Athletics Nation: An SB Nation Community

Navigation: Jump to content areas:

Open Thread: Game 4 - A's vs. Red Sox

Baseball_tiny by baseballgirl on

Boston @ Oakland


Well, as the first series of the year comes to a close; spanning nearly nine days, two countries, four games, and showcasing some great pitching and a handful of A's homeruns, we find ourselves at the get-away game, where the too-nice A's are now playing a day game, so the Red Sox can get on the road.

Normally, I would comment on the A's selling the tickets, then changing the game time, but since I actually think a day game might be better for James Richard than a cold night one, I'm not going to say anything at all.

I feel better about last night's loss than I did about the one last week; yesterday was not a game we should have won; as well as Blanton pitched (and he was SUPERB), he was out-pitched. It happens. It actually happens a lot when a pitcher takes over the #1 spot and is matched up against other aces. If Blanton could pitch exactly like he did last night, he will win a lot of games.

Today's game brings back to the mound one James Richard Harden, who has made one start, and has everybody talking. I'm still holding my breath as much as I ever did, but there is something like hope that is threatening to creep in.

Jamesrichardharden_medium

The A's need a win today to split the series, and they will need to score some runs. They will face Jon Lester again, whom they touched up to the tune of four runs last week. Here's to hoping they do it again.

Jonlester_medium

If we can get the Red Sox out of town with a split, I will consider Opening Series 2008 a rousing success.

Lineups:

Boston Red Sox:

Pedroia, 2B
Youkilis, 1B
Ortiz, DH
Ramirez, LF
Lowell, 3B
Drew, RF
Varitek, C
Crisp, CF
Cora, SS

Your 2008 Oakland Athletics:

Ellis, 2B
Barton, 1B
Sweeney, M, DH
Cust, LF
Brown, E, RF
Crosby, SS
Suzuki, C
Hannahan, 3B
Denorfia, CF

LET'S GO OAK-LAND!!

 

0 recs | Comment 453 comments

Story-email Email | Print |

Comments

Display:

Dan Johnson needs to be released.

Clearly nobody wants him and he's not going to get any playing time over Barton or Mike Sweeney.

by mikev on Apr 2, 2008 12:04 PM PDT   0 recs

good job with the lineup, geren

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 Apr 2, 2008 12:04 PM PDT   0 recs

Agreed

Mike Sweeney should be in there every day.

by Blez on Apr 2, 2008 12:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Big Day for the offense Please

I agree; I like the look of this line-up; given our choices. I hope Barton, MSweeney and Cust have huge days and Geren sticks with these three....gee, imagine if E-meal and BoCro were to drive a ball or two past the OFers we might see a solid core in the middle of the line-up...oh, what, oh yeah I'm waking up now...

by BleacherGuy on Apr 2, 2008 12:18 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Glad they did give Buck

a day off, but can we please stop sitting M. Sweeney? As long as he's healthy? He's probably the team's best hitter. I'll take the hit in left field with Cust playing there.

by Blez on Apr 2, 2008 12:05 PM PDT   0 recs

But, uh... Sweeney's in the lineup today Blez.

I'm not so sure I want him getting much time in the field given his injury history.

by mikev on Apr 2, 2008 12:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Let's go A's!

A split would be a very, very good start, don't let us down!

I found all the trade talk in last night's thread a total bummer, it even made Jennifer cry. It pisses off the woofing gods, too, just root, root, root for the home team and don't fuck with the woofing mojo with trade potentials. Dern.

by paradox on Apr 2, 2008 12:13 PM PDT   0 recs

Im watching the Tigers Royals game on MLB tv

Detroit not looking so good in the first couple games. The Royals are looking pretty good so far. But we all know by the end of the season Detroit will have there 100 wins and KC will have there 90 losses

by Athletic on Apr 2, 2008 12:14 PM PDT   0 recs

Oh My

Detroit has a great line-up to WATCH...I'm sure they'll be fine...I envy you being able to watch that game...KC's line-up might provide some entertainment as well....I've always been curious as to why they've stuck eith DeJesus in CF for so long...he's a good player, but has never put up big numbers...I like him, but I've felt they could do better...hey at least KC doesn't have the worst CF situation in MLB

by BleacherGuy on Apr 2, 2008 12:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

DDJ is

probably one of the more underrated CFs in MLB. Are there better CFs in MLB? Of course. Good luck acquiring them. Guys like Rowand, Hunter, Cameron are probably only slightly better than him, especially once you take into account age.

ZIPS: Milledge: 466 HR, 485 2B, 2282 hits, 278-379-524

by rfloh on Apr 2, 2008 1:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I would take DeJesus over any CF option we currently have in our organization.

For the record, I'm considering CarGo a corner outfielder.

by mikev on Apr 2, 2008 2:02 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

If they keep Youkilis off the bases...

the A's should be good. That guy single handedly has killed us.

Go Rich Go!

by Oaktownflav on Apr 2, 2008 12:15 PM PDT   0 recs

RALLY PIMPERNEL!

(By the way, someone with PhotoShop skilz should totally take that pic and render his costume in A's colors and add Deno's fu manchu.)

As reassuring as Bud's words were, the dulcet tone of his voice and his dashing appearance really sealed the deal for me. ~ GreenNGoldSooner @('.')@

by monkeyball on Apr 2, 2008 12:16 PM PDT   0 recs

even if he did, it'd still look funny on Mr Howard

As reassuring as Bud's words were, the dulcet tone of his voice and his dashing appearance really sealed the deal for me. ~ GreenNGoldSooner @('.')@

by monkeyball on Apr 2, 2008 12:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

gimme the full size pic and consider it done

Chiba Lotte lost simultaneously in the fighter plane of the Japanese ham.

by JediLeroy on Apr 2, 2008 12:41 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

it's here

http://www.wickedlady.com/films/gentlemen/HowardLeslie/images/hl1.jpg

As reassuring as Bud's words were, the dulcet tone of his voice and his dashing appearance really sealed the deal for me. ~ GreenNGoldSooner @('.')@

by monkeyball on Apr 2, 2008 12:46 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

somewhat surprised Bowen's not in there

As reassuring as Bud's words were, the dulcet tone of his voice and his dashing appearance really sealed the deal for me. ~ GreenNGoldSooner @('.')@

by monkeyball on Apr 2, 2008 12:16 PM PDT   0 recs

Anybody watching the pregame on FSN.. er.. CSNBA?

Shooty Babbit is quite possibly as bad as Joe Morgan.

by mikev on Apr 2, 2008 12:19 PM PDT   0 recs

Much better lineup today

Looks like we save 8 K's with the 2 omissions.

Travis will be OK but he needs a day off and does not need to see the top of the order when he comes back.

by TimTimTimbo on Apr 2, 2008 12:31 PM PDT   0 recs

Lets go OAK LAND

Lets keep the boston fans quiet today.

Rickey Henderson: 35, 24, hall of fame!

by Athletics fan and runner on Apr 2, 2008 12:34 PM PDT   0 recs

They're in Boston?

Oh yeah, Red Sucks Nation has lemmings everywhere... Ugh.
I'll never forget the fans at the Ballpark in Arlington last year. Sigh. Pathetic.

by Gromit1025 on Apr 2, 2008 12:35 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

they are everywhere

A few weeks ago my wife and I looked at a place in the middle of nowwhere in southwestern ontario....
the current tennants... red sox fans.

Rickey Henderson: 35, 24, hall of fame!

by Athletics fan and runner on Apr 2, 2008 12:39 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I hate when no-no's

get broken up in the first inning.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Apr 2, 2008 12:38 PM PDT   0 recs

Ugh...hate that start.

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Apr 2, 2008 12:38 PM PDT   0 recs

Is it too late

to change this to a night game?

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Apr 2, 2008 12:40 PM PDT   0 recs

Is there still one?

I'm relatively sure the current address is what the old gameday used to be.

Although I have to say that this presentation is an improvement, at least for someone who cannot have more than one firefox window open at the same time...

"The hard... is what makes it great."

by Jjjsixsix on Apr 2, 2008 12:42 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I dunno, I'm switching to ESPN Gamecast

I like it a bit more, and it doesn't seem as laggy.

by mikev on Apr 2, 2008 12:49 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh shudder....c'mon HARDEN!!!!

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Apr 2, 2008 12:40 PM PDT   0 recs

oiii.

Not liking this...

"The hard... is what makes it great."

by Jjjsixsix on Apr 2, 2008 12:40 PM PDT   0 recs

SUZY!!! Hang onto the BALL!

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Apr 2, 2008 12:42 PM PDT   0 recs

kill me

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Apr 2, 2008 12:42 PM PDT   0 recs

Oh boy....

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Apr 2, 2008 12:42 PM PDT   0 recs

Ortiz should be gone

Manny loves the bases juiced.

holy toledo

by eamb on Apr 2, 2008 12:43 PM PDT   0 recs

aarf!

I was looking forward to a game all afternoon, dern these beaners could blow it all up right now.

by paradox on Apr 2, 2008 12:43 PM PDT   0 recs

Wow...this looks Zito-esque

(closes eyes)
(hides)

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Apr 2, 2008 12:43 PM PDT   0 recs

what's wrong with harden?

i'm not listening or watching, so i can't tell. is he missing the plate entirely, or are these close pitches?

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Apr 2, 2008 12:43 PM PDT   0 recs

It's over

Harden's hurt again

Signatures? We don't need no stinking signatures.

by jubjub on Apr 2, 2008 12:43 PM PDT   0 recs

Gamecast is showing all these pitches pretty close

is he getting squeezed?

"To me, boxing is like a ballet, except there's no music, no choreography, and the dancers hit each other." - Jack Handey

by JJ on Apr 2, 2008 12:44 PM PDT   0 recs

Crap.

14 pitches... no outs?

"The hard... is what makes it great."

by Jjjsixsix on Apr 2, 2008 12:44 PM PDT   0 recs

Who had April 2nd?

The Harden Injury Game...

by Zonis on Apr 2, 2008 12:44 PM PDT   0 recs

I think that I am going to go running soon

and I will be back about 90 minutes from now with things going better.

actually, this is my chance to run today but I hope that my run brings an improvement for Harden and our A's.

Rickey Henderson: 35, 24, hall of fame!

by Athletics fan and runner on Apr 2, 2008 12:44 PM PDT   0 recs

one down... K

holy toledo

by eamb on Apr 2, 2008 12:45 PM PDT   0 recs

Went right at him with fastballs too

Slider for strike 1, a pretty one, to Lowell

by paradox on Apr 2, 2008 12:46 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

fastball foulded straight back

Ditch this home, Rich, right now

by paradox on Apr 2, 2008 12:47 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Full count on fastballs

Slider strike three, I would have sworn he would have thrown heat!!!!

by paradox on Apr 2, 2008 12:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Huge K...

Why cant Suzy catch the ball though?

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Apr 2, 2008 12:46 PM PDT   0 recs

What's the DTS rule...

when there's a runner at 3rd? No advancing? Or... what?

"The hard... is what makes it great."

by Jjjsixsix on Apr 2, 2008 12:47 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

with a runner on first

with first base occupied and less than two outs the dropped third strike rule does not apply.

Rickey Henderson: 35, 24, hall of fame!

by Athletics fan and runner on Apr 2, 2008 12:49 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Okay, thanks.

But it does apply when there's a runner on second but not on first?

(Sorry, I'm doing work for SC baseball, and there are a ton of dropped third strikes in college ball...)

"The hard... is what makes it great."

by Jjjsixsix on Apr 2, 2008 12:51 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

hehe,

quote "Kurt Suzuki got doinked again."

Thanks announcers...

by Gromit1025 on Apr 2, 2008 12:46 PM PDT   0 recs

14/18 fastballs

interesting

"To me, boxing is like a ballet, except there's no music, no choreography, and the dancers hit each other." - Jack Handey

by JJ on Apr 2, 2008 12:46 PM PDT   0 recs

I have a riddle, a conundrum if you will

Whats the difference between you and a mallard with a cold?

by Zonis on Apr 2, 2008 12:47 PM PDT   0 recs

yes!

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Apr 2, 2008 12:47 PM PDT   0 recs

nasty nasty nasty

And he gets out of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Woooo!

by paradox on Apr 2, 2008 12:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Heh, that whapped Lowell, too

He was grumbling on the way back to the dugout, lol, that pitch was wrong, it was so good.

by paradox on Apr 2, 2008 12:50 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

got em!

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Apr 2, 2008 12:48 PM PDT   0 recs

THERE we go...

"The hard... is what makes it great."

by Jjjsixsix on Apr 2, 2008 12:49 PM PDT   0 recs

nice job rich

but please don't give me anymore heart attacks in the rest of the game.....

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Apr 2, 2008 12:49 PM PDT   0 recs

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

that is more like it.

Rickey Henderson: 35, 24, hall of fame!

by Athletics fan and runner on Apr 2, 2008 12:49 PM PDT   0 recs

That wasn't pretty Rich

but it was impressive

by BleacherGuy on Apr 2, 2008 12:50 PM PDT   0 recs