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A's Offense and Pitching Barren When Facing Danny Haren

As_kings_cal_tiny by louismg on

 

Here's all you really need to know about tonight's game: Dan Haren, in a single swing, knocked in more runs than did the entire A's lineup for the entire game. His three-run double in the third stretched the Diamondbacks' lead from 5-0 to 8-0, making what was already a pretty bad situation look completely insurmountable.

Haren reminded his old ballclub why he was such a sought-after commodity, and looked very much like the pitcher who represented the A's as the All-Star Game starter just last season. He posted 7 innings of one-run ball, striking out eight A's hitters to go along with his prowess at the plate. Meanwhile, Joe Blanton became the first pitcher in the American League to post 10 losses, going home with a record of 3-10 after an ugly, ugly start.

Blanton wasted no time in seeing this game slip away. The first four Diamondbacks hitters reached base in the first inning, and once two were out, Chris Young hit a three-run shot, making the score 5-0 before we knew what had hit us. By the time he left the game, Blanton had given up 8 runs on 7 hits and 3 walks in only 3 innings, seeing his ERA rise to 4.81, up from 4.23 entering the game.

To be honest, it's almost better that the A's just got pasted tonight, partly due to the Diamondbacks needing retribution for Tuesday's 15-1 shellacking, and also as Blanton couldn't blame the hitters for tonight's defeat. He's been in his share of hard-luck losses this season (and the last few), but the only thing hard tonight was how hard he was being hit.

If I were Joe, and Haren now offered to take me to dinner, I'd turn him down, order room service and go wreck the hotel room.

 

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Furniture crashing

everywhere!

Stomper is a badass!

by lynnzgal on Jun 18, 2008 9:12 PM PDT   0 recs

I bet it ever piece of furniture

misses its target

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Jun 18, 2008 9:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Sad

:-{

Stomper is a badass!

by lynnzgal on Jun 18, 2008 9:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Did anyone ever consider the possibility...

that Joe may have thrown the game because of the dinner deal? I mean, Giving up 8 runs in 3 innings ought to net him a pretty damn good dinner. Perhaps they should have the loser buy dinner from now on. That’s called an incentive.

I am of course kidding. Sort of.

by VORP is too nerdy on Jun 18, 2008 9:14 PM PDT   0 recs

Gio Gonzalez

Absolutely was dealing tonight….

8ip 0bb 1h 0er 12Ks…..

by rharden40 on Jun 18, 2008 9:17 PM PDT   0 recs

Call up Gio and DFA Blanton!

Blow up this team, Billy! Unless the Mets come 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 Jun 18, 2008 9:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Dinner for Joe Blanton

1) 7 double cheeseburgers
2) 11 Taco Supremes
3) 5 helping of french fries
4) 2 gallons of Breyers Mint Chip

Add a cup full of visine to finish

by Trainman on Jun 18, 2008 9:20 PM PDT   0 recs

Hook blanton up to an IV tonight

because he pitched like a dying man.

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Jun 18, 2008 9:26 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Well, if they were gonna get shellacked...

... they might as well have gotten shellacked in a game that, at first glance, they were less likely to win anyway.

The hell with it. Tomorrow, they go for the series win.

President and CEO of the Ryan Sweeney Apologists Consortium

by Joey C. on Jun 18, 2008 9:25 PM PDT   0 recs

True

Blanton is a stopper—of win streaks!

Let’s take it tomorrow!!

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Jun 18, 2008 9:26 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

This is True

A win tomorrow completes a very successful and short distance road trip

by Trainman on Jun 18, 2008 9:26 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Has anyone heard an up date on Ellis

and how many of us didnt see something like this comming during and after the 15-1 game. It would have been great to win both games against one of the best one two punches in the Bigs. But a win today would end this road swing with a 5-1 record. And thats promising for after the All-star break. Also i would like to see Bowen and Petit start today and give Suzuki and Ellis or Crosby a day off.

by A'sfaninNC on Jun 19, 2008 8:08 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Sad, but felt this coming last night

I thought Danny boy was going to shut us out tonight. I was close on that, but didn’t see Blanton and the pen serving up 11. Oh well, hope they got something out of their system.

by asfansince1989 on Jun 18, 2008 9:28 PM PDT   0 recs

wish Gaudin had seized the moment

But maybe it was Gio that did it—in any case, I think the case is pretty much closed re Blanton and his true performance this year. unfortunately the trade value has dropped dramatically

by madmongoose on Jun 18, 2008 9:41 PM PDT   0 recs

Gio has rocked for a long, long time

now it’s Blanton’s time to pass the torch…

(props to anyone who gets the reference)

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Jun 18, 2008 9:43 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Dude

The D. C’mon, now, not everyone on here remembers when the A’s played in KC.

(I kid)

President and CEO of the Ryan Sweeney Apologists Consortium

by Joey C. on Jun 18, 2008 10:05 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

:(

"The two of them deserve each other. One's a born liar, the other's convicted."

by SwampyD on Jun 18, 2008 10:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Great, now I feel bad

Respect, SwampyD.

President and CEO of the Ryan Sweeney Apologists Consortium

by Joey C. on Jun 19, 2008 12:31 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I’m 24

"The two of them deserve each other. One's a born liar, the other's convicted."

by SwampyD on Jun 19, 2008 9:15 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hahaha

President and CEO of the Ryan Sweeney Apologists Consortium

by Joey C. on Jun 19, 2008 12:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Well the road is fuckin' hard

it also is a fuckin’ tough!

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Jun 18, 2008 11:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You sit in your tower! You nap-- what's funny?!?!

This could probably go on for way too long.

President and CEO of the Ryan Sweeney Apologists Consortium

by Joey C. on Jun 19, 2008 12:30 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

LOL Frankie Blows a save

Now for Carlod Beltran to launch one

by Trainman on Jun 18, 2008 9:56 PM PDT   0 recs

Mets tie it!

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 18, 2008 9:56 PM PDT   0 recs

F-FRAUD BLOWN SAVE!!

I get fantasy points for David Wright’s RBI!!

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Jun 18, 2008 9:57 PM PDT   0 recs

I get fantasy points when I wear my Ellis jersey to bed

but that’s TMI (Too Much Information) for AN.

by MobiusKlein on Jun 18, 2008 9:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

LOL.

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 Jun 18, 2008 10:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

(I wore my Ellis shirt to bed the other day too!)

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 Jun 18, 2008 10:04 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Somehow, not so bad when a lady says it

President and CEO of the Ryan Sweeney Apologists Consortium

by Joey C. on Jun 18, 2008 10:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Is it right to fantasize about Ellis when with a lady?

Nothing is ever right anymore.

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Jun 18, 2008 10:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

No,no,no

it’s for the benefit of the lady one is with!

And thus by proxy, you.

by MobiusKlein on Jun 18, 2008 10:22 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You must become one with the Ellis

She’ll thank you later.

President and CEO of the Ryan Sweeney Apologists Consortium

by Joey C. on Jun 18, 2008 10:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm officially uncomfortable with this conversation.

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 Jun 18, 2008 10:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Prude

President and CEO of the Ryan Sweeney Apologists Consortium

by Joey C. on Jun 18, 2008 10:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

LOL

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 Jun 18, 2008 10:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

It's been forever since LAA lost a game they led

going to the 9th – they’ve won a couple/few blown saves, but haven’t lost since…?

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 Jun 18, 2008 9:59 PM PDT   0 recs

I was going to say

Now would be a good time. But it’s always a good time.

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

by louismg on Jun 18, 2008 10:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Duaner Sanchez against the top of the order

Lovely.

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 Jun 18, 2008 10:02 PM PDT   0 recs

The worst part?

I have to watch the Angels game now. Stupid Angels. Did I mention I hate the Angels?

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

by louismg on Jun 18, 2008 10:05 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

"Duaner"?

Another member of the there’s-an-extra-letter-in-my-name club. Along with Jacob(y), Edi(n)son, and Tor(i)i.

"Dispatch knuckleheadedness with Bond-like aplomb." –74mk

by iglew on Jun 18, 2008 11:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I have had to listen all day to a Boston Celtics fan

I am not a Lakers fan but was rooting for them this series just because of him.

The sad thing is that he is also an Angels fan who jumped on the bandwagon in 2002.

He has already called me to rag on me about the A’s losing.

I know better than to call him when K-Fraud blew the save because those bastards still have life with their fluke dunkers and occasional Home run.

by Trainman on Jun 18, 2008 10:06 PM PDT   0 recs

-1

Lakers are from SoCal and the NYY of the NBA.

by nevermoor on Jun 19, 2008 5:49 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I loved watching the highlights of David Wright hitting the game tying RBI against F-Raud

and watching him overreact to that.

We need more of that.

America needs more of that.

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Jun 18, 2008 10:10 PM PDT   0 recs

LOL Boom

Justin Meatball Speier

by Trainman on Jun 18, 2008 10:12 PM PDT   0 recs

Home Run Mets!

5-4

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

by louismg on Jun 18, 2008 10:12 PM PDT   0 recs

DAMON EASLEY

you get AN love tonight!!!

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Jun 18, 2008 10:13 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

hahahahahahaha

Easley is a good HR hitter though. Back in the ‘90s…

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 18, 2008 10:14 PM PDT   0 recs

that would be nice

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 18, 2008 10:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Kendrick-Vlad-Hunter

he has his work cut out for him

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Jun 18, 2008 10:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

< drools for Wright >

amazing play. He did the same thing on Monday. Damn.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 18, 2008 10:18 PM PDT   0 recs

he must have a really nice apartment

How ‘bout "jackass"? Can I still say "jackass"? @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 19, 2008 9:28 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Game Over

The POS team loses

by Trainman on Jun 18, 2008 10:21 PM PDT   0 recs

METS WIN!!!

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Jun 18, 2008 10:21 PM PDT   0 recs

Ballgame!

It’s as if today never happened.

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

by louismg on Jun 18, 2008 10:21 PM PDT   0 recs

+ infinity

and beyond!!

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Jun 18, 2008 10:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

ahhhhhh

I enjoyed that.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 18, 2008 10:22 PM PDT   0 recs

THANKS METS!!

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Jun 18, 2008 10:22 PM PDT   0 recs

Yes! Go Mets!

Let’s woop on the DBacks tomorrow, A’s! Series wins are nice, and getting within 2.5 would be nice, too! I love a frustrated KFraud! Awesome! Go A’s! And what’s up with Joe? Is he just buying into getting traded, or does he suck? Should Gaudin replace him? DFA? Call up Gio?

by A'sfansince1970 on Jun 18, 2008 10:27 PM PDT   0 recs

Blanton is now fastest A's pitcher to 10 losses

Blanton has reached 10 losses faster than any pitcher in Oakland history. Tom Candiotti, who was on hand Wednesday night as one of the Diamondbacks’ broadcasters, held the previous mark, dropping his 10th decision on June 23, 1998.

In his past seven starts, Blanton has allowed eight home runs in 41 2/3 innings. He gave up three, total, over his first 61 1/3 innings this season. For the second time in four starts, he left without speaking to reporters.

“The pitch that got hit out was over the plate, but other than that, they snuck a couple of hits in there, hit them where we weren’t,” shortstop Bobby Crosby said. “I didn’t see anything different with Joe than in the past.”

Will be the fastest to 20 losses in 10 more appearances

Gotta beat Doug Davis. This is the same Davis that used to fool the old A’s about 5 or 6 years ago when he was with Texas right?

by Trainman on Jun 18, 2008 10:28 PM PDT   0 recs

any lefty vs. the A's without Frank=bad news

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 18, 2008 10:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Who cares about pitcher W-L records

Just like any other stat that depends on the team surrounding the pitcher rather than just the pitcher, it can fluctuate. Sometimes wildly. He’s won 14, 16, and 12 games over the past 3 seasons. What, all of a sudden in his age 28 season he became Jeff Weaver?

President and CEO of the Ryan Sweeney Apologists Consortium

by Joey C. on Jun 18, 2008 10:37 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

My concern is that while Blanton pitched well

in starting the season with a poor W/L record, now he’s really starting to pitch worse. And he’s losing his composure more frequently. He stared in at three ball/strike calls last night, all of which were correct (to my eyes). He’s also hanging sliders like they’re witches in Salem.

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 Jun 19, 2008 9:19 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Echo the composure concern

I remember this as a big issue for Blanton early in his career, something which (dare I say it) I was cured of with the help of Jason Kendall. For the past six weeks or so Joe seems to have regressed in this department…more staring at umps, more bad body language, and in particular a tough time overcoming those walks and errors and bloops and such which the best pitchers manage to put out of their minds.

How do the angels get to sleep when the devil leaves the porchlight on?

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jun 19, 2008 9:29 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

and he also looks like he's having a worse time "finishing" pitches

Inconsistent (and usually short) stride length, whipping/flicking his hand/forearm at the end of pitches.

How ‘bout "jackass"? Can I still say "jackass"? @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 19, 2008 10:26 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

SOTM

simile of the month

How ‘bout "jackass"? Can I still say "jackass"? @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 19, 2008 10:24 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yep

Now he’s pitching like madmongoose has been trying to say. He wasn’t before.

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site
jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Jun 19, 2008 10:52 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That may be relevant

I still have the suspicion that Blanton will pick up a bunch of wins after the All-Star break (perhaps with a different team), and there will be a lot of talk about how he “resurrected his season” or “is a completely different pitcher.” When actually it’ll just be the difference of things breaking a little differently here and there, whether it’s more run support, having his starts come against crappier teams, etc. ... y’know, the usual stuff misconstrued by the talking heads at ESPN.

President and CEO of the Ryan Sweeney Apologists Consortium

by Joey C. on Jun 19, 2008 12:19 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Very entertaining:

Angels make two outs on the bases in one play, the second one is hilarious: click on video.
http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2008_06_18_nynmlb_anamlb_1

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 18, 2008 10:39 PM PDT   0 recs

Wright's play also there; "damn" again

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 18, 2008 10:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs