A's Win 5-1
by notsellingjeans on Jun 13, 2008 11:17 PM PDT
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PrintGreg Smith survived a shaky, six-walk outing and the A's took advantage of a typically subpar Barry Zito to win 5-1 Friday night in the series opener at AT&T.
Several talking points tonight:
1.) Smith walked to Zito to start the fifth and eventually walked the bases loaded with one out. With Molina and Rowand coming up, Gaudin in the pen, and the offensively challenged A's nursing a 3-1 lead, you could've argued that it was time to take the lefty out. But Smith rewarded Geren's faith by getting Molina to fly out and Rowand to strike out on a pitch six inches off the plate.
(I thought that was an important subplot to tonight's game - the Giants aren't a patient lineup. The way he pitched, Smith wouldn't have gotten a win tonight against a patient lineup.)
I understand Geren's decision there, even if it goes beyond winning today's game. It's important to build player morale and trust. Pehaps he had more to lose long-term by taking Greg Smith out there than he had to gain by winning tonight.
2. Mr. Do Everything Jack Cust recorded 2 sac flys, an infield single, and a pair of sparkling defensive plays tonight. After the game Geren announced that Rajai Davis and Cust will now trade roles and Cust will be entering in the seventh inning to pinch-run and play a flawless CF.
3. The sprinklers went off while Street was pitching in the ninth, halting Huston mid-pitch. Really, Brian Sabean? Have we resorted to doctoring the field of play? Tomorrow the lights will be mysteriously going off mid-pitch while the A's are batting.
4. Omar Vizquel stole home on Greg Smith and, let's face it, it was awesome. We can smile about now that it's over and the A's won. In reflection, I think that this was foreshadowed in Smith's last start. Players are now stealing bases on Smith by timing his cadence. He's too predictable. He puts his head down right before coming set, and (often/always?) keeps it down until coming home to deliver the ball. The bigger problem, though, is he doesn't alter the timing of that routine, which allows runners to leave without having to react to him. He's got this interesting dichotomy of being the game's best at picking off runners, but not good at preventing them from stealing.
5. I miss Gaudin in the rotation, and at this point, he might be a better starter than Blanton is. I would love to see Blanton traded to the most pitching starved, desperate NL contender - Atlanta - and Gaudin return to the rotation. Atlanta's trade for Tex last year shows that they are in "all chips in" mode, so they should make every effort to make the playoffs this year. Atlanta is weak in left field, and perhaps they could benefit slightly from having Emil Brown, too. Could we get Jason Heyward in return? Lillibridge too? Sorry, I'm wandering off topic. Gaudin performed admirably in relief, and Foulke/Street each threw a scoreless inning too.
6. Barton is hitting again, and he's also emerged as an outstanding defender. Several awesome plays tonight.
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Wow...all that and the Angels FINALLY lose!
4.5 again. Need to keep winning!
So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one
A's win while the Angels and Giants lose.
Let’s have more of that, please!!
The more I watch Smith, the more I like him. He was in trouble a lot, but unlike cupcakes, he didn’t lose his cool enough to serve a meatball to Aaron Rowand a la Godzilla blast last night.
Let’s keep it going with Harden tommorrow!
Green Hulk Fists
that pitch to matsui was a meatball?
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
The lizard still has spaghetti in his teeth.
Green Hulk Fists
by oaklandSMASH on Jun 14, 2008 12:47 AM PDT up reply actions
Kind of a different situation
Rowand isn’t a patient hitter. Matsui is. The ump was more consistent tonight as well. So Smith could go outside and get Rowand to chase. You’re not necessarily going to get Matsui to chase a pretty bad ball.
by Tyler Bleszinski on Jun 14, 2008 1:03 AM PDT up reply actions
I think you have to give a lot of props to Suzuki for the Rowand strikeout.
He set the target low and inside, Smith then threw the ball low and outside off the plate. Not only did Zookie have to react to catch the ball on the other side of the plate but Rowand foul-tipped it and he had to hold on to the ball for the out. Not an easy play for any catcher.
Cotton Candy
yeah, I don't get that either
The changeup to Matsui wasn’t a bad pitch at all (down and away; Suzuki might have moved his glove just a smidge back toward the middle of the plate for it)—I think Matsui just guessed right and put a very good swing on it.
Is it prurient? I don’t know what to tell you. I think it’s odd and interesting. It’s part of life. @('.')@
Blanton
I agree about Blanton, if you rank the starters best to worst, Blanton is #6.
Although, I think that has more to say about how good the staff is then how bad Blanton is.
My biggest fear this season has always been that the A’s would contend and Beane would chicken out and not trade Blanton to finish the rebuilding process.
Sometimes life will strike you out on a curve ball and the only choice you have is to flip off the umpire and walk to first base anyway.
Gaudin is a pretty big dropoff from Blanton. #6 is either Gaudin or Eveland, maybe Smith.
Career as a starter:
Duchscherer - 86 IP, 3.24 ERA
Harden - 501 IP, 3.59 ERA
Smith - 79.2 IP, 3.62 ERA
Blanton - 722.2 IP, 4.11 ERA
Gaudin - 275.1 IP, 4.71 ERA
Eveland - 103.2 IP, 5.21 ERA
by WaddellCanseco on Jun 14, 2008 9:46 AM PDT up reply actions
Those Gaudin numbers might be deceptive
due to pitching hurt for 1/2 a season, but the reality is that trading Blanton means starts for someone other than those six – someone like DiNardo, or Saarloos, or Braden. Unless you believe that Harden will hold up and Duke/Eveland/Smith can all venture into unchartered territory in terms of IP.
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
True, those guys are likely to get starts as it is.
Hopefully Gio gets straightened out and makes those starts rather than Lenny, Kirk or Dallas…or Dan Meyer.
by WaddellCanseco on Jun 14, 2008 10:11 AM PDT up reply actions
+1
Gaudin looked awful second half last season, but it was both an unprecedented workload and, apparently, an injury. Before that he looked much like he does now. I strongly feel he’s for real and will be a big part of our rotation starting the moment he gets back into it.
Agreed...
Although, I think that has more to say about how good the staff is then how bad Blanton is.
re: Visquel’s steal of home… no serious baseball fan can deny that that was indeed awesome. Later in the game the announcers said it was the first straight-up steal of home since 1983. Wow. I knew they’re rare, but I never would have guessed it had been that long ago.
re: Zito. I like the guy. I think he’s a fine human being, but… I just cannot feel sorry for him. Maybe I’m being a bit irrational, but as far as I’m concerned, when he fired his agent and hired Boras right before FA that said to me it was all about the money and everything else came after the money… and he got exactly what he wanted most so there’s no reason to feel sorry for him.
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
Aaaaaah, ok...
...I must have missed part of what they said.
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
Didn't Kotsay steal home on the Angles a year or so ago?
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
I'd say
Dana Eveland is the worst starter on the staff right now. Blanton has the most trade value, and I hope we do, in the end, deal him for something, but if it were my call Gaudin would step into the rotation for Eveland tomorrow. A Blanton deal will hopefully materialize down the road.
RagingHarden: Yeah if you get 20 starts out of me I'll be shocked. Like, I'll wreck my drawers.
Eveland seems to have lost his command a lot lately
by Tyler Bleszinski on Jun 14, 2008 1:04 AM PDT up reply actions
Smith and Eveland have both taken a step back
These guys are the future of the rotation, so I’m not sure it makes sense to send either one down, but when Casilla comes back, I could see one of them going down for a few starts at Sacto, with Gaudin going back into the rotation. Once Blanton or Harden is traded, the lefty comes back up.
Gaudin as a SP
The longer Chad pitches out of the bullpen the longer its going to take for him to be stretched out to be a starter again. If Blanton is traded it will take a little time to get Chad ready to start.
interesting game tonight
i took the visquels straight steal of home as a bad omen for the a’s. but that only because, like many of us out there, i am an eternal defeatist when it comes to our beloved team. smith still needs to evolve into a true major league pitcher, as shown on that play. it was basically crafty and smart future hall of famer vs. up and coming rookie pitcher. once smith learns all the tricks of trade on the major league level, i think he will become a formidable opponent for all opposing teams. but in the end:
the a’s won.
my cats are purring..
i have a cold beer in my hand.
“field of dreams” is on the telly.
and all is right with the world.
if only for one night.
"Baseball players have lots of bats." - Fran Healy
If he gets in, he'll be listed
JUST above Vizquel. Unless there’s a great player named Vivquel that I’ve forgotten about.
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
No way Vizquel in HOF
Think of all the other SS’s during Vizquel’s career who are demonstrably better HOF candidates: Trammell, Ripken, Garciaparra, Jeter, A-Rod, Tejada, Larkin. That’s a long line (although Cal is already in). Also, Vizquel was never even remotely an MVP candidate in any year.
Player of the game last night
BOB GEREN!!! Leaving Smith out there was rough but needed. Watching on mbl.com I thought it really looked like Zuks wanting to walk out to talk to Smith early and often and I assume Geren had a short leach on Zuks.
Now on to my other game notes if anyone cares.
1) the steal of home was just silly cool
2) Cust doesn’t dive for balls as much as he sorta flops down on them to catch them at eye level. What ever works for ya Jack.
3) I noticed that I felt oddly happy when Zito seemed to string 2 innings of the Old Zito command.
Beane's World!! Excellent!!! Rock On, Beane! Rock On, Geren!
Re: Zito
I can’t say I like seeing him fail so often, though I’m sure glad it’s with the Giants and not us. Still, Giants fans have to be hoping for SOMEthing good out of him. I mean, we already got Sean Doolittle out of it and Zito out of our rotation, so it’s a good net gain.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site
jamesvenes.com - Blog
Barton in June
It’s pretty nice to have a first baseman who’s hitting .333/.422/.487. Good thing Hannahan isn’t taking away his ABs.
So it goes.
Off topic: 2B at Sacto
Not worth a separate fanpost, but I’m wondering why they don’t move Guzman up from Midland and drop Conrad. Conrad is roster filler – not a guy you’d ever want taking space on the major league roster – Murphy and Petit are much better options. So why not see if Guzman’s crazy hitting at AA is for real?
at this point
Guzman might as well play in Midland through the Texas League All-Star game. After that, I agree, bring him up there to Sac. And if they want to still keep Conrad too, then you keep doing a rotating DH thing with 3B, 2B, adding to the mix.
Yeah, a number of players who are doing well are left at that level so they can play...
...in that All-Star Game, then get promoted afterward. It’s a nice little honor for them.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site
jamesvenes.com - Blog
Just curious - wouldn't Bobby Kielty
be the perfect player for the A’s to have right now? A right-handed platoon player ,who really mashes LHP, to have alongside R. Sweeney, Gonzalez, and Buck, a guy with superior OF fundamentals to E. Brown, and a great teammate.
Today’s rhyme:
DFA BROWN
FREE THE KLOWN!!!
Everybody…
DFA BROWN
FREE THE KLOWN!!!
Now just the altos:
DFA BROWN
FREE THE KLOWN!!!
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
The sprinklers?
Absolutely hilarious way to top off a feel-good evening. We were busting up laughing in the crowd, watching the players scatter and Street run around like a trapped puppy.
Someone doesn’t know how to hit buttons properly. :-D
Just seeing the A’s finally gain some ground on the Angels again was refreshing, even though it’s hard to watch it happen at Zito’s expense—I still love the guy, even though I wanted to watch him get lit up.
As much as it pains me, I want Smith and Eveland to stay in the rotation. They’ve gotta take their lumps and I’m not convinced they’ve had enough problems to get sent down yet.
Also, I’m starting to like Chavez again. It’s a deeply disturbing and confusing feeling… I’m not quite sure how to cope with it.
"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."
Barton
One thing does concern me still about Barton: He’s striking out a lot. Now, people here should know by now that I generally don’t care about strike outs. Cust is going to K 150+ times and it doesn’t bother me much. But I think it’s different with Barton because he’s not been a strike out guy in the past. He only Kd 11 times in 72 ABs in his cup o’ coffee last season. In June (where he’s hitting .333/.422/.487) he still has 12 Ks in 39 ABs. That’s, like, very UnDale like.
I can live with the Ks if he can hit .333, but he’s not likely to hit for such a high average if he doesn’t cut down on the Ks. And he doesn’t have much power anyway, so it’s not like he’s going to be sacrificing that. And I don’t think his walk rate will drop either, because he swings and misses at a lot of (bad) pitches.
Still, though, he’s improving. That’s good to see.
http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/
by thejd44 on Jun 14, 2008 12:35 PM PDT reply actions
Dont sweat the K's
Has long as they come in places without runners on and dont end rallies let em swing at bad pitches as long as they hit when needed.
To keep this pic-free
Here’s the hi-res image: Street vs Sprinkers
by SwisherThresher on Jun 14, 2008 1:05 PM PDT reply actions
Love it!!!
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
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