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Crosby, Ellis, Overshadow Smith in Tense A's Win

As_kings_cal_tiny by louismg on

If you gave me 10-1 odds at the beginning of the season that Bobby Crosby would be getting good wood on the ball in the opening weeks of the season, not hacking at slop, and actually becoming something resembling a run producer for the A's, I wouldn't have taken that bet. But somehow, although only nine games in to the campaign, it looks like it has happened. The 2004 ROY, who as the Blue Jays' announcers reminded us, has been seemingly injured ever since... went 3 for 5 this evening, driving in three runs, the eventual margin of victory in the 6-3 contest, which saw a 4-run 9th-inning comeback after the A's had not just one, but TWO pitchers make their major league debuts in the game.

Despite seeing the A's leave the bases loaded three separate times in the game, causing us to jab at our own entrails with a stick, in an attempt to distract from the pain, the team battled back from an early 3-0 first-inning deficit, eventually overtaking the Jays in the 9th, powered by a game-tying triple by Mark Ellis, Crosby, and the pair's former infield buddy, Marco Scutaro, who looked like the latest version of Chuck Knoblauch out there, unable to get his throw within three feet of the Jays' catcher.

While the late-inning heroics and luck are what we'll remember from tonight's win, which pushed the A's above .500, with a 5-4 mark (on track for 90-72 for you small sample size believers), we shouldn't overlook how Greg Smith shut down Toronto after a shaky first frame, and how Casilla, Fernando Hernandez and Street added three more scoreless innings to wrap it up. Of course, we'd have preferred Street not continue to make things so dang tense at the end, but it's quickly becoming clear he likes the spotlight.

Does Crosby's warm start make me think he's destined to finally reach his potential this year? I'm still skeptical. But at least for one evening, I can look back on the game, and say I knew Crosby would come through. He's Mr. Clutch.

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Hey RAFs

If you're going south from San Francisco, check 511 first -- apparently there was a shooting on southbound 280 and it's closed down.

The candy and the baseball all night long: )

by Englishmajor on Apr 9, 2008 7:56 PM PDT   0 recs

I hope the victim was

the idiot at Comcast Sports Net who cut off the A's telecast in the 9th inning.

by Soaker on Apr 9, 2008 7:58 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Call Comcast sportsnet

That was weak 415-296-8900 show them A's fans care.Go A's

by floorpimp on Apr 9, 2008 7:57 PM PDT   0 recs

Reg's I-hate-Comcast diary also has the link to the email form to contact them.

The candy and the baseball all night long: )

by Englishmajor on Apr 9, 2008 8:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Good link.

I used it and emailed them. :-)

by IM4Oakgal on Apr 9, 2008 8:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

yes.

done and done.

Can we keep small-sample-size Bobby Crosby? Please? -Joey C.

by pam5981 on Apr 9, 2008 8:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

so a rookie A's pitcher gets his first win

on his debut...but it's not the starter Smith, it's the Rule 5 guy Hernandez...

by OaklandSi on Apr 9, 2008 7:58 PM PDT   0 recs

And I heartily endorse

the new and improved Bobby Crosby.

The candy and the baseball all night long: )

by Englishmajor on Apr 9, 2008 7:58 PM PDT   0 recs

I am thoroughly enjoying

the Royals shutting out the Yankees.

Can we keep small-sample-size Bobby Crosby? Please? -Joey C.

by pam5981 on Apr 9, 2008 7:59 PM PDT   0 recs

mikeA and i are already on the royals bandwagon

hop aboard!

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 9, 2008 8:17 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm on!

One of my favorite (non-A's) teams of all-time: The 1985 (?) Royals, featuring Bret Saberhagen, Charlie Leibrandt, Danny Jackson, Dan Quisenberry - and of course Steve Balboni and Buddy Biancalana.

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 9, 2008 8:18 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Royals, woo!

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Apr 9, 2008 8:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, it was getting depressing

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 9, 2008 8:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Chavy please come back soon.

We need your healthy Bat. No matter what people say I still love ya. This team right now has no HR threats. Unless Cust gets outta his funk.

When will then be now? Soon.

by Syphon on Apr 9, 2008 7:59 PM PDT   0 recs

Well finally a new thread!

The other was so long that my computer would lock up when I tried looking at it. I wish I could have seen the end of the game. Boo to Hockey but I guess all's well that ends well.

by IM4Oakgal on Apr 9, 2008 8:00 PM PDT   0 recs

It did get long...

But it didn't start getting "too long" until inning #9, and that wouldn't have been a good time to mess with the mojo.

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

by louismg on Apr 9, 2008 8:01 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Well it was too long for me.

Because it froze my computer. Not cool for me .

by IM4Oakgal on Apr 9, 2008 8:04 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Sorry. I'll watch it closer next time.

We were breezing along over here. What are your comp specs?

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

by louismg on Apr 9, 2008 8:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

No clue.

But evidentally my comp can't handle a 700 + thread.

by IM4Oakgal on Apr 9, 2008 8:08 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I wish I could have seen the first three goals of the hockey game

seeing as how it was, you know, the playoffs, not 1 game out of 162.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Apr 9, 2008 11:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

And in other news...

Cubs 4, Pirates 4 in the 14th.

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

by louismg on Apr 9, 2008 8:01 PM PDT   0 recs

Don't pass the Buck....

The golden boy is back! 2 nice games from Buck starting this roadie, a great sign.

by Force on Apr 9, 2008 8:03 PM PDT   0 recs

thank goodness

I was worried Buck's batting avg might be around .030, making him Da Thirty Point Buck.

The glare was not practiced. I would get into the game situations, and when that happens, there comes a level of concentration that most can only imagine but can never achieve. You become what you are doing, and that is what you see on my face. -Dave Stewart

by Hegenberger Road on Apr 9, 2008 8:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

this is definitely better

now he's batting a Buck 29...

by oakinboston on Apr 10, 2008 7:03 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Its wierd

this is the first time the value of a buck has gone up in months.

"Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it?"-Steve McCatty

by 5Aces on Apr 10, 2008 9:45 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah!!

he's actually looked like a baseball player the past few days...love it!

Finished with my woman 'cause she couldn't help me with my mind...

by diaryofmac10 on Apr 9, 2008 8:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Street/Suzuki

Wonder what the deal was with all the confusion???

Smith looked great and other than that juiced first inning, he seems poised to fit right in with the team.

I'm worried Gaudin was rushed back to soon????

Memo to Beane: Bring back Canseco!!!!!

by MMunoz33 on Apr 9, 2008 8:08 PM PDT   0 recs

They were probably arguing who's college world series ring was shinnier.

by miggyk2 on Apr 9, 2008 8:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Street won MOP in his CWS

so he's shinier

Baseball is not necessarily an obsessive-compulsive disorder, like washing your hands 100 times a day, but it's beginning to seem that way. We're reaching the point where you can be a truly dedicated, state-of-the-art fan or you can have a life. Take your pick. ~Thomas Boswell, Washington Post, 13 April 1990

by 149 on Apr 9, 2008 8:26 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Other A's in CWS

Travis Buck (Arizona St., 2005), Mark Ellis (Florida, 1998),

Dan Johnson (Nebraska, 2001)

Baseball is not necessarily an obsessive-compulsive disorder, like washing your hands 100 times a day, but it's beginning to seem that way. We're reaching the point where you can be a truly dedicated, state-of-the-art fan or you can have a life. Take your pick. ~Thomas Boswell, Washington Post, 13 April 1990

by 149 on Apr 9, 2008 8:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Who is this "Dan Johnson" you speak of?

"Hi, I need to... uh... determination..."

by Jennifer on Apr 10, 2008 6:20 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The guy responsible for the A's move to Fremont.

"He's a misfit. He gets along with everyone." - Reggie Jackson, describing Joe Rudi

by McFood on Apr 10, 2008 6:56 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Crosby definitely looks more competent

with two strikes and/or RISP so far this season - at the very least, not a sitting duck for an easy and automatic out-on-an-overswing. He's played solid D, too.

Hannahan, OTOH, looks terrible at the plate - he must have swung and missed more pitches already than he did all of 2007 (slight exaggeration). He worries me more than Cust does, because we KNOW Cust will have those stretches of whiffitude, but Hannahan cannot afford to make such little contact.

Tonight's game just proves that when two teams match up, they simply both can't lose. Even if they try.

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 9, 2008 8:12 PM PDT   0 recs

I agree about Crosby

I'm not thinking automatic out when he comes to the plate this season. It's so great yet strange at the same time.

by butler19 on Apr 9, 2008 9:57 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

butler I feel the same way.

It's nice but it feels too good to be true.

by IM4Oakgal on Apr 9, 2008 9:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Great win

A's bad habits with RISP were apparent for most of the game, lucky that it all turned out ok.

by Oaktownflav on Apr 9, 2008 8:14 PM PDT   0 recs

There were distinct differences between some

very poor ABs and just some bad luck. Emil Brown had solid ABs throughout - including the dribbler to third, which was the "at least just put the bat on the ball" AB Hannahan and Cust needed. Ryan Sweeney swung at bad balls on 2-0 and 2-1 with the bases loaded, but then made solid contact on 3-2 and wound up with a DP to show for it.

And Mark Ellis just rocks.

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 9, 2008 8:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Izzy

I've had Izzy as one of my closers (fantasy) for the previous two season (and this one). He's solid. Love him. I need Izzy... cuz I also have Street.

In other news, Swish HRed... not that its helping CWS today. But still...

Baseball is not necessarily an obsessive-compulsive disorder, like washing your hands 100 times a day, but it's beginning to seem that way. We're reaching the point where you can be a truly dedicated, state-of-the-art fan or you can have a life. Take your pick. ~Thomas Boswell, Washington Post, 13 April 1990

by 149 on Apr 9, 2008 8:20 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

There has been no talk of Barry Bonds lately. I hate the guy, but one can't deny the impact he could have ( positive or negative) for our team. Do the positives outweigh the negatives?

by miggyk2 on Apr 9, 2008 8:18 PM PDT   0 recs

yes

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 9, 2008 9:37 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

No, because with the limited amount of ABs he can give

he's not significantly better than Cust and/or Sweeney. A little bit, sure. But not at the financial cost or at the PR hit the team would take.

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Apr 10, 2008 9:33 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

you have an idiosyncratic notion of what "significantly" means

And what did we do once we discovered a rift in the fourth dimension? We launched a monkey into it. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Apr 10, 2008 10:03 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

and also "better"

And what did we do once we discovered a rift in the fourth dimension? We launched a monkey into it. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Apr 10, 2008 10:03 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

guess it depends on your expectations

If sweeney plays twice as well as he's ever played in his career ... well, that's about as good as bonds would be.

This season, Cust just might maybe be as good as Barry would almost definitely be. (It doesn't look that way so far.)

So, yeah, if you're really really high on Sweeney and Cust, then I guess you're right.

by phastphill on Apr 10, 2008 10:08 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yes

But Mike Sweeney is starting to come around.

by IM4Oakgal on Apr 9, 2008 10:00 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

In his own words...

"It's called talent. I just have it. I can't explain it. You either have it or you don't." ~Barry Bonds

That and yer a jerk.

The great thing about baseball is that there's a crisis every day. ~Gabe Paul

by 149 on Apr 9, 2008 10:01 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Fine, I'll say it

Undefeated in 2008 without Dan Johnson on the roster.

Might as well Jump! - Van Halen

by sprtsnwyn on Apr 9, 2008 8:19 PM PDT   0 recs

LOL

Can we keep small-sample-size Bobby Crosby? Please? -Joey C.

by pam5981 on Apr 9, 2008 8:19 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Thoughts on Smith:

Weird start for him. Supposedly a command pitcher, which his his milb stats back up, and he had 5 BBs and a HBP. He's also not going to strike out 5 in six innings very often, and even less likely to give up 2 hits in 6 innings and 0 HRs.

He rebounded well after the first there, but he has a slow FB, and not much life on his slider, though the cutter looked pretty good. Basically, I think his stuff is pretty bad, and he needs to have perfect command to succeed. He figures to give up a great many home runs.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Apr 9, 2008 8:19 PM PDT   0 recs

He was nervous, and that explains the bad 1st inning,

but he still has bad stuff.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Apr 9, 2008 8:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

So does Moyer, so does DiNardo -

Wait, what was my point?

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 9, 2008 8:49 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Sounds to me like he was overthrowing

Doesn't really make you throw any (or much) harder, but it can sap the life out of breaking stuff. It also kills command.

Wouldn't surprise me if MLB debut jitters caused him to try a little too hard out there.

I didn't see any of tonight's game, but I'm not sure how you can make a judgment of bad stuff off one start.

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Apr 9, 2008 9:02 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I saw innings 4-6 and would say

he has a very good changeup, a sneaky backdoor slider, and a below average fastball that he often threw just off the corner (I'm guessing he usually spots it on the corner). LIttle margin for error, but Smith has a history of not needing much margin.

So basically he seems like Lenny DiNardo with potentially more consistent command.

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 9, 2008 9:13 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I actually really liked Smith's outing outside of that messy first inning

He's a control guy, yes, and he was just missing on the outside corner. It's really encouraging to me that the Jays have such a righty-dominant lineup too. Wells, Rios, Thomas are all guys with great power.

The thing that has been the most impressive to me so far this year has been Zook's game calling. He has done a fantastic freaking job of calling games so far. You can tell that hitters are off balance no matter who the A's have on the mound. Even the guys who don't have great stuff have looked good. And the one guy who seems to be shaking him off a bit (Embree) has been hammered.

by Blez on Apr 9, 2008 9:26 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

that's fine public school education in action

CSU Fullerton, baby! Go Zook.
I preferred Ken-Doll's game calling, but will give credit where due. Agreed, good job Zook.

Baseball is not necessarily an obsessive-compulsive disorder, like washing your hands 100 times a day, but it's beginning to seem that way. We're reaching the point where you can be a truly dedicated, state-of-the-art fan or you can have a life. Take your pick. ~Thomas Boswell, Washington Post, 13 April 1990

by 149 on Apr 9, 2008 9:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I've been hammered too, actually

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 9, 2008 9:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

A's Fan Coctail Recipe

2 shots Patron
1 Prozac
2 Valium

Baseball is not necessarily an obsessive-compulsive disorder, like washing your hands 100 times a day, but it's beginning to seem that way. We're reaching the point where you can be a truly dedicated, state-of-the-art fan or you can have a life. Take your pick. ~Thomas Boswell, Washington Post, 13 April 1990

by 149 on Apr 9, 2008 9:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

A vodka chaser is a nice finish

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 9, 2008 9:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Harsh

I think that's a pretty harsh assessment. To say his stuff is "pretty bad" seems a bit premature. There have been a lot of pitchers who have succeeded w/ sub 90 MPH stuff. Last Night, I saw a lot of bad swings coming from very good hitters (Rios, Hurt, Overbay). The cutter is Smith's bread and butter. He'll get batters to start leaning over the plate to cover the outside corner, then here comes the cutter to saw them off. Very Glavine-ish.

The way Smith rebounded is what impressed me the most. Most 24 year olds fold like a cheap suit in that situation. The reason the A's wanted Greg Smith as part of the Haren deal was 100% based on "mental makeup"... not because of "pure stuff". Curt Young will fall in love w/ Greg Smith. Same exact pitchers, basically.

by Colorado Fan on Apr 10, 2008 10:17 AM PDT to parent up   1 recs

Alrite time to ask the question...

who comes back first: Duchscherer or Harden?

by Oaktownflav on Apr 9, 2008 8:21 PM PDT   0 recs

Duke

Memo to Beane: Bring back Canseco!!!!!

by MMunoz33 on Apr 9, 2008 8:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

FYI

Canseco was in OAK tonight... Jack London B&N signing his new book.

Baseball is not necessarily an obsessive-compulsive disorder, like washing your hands 100 times a day, but it's beginning to seem that way. We're reaching the point where you can be a truly dedicated, state-of-the-art fan or you can have a life. Take your pick. ~Thomas Boswell, Washington Post, 13 April 1990

by 149 on Apr 9, 2008 8:41 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hey MMunoz33

did you grow up in the Concord area or go to YVHS? Your name sounds familiar.

Can we keep small-sample-size Bobby Crosby? Please? -Joey C.

by pam5981 on Apr 9, 2008 8:42 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

are you the same pam5981

who was in my yearbook class?

by skutch on Apr 9, 2008 10:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

No, I would never hang out with the yearbook dorks!

(newspaper and band geeks were much more my style)

Can we keep small-sample-size Bobby Crosby? Please? -Joey C.

by pam5981 on Apr 9, 2008 11:25 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Sharks Game

I understand frustrations, and agree that the game should have been shown. But even non-hockey fans have to agree with the decision to put a playoff game on CSN. They'll get into form over the next few weeks with the switches during sharks/warriors overlaps. Great game though, good to see our bats finally unloaded from the tokyo plane

by MaineAthletic on Apr 9, 2008 8:21 PM PDT   0 recs

non-hockey fan

and no... I don't have to agree. The Sharks game could have waited 15 mins. Dammit.

Baseball is not necessarily an obsessive-compulsive disorder, like washing your hands 100 times a day, but it's beginning to seem that way. We're reaching the point where you can be a truly dedicated, state-of-the-art fan or you can have a life. Take your pick. ~Thomas Boswell, Washington Post, 13 April 1990

by 149 on Apr 9, 2008 8:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I agree the game should have been on CSN

once the A's game was over! It was what, 10 minutes?

The candy and the baseball all night long: )

by Englishmajor on Apr 9, 2008 8:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

They could have put

the game on FSN+ or whatever this year's equivalent is.

by IM4Oakgal on Apr 9, 2008 8:24 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I actually thought CSN was respectful to A's fans

to delay showing a playoff game hockey fans were waiting for, and staying with the A's game while the A's tied it, while they took the lead - and only giving up the A's game when it got to 6-3. Felt to me like a conscientious producer, trying to do the right thing, was watching carefully for just the "fairest" moment. Imagine if the A's were in the playoffs and you were waiting to see the first inning. I think they did the right thing, frankly. {ducks}

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 9, 2008 8:25 PM PDT