Open Thread: Game 157 - A's at Cleveland

by louismg on Sep 23, 2007 8:36 AM PDT in News

Part of me is yelling out, "These game numbers are too high! We won't catch up in time!" while my other half glances at the calendar and asks for mercy as the A's/Rivercats play out the spread. For the first time in a while, I find myself rooting for the sports reporters to quickly move through the MLB scores and get on with what matters more - college football. And for that, I apologize to the A's and the AN community.

Today was supposed to be a day that offered a glimpse of hope and redemption, as the A's brittle Canadian hero, Rich Harden, was slated to take the mound and remind us of his constantly teasing potential. Instead, with him being shut down for the season due to continued shoulder pains, we get a different A's pitcher who has similarly baffled us, not due to injuries, but instead by unmet potential. While Harden hasn't chalked up a "W" since April 4, Dallas Braden has not gathered a "W" for himself since April 24, in the process, gathering a 1-7 record and 6.41 ERA. He will be opposed by the Tribe's Jake Westbrook, who has a 5-9 record and 4.41 ERA. Makes you wonder if we should be valuing Braden higher simply because he's stayed alive this season...

Should the Indians win today, they clinch a playoff berth. Should the A's win, the bubbly stays on ice one more day.

Lineups:

Oakland

Shannon Stewart (LF)
Daric Barton (1B)
Nick Swisher (CF)
Jack Cust (RF)
Mike Piazza (DH)
Mark Ellis (2B)
Jack Hannahan (3B)
Rob Bowen (C)
Donnie Murphy (SS)

Cleveland

Grady Sizemore (CF)
Alex Cabrera (2B)
Travis Hafner (DH)
Victor Martinez (C)
Ryan Garko (1b)
Jhonny Peralta (SS)
Jason Michaels (LF)
Franklin Guittierez (RF)
Casey Blake (3B)

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Comments

FIRST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Omigod I can't believe the season's almost over! GO HOTTIES you can still win more games than you lose this year and almost nobody does that so go do it now!!!!!!!

-Cindi

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 23, 2007 9:28 AM PDT reply actions

Hey everyone!

How's this for "unclear on the concept"...All 3 NL division races are 1.5 games or 2.5 games, and the WC is 0.5 game with the 3rd place team 2.5 out.

So ESPN is showing Houston at St. Louis 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 Sep 23, 2007 9:37 AM PDT reply actions

Going to miss this one!

Go Rich!

No, really....just go.

"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 23, 2007 9:37 AM PDT reply actions

He's aptly named

A pitcher? Rarely. Rich? Definitely.

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 23, 2007 9:41 AM PDT up reply actions

So you think he's stealing money?

Honestly, I don't understand this kind of snark.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Sep 23, 2007 10:04 AM PDT up reply actions

Then you're an accomplice.

"Look at the replay again... one of the A's players comes flying in, I coulda swore it was Adam Melhuse!"

by Jennifer on Sep 23, 2007 10:08 AM PDT up reply actions

what's the point

in having him get injured again this year. Let's get it going for next year.

Besides, we can always get Esteban to fill in too, right?

Right?

hmm.

by MobiusKlein on Sep 23, 2007 9:42 AM PDT up reply actions

Breaking new ground: He's never gotten hurt

in the Instructional League. Yet.

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 23, 2007 10:00 AM PDT up reply actions

OK, regarding Braden:

I said it before his last start and I'll say it again now...He needs to throw his breaking pitch to right handed hitters. The "2-pitch pitcher" thing isn't working; the sample size is growing. His breaking pitch gets lefties out. Let's find out what it can do to righties. You have nothing to lose but the game--and you're already losing those.

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 23, 2007 10:03 AM PDT reply actions

Philosophical question:

If the A's bounce into 9 DPs and no one is here to comment on it, is it still incredibly annoying?

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 23, 2007 10:27 AM PDT reply actions

Yes

without even the sound of one fan clapping.

The smart money lies

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Sep 23, 2007 10:59 AM PDT up reply actions

Is that a little bend in Braden's brim?

by OldhamA on Sep 23, 2007 10:30 AM PDT reply actions

we'll see the celebration, no doubt

by Zonis on Sep 23, 2007 10:33 AM PDT reply actions

I doubt Indians fans

will celebrate an A's comeback win, but maybe.

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 23, 2007 10:41 AM PDT up reply actions

I like the optimism here

There might be some A's fans to celebrate it indeed.

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

by louismg on Sep 23, 2007 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions

On the bright side...

You can clearly blame that inning on walks. There was only one really solid hit.

As bad as Braden's been, he's been a bit unlucky too. His .333 BABIP is likely to improve a bit.

by MrIncognito on Sep 23, 2007 10:45 AM PDT reply actions

so was that out

different (better) than a strikeout? just asking

by skutch on Sep 23, 2007 10:57 AM PDT reply actions

Yes it was as it moved the runner

over. Swisher shows you why a strikeout is a poor out.

by OldhamA on Sep 23, 2007 11:01 AM PDT up reply actions

right

just continuing the Cust/DJ called strike three conversation, which has a little life in it yet. or not

by skutch on Sep 23, 2007 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions

They both just look to work the

walk, rather than getting into hitters counts. It's depressing.

by OldhamA on Sep 23, 2007 11:04 AM PDT up reply actions

A better question would be:

Is it less frustrating to see your #3 and #4 hitters go down swinging at bad pitches instead of taking good pitches?

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 23, 2007 11:04 AM PDT up reply actions

Actually if those are my only choices

then yes.

"Female ass are strange creatures. They come and go as they please." -- Sigourney Weaver

by oblique on Sep 23, 2007 11:13 AM PDT up reply actions

Braden's not major league quality. I thought

he'd develop and was a little unlucky, but that's clearly not the case.

by OldhamA on Sep 23, 2007 11:15 AM PDT reply actions

The Braden-Meyer 3 inning plan would worry me

if we didn't have such a healthy bullpen. Oh, wait...

The smart money lies

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Sep 23, 2007 11:21 AM PDT reply actions

I think I've pinpointed Braden's problem:

He just really sucks.

Seriously, he just doesn't have a major league arsenal. He has a straight high-80s fastball and one other pitch. There's no way you're going to get big league hitters out with that.

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 23, 2007 11:22 AM PDT reply actions

But Loaiza did...

No wait. Bad example?

3 1/3, 8 hits, 6 runs... but how is his confidence?

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

by louismg on Sep 23, 2007 11:23 AM PDT up reply actions

And on the A's offense...

Is it true that Stewart has 2 hits, and noone else has one? Blah.

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

by louismg on Sep 23, 2007 11:24 AM PDT reply actions

Some wordplay

H A R D E N
B A R D E N
B R A D E N

Spooky, isn't it?

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

by louismg on Sep 23, 2007 11:37 AM PDT reply actions

Okay, I just want this season to be over.

"Look at the replay again... one of the A's players comes flying in, I coulda swore it was Adam Melhuse!"

by Jennifer on Sep 23, 2007 11:43 AM PDT reply actions

Awwww...

It is pretty sad, isn't it? I hate playing out the string.

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

by louismg on Sep 23, 2007 11:45 AM PDT up reply actions

Woohoo! A hit!

Go Murphy, go!

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

by louismg on Sep 23, 2007 11:49 AM PDT reply actions

Speaking of which...

Did they just say Marco Scutaro is having "another great year"? How is that quantified?

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

by louismg on Sep 23, 2007 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions

Didn't die = another great year

"Look at the replay again... one of the A's players comes flying in, I coulda swore it was Adam Melhuse!"

by Jennifer on Sep 23, 2007 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions

A hit!

"Look at the replay again... one of the A's players comes flying in, I coulda swore it was Adam Melhuse!"

by Jennifer on Sep 23, 2007 11:50 AM PDT reply actions

I'm so confused!

"Look at the replay again... one of the A's players comes flying in, I coulda swore it was Adam Melhuse!"

by Jennifer on Sep 23, 2007 11:51 AM PDT up reply actions

Daric Barton HR!!!

This kid is awesome. 6-2 Tribe.

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

by louismg on Sep 23, 2007 11:52 AM PDT reply actions

Baron Von Awesome.

"Look at the replay again... one of the A's players comes flying in, I coulda swore it was Adam Melhuse!"

by Jennifer on Sep 23, 2007 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions

WTF?

Now we are scoring? Who said we could do that?!?!

"Look at the replay again... one of the A's players comes flying in, I coulda swore it was Adam Melhuse!"

by Jennifer on Sep 23, 2007 11:53 AM PDT reply actions

We're allowed to hit 2-run HRs in the 6th

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 23, 2007 11:56 AM PDT up reply actions

Given our luck this year...

I'm surprised Larry Davis doesn't carry our relief pitchers down the stairs from the Jacobs Field bullpen. Seems unnecessarily risky.

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

by louismg on Sep 23, 2007 11:59 AM PDT reply actions

Before this game is over...

Jack Cust owes us one home run and one walk.

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

by louismg on Sep 23, 2007 12:05 PM PDT reply actions

There's the walk!

That sets up a 9th inning bomb!

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

by louismg on Sep 23, 2007 12:06 PM PDT up reply actions

8 K's ties Westbrook's career high

Why must we make opposing pitchers look so good?

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

by louismg on Sep 23, 2007 12:11 PM PDT reply actions

Stewart, another hit!

He's 3-4 today, and Barton is up.

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

by louismg on Sep 23, 2007 12:32 PM PDT reply actions

Barton, extra bases!

A double, moving Stewart to 3rd, with two out. He's now 2-4.

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

by louismg on Sep 23, 2007 12:33 PM PDT reply actions

You're totally the only one here :-)

"Female ass are strange creatures. They come and go as they please." -- Sigourney Weaver

by oblique on Sep 23, 2007 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Not quite!

So Barton, 54 ABs, 2 HRs, 8 doubles. Are folks still worried about his "lack of power"? Me likey his everything!

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 23, 2007 12:36 PM PDT up reply actions