A's offense wakes up: A's 13, Rangers 8
by monkeyball on Jun 1, 2008 3:49 PM PDT
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PrintWhat struck me the most about the A's 9-run explosion in the 7th wasn't the sheer total of runs, or the consistent good-to-great plate approaches by the A's (culminating in Ellis's marathon 13-pitch AB where he finally homered), or the general suckiness of the Rangers' relievers. No, it was the immediate and unrelenting suckiness of the Rangers' relievers.
Wash yanks Feldman after 6, and brings in Jamey Wright to start the 7th? Immediate and unrelenting suckiness.
Wash gets fed up with Wright after 4 batters, and brings in Tejeda? Immediate and unrelenting suckiness.
Wash gives Tejeda an even shorter leash, and yanks him after 3 batters for the chair-throwin' Frank Francisco? Immediate and unrelenting suckiness.
Francisco ultimately got the Rangers out of the inning (hard-hit ball by Chavez, then Ks of Buck and Gonzalez, both of whom had more than proven themselves earlier in the game; heck, earlier in the inning), but his results were perhaps even more directly disastrous than his predecessors' surrendering HRs to Cust and Ellis.
And all of that came on the heels of the Rangers dropping a five-spot on the A's just the half-inning before.
Sure, every game at Arlington has the chance to erupt like this, thanks to the weather, the dimensions, and the annually immediate and unrelenting suckiness of the Rangers pitching. But that was one insane back-to-back pair of half-innings.
Greg Smith certainly did give up a no-doubter HR to Bradley in the 1st, but all the rest of the damage the Rangers did was of the station-to-station variety. Even after giving up 7 runs, I don't think he's ready for us to declare him mediocre. (Although perhaps I'm just not ready to face facts.)
So, the A's managed to salvage a game in the series, break their losing streak, and hold off the Rangers from catching them in the West -- but apparently the Blue Jays pulled a choke job against the Angels, so the A's didn't gain ground.
Tigers in town tomorrow, with Coliseum King Kenny Rogers against Harden.
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Nice win today
Since the A’s have typically relied on good pitching to win this season, it is good to see hear the offense take charge on a day where the starter wasn’t good.
"Evidently, a large number of people said, 'We really need more vermin at the ballpark, Artie.'" - Nick (AN), 10/7/07
That AB by Ellis (the HR) was a thing of beauty.
I generally bemoan the profusion of Mr Sabermetric Sporks in the Scrabble ranks who don't know the meaning or usage of 50% of the words they use. -monkeyball
Yes
The A’s should put it on a DVD and force every batter who lunges at the first pitch and makes an out to watch it five or six times.
Don't blame me, I voted for Ice Cream
At least then he'd see some pitches
(he said, “borrowing” from the QOTM post)
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site
jamesvenes.com - Blog
Coincidence? Emil sits and the A's
string a bunch of non-outs together.
OK, he was in the lineup yesterday and the A’s had a string of baserunners in the 5th. But don’t you imagine Emil would have made an out had he brought his “clutch” .280 OBP to the plate in the top of the 7th? He eats babies too, you know.
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
A's > softball
However, thanks to the TV deal, the A’s were not televised today.
Well, at least now I can watch softball without grinding my teeth every half-inning.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
So I'm trying to look up
just how many Angels’ opponents have blown saves this season.
This is weird, I can’t find it on any of the sites (ESPN, MLB.com, B-Ref) I’m used to checking.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
Ugh. That may be one of those things where you just have to...
...check each linescore. Tedious.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site
jamesvenes.com - Blog
TV coverage designed to match Texas relievers
As an A’s fan in Atlanta, despite having the MLB Extra Innings package, I rarely get to watch any of the local A’s coverage since it always seems to be the visiting team’s coverage in Oakland and guaranteed to be the home team when we’re on the road.
So I have the dubious pleasure of grimacing through our opponents’ announcers almost every day and, while many of them are perhaps understandably partially blinkered (I’m sure opponents that hear Ray Fosse must also gag), I am stunned to admit that there is worse coverage than in Anaheim or Boston or Chicago…. yes, at Arlington.
At least with the Angels they drone on about the Angels and the baseball game in general. For this Texas series, I know more about the number of games a visiting Little League team has won (18 and 0 apparently) and the son of the producer than I do about some of the umpiring calls. I have never seen so many cut-aways to the roving reporter in any series I’ve watched.
Oh, and when they are talking baseball, let’s forget to discuss that the strikezone graphic showed two back-to-back outrageous strike three calls to A’s hitters yet moan about a way too-tight strikezone if it’s to Josh Hamilton.
And they missed almost all of the first at bat last night while still showing ads. Just appalling TV coverage.
TV coverage designed to match Texas relievers
Of course I meant way too generous strikezone to Hamilton. I was just in rant mode and got carried away :-)
Don't agree at all
They do way too many cut-aways to the crowd/stupid interviews, yes, but I think the Rangers guys are just about the best to listen to. Grieve is quite possibly the best tv color guy for any team. All announcers are homers to some extent, and these guys are not particularly bad. As far as the strike zone thing, they even had a good chuckle at that absurd call on Hannahan.
The A's colors are green and gold.
Agreed.
They absolutely do do too many cut-aways, but other than that their announcers are fair and entertaining.
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
Who gives a damn whether Grieve is OK
When you can’t WATCH THE GODDAMN GAME. Starting with the top half of the second, and numerous times thereafter, they have their roving jackass yapping with fans. Sometimes the game is scrunched up into a little box on the upper left, where you often can’t tell who’s batting or what the count is – who cares, it’s just some guy on the visiting team, right? Worse still are the full cutaways, where they usually cut back to the action as the pitcher is delivering the ball – I mean often when the ball is already on its way to the plate, or even as the catcher is hauling it in, before you can even pick up the ball. They can’t be bothered to give you the extra 2 seconds to see the pitcher begin his motion and make the pitch. It’s ruinous to the experience of watching a baseball game, especially if a big part of your pleasure is watching the pitcher work batters.
So fine, the announcers aren’t bad, but the overall production is just unspeakable. Texas is the absolute worst. I’d rather have Hud or Hawk. At least I can mute those idiots. There’s not a damn thing I can do to separate the crapfest the Texas TV producers subject me to from the ballgame I’m trying to watch.
Three straight days of watching this cretinous sideshow idiocy has me just a tad worked up.
"Can't watch the goddamn game"
is what I couldn’t do today and won’t be able to do tomorrow. Give me a telecast with a lousy broadcast team and at least I can see the game.
What possible reason does KICU have for not televising tomorrow’s game? The crew is there for Tuesday’s game, there are no travel costs involved, and somehow I doubt Bay Area residents are moving their plans around to make room for KICU’s Monday night programming.
Mark Wolfson – is there something I’m not thinking of here? What sup????
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
if you're not opposed
to p2p…. uh, “utilities”... OR your are sufficiently pissed off by the lack of televised A’s games, check out a comment by laxtonto about 20mins into the first game thread of today’s game. It worked brilliantly today.
"optimism 1 pessimism 0" ~Dirk
by 149 on Jun 1, 2008 8:01 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree, too.
Although this year they seem to be all about this “Nerd Alert” thing. It’s obnoxious, especially because the “nerd” stats they talk about are pretty basic things like OBP. But I still feel like they get it more than most broadcasting teams, even if they feel the need to insert the “we’re not basement-dwelling nerds!” disclaimer.
http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/
by thejd44 on Jun 1, 2008 10:51 PM PDT up reply actions
I didn't get the Texas broadcast today on MLB Extra Innings
I knew that there was no broadcast in Oakland (Which is horrible). I was shocked that the Rangers broadcast wasn’t on either.
Interestingly, since I got MLB Extra Innings the A’s record has been bad. (I got it early May for first series at Texas). In games I listened to on MLB Audio Radio.
Did you get the Texas broadcast in Atlanta?
Hey...Nice to hear from you...I also am an A's fan living in Atlanta....I thought I was the only one!!
There is no A in OFFENSE!!
I am going to out of town a great deal of June
and will miss the Angels series and from June 17-24. THUS, THIS DETROIT SERIES IS THE LAST A’S BASEBALL for me to watch and listen to live. PLEASE LETS WIN THESE GAMES!!
Two of the three Tigers games are radio-only too...
A 5-day period, and there is only one televised A’s game. Ridiculous.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
I'll be at 2of3 of the Tiger games
Hopefully, Tuesday is the televised game.
"optimism 1 pessimism 0" ~Dirk
by 149 on Jun 1, 2008 5:31 PM PDT up reply actions
It is KICU
http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/schedule/index.jsp?c_id=oak
you can see what games r or r not going to be on TV…after Wed’s day game we’ll get 2 full weeks of televised games
OH! The official page!
THAT drivel…
thanks for the heads-up… and LUCKY ME! Tuesday is televised. weeeee!
"optimism 1 pessimism 0" ~Dirk
by 149 on Jun 1, 2008 5:37 PM PDT up reply actions
Whom do I thank?
Hope it wasn’t too inconvenient.
This is sarcasm.
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
Cuz it's NYY and Giants
I’ll be in DC, so I’m mlb.tv anyway.
"optimism 1 pessimism 0" ~Dirk
by 149 on Jun 1, 2008 5:38 PM PDT up reply actions
good news for me
we should see Joba starting. His first start this Tuesday according to the ESPN broadcast of the Mets game.
"optimism 1 pessimism 0" ~Dirk
by 149 on Jun 1, 2008 5:44 PM PDT up reply actions
Wow, usually the only nine-run innings
the A’s put up are those German ones. Nein 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
Haren pitches a shut out today
which is good considering he let the Gnats walk all over him last week.
"optimism 1 pessimism 0" ~Dirk
That trade may end up being good for Arizona,
but it will end up being great for Oakland. The D-Backs gave up an awful lot to get one player. (And Connor Robertson.)
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
I'm happy with the trade
but I miss watching Haren pitch.
"optimism 1 pessimism 0" ~Dirk
by 149 on Jun 1, 2008 5:36 PM PDT up reply actions
That's a good way to put it
I’d make the trade again and twice on Sunday – but I’d love to watch Danny Haren pitch for the A’s.
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
I could only listen to the game
as I was busy doing a lot of cooking today—I got back from shopping and tuned in on the ‘puter to Ken and Ray, just before TBuck’s HR.
There is so much to appreciate about this game, which, monkeyball, you mentioned in your recap.
But the one, most surprising thing of all, you didn’t mention:
Ray Fosse has really improved as a radio play-by-play announcer.
It’s been ages since I heard Ray to PXP, and I remember him being really, really bad in the way that people who, you know, aren’t professional PXP announcers are. But today he sounded much, much better: confident, relaxed (and therefore not corrected calls he didn’t get prefect, while missing the action on the field). He messed up MaEl’s HR (waiting WAY…......too long to say it was gone), but he did a great job on Crosby’s single: just a “Base hit center field!”—getting out the crucial information first, and then filling in the details.
Ray’s performance surprised me more than Calero’s or CarGon’s or TBuck’s. He’s still a homer, and a bit goofy, but I actually trust him now to describe the action on the field when Vince is on vacation. Congratulations, Ray!
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
As you can imagine, I noticed that too
He must have flubbed the C. Gonzalez call a little in that I had no idea why Gonzalez would be sliding into second with a double after grounding it into right field (I’m guessing it was between Catalanotto and the line?), and he Bill Kinged the Ellis HR call ("It’s…I can’t tell even though the crowd has been completely depressed for several seconds…"), but on the whole he was solid – in particular the calls of Hannahan’s and Crosby’s hits.
Way to go, Ray – so exactly how great does it feel to know that you called an inning pretty 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
Actually, no (didn't hear the call)
He hit it to the right of the first baseman, but hit it hard enough (and is fast enough) that he got a double. So, again I didn’t hear it, but it was a ground ball (almost a line drive) to right field (ground ball down the line would have been wrong), where he unusually wound up on second. You can watch the highlight on gameday.
The A's colors are green and gold.
Wow - wonder how Ken would have called it
It’s pretty rare to double on a hard ground ball to the 1Bman’s right.
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
Seeing the replay now
I think it was a combination of where Hamilton was playing him (deep, because of the jet stream to RF, and into right-center) and CarGon’s speed. The ball was to Catalonotto’s right, but Hamilton still had to backhand it when he finally got to it, and was moving away from 2B, so he couldn’t get his body behind the throw much.
I’m glad that Ray didn’t try to correct himself or apologize for confusing anyone—he just called what he saw as best he could and went on with the inning.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
You left out one factor
Namely, that that ball was just smoked. It was only a step and a half or so to Catalonotto’s right, but he just had no time to react. That meant is was closer to the line than most balls through the 3-4 hole, but it also got deeper than most of those because it was hit so hard.
Carlos Gonzalez just hits harder line drives than other people (based upon my extremely limited sample size of watching him – a sample size I look forward to increasing). His other double was really ripped, and his 3rd-inning lineout was a screamer to right. Very damn impressive.
The A's need to stop scoring their runs in the 3rd, 4th, and 7th.
I don’t listen to the radio broadcast when I’m at home, because I can’t tolerate whatever time difference there is on any given night, but I love listening to the highlight package after the games, and there’s such a stark difference between Ken and Vince (or Fosse).I would have loved to hear Ken call that inning.
The A's colors are green and gold.
I'm sorry to say I agree about Vince
Sometimes I watch on Extra Innings, while listening to Gameday Audio. But in Vince’s innings I mute Gameday and just go with the opponent’s broadcast team (sometimes I’ll mute them both).
Actually Gonzalez' hit was between
1st and 2nd. It was a shot, Catalanotto put his glove down and it was by him and rolling towards the wall. Even the rightfielder couldn’t cut it off cleanly. Fosse’s call was correct but like you I was confused until I saw it on replay later. Catalanotto is right handed so he had to go across his body, a left handed first baseman might have fielded the ball but it was a rocket.
OMG Joe Morgan...
Re: Manny’s 500th, off Chad Bradford.
“See, it’s interesting, the… the pitcher tried to drop down and sneak one by Manny…. Little sidearm fastball, trying to catch Ramirez off guard, didn’t work, and Manny hits number 500.”
He doesn’t know who Chad Bradford is.
He also said that Johan Santana’s changeup would work well against “free swingers, not a guy like Juan Pierre.” (paraphrased slightly). If Juan Pierre isn’t a free swinger, who is?
Keep fighting the good fight, Ken Tremendous.
"Looks like you brought two too many."
But at least he just informed me that his daughters LOVE Chris Brown.
Only on Sunday Night Baseball. Seriously, where else can you get that knowledge?
"Looks like you brought two too many."
by BWH on Jun 1, 2008 7:46 PM PDT up reply actions
Chris Brown, the former Giants and Padres 3B who ended up driving trucks in Iraq?
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
I think so.
He’s popular with the pre-teens these days, isn’t he?
"Looks like you brought two too many."
by BWH on Jun 1, 2008 7:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Only dead ones, I think
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
On the plus side
no persistent man-crush commentary about the catchers legs
"optimism 1 pessimism 0" ~Dirk
by 149 on Jun 1, 2008 8:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh, there are man-crushes.
Ever hear him talk about any black middle infielders?
Robinson Cano, Howie Kendrick, Rickie Weeks, Jose Reyes, Jimmy Rollins… the list goes on.
"Looks like you brought two too many."
by BWH on Jun 1, 2008 8:16 PM PDT up reply actions
To quote Rob Neyer:
“If David Ortiz isn’t black, who is?” Meaning guys like Big Papi and Jose Reyes probably would’ve been excluded in the pre-Jackie Robinson days.
I’m not calling it racism, it’s just hard to ignore his overt affection for guys like Torii Hunter and Orlando Hudson.
Or that time last year when he weirdly defended Gary Sheffield’s wild claims that Joe Torre is a racist, then suggested that Torre acknowledge Sheff’s claims. Asking Joe Torre to prove a negative is a ridiculous thing to do, especially one as unfounded and bizarre and hurtful as that.
Or that time last year when he claimed CC Sabathia should start the All-Star Game for the AL, not because he was the best pitcher in the league at the moment (he wasn’t), but because it would be a tribute to Jackie Robinson.
Again, I won’t call it racism, since that’s a strong accusation, and I wouldn’t accuse somebody of that unless they pulled, like, a John Rocker. But I would definitely compare Joe Morgan’s love of middle infielders to Ray Fosse’s love of catchers. Which was the point I was trying to get across.
"Looks like you brought two too many."
by BWH on Jun 1, 2008 9:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Eh, call it like it is
Morgan is a racial chauvinist. There really isn’t any way to spin that. He believes that Japanese baseball players are crafty and calculating, that Latin Americans are overly passionate, and that American blacks are inherently better at sports than whites.
Hard to tell whether this is a generational thing, or just another offshoot of the general principle that Morgan is a lazy idiot who would rather rely on generalizations than be bothered to actually find out specifics.
Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.
Probably the latter.
Dude just follows generalizations and stereotypes because it’s the easy way out and requires the least amount of brain activity.
I don't really like Joe Morgan
but isn’t he pushing baseball in inner cities and promoting baseball to blacks? it would make since for him to praise black middle infielders because he was one and he wants to see more black players in the MLB. I can’t really fault him for that, besides there are plenty of other things about JM to complain about. (like the manny/bradford thing)
You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}
boy howdy, been a quite a while since
I surfed through my complete cable package and after getting bored with mets/dodgers game I did the grand surf in search of entertainment I might like…Zip, nada, zilch.
The NFL station? who TF wants to nfl follies, or past freakin NFL games in June.
Womens softball. nah
Huntin and Fishin. bah
Bridezilla..nuf said.
The top ten, top 100, best of best this or that…. who gives a rats ass.
The Red Pony…..bob mitchum circa 1949.. yawn
Nancy freaking Grace
Band of Brothers… three times is enough.
The Sting…. a dozen times is enough.
alaska A
I stopped listening when we were losing 7-4.
To say this is a surprise is an understatement. Woo!
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.
Smith and the rangers
I thought smith is a quality starter already. As mentioned he gave up the two run shot to MB, but after that i thought he pitched well. The rangers are one of the most dangerous top to bottom hitting lineups in the league. Even with the 7 runs, i thought he pitched decent, and against most other lineups he would of had minimal damage. I’m excited to see him reach his potential, really like how he pitches.
The rangers pitching is brutal. Plain and simple. Their starters, relief, closers all suck. Its going to be a sluggfest everytime out for them. And if were ever trailing there is always a good chance to come back, that was not an oddity last night. If your a betting person, take the over with the guys from Arlington.
I am really liking the progression of the Hanahan too. He’s going to be a gamer for a long time.
Annoying note of interest: The broadcaster from texas were two of the most kool-aid drinking guys i’ve ever heard. It was my first time listening to them this series and i must say they are plain terrible. Anything to jab or dog the opponent and they were all over it, i almost put the game on mute at one point. I just wish i could have heard them when the a’s put up a 9 spot but I had beer league ball to attend. They would have been dead silent.
by TheGreenGoldCrush on Jun 2, 2008 8:38 AM PDT reply actions
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