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A's Lay the Smack Down on Angels

The A's rode Greg Smith's second career complete game to victory tonight, 6-1.  They received some timely hits off of Jon Garland to support Smith's stellar effort.  Smith was fantastic tonight, working in a curve ball more often than I have seen him do in his young career.  Perhaps that was something that Curt Young and company scouted ahead about the Angels and their weak offense.  Whatever it was, the A's largely worked the outside corner for most of the night against the Angels.

The A's got most of their offense tonight from their young guns.  The same guys I talked about in my grading post earlier today who have largely struggled.  Daric Barton had two hits, a run and an RBI.  Ryan Sweeney had two hits, a run and an RBI.  Kurt Suzuki had two hits and scored a run.  Carlos Gonzalez had three hits and scored a run.  But probably the biggest blow of the night came from Eric Chavez, who got a huge two-run hit past a diving Casey Kotchman to give Greg Smith the chance to go the complete game because his hit made it 4-1 instead of 2-1.  You just had to figure that Smith would've been coming out of the game at the first sign of trouble if the A's didn't have breathing room.

You have to realize that if the A's are going to remain in the race for the AL West title, they're going to need consistent contributions from their young guns.  So tonight was definitely a good start to the second half for those guys.  It's especially good to see Daric Barton come through tonight.  He's looked pretty lost at the plate lately, so seeing him have a little more success tonight is probably a weight lifted off his very young shoulders.

What was fascinating about watching this game tonight is that the Angels offense is sputtering worse than the A's offense right now.  Outside of the normally hacktastic Erick Aybar, the lineup didn't show much patience against Smith who has often had control issues lately.  Aybar got the only two walks of the game for the Angels.  Still, Smith did what he does best when he is on, working the corners perfectly and inducing lots of flyballs off the end of the bat or off the fists.  Through the first six innings, Angels hitters had seven flyouts to Ryan Sweeney when he was playing right field.  Smith's only mistake of the night was a bomb from the bat of Mike Napoli.

All in all, this is a great win and sets the A's up for the rest of this series.  Even though the A's have Harden going tomorrow, the Angels are putting A's killer Ervin Santana out on the hill, so you have to figure the A's will struggle to score runs.  Santana just owns our A's.  But it's most definitely a nice way to start out the second half of the season.  I always seem to have a bit more bounce in my step and birds sing beautifully whenever the A's beat the Angels.  So I'll cherish this for the next 21 hours or so. 

Thank you, Greg Smith.

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can i get an AAWWWWWW?

""These guys are a different breed of ballclub." - Twins manager Ron Gardenhire on the A's

by gotgreen on Jun 30, 2008 10:09 PM PDT   0 recs

you know how i know you're gay

you’re holding each other, ever so gently.

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

nah, just bein' Hawaiian, Bra!

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

by One won lost won on Jun 30, 2008 10:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm sorry, that's JUST adorable.

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 30, 2008 10:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

(awww)

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

by Leopold Bloom on Jun 30, 2008 10:13 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!! I love Greg Smith!!!! Ragin' Cajun last night!!

oAkLaNd AtHlEtIcS!!
It's only Spring Clean for the May Queen. Call the Gardener!

by LiZaRdReVoLuTiOn on Jul 1, 2008 10:11 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

three changes

1. Hurt back in lineup

2. Chavy playing 3rd nearly all the time

3. Gaudin in—Blanton out

Dare we dream then that we can beat these suckers??

by windyfelix on Jun 30, 2008 10:12 PM PDT   0 recs

I think Big Hurt is out until post-ASB

so hold off on that first one for another few weeks….

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Jun 30, 2008 10:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Not to be a party pooper, but Cust does not look good right now

He may be going through a slump again. How long before the DFA lynch mod turns their focus onhim again?

by asfansince1989 on Jun 30, 2008 10:12 PM PDT   0 recs

cust is cust

you know what your getting with him. A walk, a strikeout or a homerun. And with an On base team who doesn’t exactly score lots, you take what spartacust gives us. No doubt he has been poor of late, but Zook has picked it up :)

by TheGreenGoldCrush on Jun 30, 2008 10:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

His OPS batting sixth is great!

just move him down in the lineup.

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

by One won lost won on Jun 30, 2008 10:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

i ponder that move

move cust down, which cleanup is usually for a hr hitter, but he’s inconsistent. so when he’s on a tear leave him at 4. When he’s not put him in the bottom to boost the bottom end of the lineup.

Since we don’t rely on teh long ball, put Twix in the cleanup hole when cust is slumping. If the cleanup is meant to cleanup and we aren’t banking on HR’s why not a player who gets lots of doubles. Crosby could be put there too, but i think Cargon is a much better hitter.

Well just a crazy thought. prob. will never happen

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

Twix?

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

by iglew on Jun 30, 2008 10:20 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

oh yeah

sorry. thats what i call him from all the doubles he hits. Double = Twix (2 bars in a twix)

by TheGreenGoldCrush on Jun 30, 2008 10:38 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That's actually really creative

I like it.

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

by Leopold Bloom on Jun 30, 2008 11:20 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Cust BA hitting 6th is .407!

and his OPS is 1.345!
That’s for nine games, 37 PAs…

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

by One won lost won on Jun 30, 2008 10:22 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Totally agree

He would be better at 2nd or 6th/ 7th in the order.

The #3 hitter should be a guy who hits for a higher batting average.

by Yellowhorse on Jun 30, 2008 10:20 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

+++

Cust needs to move down in the order or up one.

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

I was thinking that since we want Cust's HRs

to come with runners on base, but he can be a bit of a rally killer when we need to keep the line moving, 5th or 6th might be better than 3rd. It’s just the classic problem that we don’t have a good option to replace him – I don’t really want Crosby batting 3rd, Ellis is a stretch, and and Gonzalez shouldn’t be put in the #3/#4 spot yet. Tough call.

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 30, 2008 10:24 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Maybe

Chavvy in the 3 spot eventually. He has not looked to shabby so far….

by mrod on Jun 30, 2008 10:25 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

looked clutch tonight.

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

by Leopold Bloom on Jun 30, 2008 10:27 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

He did, but his bat also looked slow

His whole body did – he’s definitely not close to 100% 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 30, 2008 10:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I was figuring Chavy #4

R. Sweeney doesn’t have middle of the order pop at this point. I like him #1 or #2 just fine, but at #3 it’s kind of like batting Hatteberg or Barton #3 – which, sadly, we’ve done.

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 30, 2008 10:27 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Is Hatte still playing?

I know he was released outright by the Reds earlier this year. Is he done?

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

by Leopold Bloom on Jun 30, 2008 10:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

yup

Contention makes for strange bedfellows

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

by Leopold Bloom on Jun 30, 2008 10:33 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

God will not forgive you.

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 30, 2008 10:49 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

God loves a working man

and with our anemic hitting, we’d put Barry Lamar Bonds to work.

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

by Leopold Bloom on Jun 30, 2008 11:00 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You call yourself an A's fan?

I’d like to hear you having an A’s/baseball discussion with some faithful at the Coliseum that you as an A’s fan want Barry Bonds on the team. That would be entertaining.

Dude, you’re a fucking idiot.

by AtTheColiseum on Jul 1, 2008 3:47 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The conversation:

Blez: The A’s offense needs to improve…we should sign a guy whose OBP was .480 last year.

AtTheColiseum: You mean you want the team to be better? You call yourself an A’s fan?

Blez: Um, yes.

You’re right…that would be entertaining!

"We've come a long way, and I'm not talking about Virginia Slims, either." - Art Howe

by EastCoastA on Jul 1, 2008 4:35 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't know what's funnier

that an attack starts the morning the new system is announced, or that it all starts with a guy who joined today and has made three whole comments dropping an f bomb on the blogfather.

(Not that Blez should be exempt from being called out if needed. But I was afraid to even stare at his posts for too long when I first joined for fear of his glory burning out my retinas.)

"Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it?"-Steve McCatty

by 5Aces on Jul 1, 2008 3:51 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

One things for sure

I don’t ever want to see Bobby Crosby batting third or cleanup EVER again. What was Geren thinking last weekend? Did he pull names out of a hat Billy Martin-style?

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

by Monday Fan on Jul 1, 2008 12:20 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You forgot one other sure thing

Barry Bonds will NEVER be on the Oakland A’s.

by AtTheColiseum on Jul 1, 2008 4:07 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Boy, it's a good thing we have you around

as our resident psychic, isn’t it.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jul 1, 2008 8:17 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hitting .333 when batting in the second inning

so 6th spot is the best triangulation on this man.

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

by One won lost won on Jun 30, 2008 10:39 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

2nd?

has there ever been a guy lead the league in K’s and get moved to the 2 hole.

by KCB58 on Jul 1, 2008 11:22 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

True, Cust + Brown is our poor man's Vlad

Cust has 13 HR, same as Vlad
Brown has 43 RBI, same as Vlad

If we can somehow morph them into one player, they would be a HR powered switch hitting left field ball hawking machine, OK maybe not the last part.

by asfansince1989 on Jun 30, 2008 10:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Keep in mind

This is an off year for Vlad

by nevermoor on Jun 30, 2008 10:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Or the beginning of inevitable decline

Oh, and Cust has been a better (offensive) player.

http://bocropleasestopswingingatbadpitches.blogspot.com/

by thejd44 on Jul 1, 2008 2:14 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hey, ups and downs are what you get with Cust.

Still, awesome game. Way to go Smith, Chavvy, Sweeney, Zook, Dale, and the rest of the gang. Let’s come back tomorrow and kick some Angel butt!

Is this Heaven? No, it's Iowa. -Field of Dreams

by IowaA'sFan on Jun 30, 2008 10:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Trendy youth that I am

I would be totally down for being in a lynch mod.

Ryan Sweeney: I probably irrationally embraced him before you did.

by Joey C. on Jul 1, 2008 12:18 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Jeff Pearlman, on the other hand, is a lynch Rocker

And, yes, me, I’m a lynch mocker.

He's a very personable, sweet, nice chimp. He's not going to be aggressive unless he's provoked. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Jul 1, 2008 9:19 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

funny thing

the D and B are nowhere near each other on a qwerty

by KCB58 on Jul 1, 2008 11:25 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

As I pondered the evening of baseball

and I saw that Barry pitch another gem to fall to 3-12 on the year and watched Mulder make his first appearance of the year(as a ninth inning reliever in a game all but decided), I juxtaposed that with Greg Smith’s performance tonight, and the excitement that this young club brings to the table. In the words of Pete and Roger, the kids are alright.

Pennant chase or no, these guys are fun.

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

by Leopold Bloom on Jun 30, 2008 10:13 PM PDT   0 recs

And the New Boss

might just be the Old Boss—in terms of this division

by windyfelix on Jun 30, 2008 10:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm too lazy to pull out the record...

...but I’m pretty sure Pete wrote that one solo.

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

by Monday Fan on Jul 1, 2008 12:24 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

But tonight, Tommy played left field for Them.

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

by The Dogfather on Jul 1, 2008 5:59 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Nyuk, nyuk!

And the poor guy had to stand out there quite awhile to stew in it. That half inning probably felt like a year to him.

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

by Monday Fan on Jul 1, 2008 12:41 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Could not agree more

Every time I hear someone complaining about all the trades Billy has made, I just shake my head and wonder what these people are thinking. It is great having all these young guys. Hopefully their performance continues/improves.

Anyway, so far, so fun.

by oakAK on Jul 1, 2008 8:33 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Big change in clubhouse

Emotional boost from Big Hurt and Mike Sweeney in clubhouse.

Ryan Sweeney mentioned it on postgame show. Boosted everyone.

Big Hurt says, “I will be the big bat deadline guy”.

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

by One won lost won on Jun 30, 2008 10:14 PM PDT   0 recs

That's just awesome

I love Big Frank.

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

by Leopold Bloom on Jun 30, 2008 10:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Nestle

should officially change the name of the “Baby Ruth Bar” to the “Big Hurt Bar”

by TheGreenGoldCrush on Jun 30, 2008 10:22 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Baby Ruth

was President Harding’s daughter.

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

by One won lost won on Jun 30, 2008 10:24 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I believe

there was also a baseballer with a similar-type name right around then too…

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

by Leopold Bloom on Jun 30, 2008 10:25 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

nope.

doesn’t ring any bells

by nevermoor on Jun 30, 2008 10:33 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

big fella, about yey high

like to smoke cheap cigars (but, unlike Les’s guy, did not run the bumper cars or candy up his nose, to the best of my knowledge)

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

by Leopold Bloom on Jun 30, 2008 10:36 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Babe Herman!

great story about Babe Herman…
..wish I could remember it…

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

by One won lost won on Jun 30, 2008 10:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh, that reminds me - great story

about Alzheimer’s…

Yes?

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 30, 2008 10:41 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Who are you people

and what are you doing in my home?

Have any of you seen my pants?

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

by Leopold Bloom on Jun 30, 2008 10:42 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You'll know soon enough!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baby_Ruth

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

by One won lost won on Jun 30, 2008 10:27 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You mean President Cleveland

Except it’s not true.

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

by iglew on Jun 30, 2008 10:27 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I thought it was President Harden

Heck, I’d vote for him.

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 30, 2008 10:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Okay iglew, which president cleveland?

because when I look at the lists of presidentz I see two clevelands.

alaska A

by ak_A on Jun 30, 2008 10:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

It's gotta be Grover.

That guy gets around.

"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 30, 2008 10:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Stephen

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

by iglew on Jun 30, 2008 10:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

him

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

by Leopold Bloom on Jun 30, 2008 10:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Okay, named after Cleveland's daughter

while Harding was president.

I think we have a current example of weird time-travel, with the new “Gerald Ford” stamp coming out in 2008!

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

by One won lost won on Jun 30, 2008 10:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

i did not know that

intersting american history right there

by TheGreenGoldCrush on Jun 30, 2008 10:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Was there any more updates upon their returns?

It would be great to get at least one back for next series vs. Angels.

by Yellowhorse on Jun 30, 2008 10:37 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Thomas is confident he'll be back

right after the ASB – too late for the Angels series but still mighty fine prospect indeedily-doodily. Mike Sweeney is having his gall bladder grafted onto his spleen in a desperate attempt to improve his knees.

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 30, 2008 10:39