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PFP: Marlins 6, A's 4

Banana_album_041907_tiny by monkeyball on

Yeah, that could be either "pretty freakin' pathetic," or "pitchers' fielding practice."

Top 9, game tied, 2 outs, Marlins on 1st and 2nd (and Dan TyBabeTedBarryManny Uggla on deck): A's right-side infielder makes a very nice play to snag a grounder -- and the closer isn't at first in time to cover.

Bottom 9, A's down 2, bases juiced, 2 outs: Marlins right-side infielder makes a very nice play to snag a grounder -- and the closer is at first in time to cover.

As Nico said in the game thread, it's a game of freakin' centimeters. Cantu snagged Swooney's would-be-game-tying-or-even-winning sharp grounder down the line, flipped the ball to Gregg covering -- game over.

Once again, both teams made a good ballgame even more exciting in the late going. While the ninth inning featured some really poor control by both closers (and some even worse strike zone control by home-plate umpire Dana Demuth), both bullpens actually pitched pretty well -- all the late scoring was executed by some pretty good swings by both teams on balls that didn't miss their targets by a whole lot.

The starting pitching was a different matter, though, with Eveland and Nolasco both pitching into, around, through, over, under, edging around the corner of, and finally out of, trouble repeatedly.

Eveland finally settled down, and pitched into the seventh -- a Notnalb start (starting ineffective, and finishing ... well, "strong" is a little ... strong; let's leave it at "effective").

It's hard to fault any of Geren's decisions in the game -- up until the ninth inning. Bringing in Street seemed peculiar, given Street's ineffectiveness last night and the (apparent) availability of Brown, Gaudin, and what seemed like half the starting rotation in the 'pen. And letting Rajai Davis bat in the bottom of the ninth was simply inexcusable (unless Barton was/is deathly ill).

I liked Englishmajor's invocation of Woohoozuki's quote from last night's postgame interview: "We are never gonna give up. We may not win every game but I guarantee we will be fighting until the last out."

It'd just be nice if the offense didn't have to fight until the last out once in a while.

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how bout not having Street pitch the 9th at all...

that was my first choice.

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

by FoolshGame22 on Jun 21, 2008 9:47 PM PDT   0 recs

I thought there were two very bad decisions by Geren

(and I usually defend him).

Walking Hermida was a bad move, not because it’s always wrong to issue an IBB there but because Hermida is just not great enough to warrant it. It was predictable that the lineup might turn all the way to Uggla – in fact it was going to with just one more baserunner. Pitch to Hermida and Cantu with the breathing room of Helms. Don’t walk freaking Jeremy Hermida.

And letting Rajai Davis hit against a RHP when Barton is available? I thought there must be something up Geren’s sleeve, like Davis was going to bunt for a hit, because no way is he the right guy to have up there looking for a hit OR a walk, when you have Barton ready. What the heck was that about?

And yet we STILL almost won – you have to love the fight in this team, if nothing else. One centimeter away. (And why was Cantu guarding the line? He had no business…Grr…)

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 21, 2008 9:51 PM PDT   0 recs

agree 100%

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

by monkeyball on Jun 21, 2008 9:55 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

you don't think running a craptastic closer who can't top 90 mph...

out there was a mistake? He threw an absolute meatball to Uggs. Hell, my kid probably would went yard on that pitch.

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

by FoolshGame22 on Jun 21, 2008 9:56 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't think there were better options

You would think Gaudin but he wasn’t even going back to pitch the 10th – a starting pitcher (Smith) was warming up – so apparently he wasn’t an option to go a full inning (why, I don’t know). Casilla and Foulke were not available and Brown pitched two innings yesterday. Again, bad options tend to make a manager look bad.

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 21, 2008 10:00 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I find it hard to believe Gaudin couldn't have pitched a full inning...

certainly, Street couldn’t.

Geren: “Okay, Huston… get out there an get a little confidence back after last night’s debacle.”

Street: “Sure thing, Skip.”

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

by FoolshGame22 on Jun 21, 2008 10:05 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Interesting point -there has to be SOME reason

Greg Smith was going to pitch the 10th while Gaudin went only 0.1 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

by Nico on Jun 21, 2008 10:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

But even so, I'd rather he pitched for the duration tonight.

He probably wouldn’t go more than four innings on Tuesday anyway.

by WaddellCanseco on Jun 21, 2008 10:18 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

i didnt really understand.......

walking a number 2 hitter to get to the number 3 guy either….....that was quite odd

i root for teams that lack offense! go halos and bills!

by norcaliangelsfan on Jun 21, 2008 9:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I can understand it if it's Polanco or M. Young,

and the next 2-3 hitters are better matchups – which can happen when, say, Cust is pinch run for and Raj Davis or E. Brown is suddenly in the #3 hole – or if the #3 hitter is a real DP possibility) and not a high average hitter. But Jeremy Hermida? Come on.

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 21, 2008 10:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I agreed with the walk, given Street's ridiculous platoon splits

Career OPS vs RHB - .466
Career OPS vs LHB - .738

And Hermida had just homered off him the night before.

by WaddellCanseco on Jun 21, 2008 10:04 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I think the HR was weighed the most,

and I think that’s the mistake. Honestly, would you rather have Street pitch to Hermida or Uggla with the game on the line? Because the career platoon splits say Uggla, but…

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 21, 2008 10:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm pretty confident with a healthy Street against just about any righty

and not so against just about any decent lefty. Hermida isn’t chopped liver. He does have a career 108 OPS+.

by WaddellCanseco on Jun 21, 2008 10:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

A "healthy Street" may be the key

I have a feeling he’s gutting it out because he knows the pen is barren. Which is valiant, but is not really helping at the moment.

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 21, 2008 10:13 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

My DVR switched over at 10 p.m to record something else

How hard was Sweeney’s ball hit.

That would have been something had it gone down the line.

Oh well

Gascan lefty tomorrow

by Trainman on Jun 21, 2008 10:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

It was hit pretty hard, not a "shot".

If Cantu is off the line it gets through, almost did anyway.

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 21, 2008 10:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Damn

As long as we can win tomorrow I will be happy.

Sweeney is and has been very clutch. Even the outs he makes are well hit. He goes the other way and is developing into a vewry good player IMO

by Trainman on Jun 21, 2008 10:13 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm cautiously optimistic about tomorrow

either a CG win by Duke or we rout them. Either scenario is very likely, thouh

by javaball on Jun 21, 2008 10:17 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Meant to tell you monkeyball

In fire speak, those aren’t bolt cutters. That’s a universal key.

The monster at the end of this blog.

by grover on Jun 21, 2008 10:04 PM PDT   0 recs

heh

Yeah, after I clipped the lock, I just stood there for a second, grinning: What else can I break into?

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

by monkeyball on Jun 22, 2008 12:10 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

the other thing

A very satisfying lesson in basic physics, and the wonder that is a lever.

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

by monkeyball on Jun 22, 2008 12:11 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Or a master key.

"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on Jun 22, 2008 12:14 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That 9th inning brings back painful memory of that game against TB,

where Geren ordered the IBB to Pena, and after Devine struck out 2 batters, a mishandled double by Brown cleared the bases, and cost the A’s the game

by javaball on Jun 21, 2008 10:06 PM PDT   0 recs

Street just said he was slow and should have covered 1st

on the ball to Ellis and that would have ended the inning.

He also said his stuff is fine but he missed location two nights in a row and the pitch to Uggla was a little up and he burned me two nights in a row.

He also said, he has forgotten about it (loss) , it is out of his mind already.

by Trainman on Jun 21, 2008 10:06 PM PDT   0 recs

I'll just repeat myself

I hate Dan Uggla.

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

I don't - I just hate that he isn't on my team

I hate Lackey and K-Rod, A.J Pierzynski and Precious Jeter. Uggla just hits really really 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

by Nico on Jun 21, 2008 10:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

that guy is a bonafide chode that GAY JAY puszinkski........

hate em

i root for teams that lack offense! go halos and bills!

by norcaliangelsfan on Jun 21, 2008 10:22 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I was liking you up until the homophobia

I guess I’ll make an exception for A.J., though.

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 21, 2008 10:24 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

i use LAME JAY too......

just depends on my mood.

i root for teams that lack offense! go halos and bills!

by norcaliangelsfan on Jun 21, 2008 10:26 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

As a heterosexual cripple,

now I’m DEEPLY offended for the first time.

Though as an ambulatory tranny, I’m still a bit more peeved about the earlier comment.

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 21, 2008 10:27 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

and as a Stunt double for the virgin mary, im deeply aroused.

i root for teams that lack offense! go halos and bills!

by norcaliangelsfan on Jun 21, 2008 10:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

^ I don't get this ^

And yet … it’s still funny.

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

by iglew on Jun 21, 2008 11:50 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't really hate him

Just hating him these last two days.

I actually like the Marlins even though the Florida fans are so lukewarm to them. They’re building a pretty great team down there. Again.

by Blez on Jun 21, 2008 10:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

fire sale will soon follow........dont worry

i root for teams that lack offense! go halos and bills!

by norcaliangelsfan on Jun 21, 2008 10:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I dont know about a fire sell at least for a few years

as the Marlins are getting a new ball park in Miami

by A'sfaninNC on Jun 22, 2008 8:33 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The Marlins have talented players,

but I think the Rays are more dangerous.

by javaball on Jun 21, 2008 10:35 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

with a former Halo as their manager

just wanted to add that ;)

i root for teams that lack offense! go halos and bills!

by norcaliangelsfan on Jun 21, 2008 10:36 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

sure, they hit home runs, but their defense is the worst in the league,

if the opposing pitchers can keep the ball in the park, they are very much beatable

by javaball on Jun 21, 2008 10:37 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

the Rays can hit

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

by FoolshGame22 on Jun 21, 2008 10:20 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

but their pitching staff shutdown the marlins for two games, 7-3, 4-1

The Marlins scored 6 runs in both games in this series

by javaball on Jun 21, 2008 10:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

And we're coming off a series where we outscored

Arizona 17-14! Are we leading the division yet?

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 21, 2008 10:25 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Not really -

We got 3 hits and took a 1-1 game into the bottom of the 8th.

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 21, 2008 10:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

It wasn't entirely the bullpen's fault, I agree

but still a bullpen loss in a tight game

by javaball on Jun 21, 2008 10:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

our "healthy" pitching staff...

may be better than the Rays. As currently configured, I doubt it. And, there bullpen ERA is slightly better than ours.

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

by FoolshGame22 on Jun 21, 2008 10:37 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

before tonight...

ours was slightly better. After tonight, theirs is slightly better.

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

by FoolshGame22 on Jun 21, 2008 10:42 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't know what to make of it

on the one hand, we have a good bullpen, ERA ranked among league leaders,
on the other, the bullpen have taken more losses than the starting pitchers, below .500

by javaball on Jun 21, 2008 10:45 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That tells you our hitters leave a lot of

1-1 games to the pen, and keep not scoring until the pen gives up a run. It’s how a Duchscherer can have an ERA of 2.08 and be only 7-4.

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 21, 2008 11:08 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I understand your point

offense has never been our strong suite though. A typical A’s win is a low-soring, well-pitched, well-defended game

by javaball on Jun 21, 2008 11:18 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Correction:

The bullpen actually have an above .500 winning percentage,
Blanton himself has more losses than the entire bullpen combined.

by javaball on Jun 21, 2008 11:17 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

What if you factor in losses to Blanton

when the BP allowed inherited runners to score?
(Or Emil Brown for that matter)

by MobiusKlein on Jun 22, 2008 10:49 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Only two (out of ten) losses Blanton had

were due to poor defense and/or inherited-runners scoring.

What’s more troubling is that his ERA has actually gone up from April to June, allowing HRs and many BBs in his last 7 starts. Our defense has improved in the last month, but as the baseball cliche goes, there is no defense against HR or BB

by javaball on Jun 22, 2008 12:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

brokin' keyBord cutsy Pasty…

mistake?…agree 100%…Grr…freakin’ Street…pretend meatball…(and I usually defend him)…Geren’s decisions ineffective…Barry juiced…Dana Demuth burned Us…Let’s key A.J Pierzynski’s car…

"You have to have a catcher or you'll have all passed balls."- Casey Stengel

by Gaijin_Suketto on Jun 21, 2008 10:20 PM PDT   0 recs

{keys Pierzynski's car}

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 21, 2008 10:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

{keys Buehrle's hubcaps}

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

by iglew on Jun 21, 2008 11:55 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Went to both last night's game

and tonight. Sat right behind home plate … perhaps Street is hurt, I don’t know. One thing I do know … every Marlin on the bench is salivating at the thought of hitting against him. Uggla makes him look like a T-baller. I mean, it’s one thing to blow a couple games … but my goodness, man, let’s try not to give up life-threatening line drives to every hitter. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen a pitcher so hittable. The Marlins are begging he gets in the game tomorrow … I’m not. Street is really, really bad right now. Horrifically, embarassingly bad.

I needed a team so I wouldn’t turn into one of the eighty million pink hat-wearing Bud Light-drinking mulleted idiots at Fenway.

by Vacafan on Jun 21, 2008 10:37 PM PDT   0 recs

Esteban hittable?!

Florida ain't no place for a self-respecting A's fan.

by Leopold Bloom on Jun 22, 2008 7:58 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Davis, Street, So So Lefty

Is Rajai the new starting centerfielder?

Is that pitch Street threw to Uggia the worst pitch since Niedlessfuel’s gopher ball to Jack Clark?

Will the A’s get more than 10 hits tomorrow against a very mediocre leftie?

by solotar on Jun 21, 2008 10:40 PM PDT   0 recs

comments are forever

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

by FoolshGame22 on Jun 21, 2008 10:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

like diamonds?

i root for teams that lack offense! go halos and bills!

by norcaliangelsfan on Jun 21, 2008 11:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

No, more like going to Street for the 9th no matter what

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 21, 2008 11:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Seriously

if he can’t pitch any better than that, he needs to be on the DL. We would suffer without having a “true” closer (I must admit, bringing Foulke in four years too late scares me senseless), but not nearly as much as the false hope and bitter crushing of our souls we’re suffering now when he blows save after save.

Florida ain't no place for a self-respecting A's fan.

by Leopold Bloom on Jun 22, 2008 8:01 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs