Lather, Rinse, Repeat

by baseballgirl on May 14, 2008 6:21 PM PDT Comment 58 comments

Yawn.

I know I say this somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but there are days when it really rings true: I would rather lose a game 9-8 than to lose 1 or 2 to 0. Not scoring runs is frustrating; the game really does lose a lot of its fun when you watch the A’s get mowed down for the second straight night.

It’s hard to separate the horrible offense from the quite stellar pitching by C.C. Sabathia (who recorded 11 K’s on the night), but when Suzuki is running up a 0-22 streak, and the rest of the A’s hitters don’t look much better, it’s probably really easy to pitch to them. All it takes is throwing strikes, and only walking players (ahem, Frank Thomas) who will be promptly doubled off. In nine innings today, I never got the feeling that the A’s were close to scoring. Not once.

Despite a couple of rocky moments, Joe Blanton pitched a gem of a game; two solo homeruns the only blemishes in his seven innings. He was helped by a come-backer double-play right back to him with the bases loaded, but it was all for naught; he picked up yet another undeserved loss.

It took him until two outs in the eighth inning, but Rajai Davis finally became the leadoff hitter that I was looking for (I loved him in the first slot when lineups were announced), as he dropped a bunt down the third base line for a hit, something that he probably should have tried in every single of his previous at-bats.

Mike Sweeney put another couple of hits on the board, and Crosby and Murphy added their solo hits to Davis’ single, but that was the entirety of the A’s offense tonight. C.C. went the distance without breaking a sweat.

Incidentally, the three innings that I had to listen to the Cleveland announcers was quite enough, thank you. Yes, I recognize that the last two games have been downright embarrassing for the A’s offense, and how we look like anything but a contending team, but before you make us out to be the Royals, try remembering two early-season series wins against your team, both of which you barely escaped a sweep. I’m just sayin’.

The A’s look to stave off a sweep of their own early tomorrow morning (9AM Pacific time). Smith against Laffey.

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cahill pitching wooooo

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on May 14, 2008 6:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

kicked arse again

7.2 IP 0 ER, 6 K, 2 BB, 13:4 GO/AO.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on May 14, 2008 8:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Crosby doubled, the 100th of his career.

by OldhamA on May 14, 2008 6:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm beginning to really hate the number 0.

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

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on May 14, 2008 6:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You make Count von Count sad.

by OldhamA on May 14, 2008 6:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The A's make Count von Count sad.

No runs to count!

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

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on May 14, 2008 6:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

One is not the loneliest number.

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

by Jennifer on May 14, 2008 6:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

{Sigh} I remember one.

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 May 14, 2008 6:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

To hell with class... I'm staying home to watch us avoid the sweep...

by jwnewman on May 14, 2008 6:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

To sweep...perchance to dweam...

Apropos in that we’re currently hitting about as well as I would expect Shakespeare to hit, and the guy has been dead for several centuries. Of course, Shakes wasn’t exactly the most astute observer of baseball. “Fair is foul, and foul is fair”? C’mon, dude – only you and Cindi really believe that. And Angel Hernandez.

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 May 14, 2008 6:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good call.

I gave up on being classy years ago.

"God doesn't pay attention to your cute little hypotheticals." -- Jeff from LL

by oblique on May 14, 2008 8:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

does Laffey throw a curve?

... and can you plot its trajectory on a cocktail napkin? And will Seligula use it as the basis for a new revenue-sharing agreement?

We're going to knock balls out of the country's park, for the home team, which is America. @('.')@

by monkeyball on May 14, 2008 6:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

just returned to find

as I wait for yahoo mlb scores to load….a shut out. dandy. listening to the rest of buan show now.

alaska A

by ak_A on May 14, 2008 6:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

So I see I didn’t miss much tonight…too bad I was hoping to hear some good news.

by justarebelheart on May 14, 2008 7:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Hope at the start of June we have

Buck/Gonzalez/Chavez playing. Maybe they can help. Something like:

Buck RF
Barton DH
Sweeney 1B
Chavez 3B
Cust LF
Ellis 2B
Gonzalez CF
Crosby SS
Suzuki C

When will then be now? Soon.

by Syphon on May 14, 2008 7:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

K

W
DP

Permute.

by MobiusKlein on May 14, 2008 7:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Such little faith.

When will then be now? Soon.

by Syphon on May 14, 2008 7:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Waaah

Sniff.

Polar Bears.

by MobiusKlein on May 14, 2008 7:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Please dont respond to my posts...

unless you have something intelligent to offer.

When will then be now? Soon.

by Syphon on May 14, 2008 7:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Was not meant as an insult

Was just emoting my sorrow, and ending with a non sequiter to distract myself.

I’ll try to be more intelligent tomorrow, deal?

by MobiusKlein on May 14, 2008 7:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Deal.

Im just pissy we lost. Throws off my whole day. :)

When will then be now? Soon.

by Syphon on May 14, 2008 7:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's why it's so essential that we win tomorrow -

I can’t be in a bad mood from noon on.

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 May 14, 2008 8:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think it's essential, though, to have Cust

ahead of the good RBI guys, not at the end of RBI guys. Heck, you could flip Barton and Cust and do ok.

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 May 14, 2008 7:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Something along those lines..

Just basically we need them guys back and hitting like we know they can. Lineup is always debatable.

When will then be now? Soon.

by Syphon on May 14, 2008 7:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm not ready to give up on Thomas, personally

We saw two years ago, and with Cust this year, how track record really does trump a 4-week skid. Keep doing what he’s doing but mix in a HR every 15 ABs, and we’re in serious business. He just needs to get that first one out of the way, relax and stop trying to hit HRs, and trust his ability.

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 May 14, 2008 8:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well I hope so.

Id be glad to be wrong on him this year.

When will then be now? Soon.

by Syphon on May 14, 2008 11:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Weird Stat

What do you make of Nick Swisher this year? He’s typically a hot starter and then he cools off, which doesn’t bode well for the rest of his season.

But here’s something strange:

April: 22 BB, 21 K
May: 2 BB, 12 K

Usually, even when he struggles, he still gets his walks. What’s going on with this guy?

Did Billy just pull off the ultimate sell high move? Did he see this coming? What can the Sox expect from him in the future, I wonder.

by Crosbino on May 14, 2008 8:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Maybe pitchers are throwing him more strikes

to make him prove he can hit his way on. Or maybe he just isn’t that good – I always felt he was a “B+” hitter; maybe that was even a bit generous. So far he has pretty much been Ryan Sweeney with more walks and some power instead of none. But his BA and defense? Pretty much “Bad Sweeney” territory by the end of the year, I imagine.

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 May 14, 2008 8:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

with the “B+ player” assessment … but wow. He has fallen fast. He was hitting 8th in the Sox lineup today. And you know Guillen won’t have patience for a slump. He might be riding pine pretty soon.

I know he can turn it around but he has, as Bill James calls it, “old player skills.” Players with these skills “get older” faster. See: Ryan Howard.

by Crosbino on May 14, 2008 8:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Old player skills is one thing

but, Swisher is 27. That’s a very stretched definition of “old”. Also, being able to play good D, even in a corner, is not exactly and “old player skill”. Swisher’s BABIP is 253. Last 2 years, it was 283, and 301.

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

by rfloh on May 15, 2008 2:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Being is clearly a genius.

That or Swish is in one of those extended slumps he goes into.

That said I agree with the assessment, I never thought he was that great a hitter. Useful, yes, but not amazing.

by OldhamA on May 15, 2008 4:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

...and now he's up, 2nd and 3rd w/ 2 outs against Lackey.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on May 14, 2008 8:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

fails

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on May 14, 2008 9:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Beane has said he didn't plan to trade Swish

he only did so because the White Sox made an offer he couldn’t refuse.

by OaklandSi on May 14, 2008 9:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed a thousand times over about the Cleveland

announcers. Holy mackerel they are ABSOLUTELY terrible. I don’t remember them being so awful. Everything the A’s do to succeed is luck and everything the Indians do to succeed is because they are so awesome. I’m so tired of other teams and their crappy announcers.

by Blez on May 14, 2008 9:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Kazmir re-ups with Tampa Bay

3 year extension plus a 4th option year, so he’s signed through 2011 with a team option for 2012.

Tampa management cackles as their Mind Control Ray (yes, the “changed” name is actually a veiled reference) somehow convinces yet another young player to sign a crazily club-favorable contract.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on May 14, 2008 9:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow, they should win that division at least 2010 through 2012.

A lot of people are excited about the Rays, but I’ve always sort of hated them. But I hope they keep the Sox out of the playoffs.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on May 14, 2008 9:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

the "stadium" makes it very easy too root against the team

We're going to knock balls out of the country's park, for the home team, which is America. @('.')@

by monkeyball on May 15, 2008 5:59 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's interesting to me ...

I’ve never been able to “hate” teams that are really bad. I might not like certain players, but if a team really sucks, I guess I’ve always felt “what’s the point?” Like hating the Clippers or the Lions …
Nope, I save my disdain for the Red Sox, Yankees, Angels kind of squads.

I needed a team so I wouldn’t turn into one of the eighty million pink hat-wearing Bud Light-drinking mulleted idiots at Fenway.

by Vacafan on May 15, 2008 7:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I pretty much agree

But there are a few other factors - owner, facility, overwhelming dorkishness (I know, pot/kettle) - that can color my opinion of a franchise.

The Steinbrenners, for example, really help cement Yankee Hate. Whereas Arte M. significantly mitigates my Angels Loathing.

We're going to knock balls out of the country's park, for the home team, which is America. @('.')@

by monkeyball on May 15, 2008 8:52 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

You and Lew both!

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on May 15, 2008 8:54 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, and the presence or absence of free pickled cabbage

We're going to knock balls out of the country's park, for the home team, which is America. @('.')@

by monkeyball on May 15, 2008 6:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Really.

The explicit racial pandering doesn’t bug you?

Well, to each his own, I guess. I certainly can’t argue that said pandering hasn’t worked.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on May 15, 2008 11:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

hunh?

Pandering, schmandering. It’s called targeted marketing.

We're going to knock balls out of the country's park, for the home team, which is America. @('.')@

by monkeyball on May 15, 2008 6:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Maybe the players are happy there and can see they're on to a good thing.

Or maybe the F.O. have pictures of the player’s agents with madams. Who knows.

by OldhamA on May 15, 2008 4:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Grand Slam White Sox!

Angels down 5-1 in the 8th. Awesome.

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

by louismg on May 14, 2008 9:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Avenue Q goes salami off of Shieldsy!

Or something like 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 May 14, 2008 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He was traded straight up for Chris Carter about a month before

the Haren trade. So…. seems like we could have gotten him along with the other 5 guys….

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on May 14, 2008 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

If only. He's a five tool player that the Dbacks gave up on too early.

by OldhamA on May 15, 2008 4:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd hate to be on the end

of that You Can Put It On the Board… call.

All Games and Comments are Subject to Blackout

by Hit4TheCycle on May 14, 2008 9:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Quite a start for lackey, though....

by Hot Cup Joe on May 14, 2008 9:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

The offense minus Ellis sucks!!

This kinda reminds me of when Crosby got injured at the end of May in 2005 and the A’s offense died too. Its like the whole rhythm of the team is gone. What the frak is goin on?

by Oaktownflav on May 14, 2008 9:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs