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It is, indeed, a game of inches: Giants 1, A's 0

Banana_album_041907_tiny by monkeyball on

The Lincecum-Duchscherer matchup came exactly as advertised: both offenses looked entirely overmatched all game long. The Giants scratched out a run against Duchscherer in the 4th on Barton's E on Winn's grounder (though the run would have scored even if Barton had fielded it cleanly) -- and Duke shgould be extremely thankful to Hannahan that the Giants didn't scratch out another couple runs.

The 4th was the only inning that Duke didn't look masterful -- and there still was only one ball hit hard off of Duke: Durham's double off the wall in RF over Patrol Craft's head.

Lincecum pitched nearly as well as Duchscherer. Even though he gave up 5 hits and 3 walks, the A's weren't really hitting much better against Lincecum than the Giants were against Duke. The A's really only hit three balls hard all night: Zook's double leading off the 8th, Crosby's GIDP smash to end the 1st, and Patrol Craft's liner to right that Winn was just able to get back on in time to catch.

Sure, you can talk all you want about the various little turns of fortune and misfortune and 50/50 decisions that went the wrong way. But to me, the game turned on the half-inch (or less) in placement of the ball on the bat on Durham's double vs Patrol Craft's double-that-wasn't. This wasn't a game that could have been won with a little more willpower or grit or savvier decision-making of the kind that can only be done while sitting on the couch with a pint of Ben & Jerry's. This was a game with two matched top MLB pitching talents slicing through two equally matched collections of indifferently skilled batters. The A's didn't lose this game because they didn't execute with runners in scoring position; they lost this game because neither team hit well, period (mostly due to the quality of the starting pitchers), and a few flips of the proverbial coin went against the A's.

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good analysis and summary

monkeyball.

"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer

by One won lost won on Jun 28, 2008 9:05 PM PDT   0 recs

tnx

Of course, that’s not to say that some of the A’s decisions/actions (most egregiously, in my mind, Crosby’s eighth-assed bunt attempt) weren’t indefensible.

Can an aging lemur suffer from dementia? @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jun 28, 2008 9:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The problem I had with Crosby's bunt

is that he routinely lowers the bat too far and pops up drag bunts to third, and in that spot, instead of trying to beat it out (if that’s what he was doing) he should have pushed it up the first base line – which I think he does far more fundamentally sound than his “drop it to third” efforts. But honestly I think bunting was the right move there, to put the tying run at third with one out and the go-ahead run in scoring position, while removing the DP; it was just yet more lame execution.

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 28, 2008 9:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The biggest problem with it was that he didn't square up for it

Then he jabbed at it. Not good in that situation.

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

by Flashfire on Jun 28, 2008 9:17 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Check the bat angle and you'll see

why he could only pop it up.

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 28, 2008 9:19 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That bunt attempt sunk the A's.

Bobby was bunting for a base hit. He should have taken his time and laid the sacrifice down. We would have tied the game on the drive to right. Of course Suzuki should have taken third on Cust’s infield hit. Bad baserunning tonight.

"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 28, 2008 9:20 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

and, one more point

if you take that pitch and NOT bunt (on a pitch not worth bunting) now the pitcher doesn’t want to come in with something you could bunt. Often, this results in a walk instead, or, a really good pitch to hit. Walker is not esp. prone to walking. Still that outcome was “the worst”.

"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer

by One won lost won on Jun 28, 2008 9:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'll say it here, too.

Sign Bonds.

Move Cust to 1B. Take the hit on defense.

Send Barton down. He needs to learn to be aggressive again.

by mikev on Jun 28, 2008 9:06 PM PDT   0 recs

As has been mentioned

the Cust “move to 1B” has been tried with EVERY organization he has been with. Forget it. Nope, Cannot be.

"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer

by One won lost won on Jun 28, 2008 9:08 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Can Ryan Sweeney play 1B?

The outfield would be rough with Bonds and Cust in there at the same time but we need to get some offense going.

by Yellowhorse on Jun 28, 2008 9:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The notion of putting a player at a position

he doesn’t actually play is not worth analyzing any more than the idea of putting Mike Sweeney at SS when Crosby needs a day off.

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 28, 2008 9:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Erroneous! Erroneous!

16 games at 1B in 1998 for Arizona’s Single A team!!!

by mikev on Jun 28, 2008 10:46 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

a minor detail.

Kotsay played a game or two at first base for us, too.

by mikev on Jun 28, 2008 11:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Which is not what you're advocating Cust doing, so...

...I think I’m done with this exchange.

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

by Flashfire on Jun 28, 2008 11:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Kotsay is a good defender

If a guy has to be put at a position he doesn’t know, I would guess that someone with good defensive skills could improvise it better than someone with bad defensive skills.

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

by iglew on Jun 28, 2008 11:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You have no sense of comedy.

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 28, 2008 11:17 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Ribbit, ribbit, ribbit!

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

by iglew on Jun 28, 2008 11:26 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I've seen similar ruses from you before

:-}

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 28, 2008 11:27 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Screw it!

Put Can-O-Spam at first and send Barton down anyways. You always have Bowen as a backup first baseman in an emergency. Barton is not contributing a damned thing at the moment. I was really disappointed with the A’s baserunning tonight. Just dreadful all the way around.

Duke deserves way better than tonight’s showing by his offense…..just shitty!

by mrod on Jun 28, 2008 9:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The loss obscures one fact that deserves mention:

Justin Duchscherer is f-ing amazing. I can’t believe all the sentiment about trading him while he has value. KEEP HIM because he has value. He and Harden are the reason this team is a contender – 40% of the time the A’s don’t give up hardly any runs.

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 28, 2008 9:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Ay ay Captain!

Count me in, mate!

by mrod on Jun 28, 2008 9:22 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Smoltz and Gossage too

You're older than you've ever been. And now you're even older. And now you're older still.

by Swooney's Left Foot on Jun 28, 2008 10:20 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Cool

Good for the giants broadcasters.

by nevermoor on Jun 28, 2008 11:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I think we're talking about two different questions

Gossage was both a SP and RP, but no way was he AN ALL-STAR AS both – because he sucked as a SP.

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 28, 2008 11:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

1976

31 games, 29 starts. Selected to All-Star team, did not pitch.

You're older than you've ever been. And now you're even older. And now you're older still.

by Swooney's Left Foot on Jun 28, 2008 11:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Cust isn't hitting that much better than some other guys

That being said I would add Bonds anyway. They can add him and not give up any prospects.

He has a bad attitude sure but come on can he really ruin a team’s morale in 3 months.

I think put Mike Sweeney at first, Thomas at DH. If they can get Bonds get him, they can find some at bats for him and Cust.

by Yellowhorse on Jun 28, 2008 9:47 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Patrol Craft just a split-second

early on that 8th inning pitch. And the one he hit for the out…I thought he might have gotten it all. I was certain, “HR” or off the wall.

Good entertainment, though, right to the last pitch. Glad it was merely 1-0, instead of 8-0…that would’ve been much much worse.

"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer

by One won lost won on Jun 28, 2008 9:07 PM PDT   0 recs

Gotta disagree with the last part

They had one spot where they should have scored without a doubt, and that was when DeFrancesco held Ellis up on a play Lewis had no shot at getting him on. There were other instances where they didn’t get the job done because Lincecum bore down and dominated, but there’s no way Walker and Wilson should’ve got out of the trouble they got into untouched. Crosby’s bunt was one of the worst attempts I’ve ever seen in a situation like that. I can forgive Suzuki for not getting to third on Cust’s chopper because it looked like it was going to go right to the pitcher before the spin took it back, but the bunt was horrible.

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

by Flashfire on Jun 28, 2008 9:13 PM PDT   0 recs

+1!

Horrible, absolutely. I could feel a loss after the A’s failed to score in the first, honestly. A real bad feeling in my gut. And the eight inning was just extremely frustrating to watch….

by mrod on Jun 28, 2008 9:20 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

At least the first inning failure was understandable -

Jack Cust strikes out a lot and Lincecum strikes a lot of guys out, and then Crosby hit a bullet. The third inning was a run offered but refused and the 8th inning was a second chance at taking the game, blown by fundamental lapses.

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 28, 2008 9:24 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That's utter BS, IMO

He made one terrible decision tonight – he hasn’t been terrible all season.

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 28, 2008 9:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The players made some bone headed decision tonight.

While the 3rd base coach might have been wrong on that play the players need to be held accountable.

I read a great biography on Frank Robinson and when he was playing guys who made mental errors on the bases or didn’t get bunts down he as team leader would issue fines.

Many other teams make the players accountable for such errors, I really think firing Tony D. would be unfair if the guys are constantly allowed to make mental mistakes and not be heald accountable.

by Yellowhorse on Jun 28, 2008 10:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

yup

‘nuff said there…...old school baby!

by mrod on Jun 28, 2008 10:04 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Huh?

Players should always follow the 3b coach’s stop/run signs. He has a much better view than they do.

I agree that getting picked off isn’t the coach’s fault (if that’s your point), and I don’t think DeFrancesco is doing a bad job, but stopping a player he should have sent is entirely his fault.

by nevermoor on Jun 28, 2008 11:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Agreed

DeFrancesco is an awesome baseball mind. He did a fantastic job with the Cats during his time there.

by Blez on Jun 28, 2008 11:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Agree

He hasn’t done anything to lose his job but he is a bit timid. I wouldn’t mind seeing him send more runners home, especially with two outs.

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

by Monday Fan on Jun 29, 2008 12:15 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm at peace with the Cust Ks because

it’s just part of his game and he’s all or nothing, great when he’s on, bad when he’s cold – it’s what he is. I’m bothered that but for two baserunning glitches (Ellis, Suzuki) the A’s could have won 2-1 on that alone. I do understand Suzuki’s dilemma, as if Molina pounces on it and throws him out at third, we’re mad about that, but it was still very unfortunate that he wasn’t at third with nobody out. Crosby’s DP and Gonzalez’ loud out showed that luck played a part too, but the baserunning was most disconcerting to me.

The only thing that could take the sting off this loss would be if something equally bizarre happened to the Angels, like they lost 1-0 while their pitcher threw a no-hitter. Which is happening through 6 innings…

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 28, 2008 9:13 PM PDT   0 recs

10-4

Baserunning did us in, which is a pretty frustrating way to be done in. Always frustrating when you hit better than the other team and lose. I also wonder if Barton would have taken a swing at that last pitch if he hadn’t fouled the ball of his ankle the previous pitch. Losing 1-0 games is real bad no matter how you slice it…..

And a no-hit Dodgers win would be very sweet.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 28, 2008 9:20 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Missed the game, reading the recap:

I blame the ad. Woof woof.

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

by iglew on Jun 28, 2008 9:20 PM PDT   0 recs

Growl.

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 28, 2008 9:24 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Not me

The Giants still only got one run on two hits. That’s not exactly coming out and shoving it down the throats of the A’s.

I mean, the A’s can’t beat the Giants ALL the time. Just most of the time.

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

by Flashfire on Jun 28, 2008 9:26 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

It's going to the bottom of the 8th, 1-0 Dodgers

with all the hits by the Angels. C’mon Dodgers.

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 28, 2008 9:26 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

yup

I’m conflicted as to whether to root for the Dodgers to add on or to root for the Angels’ humiliation of losing while no-hitting the other team.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Jun 28, 2008 9:27 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

that would be hilarous

it is what im rooting for

by Glomar on Jun 28, 2008 9:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Don't you have to pitch 9 innings of no-hit ball

to get credit for a no-hitter now?

If the visiting team does not give up a hit, but loses with the home team not having to bat in the ninth, I think it is not a “no-hitter” anymore.

(And screw your jinxes, I’d rather see the Dodgers score about 4 or 5 more runs, not that it’s about to happen.)

by Soaker on Jun 28, 2008 9:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

technically it still is

pitchers get CG for 8 innings and they lose

by Glomar on Jun 28, 2008 9:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

To clarify:

It is officially the policy of MLB that no losing pitcher is credited with a no-hitter, even when he pitches a complete 9 innings (or more).

It makes no sense to me, but them’s the rules.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jun 28, 2008 11:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Then it should be called a "no-hit win!"

because if you lose while giving up no hits…wouldn’t the descritption “no hitter” be somewhat accurate? Next thing you know, All-Star games will be ending in a tie.

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 28, 2008 11:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Maybe the A's need to pull the trigger

on a trade that will help the offense. Even though Chavvy is out of the lineup temporarly, the A’s need serious help on offense. Yeesh!

by mrod on Jun 28, 2008 9:24 PM PDT   0 recs

I think you can make a strong argument against

You have to give up a fair amount to get anything worthwhile, and the A’s be getting Frank Thomas back, possibly Mike Sweeney back, and are competing right now as is. Standing pat is certainly better for the future, and I still think that in 2008 you have to avoid trading young talent in the quest for the now.

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 28, 2008 9:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

It depends on what you are trading

I’m not advocating trading all of our young studs in the minors but there must be something that can be had for Blanton, Embree, Gaudin, Street or some comb of etc…...

by mrod on Jun 28, 2008 9:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I agree. We could trade a young reliever as well

Once Devine gets back we have quite a full bull-pen. Actually, I wouldn’t want to just drop any of our pitchers.

by Yellowhorse on Jun 28, 2008 9:58 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I agree

I don’t think we let this 1-0 loss make trading an imperative.
The Angels have Vlad, Kotchman, Hunter, Anderson….and no score for 18 innings???

Even 1-2 big bats..like the Phillies when they came in…will overcome excellent pitching.

"I never predict anything, and I never will." Paul Gascoigne, English footballer

by One won lost won on Jun 28, 2008 9:39 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

We don't have a guy in the line up hitting over .280

This team needs to add a hitter because they are a weak hitting team. Tonight is not the reason you have to be worried about the offense, the high number of shutouts, 1 run games and guys hitting in the .220-.250 range is ridiculously high.

by Yellowhorse on Jun 28, 2008 9:56 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

we'll have a couple guys hitting over .280 in the lineup...

when Thomas and Swooney are back in it. And, eventually… hopefully, Mike Sweeney will come back to replace Barton at 1st base sooner rather than later.

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

by FoolshGame22 on Jun 28, 2008 10:02 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

oh, and Zooks is hitting over .280...

even though he can’t run the bases. ;-)

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

by FoolshGame22 on Jun 28, 2008 10:04 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Tonite was like watching

an episode of “The Twilight Zone”. Everything was here from the pitching standpoint and the A’s just looked like they were on acid on offense.

by mrod on Jun 28, 2008 10:05 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I can forgive them hitting-wise against Lincecum...

they actually did better than most teams do against him. But, the base-running cost us the tie, if not the win.

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

by FoolshGame22 on Jun 28, 2008 10:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

my point excatly

they must have got the “brown acid”......

by mrod on Jun 28, 2008 10:08 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

O.K. 1 guy. Still, our team's lack of offense is very depressing

I watch many games on Direct TV with the other team’s broadcast team announcing.

I get so mad when I hear them refer to our A’s as a “weak hitting team” or “Not the strongest line-up”.

The management needs to do something to address this.

by Yellowhorse on Jun 28, 2008 10:08 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

it is discouraging...

but, let’s face it, if you look at the Angels stats, they aren’t much better. They are very catchable this year. Anybody who ranks that team #2 in the Power Rankings (ESPN) has to be on the same acid as our base runners were tonight.

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

by FoolshGame22 on Jun 28, 2008 10:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Actually

they’re probably dabbling in the “Purple Blotter”.........

*&%^4

by mrod on Jun 28, 2008 10:13 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs