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Open Game Thread - Game 32: A's vs. Rangers

Countdown_tiny by Taj Adib on

Texas @ Oakland


It will be really interesting to see how this (mostly) young team rebounds from a game last night  that even eternally-optimistic manager Bob Geren unequivocally labeled the "worst performance of the year." In fact, the A's defense has been so bad to start this season (2nd in the league in fielding percentage and errors) that Mychael Urban intimates that it was even a prime talking point in a 25-minute post-game summit held between Geren and Beane last night . I doubt that, with the team over-achieving so far and his 2009 option already exercised, that Geren's job is at all in danger, but nevertheless, if I were Beane, I'd be putting some heat on first-mate Bobby G to find a way to plug those holes in the gloves, lest more winnable games fall through the cracks.

It's likely that the Super Lineup might again be employed tonight against 26-year old former top Ranger's prospect (and left hander) A.J. Murray, who was just recalled to  start this game in place of injured starter Jason Jennings. Murray has battled his way back from two season-ending surgeries in recent seasons to once again make himself relevant to the Texas organization. The A's have pretty much had their way with Murray when he's pitched in relief for the Rangers in the past, saddling him with a 7.11 career ERA versus the Green and Gold in just over 6 innings. However, Murray has pitched fairly well to start this season down in Triple-A, going 2-0 with a 4.18 ERA and a 24-9 K-BB ratio in 6 games started over 28 innings. And, perhaps more importantly, throughout his career Murray has constantly been compared to former Ranger stalwart and resident media-abuser Kenny Rogers, who is something like 99-1 with a career ERA of 0.075 at the Oakland Coliseum. So, beware if those comparisons prove at all apt tonight...

On the other side of the box score, Chad Gaudin will look to continue his streak of hot pitching for the A's. Unfortunately, Gaudin does not have great career stats against the Rangers, going 2-5 with a 6.13 career ERA, although two of his most lopsided performances against Texas (12 runs allowed in 11 innings) occurred in the second half of the last season, when he was struggling against everybody and also battling injuries.

- Another thing going for the Rangers is Milton Bradley, who's volatile nature, immense talent and personal animosity towards Billy Beane combined last night, powering him to 3 hits. The guy just scares me, especially after seeing what he can do when really motivated (2006 ALCS anybody?).

- On the plus side, the A's defense should improve  from the get-go tonight as Mark Ellis will return to the lineup and the keystone to start the game, while Rajai Davis should be in center field and a much more nimble and spry pitcher will be on the mound in Chad Gaudin.

*I will be unable to watch the majority of the game tonight, so I am going to schedule another Game Thread to automatically open at 7:45pm...so switch over to that thread at your leisure/if necessary.

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Geren mentioned on his pregame radio show

that Kiko Calero has thrown as much as 2 innings in extended ST and will be going on a minor league rehab assignment soon. I don’t see where Calero would fit into the A’s 2008 bullpen, but there are certainly a few GMs out there who would bid on a healthy Calero.

by Soaker on May 3, 2008 5:51 PM PDT   0 recs

A guy has to prove he is healthy before any value will be given for him..........

Instead, BB will deal someone else most likely, or send someone with an option back to the minors.

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

by 0akFoSho on May 3, 2008 5:53 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm working at home tonight with the game on TV

(ha ha, working?!), but will go to the game tomorrow.

Let’s Go Oakland!

by OaklandSi on May 3, 2008 5:59 PM PDT   0 recs

I'm working at work right now

Hopefully leaving soon, though.

And what did we do once we discovered a rift in the fourth dimension? We launched a monkey into it. @('.')@

by monkeyball on May 3, 2008 6:01 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

WOO A’s!

by drmmerchk on May 3, 2008 6:00 PM PDT   0 recs

Let's Go, Oakland!

The candy and the baseball all night long :)

by Englishmajor on May 3, 2008 6:02 PM PDT   0 recs

ew why is the sound off on my mlb.tv?

by drmmerchk on May 3, 2008 6:02 PM PDT   0 recs

I think I worded that funny… it’s on for me, it’s just not syncing w/the video.

by drmmerchk on May 3, 2008 6:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Ok we need this one...

Halos got the W against Balt.

by IM4Oakgal on May 3, 2008 6:05 PM PDT   0 recs

Oh boy

Gnats trainer just came out to the mound with Schottenbochy, resulting in Cain leaving the game.

"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 3, 2008 6:08 PM PDT   0 recs

Jack Cust makes a catch!

Shocking!

The candy and the baseball all night long :)

by Englishmajor on May 3, 2008 6:11 PM PDT   0 recs

Cust caught it?

