Los Angeles Angels @ Oakland Athletics GameThread, Jun 8, 2008 1:05 PM PDT

Open Game Thread - Game 63: A's vs. Angels

by monkeyball on Jun 8, 2008 12:26 PM PDT

Los Angeles Angels @ Oakland Athletics

Lineup

06/08/08 1:05 PM PDT

Los Angeles Angels	Oakland Athletics
Maicer Izturis - SS	Jack Hannahan - 3B
Howie Kendrick - 2B	Bobby Crosby - SS
Garret Anderson - LF	Jack Cust - LF
Vladimir Guerrero - DH	Eric Chavez - DH
Torii Hunter - CF	Travis Buck - RF
Casey Kotchman - 1B	Mark Ellis - 2B
Gary Matthews - RF	Daric Barton - 1B
Mike Napoli - C	Carlos Gonzalez - CF
Brandon Wood - 3B	Kurt Suzuki - C

All disclaimers aside about not wanting to injure another player, not wanting to put the leadoff batter on, and not wanting to screw up pitch control ... if I'm Rich Harden, my first pitch today is at Maicer Izturis's head.

Seriously, though -- one big way for the A's to work toward not getting swept today would be to not give up another frakkin leadoff HR to the Angels' muppet of a leadoff man.

'Course, with Ervin "CyYoungWalterJohnsonChristyMathewson" Santana pitching for Angels, Harden could give up -1 runs today and the A's might still be outscored.

Garret Anderson is the only Angels with any significant body of experience against Harden -- unlikely as it seems given Anderson's M.O., he's been a patient on-base machine against Harden. And while Harden has pretty much PWN3D Vlad, it's only a matter of time before Vlad rips off a 3-HR game against any pitcher.

The A's trot out pretty much the same lineup they've been employing post-Ziegler Day, with Buck bumped up a spot in the order. Here's hoping Patrol Craft leaves Johnny Mize in the dust, and the A's lefty-heavy lineup can come through against Santana (frankly, though, I'm not holding my breath on the latter, as almost all of Santana's career platoon split has been generated by ... an increase in his walk rate vs. LH batters).

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Comments

Rob Bowen heads for the DL

Serious case of splinters in the ass.

by Faust on Jun 8, 2008 12:34 PM PDT 0 recs

The A's are too enamored with Suzuki's .634 OPS

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

by lenscrafters on Jun 8, 2008 12:41 PM PDT up 0 recs

I don't understand this.

Bowen is also a young catcher. Doesn’t he need a chance to ‘improve’ by playing?

If Suzuki was performing dramatically better than Bowen then I can understand why Suzuki plays so much more than him.

Also, if our back-up was a older veteran who is in the autumn of his career then I can understand why the back-up never plays.

I could also argue that Suzuki should be benched for not blocking the plate last night. the bench is a powerful tool in teaching young players.

The lack of playing time for Bowen makes little sense.

The only thing I can think of is that Suzuki is a more marketable player, also he came up thru the A’s system and is popular.

I don’t agree with this play time ratio at Catcher

Anyway, I hope suzuki has a great game today and we win.

by Yellowhorse on Jun 8, 2008 12:54 PM PDT up 0 recs

AHHHHH!!!!

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

by Jennifer on Jun 8, 2008 12:37 PM PDT 0 recs

That's a comment?

No wonder you cruised so smoothly past 20,000… :-)

by Faust on Jun 8, 2008 12:45 PM PDT up 0 recs

I have low standards.

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

by Jennifer on Jun 8, 2008 12:50 PM PDT up 0 recs

The word for today's game:

Aggressiveness!

The A’s need to figure out early on if Santana is throwing strikes, especially on first pitch/down the middle and hit the living piss out of ‘em. Also, on the bases, if we get guys on, put some damned pressure on the pitcher and catcher! Make ‘em sweat and think a bit instead of waiting around for something to happen!!

Go A’s!!!!

by mrod on Jun 8, 2008 12:44 PM PDT 0 recs

I am already pissed off.

Which I know is better than pissed on. A win today would really help.

I hate friggin jerks.

"My boyfriend drinks ALOT, you know, because he's a rebel."-Reyna

by tresselfan on Jun 8, 2008 12:48 PM PDT 0 recs

Mike Sweenet

Mike Sweeney will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his troublesome left knee Wednesday and is expected to miss four to six weeks.

When will then be now? Soon.

by Syphon on Jun 8, 2008 12:54 PM PDT 0 recs

Horrible news.

The team needs to pick up a 1B asap.

Why?

a- Barton, Hannahan and Chavez are all hitting sub-par.
b- we could use another Right handed hitter.
c- No guarantee that Barton, hannahan and Chavez will always be healthy.

The team could make a position change. Possibly moving an outfielder (which will be crowded once R. Sweeney gets back) Also, once Thomas returns Cust goes to the OF.

1B is a position where a team needs production. We cannot win much with the poor performance at corner infield. Also, an injury may occur.

by Yellowhorse on Jun 8, 2008 1:00 PM PDT up 0 recs

Aw shit!!!!!!

terrible news.

by mrod on Jun 8, 2008 12:55 PM PDT 0 recs

So much for giving Crosby and Suzuki a day off....

by faninphilly on Jun 8, 2008 12:55 PM PDT 0 recs

I was out of town for a couple of days but no Brown?

Did he get traded? DFA? Hurt? I can see him sitting more than others as we have been battling right-handed pitchers but I think he should have gotten at least one start.

Its not like some of the guys have been hitting all that much.

by Yellowhorse on Jun 8, 2008 12:56 PM PDT 0 recs

Well, he's really bad at baseball

That may have something to do with him sitting.

by mikev on Jun 8, 2008 12:58 PM PDT up 0 recs

Is his performance that worse than others?

Buck, Barton, Hannahan, Suzuki have not been performing all that much.

Why not bench Ellis?

The manager needs to treat the players fairly.

Sitting a veteran like Brown in place of guys who are hitting worse than him MIGHT be percieved to be unfair.

by Yellowhorse on Jun 8, 2008 1:02 PM PDT up 0 recs

Brown doesn't play second.

by mikev on Jun 8, 2008 1:10 PM PDT up 0 recs

Don't throw at Izturis's head

That’s just not decent and sportsmanlike. Aim at his crotch.

Don't blame me, I voted for Ice Cream

by Englishmajor on Jun 8, 2008 1:03 PM PDT 0 recs

Ridiculous that Suzuki is in there,

day game after a night game after getting banged up two games in a row.

Why throw at Izturis? Isn’t he supposed to try to hit homers if he can?

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 8, 2008 1:03 PM PDT 0 recs

I agree because I'm not on the field

with the idea of throwing at Izturis.

As a fan, and not a participant, I am allowed evil wishes!

In the old days, pitchers threw at batters if they got too successful.

Heck, Nolan Ryan even threw at “fantasy camp” players!!

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

by One won lost won on Jun 8, 2008 1:05 PM PDT 0 recs

I went out last night and got a pretty good heater going

Should I

A. Drink plenty of water and lay on the couch with the game on?
B. Go to the beach and and blow off the game because its so nice out?
C. Open a beer and start drinking while I watch the A’s game?

by asfaninpismobeach on Jun 8, 2008 1:05 PM PDT 0 recs

So I guess Harden is not a late scratch

Let’s Go A’s

"Evidently, a large number of people said, 'We really need more vermin at the ballpark, Artie.'" - Nick (AN), 10/7/07

by doctorK on Jun 8, 2008 1:07 PM PDT 0 recs

Woo hoo!

4 pitches and we’re still not trailing – it’s a record!!!!

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 8, 2008 1:08 PM PDT 0 recs

Take that, Maicer.

"God doesn't pay attention to your cute little hypotheticals." -- Jeff from LL

by oblique on Jun 8, 2008 1:08 PM PDT 0 recs

Amazing that he swung at a pitch

that was hitting his crotch.

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 8, 2008 1:08 PM PDT up 0 recs

Self-defense swing?

"God doesn't pay attention to your cute little hypotheticals." -- Jeff from LL

by oblique on Jun 8, 2008 1:09 PM PDT up 0 recs

Self-preservation.

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

by Jennifer on Jun 8, 2008 1:10 PM PDT up 0 recs

I get tired of the game being blacked out

then you go and search every channel to find out the game isnt on TV either. Bastads

by asfaninpismobeach on Jun 8, 2008 1:08 PM PDT 0 recs

Yes, that's the way to handle Izturis

Don't blame me, I voted for Ice Cream

by Englishmajor on Jun 8, 2008 1:08 PM PDT 0 recs

Take that, Kendrick.

"God doesn't pay attention to your cute little hypotheticals." -- Jeff from LL

by oblique on Jun 8, 2008 1:09 PM PDT 0 recs

Take that, Anderson.

"God doesn't pay attention to your cute little hypotheticals." -- Jeff from LL

by oblique on Jun 8, 2008 1:10 PM PDT 0 recs

Harden on pace for an 81-pitch perfect game

"Evidently, a large number of people said, 'We really need more vermin at the ballpark, Artie.'" - Nick (AN), 10/7/07

by doctorK on Jun 8, 2008 1:10 PM PDT 0 recs

Rich is looking pretty good right now...

by drink409 on Jun 8, 2008 1:10 PM PDT up 0 recs

Regression to the mean says

he’ll actually need 87 pitches.

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 8, 2008 1:11 PM PDT up 0 recs

Canadian power!

Don't blame me, I voted for Ice Cream

by Englishmajor on Jun 8, 2008 1:10 PM PDT 0 recs

Just...wow.

"God doesn't pay attention to your cute little hypotheticals." -- Jeff from LL

by oblique on Jun 8, 2008 1:10 PM PDT 0 recs

That was a nice 9 pitches

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 8, 2008 1:10 PM PDT 0 recs

9 pitches, 9 strikes, 3 strikeouts

Now that’s a start I like.

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

by Flashfire on Jun 8, 2008 1:10 PM PDT 0 recs

That was hawt.

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

by Jennifer on Jun 8, 2008 1:11 PM PDT 0 recs

I begin to regret my decision to stay home

Don't blame me, I voted for Ice Cream

by Englishmajor on Jun 8, 2008 1:11 PM PDT 0 recs

BOO!

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

by Jennifer on Jun 8, 2008 1:11 PM PDT up 0 recs

But it's really hot out there, Jennifer

It’s at least 70 degrees in Berkeley…it’s probably well over 75 at the Coliseum!

Don't blame me, I voted for Ice Cream

by Englishmajor on Jun 8, 2008 1:14 PM PDT up 0 recs

:|

BOO!

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

by Jennifer on Jun 8, 2008 1:15 PM PDT up 0 recs

If you were there, Izturis would have HRed

There’s a ~~large body~~ Blanton of evidence to prove this.

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 8, 2008 1:11 PM PDT up 0 recs

Dirty, filthy, nasty!!!!

Harden is the shiznet!!!!

by mrod on Jun 8, 2008 1:11 PM PDT 0 recs

And No

We don’t want to trade this guy to a competitor or another team

Hope he stays healthy

There is no one better

by Trainman on Jun 8, 2008 1:11 PM PDT 0 recs

For the Angels

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

by Flashfire on Jun 8, 2008 1:12 PM PDT 0 recs

At first glance, I was sure this was from Zonis

"Evidently, a large number of people said, 'We really need more vermin at the ballpark, Artie.'" - Nick (AN), 10/7/07

by doctorK on Jun 8, 2008 1:13 PM PDT up 0 recs

It'd make me really, really happy

if Hannahan led off with a HR

"God doesn't pay attention to your cute little hypotheticals." -- Jeff from LL

by oblique on Jun 8, 2008 1:12 PM PDT 0 recs

Whoops...close....

"God doesn't pay attention to your cute little hypotheticals." -- Jeff from LL

by oblique on Jun 8, 2008 1:13 PM PDT up 0 recs

Jack isn't greedy.

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

by Jennifer on Jun 8, 2008 1:14 PM PDT up 0 recs

What a guy!

"God doesn't pay attention to your cute little hypotheticals." -- Jeff from LL

by oblique on Jun 8, 2008 1:15 PM PDT up 0 recs

MLB Extra Innings

They have about 6 channels with no games, but this game is supposed to follow indians/tigers. Come on Todd Jones!

by jax a's fan on Jun 8, 2008 1:13 PM PDT 0 recs

It will follow the Giants on Comcast locally

as soon as they finish losing.

Don't blame me, I voted for Ice Cream

by Englishmajor on Jun 8, 2008 1:15 PM PDT up 0 recs

Bad Crosby.

"God doesn't pay attention to your cute little hypotheticals." -- Jeff from LL

by oblique on Jun 8, 2008 1:14 PM PDT 0 recs

Very very bad Crosby

No soup for you. One year.

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 8, 2008 1:15 PM PDT up 0 recs