Is the Dallas Braden Experiment over?

by monkeyball on Sep 29, 2007 4:03 PM PDT in News Comment 35 comments

Inland Empire 3, A's 2

I'm not sure which was shorter today -- Dallas Braden's start, or the AN game thread.

A tough irony for Braden, in that the one start in a long time where he seemed to be relatively effective in shutting down the opposition, he was pulled after 3 innings.

Whether it's his health, or the absence of the scroogie, or just general AAAA-level only-make-it-through-the-opposing-lineup-once stuff, Braden hasn't really demonstrated much to give the A's hope for him in the rotation in '08 and beyond.

Meanwhile, the A's hitters must have been out on a picnic at a non-WiFi-enabled park somewhere with the bulk of the AN membership. Hope you kept the potato salad chilled all afternoon, guys.

Daric Barton, though, did show up, and continued his streak of reaching base in every MLB game in which he's played in '07. And Dan Johnson and Shannon Stewart, in what could be the waning of their days as A's, chipped in a couple hits each.

In a final depressing note, ultimate possession of the AL West cellar is out of the A's control: they currently reside a half-game behind Texas, which means that the Rangers can guarantee their own third-place finish with a win tonight and tomorrow.

The A's finish the '07 season tomorrow. Gaudin vs Weaver the Younger and Evene Goofier-Looking, 1:05 PT.

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Does anyone know...

what Shannon Stewart's at-bat music is?

"When they start the game, they don't yell, 'Work ball.' They say, 'Play ball.'" ~Willie Stargell

by alamedagirl on Sep 29, 2007 4:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

if he hasn't changed it...

body head bangerz "can't be touched"

"He has no equivalent." -Paul DePodesta on Jeremy Brown

by flipgatey3 on Sep 29, 2007 8:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

just got back from the game

I heard someone on the broadcast mentioning something about getting Braden once and change through the lineup. Unless he can develop another pitch he's probably ticketed for the bullpen (someone's, not necessarily Oakland's?)

Since the Angels for the second straight night didn't run away with the game (lots of the top players got rested today) there was hope that the A's would at least tie and perhaps win. They had some chances against Escobar, Colón was overwhelming, Shields was less so, and K-Rod was a little better than last night. Stewart insisted on hitting the ball towards the left in an-at bat with runners at first and second and no out (hey, how about moving the runners over?). Anyway, it was disappointing, but the day was gorgeous.

A side note: the last time Extra Innings was held at the Field Irish Pub, Buan had commented that it would be the last time this season. Had I known there might be another chance I would have BARTed instead of accepting a ride from a friend. Turns out that not only is today's Extra Innings in the Pub -- Nick Swisher is the guest!! Unfortunately my friend didn't want to stay...so it goes. (No, BART wasn't an option, as I left my car at my friend's house...)

Who's going tomorrow?

by OaklandSi on Sep 29, 2007 4:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

SF Cron Wrapup says Braden hurt

he was pitching with a painful groin.

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cg...

by OaklandSi on Sep 29, 2007 5:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think they'll keep Dallas for long relief

or #6 starter. I think Lenny D will go so they will have to. One last chance for a win tomorrow! C'mon guys!

by A'sfansince1970 on Sep 29, 2007 4:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

#6 starter is pretty important with

Harden and Meyer/Lenny in the top 5.

by WaddellCanseco on Sep 29, 2007 5:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Re: the Low Post Count...

294 at The Band Is Out on the Field for Cal vs. Oregon... that's likely where some of them went.

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

by louismg on Sep 29, 2007 6:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

First 4 hitters left ...

...12 men on base (out of a total of 16).
Something wrong with this picture that needs fix'n, but we knew that in mid-April, didn't we?

by doubleplayer on Sep 29, 2007 6:54 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I think the total for the game

was that the A's stranded 8 runners, while the Angels left 5.

The at-bat by Stewart with runners at 1st and 2nd with no outs -- he kept trying to hit towards the left, instead of towards the right (to perhaps move the runner on second to third?). When he finally grounded towards the they of course threw to get the runner out who was going to third. Then Barton's deep fly -- which would have scored a runner on third -- was deep enough that the runner on third could have tagged up and gone to third. But the runner (Suzuki) hung out midway between second and third until the ball was caught, and had no choice but to return to second.

I thought they should have gotten at least one run out of that exchange.

by OaklandSi on Sep 29, 2007 7:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

eh

third place...fourth place...if it isn't in the playoffs it doesn't make a difference to me.

I'll take a pick one spot higher versus having bragging rights over Texas fans any day of the week.

by chri5 on Sep 29, 2007 7:04 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Best scenario is that we finish tied with them and lose the tie breaker which I assume is the season series. That way we really didn't finish behind them yet we get to pick ahead of them.

by Larry E on Sep 30, 2007 5:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

At least the news wasn't all unBEARable

31-24! Now if only Cal will give AN its posters back.

The smart money lies

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Sep 29, 2007 7:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm back.

count-down to ST.

by ak_A on Sep 29, 2007 8:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's nice to see you're back--

Especially after seeing your face.

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 29, 2007 9:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I won't add any side comments to that.

count-down to ST.

by ak_A on Sep 29, 2007 9:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

hey, we lost, we're in last place...

but, it wasn't all bad. I got to throw out the first pitch today!!! Did you see me?

Daric Barton caught it and autographed the ball. Galt and mommy got to accompany me down to the field.

It wasn't exactly a strike, but Bobby Crosby probably would have swung and missed.

Go A's!

by FoolshGame22 on Sep 29, 2007 9:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

That's awesome!

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

by oblique on Sep 29, 2007 10:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

some people in the stands were

complimenting your pitch...very cool.

by OaklandSi on Sep 29, 2007 10:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Really?

I decided to throw a hard slider instead of my fastball. Daric said he could handle it. ;-)

Kid's got a strong grip. I nearly had to go on the DL after he shook my hand.

Oh, and how I got to throw the first pitch... coming in an end-of-the-season diary near you (complete with pictures, I hope).

Go A's!

by FoolshGame22 on Sep 29, 2007 10:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

throwing out a ceremonial pitch

has been a fantasy of mine...glad you got to do it!

by OaklandSi on Sep 29, 2007 10:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It could have been you today...

believe me, it was random chance that I got to do it.

Go A's!

by FoolshGame22 on Sep 29, 2007 10:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

looking forward to your diary

by OaklandSi on Sep 29, 2007 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's so cool!

How did you get picked to throw out the pitch?

by IM4Oakgal on Sep 29, 2007 10:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm writing a diary on it...

so, I don't want to give too much away here. But, as I told OaklandSi, it was pure serendipity.

Go A's!

by FoolshGame22 on Sep 29, 2007 11:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

OK...LOL..

I will wait and read the diary like a good girl.

by IM4Oakgal on Sep 29, 2007 11:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

nice pitch

when I saw you (not knowing who you were), I wondered how someone could get to throw it on a weekend without being a corporate sponsor. If I did it, I wouldn't have been able to stand on the mound since my fastball is good for about 57 feet.

by vk on Sep 29, 2007 11:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have a theory...

but, it is only speculation, at this point. Maybe I'll do a little digging before I post my diary.

Go A's!

by FoolshGame22 on Sep 29, 2007 11:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

So cool

Good for you. I look forward to hearing the full tale.

The smart money lies

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Sep 29, 2007 11:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I tried to convince them to let Galt...

throw it, but they were somewhat reluctant to let a 22-month old unleash his high-3's mph heater on next year's ROY.

Go A's!

by FoolshGame22 on Sep 29, 2007 11:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This series sorta sums up the season

Getting swept by Anaheim to end the season seems just about right.

by MrIncognito on Sep 29, 2007 9:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Seattle beat Texas 5-1

so I guess the race is still on for last place

by OaklandSi on Sep 29, 2007 10:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

by the way, Giants-Dodgers game is pretty good

I started watching mainly to see some of the young Dodger players that many AN posts have mentioned as possible objects of trade desire, such as Hu, Kemp,and LaRoche. But the game itself is a good one, just went into extra innings.

by OaklandSi on Sep 29, 2007 10:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Gonzo pinch hit the winning run home

by OaklandSi on Sep 29, 2007 10:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It was a good game.

by IM4Oakgal on Sep 29, 2007 10:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The A's should have a contest

through AN where one of us will get to start 5 games for the A's. The A's will then determine whose stats are better on average. Fortunatly for us we would only have to pitch like 3 1/3 innings per game in order for us to match him so we have a real shot. But the point here is that I am not 100 percent sure that the professional Athelete could pitch better than one of us, that is not a good thing.

Go A's!!!! Mike Scioscia is a fat tub of lard

by 3Chavy3 on Sep 30, 2007 9:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs