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Sekacpuc? A's 6, Red Sox 3

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You know what I liked best about this SWEEP OF THE FRICKIN' RED SOX? The fact that the A's did virtually everything right in the three games, from hitting to pitching to defense to Geren's strategic moves, but rarely got lucky and never seemed to be playing above their heads. They simply outplayed the Sox in every aspect of the game.

And what I particularly liked about today's game (perhaps even more than the Spartacust HR giving the A's some breathing room in the 7th right before Geren yanked him for D) was seeing Joe Blanton right himself at the end of a wobbly 5th inning -- and then throw a dominating 6th, finishing a game more strongly than he started it for the first time this season that I can remember. Then Geren made the smart decision to take Blanton's strong finish and put it in his pocket, bringing Foulke on to start the 7th.

Hopefully, this is the start of Cupcakes turning things around. Wins in general, and wins at home, I find pretty meaningless. Joe overcoming his own wildness and hittability mid-to-late in the game, though -- that was really great to see. Truth be told, I actually wasn't worried about Blanton after the first inning: the Ortiz HR was the result of missing his target by about 2 inches, and Manny simply has Blanton's number.

The pitching (both Blanton and the 'pen) and D were both outstanding today (especially, regarding the latter, a couple sterling plays by Ellis on a swirling popup and on the game-ending DP) -- and those really contrasted with the indifferent play of the Red Sox.

All in all, a hugely satisfying game, and a hugely satisfying weekend. And I'd encourage everyone to log in early tomorrow morning for more off-day satisfaction courtesy of Blez.

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The best part about this sweep

is being able to shut up annoying Sux fans at my work.

One of them actually went to the game and looked forward to the Sux putting a hurting on the A’s. I told him we were going to use the Sux as a Slumpbuster.

Well, slump has been busted!!

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on May 25, 2008 4:12 PM PDT   0 recs

Ususaly rubbing it in is bad form

But for fair weather BoSox fans, it’s just what they deserve.

by asfansince1989 on May 25, 2008 4:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

He's a pretty hardcore Sox fan

and he always puts down the A’s and my allegiance to them.

So I thought I would give it to him—good naturedly of course!

I know it’s not a broom, but we did mop ‘em up real good!!

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on May 25, 2008 4:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Let's turn it green!

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on May 25, 2008 4:50 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I just want to thank

all the Red Suckers for coming out to the Coliseum these past three days and spending all their hard earned cash on our entertainment. Maybe we’ll give Mark Ellis the nice raise with the proceeds that he so richly deserves.

by Lavrentii on May 25, 2008 9:08 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Well, monkey, we meet again

I;ll agree with you this far—he got out of bigger trouble. That counts for something—he could have blown up big time.

And I do hope he has turned a corner—but I suspect not. I don’t think any of the four members of the rotation all having much better years than Blanton would have walked two guys in front of Ortiz in that situation.

But to have him essentially your #5 starter—shows just how good this rotation is when working on all cylinders.

And I agree with nearly all of Geren’s moves but for the pinch-running of Frank.

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

I won't defend those walks per se ...

... but I look at them as akin to Emil’s losing the fly ball in the lights: sometimes a players just effs up due to circumstances not entirely within their control.

Sometimes a pitcher’s control can just evaporate momentarily due to a very slight mechanical flaw that can take a while to correct.

Mostly, I hope that Joe delivers a stretch of effective pitching so that Billy can trade him for maximal value.

Just look at me. How can you not quake in my presence? @('.')@

by monkeyball on May 25, 2008 6:01 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

a's free agents

old guys who were not in high demand, they all came cheap, and they’re all helping the a’s win games.

i don’t think anyone could have expected foulke to be this useful…

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on May 25, 2008 4:19 PM PDT   0 recs

I thought Foulke would be a disaster

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on May 25, 2008 4:25 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Our new tagline for free agents should be

Come to Oakland and be rejuvenated!

in small print

make sure your old club picks up most of the tab

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on May 25, 2008 4:37 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

It worked for the Raiders for a quite while but I hope it's not a long-term

plan for the A’s. This team has enough young talent to keep me interested in the future but I love the veterans- Thomas, Sweeney and like the other veterans- Embree, Foulke.

Does Bobby Crosby cRoss Dress for Less?

by ohtobe21likehuston on May 25, 2008 4:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

i thought he'd be high upside, low risk

Jeremy was safe. He jumped over the tag.

by mrrickyg on May 25, 2008 5:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

An important sweep...

Another bad series would have had the A’s farther out of first, and would have dumped them out of spitting distance of the Wild Card. They end up picking up a half game in the wild card race, and at least maintaining the 2.5 game disadvantage in the West.

Coming against the Red Sox makes it all the more impressive.

Jeremy was safe. He jumped over the tag.

by mrrickyg on May 25, 2008 4:20 PM PDT   0 recs

watching BBtonight

I expect to see the much yada-yada over Lester, then Ortiz HR, then breeze though A’s.

alaska A

by ak_A on May 25, 2008 4:21 PM PDT   0 recs

Lester's dad also got cancer,

ESPN has that as the BoSox headline, and the loss to the A’s is just a side note.

by asfansince1989 on May 25, 2008 4:22 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Not to be a jerk but is Lester's dad a bigger story in regards to sports?

I think it’s a really sad deal but I just don’t see it trumping the sweep on ESPN’s website.

Does Bobby Crosby cRoss Dress for Less?

by ohtobe21likehuston on May 25, 2008 4:24 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The BBtonight report will say

ManRam loses flyball out due to Sun Interference.

Umpires could not be reached for comment.

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on May 25, 2008 4:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

LOL and they DID say that...

Does Bobby Crosby cRoss Dress for Less?

by ohtobe21likehuston on May 25, 2008 4:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

ManRam's secret fear

The movie Cars

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on May 25, 2008 4:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

grace personified...

is he even looking at the ball?

Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb

by FoolshGame22 on May 25, 2008 5:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Dugout style

MannyTheTorpedos: oh hai mr van r u gonna hit me

by Tizoc on May 25, 2008 5:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Sports Center: "Manny look out for that bus!"

I think he even added some “beep beep” audio during the highlight

by drink409 on May 25, 2008 7:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on May 25, 2008 4:27 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

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

by batgirl on May 25, 2008 6:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

And yet, I’m only the second person to recommend the comment. Make it green!

AN 3.0's Search Function is *hawt*!

by Poppy on May 25, 2008 6:57 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

-3!

Now you have to start over. :-)

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

by louismg on May 25, 2008 8:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

+ 1 million.

"Ryan [Sweeney] has got the perfect baseball body..." -Mike Sweeney

by Christine on May 25, 2008 8:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

-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 25, 2008 8:25 PM PDT to parent up   1 recs

whoa!

i like the green-ness!

""These guys are a different breed of ballclub." - Twins manager Ron Gardenhire on the A's

by gotgreen on May 26, 2008 12:52 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

gotgreen has got green

AN 3.0's Search Function is *hawt*!

by Poppy on May 26, 2008 4:25 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm starting to like Street, again...

I’m wondering if that is a wise move? But, he’s looked damn good his last 3 or 4 outings.

Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb

by FoolshGame22 on May 25, 2008 4:29 PM PDT   0 recs

paraphrasing from someone else's name

ohtobebackintostreetwhenhewas21again

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on May 25, 2008 4:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I approved this message :-)

Does Bobby Crosby cRoss Dress for Less?

by ohtobe21likehuston on May 25, 2008 4:33 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh good

I was afraid there was a typo in it.

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on May 25, 2008 4:35 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

It looks like I was wrong for doubting Thomas

and R Sweeney, but, on the other hand, I’ve insisted all year that Street is genuinely talented and has been very effective over his career—and that giving up on him would be silly.

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

by Nick on May 25, 2008 5:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Street has been money lately but I still wonder if he is a closer.

When you see a healthy Casilla mow down hitters with an overpowering fastball… it makes me wonder if he is the future.

Does Bobby Crosby cRoss Dress for Less?

by ohtobe21likehuston on May 25, 2008 5:13 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I think you were right on all three!

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on May 25, 2008 5:13 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I think I'm more convinced by the old guy than the young one

Thomas is going to the hall of fame. If he says that he figured out a technical problem with his swing, then corrected it and immediately started ripping the ball, then it’s pretty hard for me to believe he’s completely washed up. I thought the problem was that he’d gotten too old to hit well any more—I think I was wrong about that.

The basic reason I haven’t bought into R Sweeney is his non-eye-popping minor league record—he’s never hit for any power, or gotten on base a remarkable amount. And he’s not exactly Rajai Davis in the field, either. Even if he matched his minor league stats, he wouldn’t be a superstar. And for the first month, he was a singles hitter who never walked. Now, he’s walking more and seems to be hitting for more power. I’m still not sold on him, but I don’t think he needs to be sent to Sacto immediately.

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

by Nick on May 25, 2008 5:45 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I just meant you were right to doubt

I was very pleased with signing Thomas, but it seemed like there was a very real possibility that he was done, which appears not to be the case. Also, there was and is every reason to doubt Sweeney, but he’s been about as good as we could hope. If he can stick in CF (which I think maybe he can’t, at least not well), he’ll be a very good player for us. And he can be an average or slightly above average player in one of the corners, and we’ve done worse than average there for a lot of the past decade…

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on May 25, 2008 5:51 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Question for Ryan Sweeney is...

will he be better than one of Gonzalez, Buck, and Cunningham? He’s put himself ahead of Cunningham at this point.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on May 25, 2008 5:55 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'd say he's ahead of Buck right now, too

Just look at me. How can you not quake in my presence? @('.')@

by monkeyball on May 25, 2008 5:55 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

possibly, since he can handle CF somewhat decently

but I would take Buck’s bat every day of the week.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on May 25, 2008 5:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'd take the bat of April '07 Buck over April '08 Swooney

May ‘08 Swooney is on an intriguing trajectory, though. And if Buck can’t get healthy …

Just look at me. How can you not quake in my presence? @('.')@

by monkeyball on May 25, 2008 6:04 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I have something of a bias in favor of upside relative to injury risk,

which is not an easy thing to make sense of. I am not a believer in Swooney power potential (or even plus BB potential), but he’s definitely a very skilled hitter.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on May 25, 2008 6:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

your bias aside, I don't disagree with any of that

Just look at me. How can you not quake in my presence? @('.')@

by monkeyball on May 25, 2008 6:19 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

82 games doth not a season make

Just look at me. How can you not quake in my presence? @('.')@

by monkeyball on May 25, 2008 6:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

true,

but it’s difficult to imagine Swooney doing it (he’d have to hit .320 or better) and pretty easy to imagine Buck doing it, since he did it for half a year as a rookie.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on May 25, 2008 6:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Swooney...

has OPSed .807 away this year and .726 at home.

Travis Buck was OPSing .874 away and .086 at home.

Guess the Coli is a pitchers’ park.

Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb

by FoolshGame22 on May 25, 2008 6:35 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Sweeney and Buck seem to be converging

I’ve never seen CarGon play, but he’s hit for much better power than Sweeney ever has in the minors—the big issue with him is strike-zone judgment. I still think he’s likely to be much better than Sweeney or Buck.

As far as Cunningham is concerned, he also seems to have put up better power numbers than Sweeney in the minors, but folks seem to think he just doesn’t look as good. Maybe it’s just because he’s shorter. Kinda reminds me of this Monty Python sketch. I’m excited about possibly having a good young righty come up out of the minors.

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

by Nick on May 25, 2008 6:01 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

well, Huston has looked like a different pitcher...

in recent games than he has for months. Whatever he’s found that he had lost, I hope he keeps it. I kinda like the feeling of comfort, rather than dread, when he comes into pitch the 9th.

Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb

by FoolshGame22 on May 25, 2008 5:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I offered a few weeks ago to check Huston's stats after he got off the DL last year

and PaulThomas observed that he’d been excellent at the end of 07. He was right. So that kinda undermines the notion that he’s never recovered from his ulnar nerve injury.

Faust posted his L/R splits, and demonstrated that pretty much all the extra offense against him this year has been due to lefties raking him—but we can all see what happens when he gets his control back, and especially when his changeup is working. Suddenly, he’s tough for lefties to hit.

He’s not a superstar, but he’s very good, and if he can stay healthy he’s a keeper.

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

by Nick on May 25, 2008 5:53 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Did you see how pissed he looked

walking off the mound after the Atlanta game (where he gave up 3 runs to make the game close)? He shook hands and so forth but he was clearly seriously unhappy with his performance.

I think he’s given up one baserunner since.

by Faust on May 25, 2008 6:45 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

he looked almost as pissed as Crosby...

after being called out on that steal attempt… and, Crosby kept glowering even after Ryan Sweeney’s home run. LOL

Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb

by FoolshGame22 on May 25, 2008 6:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Remember Chavvy saying over the offseason that he was going to prove to everyone that he's still a great player

(I would say “that he would play with a chip on his shoulder” but I think he’s been doing that for like 5 seasons or so)?

It looks like Crosby has the same attitude about this season.

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

by Nick on May 25, 2008 6:52 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Chavvy's problem

He promised he was going to play with a chip on his shoulder, but instead he played with a chip in his shoulder.

by Faust on May 25, 2008 6:54 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That he's going to prove Chavy is still a great player?

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 25, 2008 6:54 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Did I say "attitude?" I meant "altitude"

Crosby is out to prove this season that he’s just as tall as Chavez.

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

by Nick on May 25, 2008 6:55 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Don't believe Croz when he says he's 6' 3"

I’ve stood next to Blez and so I feel fully qualified to say there’s no way Crosby is taller than 6’ 1”.

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 25, 2008 7:01 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

A True Story

Back in the late 1980s, when Detroit’s “Bad Boys” were a rising power in the NBA, two friends of mine from Michigan got into an argument over whether Adrian Dantley (then with the Pistons) was actually as tall as his listed height of 6’5”. Eventually they made a bet about it.

But how to resolve such a bet?

They decided to mail postcard ballots (stamped with a return address) to the other members of the Pistons. Amazingly they actually got a number of responses (some with pretty funny notes scrawled on them)!

Unfortunately, I can’t remember who won the bet.

Putting the "N" in "NRAF" from Leipzig, Germany!

by GreenNGoldSooner on May 26, 2008 1:15 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That's awesome

I’m sending postcard ballots to all ohad’s friends tonight. Well, both friends. OK, his friend. Imaginary or not, I hope to get one ballot back.

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 26, 2008 10:03 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I think you're right about Croz...

he’s tired of the injury rep. But, he needs to start hittin’ some damn home runs this year, though. The doubles are great, but this team needs his HR power. And, I think he’ll heat up with the weather and start jacking them out regularly.

If Chavez comes back with HR power, this will actually be a scary lineup, something the pundits (and some on AN) have yet to consider.

Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb

by FoolshGame22 on May 25, 2008 6:57 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I am glad for the doubles.

Was Black Snake Moan a comedy or a drama?"

by ohtobe21likehuston on May 25, 2008 6:58 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

they are, indeed...

I think he’s doubled every other Athletics’ double total.

Foolsh, the most insane regular poster on AN since oaktoon left - salb

by FoolshGame22 on May 25, 2008 7:00 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

If Crosby hit 40 doubles and 10 homers or so this year

that would be tremendous. I’d prefer more homers, obviously, but the doubles power is significant on its own.

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

by Nick on May 25, 2008 7:00 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs