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Open Game Thread: Game 23 - A's vs. Mariners

Recent_family_ones_july__07_091_tiny by notsellingjeans on

The A's kick off an important road trip today against Seattle at 7:10 p.m., fresh off Thursday's invigorating rout of the Twins in Frank Thomas' A's debut redux. 

I began this season thinking I'd use game thread previews to discuss a human-interest element involving the opposing team's SP, and tonight game grants us yet another interesting human, right up there with the religiously devout reformed porn addict   % and the most sabermetrically-influenced player in baseball , both of whom we've profiled in this space on previous Fridays. 

Today the Mariners send out Miguel Batista, who writes poetry and novels in his spare time , including this one about about a serial killer (excerpt of Miguel's writing included).   

Meanwhile, the A's counter with Dana Eveland, one of AL's leading pitchers thus far with a 1.90 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in his four starts.  Although he hasn't written any crime novels I am told that he has read several books.

% = Byrd's "problem" inspired, IMO, the three best consecutive QOTMs in AN history  by Nico, FSU and Monkeyball within the first 20 comments. 

Tonight's lineup hasn't been posted yet but will likely include Cust in left field and Big Hurt DHing, with Barton and Hannahan back in at their customary hot corners against a right-handed pitcher. 

The A's are 14-9. They can split their next four games and still be on a 96-win pace with exactly one-sixth of the season in the books.  If they could somehow keep that pace going for the remainder of the year they'd be division champs. 

Let's go Oakland!

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Mariners need Batista to go deep into tonight's game

The last two nights vs. Baltimore, the Mariners bullpen has been asked to throw 133 pitches. Sean Green and Brandon Morrow have each worked both nights.

Meanwhile, the A’s bullpen is well rested, having thrown 70 pitches total the last two games.

Neither Bedard nor Duchscherer figures to last long tomorrow. If either starter is knocked out early tonight it could have a fairly significant carryover into tomorrow…and that’s particularly true if it’s the A’s KO’ing Batista early.

by Soaker on Apr 25, 2008 4:48 PM PDT   0 recs

FIRST!!!!!

Grrr…Damn you, Soker.

Cindi

P.S. Is Dana Evland left-handed? Because if so, I’m pretty sure I dated her cousin!

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 Apr 25, 2008 4:55 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Won't be a big deal for the A's...

Braden’s there for mop up duty, and he’ll be sent down tomorrow.

"Looks like you brought two too many."

by BWH on Apr 25, 2008 5:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

THIRD!

go A’s

2008 Oakland Athletics...more than meets the eye!

by OptimistPrime on Apr 25, 2008 4:56 PM PDT   0 recs

Fourth!

Unfortunately, the Angels are on the same pace as the A’s are. Is it too soon to mention tiebreakers?

"[Moneyball] is huge [in Japan], I guess, so I'm like a David Hasselhoff type or something..." -- Billy Beane

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Apr 25, 2008 4:59 PM PDT   0 recs

At the beginning of the month, I was starting to think

about four-way tie-breakers and how that would work. But the Rangers appear to be in a bit of a slump completely suck.

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 Apr 25, 2008 5:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Four way is pretty easy actually

assuming you’re playing for one spot.

Toss coins to determine 1-4 seeds, then play 2 rounds of single elimination.

Where things really get hairy is when there are cross-divisional ties of more than 2 teams involving the wild card.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Apr 25, 2008 5:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

WOW The Avenger of Blood looks really good
” ‘Make sure you get the crowd and their signs in the shot,’ she instructed as she tucked a windswept lock of hair behind her ear. “

by Keze on Apr 25, 2008 5:00 PM PDT   0 recs

Plus this assertion about the murder of nine Buddhist monks in Arizona
” To this day, that had been the harshest blow ever dealt to the Buddhist religion in all of it’s two thousand, five hundred year history. “

by Keze on Apr 25, 2008 5:02 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hopefully tonight he pitches as well as he writes

And Street and Brown continue to pitch better than they play chess.

by phastphill on Apr 25, 2008 5:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I thought Geren had been quoted

(by Slusser?) saying that Murphy would start at third tonight…?

by OaklandSi on Apr 25, 2008 5:50 PM PDT   0 recs

yup

Suzuki
Barton
Ellis
Thomas
Cust
Brown
Crosby
Sweeney
Murphy

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Apr 25, 2008 5:52 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

DONNIEMURPHY!

The kings remain missing, so they're playing with Eric Chavez Bobbleheads. "Chavvy does have six Gold Gloves," Brown explained. "That's good enough to be king."

by pam5981 on Apr 25, 2008 5:54 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Let's go, SMURPHY, clapclap, clapclapclap!

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Apr 25, 2008 6:18 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Let's go, Smurfy, clap clap clap-clap-clap!

"[Moneyball] is huge [in Japan], I guess, so I'm like a David Hasselhoff type or something..." -- Billy Beane

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Apr 25, 2008 6:36 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

outfield (L to R)

Cust, Sweeney, Brown

by OaklandSi on Apr 25, 2008 6:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Why is Brown playing over Denorfia

against a righthander?

Shit, why is Sweeney playing over Denorfia against a righthander?

Good vibes from yesterday’s game notwithstanding, this lineup looks really, really bad.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Apr 25, 2008 6:13 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Word, at least through the ?s.

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Apr 25, 2008 6:19 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Brown? Why is Cust playing over Denorfia or Davis for that matter?

Why people continue to ride for Jack Cust on this site is baffling. I guess if he gets a hit tonight that will guarantee him playing time for another week, God help us all if he actually hits a home run.

by sactownbull on Apr 25, 2008 6:37 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

My concern is that with OF defense so important at Safeco,

since you have Big Hurt for BBs/HRs why not get Denorfia in there instead of Cust, for defense if nothing else?

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 Apr 25, 2008 6:39 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm never happy when Cust is in the field

It’s only a matter of time before he costs us a game with his creative routs to the ball

by sactownbull on Apr 25, 2008 6:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Or Brown with one of his throws -

He never hits the cutoff man. We should combine this OF into one guy who gets a bad jump on the ball, then is slow trying to get to it, then picks the ball up and hurls it to no one in particular.

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 Apr 25, 2008 6:47 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Brown is a poor outfielder but at least he's an outfielder

Cust is just some dude with a glove on his hand

by sactownbull on Apr 25, 2008 6:50 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Though you could argue that hitting a cutoff man

is within anyone’s capacity, while being fast and agile are not. Which is just to say that Cust will always suck in the OF and it’s not his fault, but Brown should be better than he is.

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 Apr 25, 2008 6:52 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Not his fault? lol

Who’s fault is it? I guess you could blame his dad since they say he’s the one that focused Jack on hitting as the cost other aspects of the game. But as someone who’s played outfield beyond high school, I can guarantee you multiple coaches have sat him down and told him how important it is that he work on his defense. There’s just no excuse to have played pro ball this long and not be able to consistently take your first step back or stop running with your glove up. These are things I don’t see from 16 year old girls I coach. I agree with you Brown should be a better outfielder than he is. But Cust can’t be excused for his little league fundamentals.

by sactownbull on Apr 25, 2008 7:04 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't have a problem with Brown in there right now,

because I think he’s swinging a hot enough bat – especially in terms of RBI production – that it makes sense to get him in there. Although his defense has been pretty disappointing; very unfundamental. He and Cust mean Sweeney has to cover a lot of ground – oh wait, he gets terrible jumps on balls. Hope it’s a ballpark with small dimensions. Aw, crap.

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 Apr 25, 2008 6:38 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yup - seems like a time to go for defense,

but we’re going for power – which is fine if we make the plays. Cust, Sweeney, Brown makes me fear we won’t.

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 Apr 25, 2008 6:42 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow.

I love having Thomas, Cust and Barton in the same lineup. Should be a lot of fun.

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

by louismg on Apr 25, 2008 7:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

24-million-dollar-san hitting 7th

Jeff Clement hitting locker doors.

LL’s initial reaction was trippy enough. I can’t wait to see how they react to the size of the contract.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Apr 25, 2008 6:12 PM PDT   0 recs

To whom referreth you?

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 Apr 25, 2008 6:42 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Nico/Monkeyball:

I’m going to need an assist when we exceed 400 comments or so…can you guys create a game thread part 2 for me?

by notsellingjeans on Apr 25, 2008 6:40 PM PDT   0 recs

I'll post all the consenants if Monkeyball can handle the vowels

Deal?

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 Apr 25, 2008 6:41 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

But who'll handle spellcheck?

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Apr 25, 2008 7:01 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'll just delete the comments I don't like

That’ll keep us below the number. Does that work for everyone?

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

by louismg on Apr 25, 2008 7:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Today's "fun fact" -

Emil Brown hasn’t walked since April 11th.

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 Apr 25, 2008 6:44 PM PDT   0 recs

Today's "fun fact"

Poochini hasn’t been walked since five o’clock.

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

by louismg on Apr 25, 2008 7:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Has anyone seen a video with Davis' triple?

I’d love to see it, but MLB.com doesn’t have it…

"I'm going to take a camera crew and march into Billy Beane's office and demand to know why instituting his newfangled cost-saving measures means that the run manufacturing plant had to get shut down." FJM

by Elvez on Apr 25, 2008 6:52 PM PDT   0 recs

I had hoped to see it on Baseball Tonight yesterday

I don’t know what I was thinking in expecting a show devoted to in depth baseball coverage to show more than 3 plays of an A’s game.

by sactownbull on Apr 25, 2008 6:55 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Grrr...

Placido Polanco never grounds out weakly to shortstop to end games against the A’s. We need a win tonight to stay even with Anaheim.

by Soaker on Apr 25, 2008 6:54 PM PDT   0 recs

Thanks a lot Detroit

what a terrible showing today.

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

by baseballgirl on Apr 25, 2008 7:00 PM PDT   0 recs

Yeah, I thought Sheffield was going to come thru

with the bases loaded but he got it off the end of the bat and was about 10 feet short of a GS

by Trainman on Apr 25, 2008 7:02 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

have a safe flight!

The kings remain missing, so they're playing with Eric Chavez Bobbleheads. "Chavvy does have six Gold Gloves," Brown explained. "That's good enough to be king."

by pam5981 on Apr 25, 2008 7:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Question

anyone know of a website online i can listen to the game? I know I listen online to the 9ers.

by asfaninpismobeach on Apr 25, 2008 7:02 PM PDT   0 recs

Just MLB.com Audio

All the baseball radio broadcasts online are available strictly from them. It’s ~$15 for the season.

"I'm going to take a camera crew and march into Billy Beane's office and demand to know why instituting his newfangled cost-saving measures means that the run manufacturing plant had to get shut down." FJM

by Elvez on Apr 25, 2008 7:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Thanks man

that blows but does not suprise me

by asfaninpismobeach on Apr 25, 2008 7:08 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

No site for free.

MLB radio is worth the money. And I used to have really slow dial up and it still worked.

"Hasn’t the foggiest inclination toward winning ‘tall. Hates to win. Likes to be buggered."

by Jennifer on Apr 25, 2008 7:08 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Thanks Jenn

i might have to give it a shot

by asfaninpismobeach on Apr 25, 2008 7:08 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

you might try googling around for seattle radio

one of their stations might stream it.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Apr 25, 2008 7:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Do you have inside information?

"Hasn’t the foggiest inclination toward winning ‘tall. Hates to win. Likes to be buggered."

by Jennifer on Apr 25, 2008 7:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

it’s Friday and there’s an A’s game actually on TV! Wonders never cease.

Alas, I can only stay until 8:15 :*(

The kings remain missing, so they're playing with Eric Chavez Bobbleheads. "Chavvy does have six Gold Gloves," Brown explained. "That's good enough to be king."

by pam5981 on Apr 25, 2008 7:06 PM PDT   0 recs

Frank on TV pregame!

I heart him. Welcome back!

AHHHHH!!!

"Hasn’t the foggiest inclination toward winning ‘tall. Hates to win. Likes to be buggered."

by Jennifer on Apr 25, 2008 7:06 PM PDT   0 recs

ME TOO!!!

Lets Go Oakland

by butler19 on Apr 25, 2008 7:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

A dedication

If I may be so bold, I’d like to dedicate today’s game to David Seibel, 9/21/48 – 4/21/08, from whose funeral I returned earlier today. He was a good friend, a world traveler, marvelous storyteller, and best of all, a fellow Iowa A’s fan. Here’s to you, Dave.

Is this Heaven? No, it's Iowa. -Field of Dreams

by IowaA'sFan on Apr 25, 2008 7:07 PM PDT   0 recs

Batista looks like one of those air-kissing tanning booth guys.

He should pop his collar.

"I'm going to take a camera crew and march into Billy Beane's office and demand to know why instituting his newfangled cost-saving measures means that the run manufacturing plant had to get shut down." FJM

by Elvez on Apr 25, 2008 7:09 PM PDT   0 recs

I love the road greys.

The kings remain missing, so they're playing with Eric Chavez Bobbleheads. "Chavvy does have six Gold Gloves," Brown explained. "That's good enough to be king."

by pam5981 on Apr 25, 2008 7:10 PM PDT   0 recs

Yes.

"Hasn’t the foggiest inclination toward winning ‘tall. Hates to win. Likes to be buggered."

by Jennifer on Apr 25, 2008 7:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Personally, the dark green is my favorite.

Is this Heaven? No, it's Iowa. -Field of Dreams

by IowaA'sFan on Apr 25, 2008 7:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I love the dark green too.

But I think I love the “Oakland” emblazoned across the front.

The kings remain missing, so they're playing with Eric Chavez Bobbleheads. "Chavvy does have six Gold Gloves," Brown explained. "That's good enough to be king."

by pam5981 on Apr 25, 2008 7:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Fair enough.

I can totally get down with that.

Is this Heaven? No, it's Iowa. -Field of Dreams

by IowaA'sFan on Apr 25, 2008 7:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'd like to have Hurt's babies...

but I fear I wouldn’t survive.

"Hasn’t the foggiest inclination toward winning ‘tall. Hates to win. Likes to be buggered."

by Jennifer on Apr 25, 2008 7:13 PM PDT   0 recs

LOL

The kings remain missing, so they're playing with Eric Chavez Bobbleheads. "Chavvy does have six Gold Gloves," Brown explained. "That's good enough to be king."

by pam5981 on Apr 25, 2008 7:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

He'd probably warm up

with his “gigantic metal rod”

Is this Heaven? No, it's Iowa. -Field of Dreams

by IowaA'sFan on Apr 25, 2008 7:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Which stage of the process would kill you?

;P

"[Moneyball] is huge [in Japan], I guess, so I'm like a David Hasselhoff type or something..." -- Billy Beane

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on Apr 25, 2008 7:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Only virtually.

On teh intertubes, anything goes.

Is this Heaven? No, it's Iowa. -Field of Dreams

by IowaA'sFan on Apr 25, 2008 7:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I think their delivery...

Would be a “Big Hurt” indeed.

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

by louismg on Apr 25, 2008 7:17 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Quite the opposite of me

I was screaming “why havent you thrown it yet??”

by Amnesiac on Apr 25, 2008 8:26 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs