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Open Thread: Game 48 - A's vs. Rays

Tampa Bay @ Oakland


May has not been the kindest month for the A's so far. After spending a good portion of April alone in first place in the AL West, the team's slowing offense and weak defense seem to finally have caught up. While the team's not being blown out, they're simply not doing enough to bring home the W. Now, pending the outcome of this afternoon's contest, the A's are on the verge of being swept by a surprising Tampa Bay Rays team, and seeing their record fall to the .500 mark, at 24-24.

Working to make sure that doesn't happen is Dana Eveland, who checks in with a similar .500 mark, at 3-3, with an ERA of 3.23 and a WHIP of 1.28. He will be opposed by Andy Sonnanstine, who already has won six games (and lost one) in this campaign, matching his win record from last year, when he spotted a 6-10 mark.

In a season where we started the campaign with low expectations, we've been pulled to and fro at times, wondering if this is a talented team that's getting ready to turn the corner, or if the early success was indeed a mirage. Should the A's pull a win out of today's contest, it'd go a long way toward restoring our confidence. So... here's what I ask. No injuries. No errors. Just one win. Thanks.

Lineups:

Their 2008 "Devil" Rays
1. Iwamura (2B)
2. Bartlett (SS)
3. Upton (CF)
4. Peña (1B)
5. Longoria (3B)
6. Floyd (DH)
7. Gomes (LF)
8. Gross (RF)
9. Riggans (C)

Your 2008 Oakland Athletics
1. Hannahan (3B)
2. Crosby (SS)
3. Cust (LF)
4. Thomas (DH)
5. Sweeney (CF)
6. Brown (RF)
7. Barton (1B)
8. Suzuki (C)
9. Petit (2B)

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sigh

can we just put up 12 runs in the first so I can enjoy my day?

"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King

by batgirl on May 21, 2008 12:34 PM PDT   1 recs

Seriously.

When will then be now? Soon.

by Syphon on May 21, 2008 12:35 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Final score: Rays 13, A's 12...

...with the Ray chipping away at that 12-0 deficit and scoring no more than 2 runs in any single inning. That’s the way it’s been feeling lately

Some read stats. Others actually watch the game.

by UncleLeo on May 21, 2008 12:42 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

In 10 innings...

...just to add some suspense.

You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the goddamn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all. ~Earl Weaver

by UncleLeo on May 21, 2008 12:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

boooooooo!

"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King

by batgirl on May 21, 2008 1:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Atleast Chavy is crushing AAA pitching..

1-1 today so far with a walk. Hes now 7-14 with a HR and 1.390OPS

When will then be now? Soon.

by Syphon on May 21, 2008 12:43 PM PDT   0 recs

Yay! Another guy with nothing left to prove at AAA...

Reminds me of Dan Johnson.

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

by McFood on May 21, 2008 12:46 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I hate to see all those beautiful hits wasted at AAA

By the time he comes back up he’ll be in a slump, just to fit in.

by Faust on May 21, 2008 1:04 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow

This thread is just out of control.

by Jennifer on May 21, 2008 12:54 PM PDT   0 recs

No poop! I though someone said game threads were KrAzEE!!1!!

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

by McFood on May 21, 2008 12:55 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

a DAY game thread, no less

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

by monkeyball on May 21, 2008 12:56 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

someone banned all the negative people

so there are like 5 of us left

Go A’s

by drink409 on May 21, 2008 12:56 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't like your attitude.

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

by McFood on May 21, 2008 12:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

stike out

but he was trying so hard. Yay.

by Future Ed on May 21, 2008 1:02 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

yes, out of control

and I am so upset about it…not fair, not right, I feel so so uncomfortable in this kind of harsh atmosphere.

alaska A

by ak_A on May 21, 2008 1:02 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Dr. Emmett Brown owes us like 3 home runs today.

Or is it Dr. Evil Brown?!?

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

by McFood on May 21, 2008 1:01 PM PDT   0 recs

Its Mrs. Brown

he lost his credentials last night and is up for review

You can't fire me...I don't work in this van!

by BigTuna on May 21, 2008 1:05 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

(singing) Mrs. Brown you've got a lovely collar...

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

by McFood on May 21, 2008 1:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

haha

eeee-meal-eee

You can't fire me...I don't work in this van!

by BigTuna on May 21, 2008 1:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

TOLD YA

no lights means no misplayed balls in the OF

Go Cust

by drink409 on May 21, 2008 1:06 PM PDT   0 recs

haha

TURN ‘EM OFF!

You can't fire me...I don't work in this van!

by BigTuna on May 21, 2008 1:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Maybe Cust will play for the Cubs

They have more day games…

I am Ray Fosse's man crushes for Clay Wood and Jason Kendall.

by franks a lot on May 21, 2008 1:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Am I listening to the right game?

I could have swore Jack Cust just made a great catch. Hrm. Must be a glitch.

by LoneStranger on May 21, 2008 1:06 PM PDT   0 recs

he's the matrix

You can't fire me...I don't work in this van!

by BigTuna on May 21, 2008 1:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I guess next time

we have a defensive replacment in the late innings, we get Emil out of there and leave in Cust!

"I can't wait for tommorrow, cause I get so much cooler every day" - shirt worn by Swish

by Bigtoe on May 21, 2008 1:10 PM PDT   0 recs

Emil Brown = Hootie and the Blowfish frontman...you decide

vs.

I am Ray Fosse's man crushes for Clay Wood and Jason Kendall.

by franks a lot on May 21, 2008 1:11 PM PDT   0 recs

hey

that’s pretty damn close. I didn’t realize the guy from Hootie and the Blowfish had the Shrek neck too.

"Put some ice on it. After that, there's nothing a few beers won't take care of. " -Pink

by OrlandoAsFan on May 21, 2008 1:13 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hey look, Suzuki popped out to first. Again.

Seriously, what the fuck is Geren’s deal? Tomorrow is an off day, its a PERFECT time to get Bowen into a game and give Suzuki 2 full days off.

by mikev on May 21, 2008 1:17 PM PDT   0 recs

He's afraid of success.

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

by McFood on May 21, 2008 1:18 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Last night's pinch hit was Bowen's sole at bat for the week.

No need to over do it.

I am Ray Fosse's man crushes for Clay Wood and Jason Kendall.

by franks a lot on May 21, 2008 1:19 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Don't they look at video and see what he is doing wrong

there must be some mechanical flaws because no one can be that pathetic.

Wait DJ used to do that all the time.

by Trainman on May 21, 2008 1:19 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Time for Mr. ACL Tear Landon Powell?

Kurt is hitting like Paul Bako

I am Ray Fosse's man crushes for Clay Wood and Jason Kendall.

by franks a lot on May 21, 2008 1:17 PM PDT   0 recs

I can't even blame it on Suzuki at this point.

The bottom line is he’s playing too damn much. It’s ridiculous.

by mikev on May 21, 2008 1:20 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I like Powell

But he’s hitting .205 in AAA. He may not quiiiiiite be ready.

by Faust on May 21, 2008 1:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Zook is still hitting better than Barton, and he plays good defense.

Remember last year how much Zook struggled behind the dish when he came up? Well, imagine that all over again with Powell.

Zook is far from from the biggest problem on this team.

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

by McFood on May 21, 2008 1:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

No, but he DOES have a backup.

and catchers do need days off.

Kurt has played 44 of 48 so far. That’s too much.

by mikev on May 21, 2008 1:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Geren used to be a catcher

Makes you wonder about his capacity to handle catchers

I am Ray Fosse's man crushes for Clay Wood and Jason Kendall.

by franks a lot on May 21, 2008 1:24 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I agree, but LP is not the answer.

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

by McFood on May 21, 2008 1:25 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't think he is now, either.

2009, maybe we have a nice little Suzuki/Powell platoon going.

Right now, though, Kurt is very clearly having issues at the plate. Why not give him 2 full days off before the boston series?

by mikev on May 21, 2008 1:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Who said he was the problem, let alone the biggest??

{sputter, fume}

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

by monkeyball on May 21, 2008 1:25 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Why don't you go melt some butter?

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

by McFood on May 21, 2008 1:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

woooooo hoooooooo!!!!!

"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King

by batgirl on May 21, 2008 1:20 PM PDT   0 recs

WOO HOOO!!!

wait, what? Gamecast is delayed.

Or were you wooohoooing a walk?

by mikev on May 21, 2008 1:20 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

no, that's WAAAAAAAAAAAAALK HAAAAAAAAAAAAALK

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

by monkeyball on May 21, 2008 1:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

spoiler alert!

crosby!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Don't be an ass!" --Bill King

by batgirl on May 21, 2008 1:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You ruined it for me

I am Ray Fosse's man crushes for Clay Wood and Jason Kendall.

by franks a lot on May 21, 2008 1:22 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I flipped over to game day

and saw big red letters that said WALK. and I got excited. its a little sad really

by Future Ed on May 21, 2008 1:20 PM PDT   0 recs

BOOCROO!

When will then be now? Soon.

by Syphon on May 21, 2008 1:21 PM PDT   0 recs

AND 2 outs

Keep your eyes out for a volcano.

by MobiusKlein on May 21, 2008 1:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Or winged porcine-type animals...

"Well, I've wrestled with reality for 35 years, doctor, and I'm happy to state that I've finally won out over it." -- Elwood P. Dowd (Jimmy Stewart), "Harvey"

by Derwood13 on May 21, 2008 1:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

really a complete player

changed his attitude with RISP. Gritted out a double

by Future Ed on May 21, 2008 1:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Good Bobby!!

Time for Cust to add on

by Trainman on May 21, 2008 1:21 PM PDT   0 recs

to his strikeout total?

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

by McFood on May 21, 2008 1:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Jinx...

"Well, I've wrestled with reality for 35 years, doctor, and I'm happy to state that I've finally won out over it." -- Elwood P. Dowd (Jimmy Stewart), "Harvey"

by Derwood13 on May 21, 2008 1:26 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

cust catch

is posted on Gameday. Color guy said left fielders are paying special attention to watch the ball today.

by Future Ed on May 21, 2008 1:26 PM PDT   0 recs

Apparently, they didn't read the warning on the package

“Keep away from open flame to avoid late-inning metldowns”...

"Well, I've wrestled with reality for 35 years, doctor, and I'm happy to state that I've finally won out over it." -- Elwood P. Dowd (Jimmy Stewart), "Harvey"

by Derwood13 on May 21, 2008 1:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

"Keep away from open flame and Alan Embree to avoid late-inning meltdowns"

I am Ray Fosse's man crushes for Clay Wood and Jason Kendall.

by franks a lot on May 21, 2008 1:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Whoops. Finer print. :)

"Well, I've wrestled with reality for 35 years, doctor, and I'm happy to state that I've finally won out over it." -- Elwood P. Dowd (Jimmy Stewart), "Harvey"

by Derwood13 on May 21, 2008 1:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!

I forgot there was even a game on. I’m so out of it.

2 runs? 2 WHOLE runs?

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 21, 2008 1:29 PM PDT   0 recs

Welcome, pam. :)

Yeah, and Eveland is doing well so far, too…

"Well, I've wrestled with reality for 35 years, doctor, and I'm happy to state that I've finally won out over it." -- Elwood P. Dowd (Jimmy Stewart), "Harvey"

by Derwood13 on May 21, 2008 1:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hi pam. have a drink!

Shit, wait. It’s 1:30.

Wait… It’s 1:30!!! DRINK UP!

by mikev on May 21, 2008 1:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hi ConAgra.

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

by McFood on May 21, 2008 1:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

-1

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 21, 2008 1:33 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

cxcxcx

???

Okay, I’ll stop.

by mikev on May 21, 2008 1:33 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm leaving again.

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 21, 2008 1:35 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

on a jet plane?

Do you know when you’ll be back again?

by mikev on May 21, 2008 1:36 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Bupton Sinclair grounds out. Hallow Pena flies out.

Eva Longoria disrobes to right.

ZOMG! A shutdown inning!

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

by McFood on May 21, 2008 1:29 PM PDT   0 recs