A's lose fourth straight, 3-2
by notsellingjeans on May 16, 2008 9:26 PM PDT
74 comments
The Braves' Mark Kotsay had to be smiling on his way home from the ballpark tonight, as his RBI double off an Alan Embree fastball was the difference in yet another low-scoring A's game.
What won't show up in tonight's box score is that the A's were thrown out at the plate twice in the game's first two innings.
Both Kurt Suzuki and Dana Eveland were gunned down at home, which one could argue was the difference in the game.
This prompted a few different reactions in the game thread, including some annoyance directed at the A's first-year third base coach, Tony DeFrancesco, for sending the starting pitcher home on a close play at the plate and running the A's out of the inning. Any time there's a play at the plate there's an increased risk of injury and that - coupled with the fact that Eveland isn't fast and doesn't get much practice sliding - made me think it was a bonehead decision to send him.
Now in the post-game wrap I'm changing my tune. The way this team is struggling to score runs, it's hard be upset about taking a chance.
You can vote in the poll below if you think it was right to send the base runners.
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The base-running decisions were a fiasco.
As for the recent losing streak… I want our Lucky unicorn!
by IM4Oakgal on May 16, 2008 9:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
In happier news, Chavy is 2 for 2 tonight
(Buck 0 for 3, CGon 0 for 4). The Rivercats are leading 7-4 in the 7th behind Pecs DiNardo.
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 16, 2008 9:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why was Putnam pinch hit for him after 2 at bats?
"We were s--, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
by lenscrafters on May 16, 2008 9:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know Chavy is on a very mapped-out regimen
for the next two weeks – I assume it was a pre-planned substitution. Or that Chavy’s dead.
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 16, 2008 9:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I dunno, he had 4 ABs last night.
And he was pulled in the 3rd tonight. Though, he did hit 2 doubles and score a run. So maybe (hopefully) that was supposed to be the extent of his workout for the night.
Somehow I doubt it though.
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 9:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is there an Applebee's in Sacramento?
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 16, 2008 9:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Several. The one Chavez eats at,
the food handler’s hand washing station is out of order.
alaska A
by ak_A on May 16, 2008 9:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Huh
A’s third baseman Eric Chavez, in the second game of his rehabilitation assignment following offseason back surgery, had two doubles in his only two at-bats. Danny Putnam pinch-hit for him in the third inning.Chavez had tired legs, Steverson said.
Hopefully it’s nothing to worry about…?
"We were s--, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
by lenscrafters on May 17, 2008 12:57 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Methinks Chavez would have better served...
...on the flight to Atlanta for his patented “kick-ass Southern in-flight pep-talk”.
Some read stats. Others actually watch the game.
by UncleLeo on May 17, 2008 8:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
At least Chavy only had tired legs,
and not an entire tired act.
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 17, 2008 8:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Is he batting lead-off again?
Chavvy for lead-off hitter!
formerly known as mdl
by iglew on May 16, 2008 10:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You might need to adjust the wording of the poll options, in that
Suzuki wasn’t sent – you could argue he should have been, but Tony D’s decision was to hold him. And I think sending Eveland was the right call.
Easily overlooked in the frustration is the fact that Blanco made a tremendous play on R. Sweeney’s double to stop it from getting to the wall. Diaz also made a fine running catch and Franceour an excellent throw. So OF defense was the difference – along with, of course, our inability to translate 14 baserunners in 6 innings into more than two unearned runs.
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 16, 2008 9:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Sending Eveland the right decision?
I’m sorry but it was idiocy. The last thing we needed was for him to get hurt . Plus the man can’t run.
by IM4Oakgal on May 16, 2008 9:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It took a great play to get him -
if he scores and we win 3-2 do you think you feel the same way? Bowling over the catcher might be idiocy, but chugging around third and sliding into home? You have as good a chance of getting injured standing in the batter’s box and getting hit in the Jurrjens.
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 16, 2008 9:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No .
I would be happy for the win. But it was still a bonehead thing to do. Anytime you slide into home on a fairly colse play you take a big risk .
by IM4Oakgal on May 16, 2008 9:46 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not really
I can’t remember anyone getting hurt sliding into home, and the point is win the game.
The A's colors are green and gold.
by mikeA on May 16, 2008 10:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Get real.
Sliding is one of the ways players at all levels get seriously hurt. And with a starting pitcher you really have to weigh the risks.
by IM4Oakgal on May 16, 2008 10:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Eveland is at a far far greater risk of injury by pitching
than by sliding into home.
The A's colors are green and gold.
by mikeA on May 16, 2008 11:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Crosby broke his ankle sliding into home in Baltimore a couple years ago
But I actually think it’s rare enough that it’s fine to send even a pitcher.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
by Nick on May 17, 2008 9:00 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
On a more subjective note,
had I been coaching 3B I would have sent him because the ball was hit so slowly I would have thought Eveland could score without a play at the plate. I was surprised it was that close, pitcher running, great RF arm, or not.
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 17, 2008 9:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree to an extent
however you cannot play the game in fear of injuries. You can be cautious but to hold him cuz he might injure himself is waaay too protective.
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on May 16, 2008 10:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It was a close play.
Whole lotta risk.
by IM4Oakgal on May 16, 2008 10:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You don't force the starting pitcher to exert extra energy on the basepaths
That alone makes it a terrible decision. The result isn’t what makes it dumb.
I don’t know about you, but I’d much rather have Eveland around for 30+ starts than win one May game against Atlanta. And, even a litlte less big-picture than that, just by making him do that we have no idea how it affected the rest of his outing. Maybe he ran out of gas a little earlier tonight and that’s why Atlanta scored off him.
There was no need for it. It doesn’t matter if it took a perfect (it wasn’t perfect) play to get him. It was actually a bad throw and a very nice play by McCann. A PERFECT play and Eveland is out by 10 feet. There’s just no real justifiable reason to send him with the #3 hitter coming to the plate. None.
http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/
by thejd44 on May 17, 2008 3:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Shoulda sent both of 'em
I have no problem with the Eveland call for the reasons you outline below—force the defense to make the perfect play when you’re having trouble tallying runs. Along the same lines I thought Suzuki could have scored…would have scored actually, in hindsight, since the Braves relay man’s first look on getting the throw was to third, not home. Easy to say now of course. And it’s also hard to fault Tony D’s thinking too much…runners on second and third with no outs if R. Sweeney’s keeps his head up a bit more rounding second. You could tell he was tastin’ triple out of the box.
There is an A in Whimsy.
by FreeSeatUpgrade on May 16, 2008 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The one consideration for just sending Suzuki,
even with nobody out, is that the 8-9 hitters are coming up and if Murphy fails, now you have the pitcher up – pretty easy to see that turning into nothing at all. Mostly, though, it depends on how good a chance Suzuki had to make it.
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 17, 2008 8:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Suzuki got a "hold" sign, but it may have been
put up late, as Sweeney didn’t see it. If that’s the case, that was a really bad piece of work by DeFrancesco…or was it put up correctly, but Sweeney didn’t see it?
Any way you slice it, that terrible, terrible baserunning cost the A’s an out for sure, and very likely a run.
by OaklandSi on May 17, 2008 6:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
When I saw a reply of Sweeney rounding second
it looked like he didn’t check Tony D. after hitting second and seeing Suzuki round third hard – just put his head down and sped up.
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 17, 2008 8:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He said in the post game interviews he didn't check Tony D when he was
rounding second.
by OldhamA on May 17, 2008 1:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It was definitely a mistake...
...by somebody. Most likely DeFrancesco, but an unfortunate “comedy of errors” nonetheless.
Some read stats. Others actually watch the game.
by UncleLeo on May 17, 2008 8:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So I hear Jennifer said she missed me in
the game thread LOL
Erin otherwise known as larrysgurl
by Erin6 on May 16, 2008 9:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Sigh - Josh Hamilton tonight:
5 for 5 with 2 HRs and 5 RBI.
In other tragic news, Ryan Goleski did not go 5 for 5 for 2 HR and 5 RBI tonight.
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 16, 2008 9:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
In other news, Johan Santana is the best pitcher in baseball
I do not understand the point of griping about Rule 5 guys. If it was obvious, or even likely, that they were going to break out, they wouldn’t have been available to draft.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on May 16, 2008 9:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Some of us wanted Hamilton drafted before it happened
The A’s tend to draft guys whose upside is pretty marginal even if they DO work out – Mike Neu, Jay Marshall, Ryan Goleski? Here was an opportunity, with the first pick, to go for someone who was truly talented and who may or may not have been able to harness it. It’s just a shame because he was precisely the type of the player the A’s find – in this case, a Jack Hannahan with a lot more talent (and a slightly harder drug of choice).
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 16, 2008 10:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
You've got to think that Beane, Forst, et al
are looking back on that decision a bit wistfully. I know it pains me to watch Hamilton.
Of course, any team, including Texas, could have had Hamilton in that draft (by bidding a little higher for Tampa’s pick). Texas had to give up pitching they could ill afford to lose in order to pick up Hamilton later – but it still looks like a fantastic trade for them.
You’re also right about the low upside of the guys the A’s seek with the Rule 5 draft. I used to be into that draft and root for the A’s to find ways to carry the player all year; it seemed like getting a “bonus” prospect. I’ve since changed my mind. Carrying Neu was an obstacle to the A’s roster management during a playoff drive, and what benefit did it provide in the following years? Did he ever project to be good enough to be worth the cost of a full year of cramping the roster? Same argument with Marshall – he was just a dead spot on the roster last year, and while he’s an OK prospect, lefty relievers aren’t that rare and his upside is pretty limited, so it’s hard to say that package was really worth the roster cost.
The proper philosophy for the Rule 5 draft should probably be: Take a player with real upside, or don’t bother with it.
by Faust on May 17, 2008 6:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
For the most part, I agree with that.
Some read stats. Others actually watch the game.
by UncleLeo on May 17, 2008 1:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I dunno, I think Hamilton was very likely to break out.
Since the only thing holding him back in the past were injuries (that didn’t drain his true talent) and drug abuse. It’s not like teams didn’t realize he was really good at baseball. I think what bugs people is that this is the exact type of guy Beane would usually take a small chance on.
On the other hand, I’m not bothered by it just because I can see why he wouldn’t take him. I still root for the guy as long as he’s not playing Oakland. I dont anticipate Texas will ever be enough of a threat to the division anyway.
http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/
by thejd44 on May 17, 2008 3:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Exactly, thejd44 - not only was Hamilton
precisely the kind of high risk / high reward player you should be looking for in a Rule 5 draft, but he’s exactly the kind of player Beane is so good at identifying. So the fact that he’s a superstar CFer and we could so, so, so, so use one is a tad frustrating. We would be so good if we had him, and we wouldn’t have had to pay big money or talent to get him. Just frustrating, that’s all – not “Beane sucks” or “it was a no-brainer,” just frustrating.
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 17, 2008 8:41 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
AHHHHHHHHHHH!
Stupid K-rod! I HATE THE ANGELS! How long until the Rangers take over 2nd? Man, I hope Harden beats Hudson tomorrow. I’m glad I missed tonights game. I hate watching us lose, and it seems to be getting more frustrating every night. All those hits and 2 runs. On a bright side, the Braves had just as many hits and only scored one more then the A’s. Oh well. Save us King Richard! Go A’s!
by A'sfansince1970 on May 16, 2008 10:02 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I wouldn't mind the loss so much if we at least scored runs.
You have to know the Braves pitching staff probably laughed their asses off when they saw our guys getting killed every time we came up to bat. They probably penciled today in as a loss, and you know with the newfound loss of respect for our offense, I don’t know if we are coming home with a win.
Green Hulk Fists
by oaklandSMASH on May 16, 2008 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Here's my poll:
a. Franceour
b. Franceuor
c. Francoeur
d. Francouer
e. Francueor
f. Francuoer
With the help of AN’s new search function, this week’s results are:
a. Franceour = 1 vote (20%)
b. Franceuor = 0 votes (0%)
c. Francoeur = 2 votes (40%)
d. Francouer = 2 votes (40%)
e. Francueor = 0 votes (0%)
f. Francuoer = 0 votes (0%)
(The correct answer is c.)
formerly known as mdl
by iglew on May 16, 2008 10:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Damn, I guessed "g" - "Denorfia"
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 17, 2008 8:42 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
As the team Emil goes, the team goes.
Anyone else notice the correlation between Emil Brown’s recent struggles and the team’s failure to win games. The A’s have lost every game he has failed to RBI in dating back to April 22nd…
What about Barry?
"Barry who?" Forst said, and I felt like I was in the middle of a knock-knock joke.
by KMoAsFan on May 16, 2008 11:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
He hasn't exactly had alot to work with...
...in terms of people being on base when he comes up to bat, lately.
Some read stats. Others actually watch the game.
by UncleLeo on May 17, 2008 1:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sure he has
But he swung before the first pitch was even thrown and the at bat was over. We all just missed it.
http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/
by thejd44 on May 17, 2008 3:07 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think that's right
In the game against Texas with the 1968 uniforms and the yellow hats, Emil went 0-for-4 with no RBIs, but we won that game. That was May 4.
formerly known as mdl
by iglew on May 17, 2008 2:10 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not sure I was specific enough in my grammar on that one.
It should have ready more like this: “Every loss the A’s have had dating back until April 22nd, Emil Brown has had no RBIs.” To add to that, The A’s have only won 6 games in which Brown did not have an RBI. They have only lost 4 games over the season in which he has an RBI in.
So to everyone who says Cust has more impact on this team than Emil Brown, please explain those correlations. It’s sad when your offense is so terrible that Emil Brown is causing that much impact on your record.
What about Barry?
"Barry who?" Forst said, and I felt like I was in the middle of a knock-knock joke.
by KMoAsFan on May 17, 2008 6:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I think it's a
“correlation is not causation” thing. We’re feast or famine, Brown is feast or famine, we tend to lose on the famine days – or weeks.
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 17, 2008 8:44 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Instead of asking us to tell you why this stat is useless,
why don’t you tell us why this stat is useful.
Have you examined this for the entire A’s lineup? What’s the A’s record when Jack Cust does and does not RBI? And why in the world am I supposed to care about this one way or the other?
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
by PaulThomas on May 17, 2008 9:33 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
All you usually do is talk about...
what everyone else posts is meaningless so I just figured I’d get a head start this time. But if you really want to know, I just thought it was interesting observation. It contradicts some of those other contrived stats, and actually has a basis because you can look back at a game and see proof of where it actually affected the outcome. I didn’t care to list Jack Cust because he only has 12RBI’s and a laughable 27 hits. Seeing as he only RBI’d in 8 wins, it doesn’t really make a lot of sense to list Cust’s impact, because it hasn’t been there. I’m sure if Cust was actually making contact the correlation would probably be exactly the same as Brown’s, but too bad he’s not.
What about Barry?
"Barry who?" Forst said, and I felt like I was in the middle of a knock-knock joke.
by KMoAsFan on May 17, 2008 9:53 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
DAD'S OUT OF JAIL!!!!!!
I know!!!! And then I come home from detention school to find out that our Hotties won!!!!! Actually I never heard the score but I heard Mike Kotsay had the winning base – and to be perfectly honest I didn’t even know we still had him, but go Mike!!! OK, I have to go study, which is French for “call Betti to discuss staging an intervention for Cassi’s new hairstyle”. And by style, I mean disaster. (But not in a bad way.) OK, byeeeeeee for now!!!! :} :}
-Cindi
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 17, 2008 9:16 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I still don't understand the Cindi thing
Can we get an explanation for the AN noobz?
by mikev on May 17, 2008 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
First of all, some will say "she doesn't exist,"
which is kind of insulting. Cindi may not be the brightest bulb on the shelf, but she’s a nice enough teenager struggling to pass her cosmetology classes so she can live her dream to become a successful hair-stylist. She truly loves the A’s, even if she is still learning the true nuances of baseball and shows a rather alarming level of dyslexia. I’ve taken her under my wing a bit, because her home life is a bit…shaky? That’s about it, I guess.
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 17, 2008 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Double post?
So the third one was from your bipolar alter ego?
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 17, 2008 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Runners at home
Was this game on tv? Because Suzuki wasn’t “gunned down” at home, he rounded third and then held up. Unfortunately, I think Sweeney thought Kurt was going to score because he never let up after getting to second and continuing on to third. Kurt was essentially caught in a rundown after he turned to go back to third and found Ryan standing on the bag. Kurt should have scored, and he would have if he had kept going.
As for Eveland, there’s no way he should have been sent. Aside from the fact that he’s not exactly fleet of foot, Jeff Francoeur has got one of the best arms in baseball and he throws guys out all. the. time. The A’s had Jurrjens on the ropes in the first two innings, and would have been better off giving Cust an opportunity to hit with runners at the corners, even with two outs.
Will there ever be a boy born who can swim faster than a shark?
by JLeverenz on May 17, 2008 9:31 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I think Suzuki should have scored easily
had he kept going. You have to blame the coach. Sweeney was hustling and it looked like he looked up and saw Kurt had rounded third and he just put his head down and kept going. Very unfortunate.
I also think you had to send Eveland. It didn’t gas him then. He said he was gassed later on from all the running. Even though Cust has been much better this last month, the fact is he is hitting .206 with RISP so you have to be aggressive in that situation. Granted he belted the ball in the first and it’s a shame the wind was blowing as that should have been a 3 run homer but that’s the way it goes.
The bottom line is we should have scored at least 4 or 5 runs in that inning and we paid for it by not adding on. Of course we have seen this before and it certainly won’t be the last time.
Dana certainly did a great job with the bat. Emil should also go up there looking off speed on the first pitch instead of the usual fastball because they have finally decided to throw him those pitches on the outside and he looks horrible trying to hit them. I am shocked it took them this long to do so.
Of course off speed pitches seem to be the achilles heel for a few others as well
by Trainman on May 17, 2008 10:06 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Totally agree with everything there.
Another instance of bad base running occurred in the first inning on Cust’s fly ball. Hannahan started to tag, then stopped, started to go again, then tripped, and then ended up staying on 2nd. It didn’t actually end up hurting us in the inning because Brown hit a pop fly and Barton grounded out, but it was still more bad base running.
What about Barry?
"Barry who?" Forst said, and I felt like I was in the middle of a knock-knock joke.
by KMoAsFan on May 17, 2008 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
At least Hannahan's blunder was just physical
He tagged and slipped – though he probably could have kept going, as the throw came into second anyway.
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 17, 2008 10:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also, looking at the poll results
(of a poll, granted, that makes no sense because Suzuki wasn’t sent), it’s pretty evenly divided among all choices. And that’s from fans who saw replays, analysis, etc. while Tony D. had to make the decisions in real time. How can he be assigned with making a “blunder” for decisions we can’t agree on after having hours to reflect?
The Suzuki situation changed by the micro-second as the ball was unexpectedly cutoff and quickly relayed. Bottom of the order coming up, but nobody out – tough call on how aggressive to be there. I’m still stunned that Eveland couldn’t score easily on a ball hit so slowly that the true blunder was the 2Bman’s inability to keep it on the infield. (Same with Frank Thomas – how does even Thomas not score easily with two outs on a pop fly that has some hang time?)
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 17, 2008 10:33 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I don't know either
We had this guy on the ropes and couldn’t knock him out, so to speak.
Let’s hope Harden throws a no hitter. Also hope Huddy’s sinker is not on. Maybe Huddy is all hyped up and elevates a few.
ALSO MIKE SWEENEY BETTER BE IN THERE. .381 off Hudson (8 for 21 with 1 K)
by Trainman on May 17, 2008 10:37 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Barton Last 10 games:
BA: .088
3 hits in last 34 ab’s
Beating LAA or wherever the fu*k they are, Priceless!
by MMunoz33 on May 17, 2008 11:01 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Some random thoughts after having read more...
Suzuki: I’m not sure he did anything wrong. He held up, as his coach told him to. But, I’m not convinced he would have made it had he never slowed down, either.
RSweeney: From what I could tell, he did what he was supposed to do. He looked as he was rounding second, that I saw on a replay. He either saw DeFrancesco waiving Suzuki through or he saw Suzuki going full bore around third and thought (rightly so, if my presumptions are correct) that he could get that extra base if he chugged it because all the attention would be on Suzuki. To me, that’s good aggressive baseball.
DeFrancesco: He made the call based on a split-second judgment. That’s his job. I do not know if he was waiving Suzuki through and changed his mind at the last second, or what. That might make a difference on my conclusion.
Conclusion: If somebody has to be blamed. it’s still probably DeFrancesco in my mind, but while the whole thing looked pathetic, it probably was more a situation that played out poorly.
Eveland: I have zero problem with him going for home. None at all. He’s never shown to be fragile, and there’s always a risk in baseball no matter what. I think you lose more, both in terms of games and competitive edge, when you don’t do things because you’re afraid of what might happen then you do when you go for it and something unfortunate actually does happen.
Side thought: Eveland might have gotten tired running the bases. Awwww, poor wittle guy. Phfft! Why is it acceptable for pitchers to be so out of shape? Are we watching major league baseball or are we watching grown men act like pussies playing t-ball? Ok, so AL pitchers don’t bat and run very often. So? Wouldn’t being in shape make them better and more effective pitchers all-around?
Disclaimer (because somebody somewhere will need one, I’m sure): I am not advocating a damn-the-torpedoes-full-speed-ahead-wreckless-abandon-kill-’em-all approach. Just that there is a place for aggressiveness and not a place for playing it too safe.
Some read stats. Others actually watch the game.
by UncleLeo on May 17, 2008 12:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I pretty much agree -
Why aren’t we giving Emil Brown a free pass for easing up so as not to slam into the wall? Because you don’t play to avoid contact – while at the same time not needing to be reckless and hurt your team by getting injured constantly. Having Eveland bowl over the catcher would be reckless and stupid. Hoping he can score with a basic slide? I don’t see the big problem.
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 17, 2008 12:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Brown seems to be establishing a pattern
of being poor at closing on the ball.
With some outfielders – Torii Hunter being high on this particular list – if the ball is at all catchable, they’ll successfully do whatever is necessary to come away with it in their glove.
Brown, on the other hand, will get close enough for the announcers to give him credit for an “outstanding effort,” but seems to shy off the ball enough to not make the catch. His tentative pursuit looks like he expects the worst – Torii, on the other hand, looks as if he’ll be astonished if somehow he doesn’t catch the ball.
Or maybe I’m just overreacting to a few plays.
by Faust on May 17, 2008 3:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No, you're not overreacting - Brown is worse than he appears
because he is so fundamentally unsound, whether with the chase, the pickup, or the throw back in.
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 17, 2008 3:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
On another note
Why in the hell would the Dodgers let Chan Ho Park start against the Angels. That is like forfeiting the game right off the bat.
A person burried 6 feet under has a better chance of winning than he does
And as I type he gices up a leadoff walk.
by Trainman on May 17, 2008 1:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
LOL Vlad GIDP
Pity there’s another 8 half innings for Angels
by Trainman on May 17, 2008 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nice Dodger D letting the Halos back in the game
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 17, 2008 2:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
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