Wonders never cease

"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 3, 2008 6:11 PM PDT   0 recs

i guess sometimes miracles do happen

by justarebelheart on May 3, 2008 6:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow! Nice catch, Cust!

by drmmerchk on May 3, 2008 6:12 PM PDT   0 recs

Great play by Cust!!!

Who says he’s a DH

by WaddellCanseco on May 3, 2008 6:12 PM PDT   0 recs

Just about everybody

"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 3, 2008 6:13 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

nice catch!!

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

by 0akFoSho on May 3, 2008 6:12 PM PDT   0 recs

Time to eat! I’ll be back later. Let’s go A’s!!

by drmmerchk on May 3, 2008 6:13 PM PDT   0 recs

K

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

by 0akFoSho on May 3, 2008 6:13 PM PDT   0 recs

he gone

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

by 0akFoSho on May 3, 2008 6:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

This is Bradley's first year with the Rangers

I’m gunna go out on a limb here and say he will be back with the Rangers next year, and will have some sort of blowup mid season.

I put on my robe and wizard hat.

by Zonis on May 3, 2008 6:14 PM PDT   0 recs

I think he ended his season last year with the Rangers..

Remember didn’t his manager tear Mitlon’s ACL & that’s how his season ended?

by drink409 on May 3, 2008 6:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

He was a Padre then

"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 3, 2008 6:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Dale Jr. is the coolest man alive!!!

Nascar and A’s make for a great Saturday!

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

by 0akFoSho on May 3, 2008 6:15 PM PDT   0 recs

Come on Chad........

get out of the 1st inn please

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

by 0akFoSho on May 3, 2008 6:17 PM PDT   0 recs

Oh dear

The candy and the baseball all night long :)

by Englishmajor on May 3, 2008 6:18 PM PDT   0 recs

oof

Didn’t need that

"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 3, 2008 6:18 PM PDT   0 recs

Ummmm.....

jinx

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

by 0akFoSho on May 3, 2008 6:19 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

He is leaving all his pitches up and over the plate.......

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

by 0akFoSho on May 3, 2008 6:19 PM PDT   0 recs

I noticed he looked in his glove after that catch...

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

by Nick on May 3, 2008 6:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

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

by 0akFoSho on May 3, 2008 6:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh. That's what this thing is for.

"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 3, 2008 6:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

drmmerchk picked a good time to go and eat

"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 3, 2008 6:21 PM PDT   0 recs

Those giveaway caps

are a couple of shades of green too light. The “Kelly Green” was lighter than the Forest Green they currently use, but it was never that pale.

by Soaker on May 3, 2008 6:22 PM PDT   0 recs

Even with our 15 run games every now and then

I still have no faith in our offense, even when facing the worst staff in the league.

I put on my robe and wizard hat.

by Zonis on May 3, 2008 6:23 PM PDT   0 recs

i hate to say it but i agree

by justarebelheart on May 3, 2008 6:24 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Im taking names......

its the 2nd inn and the pessimists are already out in force

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

by 0akFoSho on May 3, 2008 6:26 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Its fun calling people on their ridiculous predictions and statements

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

by 0akFoSho on May 3, 2008 6:27 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

ROFL!!

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

by 0akFoSho on May 3, 2008 6:27 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

TRUE!!!

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

by 0akFoSho on May 3, 2008 6:27 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I think it's skepticism more than pessimism

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

by Nick on May 3, 2008 6:27 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Im more consistant with my pessimism......

only in the 9th when street is on the mound

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

by 0akFoSho on May 3, 2008 6:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

so i come back inside and see 3-0

digging out of the hole again.

alaska A

by ak_A on May 3, 2008 6:24 PM PDT   0 recs

Geez Bobby

Put your pants back on before coming out of the crapper.

"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 3, 2008 6:24 PM PDT   0 recs

I've been peeling shrimp

Well well well, how nice to see things so farked up already!

by paradox on May 3, 2008 6:25 PM PDT   0 recs

[shakes head]

Evolution has reached only so many parts of America.

by paradox on May 3, 2008 6:26 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

They should also be either raw or lightly steamed

And none of that sauce neither. Just lemon and pepper…maybe a chilli pepper on the side to munch on. Oh and beer to numb the pain.

by WaddellCanseco on May 3, 2008 6:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I had shrimp for dinner!

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

by Jennifer on May 3, 2008 6:33 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Time for Frank to blast his first A's bomb

"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 3, 2008 6:26 PM PDT   0 recs

i agree

would be nice to see here..

by drink409 on May 3, 2008 6:27 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs