corners for strikes was pretty awesome).

With the A's bullpen performing brilliantly the crowd was anticipating a comeback -- and the team did not disappoint, particularly the kids. (SUZUKI!! and HANAHAN -- I'm starting to like him even more...and Kotsay got him good with the shaving cream pie as he was being interviewed at the end...fun stuff!

This was the best way to end the homestand.

by OaklandSi on Sep 2, 2007 5:49 PM PDT 0 recs

typical wet and dreary labor day weekend here in

southeast alaska.... and its just gonna get drearier.

at least we won in a nice surprising style today.

angels/rangers game with joe morgan and the other fat guy...yawn.

content with contenderless, i guess

by ak_A on Sep 2, 2007 5:52 PM PDT 0 recs

did swish find a new dancing partner??

by gotgreen on Sep 2, 2007 7:56 PM PDT 0 recs

He's holding auditions.

Hannahan and Suzuki both received callbacks.

Kettlecorn! Swishercorn!

by TurnTwo on Sep 2, 2007 8:25 PM PDT up 0 recs

He's eyeing up Supermanahan's crotch.....

Just though I'd point that out.

by OldhamA on Sep 2, 2007 8:48 PM PDT up 0 recs

Hannahan is trying to be modest...

but Swish knows the truth. His bat size matters.

In search of a new signature. Say something funny and you may see your comment here!

by DMOAS on Sep 2, 2007 9:54 PM PDT up 0 recs

Swish is such a tramp

Slap a number 22 on your back and he'll dance with you too. Every time you get a walk off hit.

For God's sake, the government should take pity on us and move these monkeys away

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Sep 2, 2007 8:28 PM PDT up 0 recs

A few stray thoughts...

I like Suzuki's approach in important situations--he doesn't seem to overswing. With the bases loaded and nobody out, he patiently got into a hitter's count and then just put a solid swing on the pitch. With the game tying HR, it didn't look like he was trying to tie it up, just trying to drive the ball hard. Two excellent approaches that give me a lot of hope.
I like Hannahan's ability to hit the ball to all fields; he's intriguing, I'll give you that. I just wonder if his true slugging percentage is closer to .500 or .400. We'll see...
If I had an ERA of 7.00 and a winning percentage under .200, I'd try throwing more than one breaking pitch out of 90. Especially when that one breaking pitch was swung on and missed by the same guy who tormented you with two ringing doubles and 3 RBI.

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 2, 2007 8:39 PM PDT 0 recs

Not trying too hard

"It was great coming off a guy like Jones," Suzuki said. "I tried to hit a line drive in the gap and it carried over the fence."
Suzuki was running hard at the crack of the bat and was well around first base when the ball cleared the fence, pumping his fist when it did.
"I just tried to hit it hard and keep on running," Suzuki said.

From the website post-game story:
http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/new...

I'm really enjoying watching the new A's. Great comeback today.

Kettlecorn! Swishercorn!

by TurnTwo on Sep 2, 2007 8:58 PM PDT up 0 recs

I was at the game today!

I stayed for the whole 10 innings, and it was one helluva game. By the 9th inning, my friend and I were starving and couldn't wait until the game was over so we could go get some In-n-Out. We hadn't had anything to eat all day and I think it was around 4:30ish. When Kurt was getting up to the plate, I leaned over and joked to my friend, "Wouldn't it be funny and mean at the same time if Suzuki hit one out and tied the game right now and we went into extra innings?"

Oh boy, luckily Jack freaking Hannahan sent the two of us home the very next inning because I was getting just a little hungry.

"The other ones are Lance Uppercut, Sparky McTorso and Lance Manley." - Lenny DiNardo on the names of his gloves.

by Kimberly on Sep 2, 2007 8:45 PM PDT 0 recs

Bad fan!

I started watching this game in the 6th, so I saw the nice comeback. But I turned it off in the 9th when we were still losing... given our luck this year, I felt the game was over.
But I guess the A's usually manage to surprise on days like this... yay for surprises!

And, Welcome Back Melhuse!

by streetfan on Sep 2, 2007 8:45 PM PDT 0 recs

Nice to see the young bloods step up...

so often it seemed that the team was content to roll over and die. Hopefully today was a preview of the 08 season. Young guys who are not only hungry for a job but also have a competitive desire to win. I can't be to critical of the pitching situation....the Tigers are a formidable lineup. Our bullpen was able to contain them when it mattered. It was refreshing to see our hitters refuse to give up when given a second chance to put the Tigers away. For once the A's appeared to grab the opposition by the throat. No matter that the Tigers were able to escape the ninth, the hitters roared back in the tenth and stepped on their collective necks. Very nice.

"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on Sep 2, 2007 9:02 PM PDT 0 recs

Only 9 back and 4 teams to climb over

in the Wild Card, with 24 to go!
"What a story this will be!"

"Even I don't believe half the things I say . . ." Barry Bonds to New York press corps, 2004

by millbraeforAsfan on Sep 2, 2007 9:04 PM PDT 0 recs

Hardly even enough of a challenge

We should wait a week or so, and then make our move!

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 2, 2007 9:17 PM PDT up 0 recs

Yeah, per usual Nico, you're right . . .

I was getting ahead of myself . . .
Shame we don't get a shot at Lackey in the upcoming series . . .
Really a shame tonight for him!
Oh, well . . .

"Even I don't believe half the things I say . . ." Barry Bonds to New York press corps, 2004

by millbraeforAsfan on Sep 2, 2007 9:27 PM PDT up 0 recs

Nah... let's wait until

we're mathematically eliminated. That way they'd never see it coming.

In search of a new signature. Say something funny and you may see your comment here!

by DMOAS on Sep 2, 2007 10:04 PM PDT up 0 recs

I like the way you think!

Let's take it to the Halos! Awesome win today, bitches! Go A's! Just saw Invinceable tonight. GREAT movie! Great story! Very inspiring!

by A'sfansince1970 on Sep 2, 2007 10:55 PM PDT up 0 recs

Kendall SO would have hit that in the ninth!

Amazingly the only half inning I saw was that bottom of the ninth. I guess I should watch more often. And until this week, my record at games was 5-0 with the Scoot walkoff and walkoff domer.

"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton

by vignette17 on Sep 2, 2007 11:02 PM PDT 0 recs

Hanahan for President.!!

Chavez isn't missed. Finally a 3rd baseman that can hit in the clutch, and has a very low salary to boot. This might be another slick move by Beane.!!

by Mikkoo on Sep 2, 2007 11:06 PM PDT 0 recs