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Open Thread: Game 76 - A's vs. Phillies

Goat_tiny by Nico on

Tonight it's the pitching matchup of Jamie Moyer against Joe Blanton, otherwise known as Cy Old vs. Sigh, You Again? As I celebrate (hopefully) my 41st birthday today, I feel young knowing that Jamie Moyer is still effective at the age of 118. Moyer, who throws a changeup and a slower pitch, is 7-4, 4.09 for the Phillies so far this year.

As for Joe Blanton, his kingdom for a win. Heck, his Kingman for a win - as in Brian Kingman, the last A's pitcher to lose 20 games. Blanton (3-10, 4.81) has earned the dubious distinction of being the fastest to 10 losses in Oakland A's history. Joe Blanton, fast - who knew? (That works on so many levels.)

Today's "fun fact": Not in the lineup today (I'm assuming he's not feeling 100%) is Eric Chavez who, career against Jamie Moyer, is a robust 21/65 (.323) with 6 HRs and a 1.043 OPS. Mark Ellis is also MIA.

The starting lineups:

Rollins - SS (I think his first name is "Oakland's Jimmy")
Victorino - CF (was he named by Rob Schneider?)
Utley - 2B (is the name "Chase Utley" aristocratic enough for you?)
Howard - 1B (he has a first name for a last name)
Burrell - LF (he has a girl's name for a first name)
Werth - RF (Without him the Phillies are Werthless)
Jenkins - DH (first name is pronounced "GEE-off," I believe)
Feliz - 3B (has the patience of a saint - St. Emil Brown, that is)
Ruiz - C (a catcher slugging .305? He must be really gritty)

Suzuki - C
R. Sweeney - RF
Cust - DH
Crosby - SS
E. Brown - LF
Hannahan - 3B
Gonzalez - CF
Murphy - 2B
Barton - 1B

 

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Ellis is sick

and Chavez says his right shoulder is bothering him a bit.

by Soaker on Jun 24, 2008 6:49 PM PDT   0 recs

thanks, better than his back....

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 24, 2008 6:50 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Wonderful

"May a nit suck Cajun geese?" wonders Red. No, we see gnu Jack Cust in a yam.

by andeux on Jun 24, 2008 6:50 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Chavy out 2 straight games=bad

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 24, 2008 6:49 PM PDT   0 recs

Chavy out 150 straight games = was worse!

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 24, 2008 6:51 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Good think Crosby and Hannahan are both over there to make sure the hot corner is covered, though

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

by Nick on Jun 24, 2008 7:02 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Around the horn

Marco Scutaro 4-6 against the reds

Bronson Arroyo 1 IP 11 hits 10 runs (all earned), era went from 5.55 to 6.52. The only other person trying harder than Blanton to NOT be traded.

TB leads going into the bottom of the 9th.

And just cause it make me happy NYY 3-PIT 12

by A'sfaninNC on Jun 24, 2008 6:50 PM PDT   0 recs

Following the Rays game, I noticed the Marlins called up a new catcher

Very irritating to me that they didn’t call up once-A minor leaguer John Baker who I played LL with. He was out-hitting the other guy by a lot in AAA.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 24, 2008 6:58 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

If you use the lineup widget

will R Sweeney turn into M Sweeney?

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

by iglew on Jun 24, 2008 6:52 PM PDT   0 recs

This lineup makes me sad.

"We were s--, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."

by lenscrafters on Jun 24, 2008 6:54 PM PDT   0 recs

I had a mini stroke when I read Crosby at third.

"JOAN! Are you watching Bombast? Did you see Lack Bust drop that fly call?"

by Jennifer on Jun 24, 2008 6:56 PM PDT   0 recs

huh...
Suzuki – C
R. Sweeney – RF
Cust – DH
Crosby – 3B
E. Brown – LF
Hannahan – 3B
Gonzalez – CF
Murphy – 2B
Barton – 1B

Is this a commentary on Crosby’s abilities?

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Jun 24, 2008 7:00 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Jack is going to carry Bobby on his back

"JOAN! Are you watching Bombast? Did you see Lack Bust drop that fly call?"

by Jennifer on Jun 24, 2008 7:01 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I was really impressed

with Crosby’s ability last night. David, that is…He f-ing killed it.

"There's only one Ken Griffey ." Jay Bruce

by tresselfan on Jun 24, 2008 7:02 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I thought he couldn't own firearms anymore.

"May a nit suck Cajun geese?" wonders Red. No, we see gnu Jack Cust in a yam.

by andeux on Jun 24, 2008 7:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Odd

I had a mini-stroke when I came across Brown’s name with “St.” in front of it.

by nevermoor on Jun 24, 2008 7:08 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Dear Indians,

please hit a walk off homerun already and end this shit.

Pessimism FTW! ... Wait what?

by Zonis on Jun 24, 2008 7:03 PM PDT   0 recs

Happy 41st, Nico!

Has it really been a year since 40? I mean, I know it has, obviously, but it seems like less than that.

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

by Nick on Jun 24, 2008 7:03 PM PDT   0 recs

Thanks - yes, just checked my calendar

(the one I’m using to time Moyer’s pitches) and it was indeed precisely one year ago that I had my last birthday.

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 24, 2008 7:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Despite the sad lineup, I'm happy

that I get to watch the A’s on a normal-sized t.v. screen, and can join the game thread without the autoupdate and mlbtv screwing with each other.

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

by Nick on Jun 24, 2008 7:05 PM PDT   0 recs

I'm Jealous

But at least I can watch Fresno St. (up 15-6)

by nevermoor on Jun 24, 2008 7:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Go Bulldogs!!

I’m guaranteed to be happy!

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

by Nick on Jun 24, 2008 7:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

aw, me want Ellie

c’mon, Cuppa Cuppa Cake…

by schmifty on Jun 24, 2008 7:08 PM PDT   0 recs

One out! WOOO!

"JOAN! Are you watching Bombast? Did you see Lack Bust drop that fly call?"

by Jennifer on Jun 24, 2008 7:10 PM PDT   0 recs

Blanton threw a nice curve for strike 2 to Rollins

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

by Nick on Jun 24, 2008 7:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

One hit! BOOO!

"JOAN! Are you watching Bombast? Did you see Lack Bust drop that fly call?"

by Jennifer on Jun 24, 2008 7:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Come on, Geren...

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 24, 2008 7:11 PM PDT   0 recs

Trainman is SEETHING that Blanton is still in there

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 24, 2008 7:13 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

haha

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 24, 2008 7:13 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Dear God.

Was that GUM behind Utley’s ear?

"JOAN! Are you watching Bombast? Did you see Lack Bust drop that fly call?"

by Jennifer on Jun 24, 2008 7:11 PM PDT   0 recs

Do the Phillies have a team nun?

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

by Nick on Jun 24, 2008 7:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Stop me if you've heard this one before...

President and CEO of the Ryan Sweeney Apologists Consortium

by Joey C. on Jun 24, 2008 7:13 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You know how many times I've heard it?

Nun.

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 24, 2008 7:13 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

No, that's what the nun said.

"JOAN! Are you watching Bombast? Did you see Lack Bust drop that fly call?"

by Jennifer on Jun 24, 2008 7:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

[opens hands]

We are good people, holy father, despite this and all the times we say fuck. Honest.

by paradox on Jun 24, 2008 7:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That pun made me very cross.

President and CEO of the Ryan Sweeney Apologists Consortium

by Joey C. on Jun 24, 2008 7:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Sorry - bad habit

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 24, 2008 7:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

WE STILL HAVE ONE OUT! WOO

"JOAN! Are you watching Bombast? Did you see Lack Bust drop that fly call?"

by Jennifer on Jun 24, 2008 7:15 PM PDT   0 recs

Bad Blanton Sighting

Pessimism FTW! ... Wait what?

by Zonis on Jun 24, 2008 7:16 PM PDT   0 recs

So would balls -

like the balls to throw strikes.

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 24, 2008 7:17 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Blanton's fastball command is pretty crappy tonight

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

by Nick on Jun 24, 2008 7:17 PM PDT   0 recs

If we traded Joe to the Phillies, he'd have to change his nickname to Tastykakes

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

by Nick on Jun 24, 2008 7:19 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

ahhhhhhhhhhh

The world is a good place.

by paradox on Jun 24, 2008 7:19 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Pew Pew Pew

Pessimism FTW! ... Wait what?

by Zonis on Jun 24, 2008 7:19 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Two things gleaned from the Phillies pre game show...

