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Open Game Thread - Game 43: A's vs. Braves

Recent_family_ones_july__07_091_tiny by notsellingjeans on

After being swept by the Indians and losing five of their last six games, the 23-19 A's look to regain their winning ways tonight at 4:35 Pacific as they open up a three-game interleague series against the Braves in Atlanta. 

Dana Eveland, Rich Harden and Justin Duchscherer have been taking batting practice this week in preparation for their starts at Turner Field, which of course will require them to wield the bat. 

Tonight's opener pits Eveland against rookie Jair Jurrjens, who is off to a very good start to the season.  Jurrjens has struck out 41 batters and allowed 37 hits in 49.1 innings this year, to the tune of a 3.10 era and 1.09 WHIP.  Opposing batters are hitting .206 against him.  The 6'1" righty has been especially tough against right-handed batters, who have hit only .186 against him.  Jurrjens is the second-most famous current MLB player from Curcaco, in the Netherlands Antilles.  Without clicking, can you think of the most famous Dutch in the game? 

Jurrjens was acquired by the Braves (along with Gorkys Hernandez) in the offseason in exchange for Edgar Renteria. If we were to judge the trade today (which we probably shouldn't yet), the Braves look better than the Tigers; Jurrjens has pitched well while Renteria has struggled just as much in his second tour of the AL as he did in his first (Boston, '05).

With Mark Ellis still unable to play, shortstop/second baseman Gregorio Petit was recalled for today's game, taking Santiago Casilla's roster spot as Casilla headed to the DL. But Petit finds himself in a reserve role on the bench tonight. I wouldn't be surprised if he gives Crosby at least one much-need day off while he's up here, though. 

Tonight's lineup alters L-R-L throughout, with Hannahan leading off.

Lineup

Oakland Athletics @ Atlanta Braves

05/16/08 4:35 PM PDT

Oakland AthleticsAtlanta Braves
Jack Hannahan - 3B Yunel Escobar - SS
Bobby Crosby - SS Omar Infante - 2B
Jack Cust - LF Chipper Jones - 3B
Emil Brown - RF Mark Teixeira - 1B
Daric Barton - 1B Jeff Francoeur - RF
Kurt Suzuki - C Brian McCann - C
Ryan Sweeney - CF Matt Diaz - LF
Donnie Murphy - 2B Gregor Blanco - CF
Dana Eveland - P Jair Jurrjens - P

0 recs | Comment 372 comments

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Have I mentioned how much I despise NL baseball?

Can we PLEASE get out of the 19th century and give the inferior league the DH? Please?

It’s so hard to even watch NL games.

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on May 16, 2008 4:17 PM PDT   0 recs

Couldnt agree more.

When will then be now? Soon.

by Syphon on May 16, 2008 4:18 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Wise words

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on May 16, 2008 4:18 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I LOVE watching Barely Zito hit.

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

by Jennifer on May 16, 2008 4:20 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

And I watch Keeping up with the Kardashians

But I’m not about to claim it’s a good thing for television that the show is on the air.

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on May 16, 2008 4:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yes. NL = does not turn my crank

and with impending move to Denver this summer, people say…wow, you get to see the Rockies! Well, sure, fine, whatever…..will be home, just like in Alaska watching the A’s.

alaska A

by ak_A on May 16, 2008 4:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You are moving?

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

by Jennifer on May 16, 2008 4:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yes, and I'm sure

we’ll all have to endure yet ANOTHER screen name change.

pam5981: Patience is a virtue that I do not possess.
ohtobe21likehuston: But you're good at drinking and cussing. Two out of three ain't bad.

by pam5981 on May 16, 2008 4:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

aka_co_a

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

by Jennifer on May 16, 2008 4:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

transferring to Lakewood, Colorado office

....no official date of reporting yet….has to be worked out….the later the better as far as I am concerned…would guess it would be anytime from mid July to Sept. 1. Bye bye comfort zone!

alaska A

by ak_A on May 16, 2008 4:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

+1000000

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

by baseballgirl on May 16, 2008 4:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't mind the variety

and really don’t find DH-less baseball bad at all. I’m happy that the leagues play 2 different styles—why does everything have to the same?

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on May 16, 2008 4:37 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

"Without clicking, can you think of the most famous Dutch in the game?"

Danny Haren?

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

by Jennifer on May 16, 2008 4:19 PM PDT   0 recs

Wrong

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on May 16, 2008 4:22 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

dammit

beat me to it

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

by monkeyball on May 16, 2008 4:47 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

even better

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

by monkeyball on May 16, 2008 4:51 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

No need to click...

...just hover.

Or am I not supposed to say that? ;)

I want an A's-Rays ALCS.

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on May 16, 2008 4:22 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I FAIL

“In addition, Danny Haren is listed for both the Netherlands AND the United States.”

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

by Jennifer on May 16, 2008 4:26 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Let's Go A's

Please win tonight. It’s already going to be miserable enough with this heat, so let’s win one for the Gipper.

"Evidently, a large number of people said, 'We really need more vermin at the ballpark, Artie.'" - Nick (AN), 10/7/07

by doctorK on May 16, 2008 4:23 PM PDT   0 recs

This lineup scares me.

pam5981: Patience is a virtue that I do not possess.
ohtobe21likehuston: But you're good at drinking and cussing. Two out of three ain't bad.

by pam5981 on May 16, 2008 4:25 PM PDT   0 recs

ouch

Bad – playing a team that has won 14/18 home games
Worse – doing it with a line-up of suck

"Evidently, a large number of people said, 'We really need more vermin at the ballpark, Artie.'" - Nick (AN), 10/7/07

by doctorK on May 16, 2008 4:26 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Your 2008 Oakland Athletics: Doing it with a Lineup of Suck.

you have to admit – it’s got a nice ring to it!

pam5981: Patience is a virtue that I do not possess.
ohtobe21likehuston: But you're good at drinking and cussing. Two out of three ain't bad.

by pam5981 on May 16, 2008 4:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I seem to remember, almost everytime we complain about the lineup, it does well, and

then they go back to a normal one that struggles, and then everyone is asking for the one they thought would suck.

by theblackpearl on May 16, 2008 4:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

So you're not a pitcher, then?

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on May 16, 2008 4:38 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I was wondering if Geren was going to move

Crosby up in the order—here it is.

by OaklandSi on May 16, 2008 4:28 PM PDT   0 recs

I just noticed that BoCro is batting 2nd

I just threw up in my mouth a little. I think I’ll just do homework instead of watching this game.

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on May 16, 2008 4:29 PM PDT   0 recs

I'm still at work

so I can’t start drinking yet.

"Evidently, a large number of people said, 'We really need more vermin at the ballpark, Artie.'" - Nick (AN), 10/7/07

by doctorK on May 16, 2008 4:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Good thought.

I’ll have to stop on my way home for some booze.

pam5981: Patience is a virtue that I do not possess.
ohtobe21likehuston: But you're good at drinking and cussing. Two out of three ain't bad.

by pam5981 on May 16, 2008 4:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't drink

So I’m gonna have to figure out something else.

This could be a head-in-the-oven night…

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on May 16, 2008 4:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hahaha

I’m not sure that’s better than drinking!

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

by baseballgirl on May 16, 2008 4:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

x1000000

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

by baseballgirl on May 16, 2008 4:33 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

An ugly sight indeed

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on May 16, 2008 4:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

What you want Barton?

I’m no fan of Crosby, but damn, has Barton sucked.

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

by baseballgirl on May 16, 2008 4:33 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'd rather have Barton there...

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on May 16, 2008 4:36 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Barton has sucked for the last 2-3 weeks

Crosby has sucked for the last 2-3 years.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on May 16, 2008 4:36 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I vastly prefer the NL game.

DH is a silly gimmick. Also all DHs are old and fat.

by WaddellCanseco on May 16, 2008 4:33 PM PDT   0 recs

Heretic

"Evidently, a large number of people said, 'We really need more vermin at the ballpark, Artie.'" - Nick (AN), 10/7/07

by doctorK on May 16, 2008 4:35 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

bogus

What a time to get called into a meeting…

"Evidently, a large number of people said, 'We really need more vermin at the ballpark, Artie.'" - Nick (AN), 10/7/07

by doctorK on May 16, 2008 4:35 PM PDT   0 recs

Here in Seattle,

the second most famous player from the Netherlands Antilles is Wladimir Balentien. I had never heard of this Jar-Jar guy, but I know Wlad.

formerly known as mdl

by iglew on May 16, 2008 4:36 PM PDT   0 recs

Binks is on the mound?

Eveland rocks! Eveland rocks! Somewhere Drew Carey just smiled.

by miggyk2 on May 16, 2008 4:37 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, I almost put him in there

I should’ve given a nod to our Pacific Northwest contingent. In my defense, Balentien isn’t even the most famous athlete named Wladimir.

by notsellingjeans on May 16, 2008 4:41 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Spelled with a W?

I’d never heard of any other, but Google turns up a heavyweight boxer, so I guess you’re talking about him, huh?

formerly known as mdl

by iglew on May 16, 2008 4:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I love me some Hannahan

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on May 16, 2008 4:37 PM PDT   0 recs

I love May Hannahan

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on May 16, 2008 4:38 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

He's my favorite leadoff hitter of all today.

pam5981: Patience is a virtue that I do not possess.
ohtobe21likehuston: But you're good at drinking and cussing. Two out of three ain't bad.

by pam5981 on May 16, 2008 4:38 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I like Hannahan as leadoff

makes sense.

formerly known as mdl

by iglew on May 16, 2008 4:38 PM PDT   0 recs

because of his large sample size as a leadoff hitter

Eveland rocks! Eveland rocks! Somewhere Drew Carey just smiled.

by miggyk2 on May 16, 2008 4:39 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

He is a better hitter than the other options?

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on May 16, 2008 4:39 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

High OBP, plus

lack any better options on the team.

formerly known as mdl

by iglew on May 16, 2008 4:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Have not heard Skip's voice

in a long time…sounds, higher and frail.

alaska A

by ak_A on May 16, 2008 4:38 PM PDT   0 recs

He's been battling a number of ailments...

...over the past few years. He’s now on a limited schedule—I think entirely on radio now and basically only at home.

I want an A's-Rays ALCS.

by FormerHuntsvilleStar on May 16, 2008 4:41 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I want to see pettittitit play not donnie murphy

Eveland rocks! Eveland rocks! Somewhere Drew Carey just smiled.

by miggyk2 on May 16, 2008 4:38 PM PDT   0 recs

Murphy > Petit

At least all their actual on-field performance says so.

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on May 16, 2008 4:39 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I just want to see something new. It has nothing to do with their play. In addition I don’t like to see guys brought up and ride the pine.

Eveland rocks! Eveland rocks! Somewhere Drew Carey just smiled.

by miggyk2 on May 16, 2008 4:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That's why I think calling Petit up was a bad idea

I don’t think he should be starting in the majors, but he’s not gonna develop much from the bench. Why not call up Melillo?

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on May 16, 2008 4:42 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Why not call up Jesus Guzman. Now thats the ticket! I’m not sure where that ticket would lead the A’s.

Eveland rocks! Eveland rocks! Somewhere Drew Carey just smiled.

by miggyk2 on May 16, 2008 4:47 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Good Start

Let’s get some runs

by elephantbaseball on May 16, 2008 4:38 PM PDT   0 recs

And the job is won by Hannahan!

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

by baseballgirl on May 16, 2008 4:38 PM PDT   0 recs

I'm not computing this

“In play, no outs” thing right now.

pam5981: Patience is a virtue that I do not possess.
ohtobe21likehuston: But you're good at drinking and cussing. Two out of three ain't bad.

by pam5981 on May 16, 2008 4:39 PM PDT   0 recs

it took me a while

ball in play, no outs were made

"It's not my fault your team's so shitty." -Steve Friend, head coach, Chabot College, to Laney College's head coach, who asked why we scored so many runs after we beat Laney 30-3 in 2006

by flipgatey3 on May 16, 2008 8:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Can we all stop with the "Crosby can be a superstar" BS

I’m tired of every announcer saying it. He’s past that point. Let’s just hope he’s not a complete turd out there.

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on May 16, 2008 4:39 PM PDT   0 recs

QOTD

Quote of the Day

by notsellingjeans on May 16, 2008 4:42 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs