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A's lose opener to Texas, 4-3

Recent_family_ones_july__07_091_tiny by notsellingjeans on

A frustrating loss for the A's tonight on so many levels:

-Four errors, a few of which cost Blanton two runs at least.  It's hard to believe he's saddled with five losses, when you consider that our entire staff has only lost eight other games combined.   

-They hit two balls to the warning track in the ninth inning, only to be tracked down.

-Josh Hamilton absolutely saved a run with a breath-taking catch at the track in the eighth.

On the plus side, Cust hit a towering opposite field bomb, Crosby had a pair of doubles, and Ryan Sweeney walked three times - something I didn't think he was capable of doing.

Still, it was a winnable game.  Maybe we've gotten spoiled. 

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Can we please de-recommend this diary

In praise of Emil Brown

"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 2, 2008 9:54 PM PDT   0 recs

I could, if you really want me to...

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on May 2, 2008 9:54 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Do you still think we have a good "D"? I enjoy reading your posts

and normally agree with them. What do you think after watching them lately?

Does Bobby Crosby cRoss Dress for Less?

by ohtobe21likehuston on May 2, 2008 9:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I actually missed all the errors except the Barton one

which wasn’t really a “fielding” mistake so much as it was just a boneheaded decision.

I was too busy writing furious screeds on the Brown thread at work… so I left late.

I’ll try to remember to check the DER ratings tomorrow sometime.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on May 2, 2008 10:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That will work. I just don't understand any theory that says the "D"

is good but I will say that we make a lot of bonehead plays- throwing the ball away when it shouldn’t have been thrown period is a prime example. I just want to know if the DER is factoring in “unforced” errors (for lack of a better way of saying it) or are all errors equal?

Does Bobby Crosby cRoss Dress for Less?

by ohtobe21likehuston on May 2, 2008 10:13 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

DER measures percentage of plays that result in outs

So it will count an error that costs a team an out as though it were a base hit. It won’t count an error that only costs a team bases.

So if a team is making a lot of “minor” errors that allow runners to take extra bases, it’s possible that DER would overrate that team’s defense.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on May 2, 2008 11:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

preceded by Hannahan's not looking the runner

at second back to second before throwing the first. Barton still shouldn’t have made the throw, but Hannahan was sloppy there.

by OaklandSi on May 2, 2008 10:56 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

He looked him back, it just didn't work

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on May 2, 2008 11:04 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

OK after reading 74mk's post

It’s staying recommended.

Sorry.

I was literally crying with laughter by the time I was done with it.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on May 2, 2008 10:02 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Agree with that

Let’s just de-recommend the idea that Brown was praise-worthy, especially tonight.

"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 2, 2008 10:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

4-3

It was 4-3.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on May 2, 2008 9:54 PM PDT   0 recs

Does that count as our 5th error of the night?

This thread is unearned.

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 2, 2008 9:57 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Man Losing That Game Sucked

Tonight’s game was kind of a reminder of last year’s A’s in that so many ABs with 2 outs and RISP were not only unsuccessful but also just really bad ABs. Sweeney’s AB in the 8th was awful. He looked like he was trying to hit the ball 500 feet when a routine single would have tied the game. Then he kind of half swung at strike three. Ug. But the worst AB of the night was certainly Murphy’s with a 2-0 count and the bases loaded. Kind of a Jason Kendall-type 0-2 please don’t strike me out kind of swing. Just horrible. A game the A’s should have won, but a game they certainly deserved to lose.

by solotar on May 2, 2008 9:58 PM PDT   0 recs

Murphy did that twice tonight

Swung at a 2-0 early in the game with a pathetic hack, too. And it was on the heels of the batter before him walking.

by notsellingjeans on May 2, 2008 9:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Blah.

What a frustrating game. I know I joke about the Es…but come on. Time for some extra practice boys.

Bad Sweeney: C-O-M-M-U-N-I-C-A-T-I-O-N. Get some.

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 2, 2008 9:58 PM PDT   0 recs

Thats it, Its official!!

Blanton is bound to be the hard luck loser all season. Someone is always saddled with little run support and it looks like its Blanton

S&BP > Mile High Mules ............ Like Sharks? http://mvn.com/nhl-sharks/

by 0akFoSho on May 2, 2008 9:59 PM PDT   0 recs

Wasn't he sort of last year too?

I think he’s more or less taken over Hudson’s role.

In search of a new signature. Say something funny and you may see your comment here!

by DMOAS on May 2, 2008 10:02 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Time for Robet Buan!

S&BP > Mile High Mules ............ Like Sharks? http://mvn.com/nhl-sharks/

by 0akFoSho on May 2, 2008 9:59 PM PDT   0 recs

The Errors cost us of course

but Geren not PR for Frank with Davis cost us when Crosby Doubled.

We have a bench and did not use it at the right time.

And it’s not like I was thinking in hindsight as I said this to my roommate as soon as Frank reached first.

Oh well, the good thing is the Angels lost but we need every win we can get.

There’s always tomorrow

by Trainman on May 2, 2008 10:05 PM PDT   0 recs

I'm not sure even Davis scores on that ball unless he's running pre-pitch

The Rangers LF really couldn’t have played it any better. I think Davis probably gets gunned down at the plate.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on May 2, 2008 10:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

No, no, NO!

You do NOT pinch run for Frank Thomas in the 6th inning of a one-run game when he is certain to come up again. You have to live with the fact that he is slow for the first 7 innings of every 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 2, 2008 10:33 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Maybe, Maybe not but you have

Mike Sweeney to take his place at the plate

by Trainman on May 2, 2008 10:39 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

you know I thought that at the time

I thought a pinch runner was in order in that situation, and there’s no doubt in my mind that Davis would have scored on the play, but Nico’s right, taking Thomas out of the game in the sixth is just the wrong baseball decision (except that, in this case, the wrong baseball decision would have resulted in the right outcome- damn).

by Brian in 317 on May 2, 2008 11:04 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Exactly - sometimes the right decision burns 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 May 3, 2008 9:09 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Josh Hamilton

Would this guy be a pending hall of famer if he hadn’t screwed himself up so badly?

That catch in the 7th inning was close to unbelievable.

(Side note: if this is a day game, the A’s win it in a walk.)

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on May 2, 2008 10:06 PM PDT   0 recs

That was an incredible catch

He certainly is one of the bright spots for Texas.

by Trainman on May 2, 2008 10:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

hes still very young

Jeremy was safe. He jumped over the tag.

by mrrickyg on May 2, 2008 10:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Not really

He’s almost 27.

To have a prospect of that age explode onto the scene in a skill position like CF is practically unheard of, assuming you aren’t counting Japanese players as “prospects.”

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on May 2, 2008 11:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hamilton is a special case

This guy would have hit MLB three or four years earlier if personal problems hadn’t got in the way. Not like a regular “prospect at that age” exploding on the scene.

by richwol1 on May 3, 2008 11:08 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Exactly - and precisely the kind of player

the A’s specialize in identifying. He is essentially a much more talented Jack Hannahan clone, and one who plays precisely the position at which the A’s need help. What a bridge he would have been between Kotsay and CGon for 2007-09. And he would have been a great risk for a Rule 5 pick because the risk is all of $25,000 to see if his delayed development was strictly drug related and he is now clean and ready to pick up where he should have left off at age 23 – in which case you might have nabbed a top-notch player for pennies – or not, in case you haven’t lost hardly anything.

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 3, 2008 12:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

And this time, the A's had the pick of the litter,

with selection numero uno – a great chance to roll the dice on some major upside. That’s where you can select a Rich Harden (or Corey Brown) type and say “well if he’s healthy/if he matures, it’s a bonanza, and if not, oh well.”

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 3, 2008 5:05 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

If not in the 7th, they win with back-to-back HRs in the 9th!

Not drafting Josh Hamilton as a Rule-5 was the biggest miscalculation of all of Beane’s recent maneuvers. Imagine if he were our CFer.

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 2, 2008 10:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hard to blame Beane for not drafting Hamilton

Hamilton was a lottery ticket that paid off for Wayne Krivsky. Credit Krivsky for taking the chance and making it work, but I can’t really blame any team for not picking up Hamilton in December of 2006.

The real bonehead miscalculation of the 2006 Rule V draft was Beane not picking Joakim Soria, who was widely considered to be the most talented player available in that draft. Soria was a known talent, and Beane let him get away. Picking Goleski over Soria was stupid in foresight as well as in hindsight, while not taking Hamilton is really only regretful in hindsight.

As an aside, why Tampa Bay didn’t simply keep it pick and take Soria is beyond my ability to comprehend, because that is one team that should not have let a talented reliever slip through its grasp.

by BlameChannel53 on May 2, 2008 10:57 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yes, is the answer you're looking for.

To do what he did last year after so long out of the game (and he destroyed himself during that period) was amazing. He’s a wasted talent, though obviously there’s still enough time for him to have a productive career.

by OldhamA on May 3, 2008 2:48 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Gah. assets2.sbnation.com not loading for me

I keep having to refresh to see new comments.

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 2, 2008 10:12 PM PDT   0 recs

just got back from the game

(it takes me 8 minutes to get home from the parking lot)

Well the A’s played tonight like they were supposed to play this year. Crappiest performance I’ve seen in a long time. Daric Barton made the WORST decision in throwing to third base… I can sort of forgive the physical errors, but Barton’s was just so stupid.

I am now 1-5 in games attended this year… guess I’m the snake bite.

by Brian in 317 on May 2, 2008 10:13 PM PDT   0 recs

I was surprised so many of you thought Barton made the right decision...

On the ball Hamilton caught diving at the wall to end the 7th.

It seemed that most people in the thread were saying, “Nothing you can do there – Barton had to score on the play, and Hamilton made a great catch.”

The correct play, unquestionably in my mind, was to barely round second base. From there, Barton had plenty of time to score (if Hamilton missed it on the dive, or if it goes off the wall), and he also has time to get back to first.

Where was Barton? He didn’t even show up on the screen as the ball was getting thrown back in to the second baseman. That means he had gotten almost to third. Too far. He didn’t need to get that far in order to score.

I realize that it was the heat of the moment, and it’s tough to criticize him for that after the fact.

by notsellingjeans on May 2, 2008 10:19 PM PDT   0 recs

no, you're right

It was terrible base running. Barton may be a good hitter, but he doesn’t appear to be the sharpest when it comes to baseball decisions.

by Brian in 317 on May 2, 2008 10:24 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I think it's because no one, including Guardado himself

(if you caught his reaction right after Cust hit it), thought the ball would be playable – it didn’t look like a ball that would have any hang time and it appeared to be bound for either the bleachers or off the wall for sure. It’s hard for me to blame Barton for “being sure” the ball was not going to be caught, even if he should only have rounded the bag by a step instead of sprinting hard for third.

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 2, 2008 10:39 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Exactly - the difference in the game, ultimately,

was that their CFer saved a crucial run while ours interfered with Brown and helped create an unearned run on the game’s first pitch. This is EXACTLY why I said (Tuesday) that the A’s need to play Denorfia (or Davis) every day in CF. It’s a defense-first position and the A’s are giving up way too much.

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 2, 2008 10:46 PM PDT to parent up   1 recs

I agree with that

Sweeney also plays too deep and allows shallow hits too often

by Trainman on May 2, 2008 10:49 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Absolutely - even a couple balls he caught tonight

were very high pop ups yet it seemed like forever before he got under them.

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 2, 2008 10:50 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Which is so offensive that I expect him to be defensive about 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 3, 2008 5:05 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

good point

but, typing as someone who was at the ball park, I 1. could tell it wasn’t going out , and 2. feared there was a chance it could be caught. Yes, it was an impressive shot, and an amazing snare, but Barton made a fundamental error; as notsellingjeans pointed out, he’s going to score or he’s safe at first if he plays it right, which means rounding second and waiting. It’s fundamental baseball.

by Brian in 317 on May 2, 2008 10:56 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

you are correct

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on May 2, 2008 10:24 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I totally agree with you

I was screaming at Barton even before Hamilton caught the ball—obviously he paid no attention to me…

by OaklandSi on May 2, 2008 10:58 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Defense and Bonehead Plays Matter

The A’s can not be successful over the long term with a defense that makes so many errors and mental mistakes. Defense wins games….exhibit A…the catch by Josh Hamilton.

by hokecole on May 2, 2008 10:25 PM PDT   0 recs

I don't like Robert Buan very much as he is a homer but he just said

that only about 4 of the A’s take pride in their defense.

Yeah, I think that is obvious.

I think we know the one’s who don’t or just aren’t good enough,

One guy just called and said, why would you want 15 home runs from Cust when he will give up 20 in the outfield?

by Trainman on May 2, 2008 10:42 PM PDT   0 recs

I don't think Cust is going to give up 20 inside the park homers

somehow.

That seems unlikely to me.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on May 2, 2008 11:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I wish Texas would hurry up and fire

Wash so we can hire him as a defense coach.

"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on May 2, 2008 10:43 PM PDT   0 recs

That would be great

You can bet these guys would be out there every day until they got it right.

by Trainman on May 2, 2008 10:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't think that's the problem

I think the problem is that the A’s are putting guys out there who can’t play very good defense. Cust is not an OFer, Sweeney is not a CFer, Brown is not an every day player, and Barton just isn’t that good (but is at least worth it with the bat and isn’t starting over a superior defensive 1Bman). Barton can improve with hard work, but Sweeney should be in AAA rather than taking time away from Denorfia (IMO) while Cust and Brown simply are what they are.

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 2, 2008 10:49 PM PDT to parent up   1 recs

Right On

couldn’t say it better

by Trainman on May 2, 2008 10:50 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I hope you'll vote for this post in November

This post will not be in the pocket of the special interest groups. (This post made possible by a donation from RJ Reynolds, Inc.)

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 3, 2008 5:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

just got back from this four error game

that the A’s lost, and deserved to lose.

Buan just made a comment that perhaps only four of the position regulars took special pride in defense…then he tried to pretty up his statement…

I wonder who if anyone in this happiest of clubhouses - manager, coach, player - will do some butt kicking when needed. I saw some real sloppy stuff tonight, and not only on the errors.

by OaklandSi on May 2, 2008 10:51 PM PDT   0 recs

Given that the A's are scoring runs at a pretty good clip,

but are clearly scuffling on defense – particularly OF defense – I’m just really surprised that they don’t put Denorfia out there. Especially considering that his BA and OBP are actually quite solid. But right now, until Buck returns or CGon comes up, you need defense in the OF. Why is he on the bench?

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 2, 2008 10:54 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Perhaps the A's

are emphasizing offense to the detriment of defense. I don’t know. But I do think that these guys are better than what they’re showing. Cust’s defense is a joke. It’s not because he’s not an outfielder, it’s because he’s not putting any effort into it. I understand that his job depends on what he can do with a bat and not so much the leather. But damn, at a certain point it becomes a matter of pride. There is no way a guy who plays pro ball at the highest level consistently does what he did last night.

"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on May 2, 2008 10:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Sweeney's offense is not better than Denorfia's either...

Nico, I’m not sure why you’re thinking Buck or Gonzalez are defensive panaceas. Neither one is a true center fielder.

Or do you mean that when they come up/back that the offense will be good enough to make up for it?

Not sure I’d agree with that either, particularly in regard to Gonzalez. It will probably be worth it to bring him up anyway, because he might as well start adjusting this season so he can be better next season, but I’d put that more in the category of “adjustments to be endured” than “improvements.”

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on May 2, 2008 11:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

No, I meant that Buck in a corner OF position,

preventing Cust and Brown from being out there together, is an upgrade on defense. Buck, Denorfia, Brown is a HUGE upgrade over Cust, Sweeney, Brown.

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 3, 2008 9:13 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Well, OK, sure

But it’s also an offensive downgrade.

Buck coming back should push Brown to a platoon role. He’s a backup who played nicely when injuries forced him into a starter’s role. That’s basically all.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on May 3, 2008 10:13 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yup - and once you platoon Brown and Cust,

replacing the other with Buck, defensively you are down to just one flagrant problem (which is that Denorfia is a much better CFer but is only playing 25% of the time). Put Denorfia in there 66%-75% of the time and you’re good enough defensively.

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 3, 2008 11:08 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

scoreboard on top is overly generous

it shows the A’s as having committed only 3 errors tonight, when they committed 4 (official ones, plus lots of other sloppy mistakes).

by OaklandSi on May 2, 2008 11:02 PM PDT   0 recs

Funny game.

Even with all the errors I really thought they would pull it off tonight.

by fansince1980 on May 2, 2008 11:03 PM PDT   0 recs

Oddly enough.....so did I.

I guess that means something doesn’t it?

"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on May 2, 2008 11:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Same here

On the bright side (for me anyway), my wife and 5-year-old daughter came to the game with me; it was my daughter’s first time at a game since she was an infant. She was very excited to be at the ballpark and to hold up her A’s pennant, and even more excited to discover the Kid Zone. The indoctrination program is proceeding successfully.

by Ray of Lite on May 3, 2008 8:47 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

We went to the game tonight.

It was a true exercise in frustration. The only nice part was meeting IMaseasonticketholder. She’s cool and I hope that we get a chance to hang-out again. Donnie Murphy needs to get a clue.If a pitcher is having trouble finding the strike zone don’t swing at his pitches. Walk a freaking run in!
Lousy game…and then we get home and a letter from the IRS saying we owe 11,000 dollars. Friday was NOT a good day.

by IM4Oakgal on May 3, 2008 12:11 AM PDT   0 recs

wth any luck

this is how the season will be

by Future Ed on May 3, 2008 8:34 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

sorry

meant to b e a reply to faust
vvvvvvv

by Future Ed on May 3, 2008 8:35 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

a guy seated behind me brought his son

so that the kid could see how major leaguers play the game. Needless to say he struggled to answer the kid’s pointed comments about the A’s poor defense, especially in the top of the first. I said only half jokingly “tough to pay these prices to watch little league play, huh?”, and he laughed and nodded.

by OaklandSi on May 3, 2008 4:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Consolation: the Angels lost an even more frustrating game

Bases loaded, one run already in, one out, tying and winning runs in scoring position, crappy-ass “closer” on the mound… And a couple popups later it’s all over. You know the Angels fans were completely expecting to pull that one out.

It would have really sucked to have switched from our lousy game over to the Angels game and seen that it had turned around in the final at-bat.

I’m rooting really hard against the Angels just as if we were in a genuine pennant race. This is likely to lead to sorrow in the end (I never expected the A’s to suck this year, but on the other hand the Angels look better than I expected them to be), but I just can’t help myself.