.....1) Ray Fosse is REALLY a homer. His incredible overrating of Blanton (“since he’s been with the A’s he’s always in 1-0, 2-1 games, gets no run support…”) Um, Ray. First of all, that’s not true. Look at his stats. Yes, THIS year he’s had some tough matchups and not the best run support, but two years ago he got tons of support. Overall, #3 starter at best Ray. Stats don’t back up, nearly, Ray’s homer assessment.

2) After the usual out of town, misdirected pittle about “moneyball” and the A’s by the Phillies announcer interviewing their manager Manuel, Manuel himself went on to spit out a few words, thinly veiled towards saying the A’s really aren’t that good at OBP etc.

Um, Charlie, the A’s are rebuilding, low market and fielding a team full of rookies and guys coming back from injury.

YET ANOTHER example of the A’s, due to their relative success and the book, gettting mistakenly analyzed, unduly ripped and misunderstood.

I’ve listened to a lot of the other teams’ radio broadcasts this year and almost to a team they just spew nonsense related to the A’s.

After i get upset i remind myself that the ignorant way most, not all but most “baseball people” and teams look at things only helps the A’s continue to overachieve.

"Just trying to keep my bases clogged."

by Caught squealin on Jun 24, 2008 7:18 PM PDT   0 recs

Happy Birthday Nico!

and, let’s go A’s!

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 24, 2008 7:20 PM PDT   0 recs

I like Moyer

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 24, 2008 7:22 PM PDT   0 recs

Moyer - Soft Tossing Control Lefty

crap

Pessimism FTW! ... Wait what?

by Zonis on Jun 24, 2008 7:22 PM PDT   0 recs

Eh.

Ray Fosse says Ellis is better anyway.

by nevermoor on Jun 24, 2008 7:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Phils' announcers say Ellis could be available, and Chavez can pinch hit

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

by Nick on Jun 24, 2008 7:23 PM PDT   0 recs

patient, disciplined

Yanked ball four for a clean pretty hit. Textbook ML hitting.

by paradox on Jun 24, 2008 7:25 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

KuZu with leadoff single!

That’s why you let him lead off. On-base machine! :-)

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

by louismg on Jun 24, 2008 7:24 PM PDT   0 recs

Pessimism FTW! ... Wait what?

by Zonis on Jun 24, 2008 7:24 PM PDT   0 recs

This'll be an interesting test of Swooney's progress as a hitter

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

by Nick on Jun 24, 2008 7:25 PM PDT   0 recs

he's still doing great

I think, it’s just one AB.

by paradox on Jun 24, 2008 7:26 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, I meant the game as a whole, not just 1 AB

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

by Nick on Jun 24, 2008 7:27 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I miss my Elli-phant

the game just does not feel the same without him

by schmifty on Jun 24, 2008 7:26 PM PDT   0 recs

No Zonis, they haven't been

And they also play in a tough hitters park which means P’s can throw to contact more.

And they’ve also never been able to keep the ones who ARE good at OBP. And they’ve also never been able to go out and afford a proven guy. And the ones they did keep got injuries.

I’ll admit that Beane’s strategy of good not great, solid drafting hasn’t gotten us any diamonds in the rough in this department, but I think even A’s fans are slowly forgetting the steep odds the A’s consistently beat. Not saying you.

The point is…Ray is really homerific, as we all know…and there’s really a misrepresentation of the A’s and what they do and what they have to fight against to do it. They get judged more harshly because they’ve gotten noticed in the first place due to succeeding/the book.

"Just trying to keep my bases clogged."

by Caught squealin on Jun 24, 2008 7:27 PM PDT   0 recs

Mini Sweeney

is a T-e A-h-t-c

Pessimism FTW! ... Wait what?

by Zonis on Jun 24, 2008 7:27 PM PDT   0 recs

Donnie Murphy will hit a HR off Moyer tonight

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 24, 2008 7:31 PM PDT   0 recs

Great. Now you've ruined all the suspense.

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

by Nick on Jun 24, 2008 7:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

It'll be in the 5th inning.

There, now that he’s ruined it, I come out and give that away too.

In search of a new signature. Say something funny and you may see your comment here!

by DMOAS on Jun 24, 2008 7:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs