A's come out on Short End of Philly Stick

by Tyler Bleszinski on Jun 25, 2008 11:57 PM PDT

The A's, despite being anemic tonight offensively, did have one shot to make the game interesting and that was the eighth inning when they finally got to Kyle Kendrick. The team had only four hits against Kendrick all night and the game was over when Greg Smith gave up one run in the first inning.

There weren't too many highlights to this game, but the one that sticks out in my mind is Ryan Sweeney gunning down Chase Utley at home. Kurt Suzuki courageously blocked the plate to stop Utley from scoring. I'm really coming to understand why all the kids are calling this guy Swooney.

The only other good news coming from the evening is that the A's are in talks to re-sign Mark Ellis to a contract extension beyond this season. Thank goodness. Ellis just seems like one of those players that needs to be an Oakland Athletic for life. Yeah, he's not flashy offensively or defensively, but I would say that he is probably in the top five second baseman in baseball when you take everything into account. Plus he is honestly one of the few players on the A's who I feel never, ever gives an AB away.

So the A's wrap up the series tomorrow with the team from their former city. Then again, Kansas City is one of those teams too. My question is, how many sports franchises can say that they spent some of their time on the East Coast, Midwest and West Coast? Not many. I know my New Jersey Devils used to be the Kansas City Scouts and the Colorado Rockies before settling in the Garden State. What is it with me and former Kansas City teams?

Rich Harden looks to go 5-0 against Adam Eaton who is 2-5. See you here at 12:35. I'll be really glad when this weekend is over and Interleague is in the rear view mirror, thank you very much.

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And Thank You!

Nico. I think my fan post title was better than yours, but clearly you have more insight. I concur, haha!

Stomper is a badass!

by lynnzgal on Jun 26, 2008 12:09 AM PDT reply actions

It was Blez' title and story, but

my insight (which I transmitted to Blez through witchcraft).

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 26, 2008 6:32 AM PDT up reply actions

At least the Angels lost, and Ellis has a better chance to stay in the Green and Gold.

Get Smart is a cool movie. It wasn’t great, but worth my leaving the house at the eighth inning.

Green Hulk Fists

by oaklandSMASH on Jun 26, 2008 12:27 AM PDT reply actions

Blez, is it to much to say...

That a possible Ellis extension outweighs a game that the A’s would’ve lost no matter type of pitches Kyle “cy young” Kendrick threw tonite?

by Taj Adib on Jun 26, 2008 2:29 AM PDT reply actions

God, it's so looserish to folllow my own post, but...

the phils stranded 12+ runners on-base tonite. Throw strikes guys! I mean, they do it to us, make them pay, don’t alliow another guy to have another career game against us! humiliating!

by Taj Adib on Jun 26, 2008 2:46 AM PDT up reply actions

Yes

It definitely outweighed this game.

by Tyler Bleszinski on Jun 26, 2008 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions

Happy Ellis Fans

Are Happy

Don't blame me, I voted for Ice Cream

by Englishmajor on Jun 26, 2008 8:33 AM PDT reply actions

Wow, not much to say about this game

I guess I don’t have much to say either, except—Kyle frigging Kendrick? Seriously?

He’s terrible. He’s like a worse version of Joe Blanton.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 26, 2008 9:04 AM PDT reply actions

and how many games

has Blanton lost 1-0?
At least 2 or 3.

by MobiusKlein on Jun 26, 2008 9:06 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm not saying Joe Blanton sucks

I’m saying Kendrick is like him, except worse, and therefore sucks.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 26, 2008 9:53 AM PDT up reply actions

Not much to watch.

The defensive lapses were especially distressing, although it would be hard to blame the outfielders. PatCraft had the runner nail-ed by two steps that Zooks clearly heard, Swooney did throw out Utley at the plate and the JCOA looked something like an outfielder in chasing Feliz’ triple. But the brainfarts on two bunts and Crosby’s muffed play were embarrassing, I hope.

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Jun 26, 2008 9:10 AM PDT reply actions

Only if the ump blew the call

The runner was safe even if Suzuki caught the throw cleanly. The replays showed the runner hitting the plate before Suzuki’s empty glove made contact with him.

Root for the Giants? Not even if they're playing al-Qaeda!

by Monday Fan on Jun 26, 2008 10:06 AM PDT up reply actions

On the first play at the plate? Really?

Object lesson in eye-witness testimony. My recollection has the ball getting there well in-advance on one-hop, with it skipping out of Zooks’ glove and his starting to come up to pursue it by the time the runner got there.

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Jun 26, 2008 12:32 PM PDT up reply actions

The first play at the plate was an out

The second—Gonzalez’s throw on the sac fly—Suzuki had no real play. It looked closer than it was because Suzuki had to bring his glove up to get the ball and back down again to tag the runner. MF’s assessment is correct here.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 26, 2008 6:10 PM PDT up reply actions

Off topic

The site looks great. It has been quite some time since I last visited AN.com, which was four years ago and I bought a t-shirt I still wear.

Keep up the great work. I plan to visit more often. I moved to D.C. from the Bay Area (San Ramon) last December and where else would I go to find fellow A’s fans?

See you all around.

by mattortega on Jun 26, 2008 9:17 AM PDT reply actions

...From San Ramon to D.C...?

..that must have hurt a bit :)

by doubleplayer on Jun 26, 2008 9:47 AM PDT up reply actions

"Big Hurt"

Yeah, it certainly hurt, in a myriad of ways.

What pains me the most is not being able to go to A’s games. They visit New York in July, but I will be in Texas at that time. I am hoping to get away from work in the first week of August to make the trek up to Fenway and catch a game there.

by mattortega on Jun 26, 2008 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions