Lulled into a false sense of alarm: White Sox 6, A's 1

by monkeyball on Jul 5, 2008 7:32 PM PDT

Tonight was (with one exception) precisely the kind of game that people who don't like baseball cite when they make a blanket claim that baseball is "boring": nearly three hours long, lots of pitches, lots of walks, hardly any exciting plays in the field (when the defensive highlights are a pickoff and a foul popup ...), final outcome never in doubt from early in the game.

Home runs aside (Swisher, Anderson, and Ramirez for Chicago; Sweeney a solo shot in the 9th for the A's), this game was a drab, boring affair that wasn't any fun to watch.

It seemed like neither starting pitcher had much idea where their pitches were going. The difference in the game was that Gavin Floyd, when he missed, he missed way outside the zone; when Greg Smith missed, he either missed just outside the zone -- or right smack-dab down the middle of it. And those pitches right smack-dab down the middle, when they don't have much velocity or movement? Swisher, Anderson, and Ramirez.

And ironically enough, the White Sox were the more patient team at the plate, especially in the early going. Floyd's first 4 outs were on strikeouts, and while he'd only strike out 2 more, the A's were unable to wait him out successfully, with Floyd going 7,1 shutout innings before handing it over to the Sox' bullpen.

Smith, on the other hand, was out after 5 innings and walking the leadoff batter in the 6th (his sixth walk on the night). The A's pen wasn't remarkably bad tonight (Gaudin gave up a Crosbyesque 2-RBI double down the 3rd-base line that Hannahan just missed, and Andrew Brown gave up the Ramirez dinger), but they weren't an especially significant improvement on Smith, either.

So, on the whole a dispiriting, but not disastrous, evening. The White Sox turned the tables on the A's from last night. With a young pitcher and a last-box-of-Cheerios-on-the-shelf-in-the-grocery-before-the-hurricane-hits lineup, this sort of thing happens.

And on to tomorrow, where the A's still have a chance to win the series.

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Basically, if the A's win tomorrow it's a great series

And if they don’t…then they’ll have lost the last two games of three consecutive series. Which would be most ungood, so I’m recommending that Harden be healthy, throw 95 MPH, and win.

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 Jul 5, 2008 7:49 PM PDT 0 recs

agree and agree

imagine…I’m standing there doing the dishes, and wondering about Harden’s “dead arm”...instead of the great meal we just had…. ah, summer!

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

by One won lost won on Jul 5, 2008 7:52 PM PDT up 0 recs

Absolutely

As I said during the game if the JV squad with the varsity pitchers can win this series 3-1 then I would be thrilled.

I sure hope some of our better hitters get back soon.

Either way, If this team can tread water, make a move to improve the offense and be within 5-6 games of the Angels, 2-4 of the Wild Card when we hit the All-Star Break I will be happy.

by Yellowhorse on Jul 5, 2008 11:14 PM PDT up 0 recs

Well, when you're invested in the team

no game is “boring”. But if you have no team as your “Corazon”, then every baseball game is boooooooring!

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

by One won lost won on Jul 5, 2008 7:50 PM PDT 0 recs

Will this be tomorrow's lineup with maybe a variation of the order I have listed

Ellis
Swooney
Suzuki
Brown
Cust
Bankston
Murphy
Petit
Davis

by Trainman on Jul 5, 2008 8:24 PM PDT 0 recs

Could be - strangely, right now

I’d just as soon see LHP, because Bankston and Murphy are suddenly in every day, plus E. Brown and Ellis hit LHP much better.

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 Jul 5, 2008 8:30 PM PDT 0 recs

even stranger

Barton is even hitting lefties better: http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7635/splits;_ylt=AgKc91ybs7Si4m5LAeLiZYyFCLcF

He’s only hitting .561 OPS vs. righties. This must be an anomaly, as it contradicts his lifetime career preference for righties, but it’s what’s going on right now.

by Brian in 317 on Jul 6, 2008 8:12 AM PDT up 0 recs

Also, as poorly as he's hitting overall

Barton has run into some bad luck as well, with a flurry of line drives that have been caught. He is hitting the ball better more often lately, so even though it hasn’t shown up in his batting average there are recent “signs of life”.

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 Jul 6, 2008 8:24 AM PDT up 0 recs

BJ Ryan is allowing Anaheim to come back

2 on, a run in and no outs

by Trainman on Jul 5, 2008 8:46 PM PDT 0 recs

brought the tying run to bat...

but, closed it out. Whew, I was feelin’ a Huston Street moment, there.

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

by FoolshGame22 on Jul 5, 2008 8:50 PM PDT up 0 recs

That was close

Kotchman just missed that one or it would have been tied. Thank God Napoli hit into a DP or Toronto may have been in trouble

by Trainman on Jul 5, 2008 8:51 PM PDT up 0 recs

Mariano Rivera allowed the first 4 batters to reach base

in his 2 run save attempt—then went strikeout, popup, strikeout to close it out.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Jul 5, 2008 9:03 PM PDT up 0 recs

As a card-carrying Yankee-hater

that made me quite ill, though it may have been Joe Buck and ~~Joe Morgan~~ McCarver.

Fortunately, this is his age-28 year: his killing productivity is likely to decline. Impressive range, though. -Monkeyball

by Leopold Bloom on Jul 5, 2008 9:05 PM PDT up 0 recs

Coco Crisp turned in one of the game's

most pathetic ABs over, say, the last 60-70 years.

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 Jul 6, 2008 8:25 AM PDT up 0 recs

I sat there thinking

it’s a wonder they’re shopping him. You’re right, it was pathetic, in the truest sense of the word. All he essentially had to do was make contact. I suppose a pop up wouldn’t have worked, but even a ground out double play would’ve scored the tying run.

Fortunately, this is his age-28 year: his killing productivity is likely to decline. Impressive range, though. -Monkeyball

by Leopold Bloom on Jul 6, 2008 8:57 AM PDT up 0 recs

Actually they had the infield in,

meaning a grounder would have been a force at the plate – but a weak bloop might have been a game-winning single. The key was Varitek – actually an accomplished hitter – with a 2-0 count needing just a fly ball to tie, hit to take the lead, popping 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 Jul 6, 2008 9:12 AM PDT up 0 recs

I don't follow the Red Sox

but they were saying he’s been mired in a bad slump.

Fortunately, this is his age-28 year: his killing productivity is likely to decline. Impressive range, though. -Monkeyball

by Leopold Bloom on Jul 6, 2008 11:12 AM PDT up 0 recs

I'd say

even if we lose tomorrow, we’ve done pretty frickin good. We will have split with the ChiSox, and as high as most of us are on our team right now, two facts can’t be ignored:

1. Them pale hose are pretty good this year.
2. We got a band-aid platoon out there right now. Think of it-our starting infield right now has three guys that might not be starting in AAA in a lot of systems. We’ve got some Royals castoffs, some Billy Beane bargain bin pickups and some young talent who might be big-league eligible, but perhaps not quite ready for prime time. Held together with duct tape, love and rebar-scrappy as hell and fun to watch.

But, I agree. Not tonight, they weren’t.

Fortunately, this is his age-28 year: his killing productivity is likely to decline. Impressive range, though. -Monkeyball

by Leopold Bloom on Jul 5, 2008 9:04 PM PDT 0 recs

depressing thought of the day...

Oakland A’s: 5.0 games out of 1st.
S.F. Giants: 4.0 games out of 1st.

I didn’t think I’d ever utter those words this entire season.

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

by FoolshGame22 on Jul 5, 2008 9:14 PM PDT 0 recs

the punks on KNBR will be insufferable...

unless this changes tomorrow.

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

by FoolshGame22 on Jul 5, 2008 9:16 PM PDT up 0 recs

at least the bigger picture is

the NL west has no teams over .500, while the AL west has 3

white esurance sign behind home plate..oh so that’s why durham is an absolutely terrible defensive second baseman.. - xbhaskarx

by BigTuna on Jul 5, 2008 9:43 PM PDT up 0 recs

Two thoughts

I have been camping in Mendo, so I got caught up on the last couple of days on my Blackberry during the ride home. How disappointing to watch today’s game after reading the recaps from Thursday and Friday. And those gawd awful idiotic hats. I blame those f-ing hats for all that was wrong in the world today.

I didn’t look at the game thread, but how about Swishers dugout celebration? That was hilarious. What was the giant poster he bumped fists with? That was the most entertaining part of this sad game today.

"Not in your wildest alcoholic nightmare would you ever imagines such events unfolding!" Bill King

by Buck Turgidson on Jul 5, 2008 10:00 PM PDT 0 recs

Two thoughts

"Not in your wildest alcoholic nightmare would you ever imagines such events unfolding!" Bill King

by Buck Turgidson on Jul 5, 2008 10:01 PM PDT 0 recs

Watching today's game on MLB EI reminded me...

...just how much the Sox’ announcers SUCK! For the love of God, I wish those two would get fired!

You can't sit on a lead and run a few plays into the line and just kill the clock. You've got to throw the ball over the goddamn plate and give the other man his chance. That's why baseball is the greatest game of them all. ~Earl Weaver

by UncleLeo on Jul 5, 2008 10:35 PM PDT 0 recs

+1

worst. announcers. EVER!

You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}

by micdog2001 on Jul 5, 2008 10:55 PM PDT up 0 recs

Yep. Worst. Bar none.

by UncleLeo on Jul 6, 2008 1:14 AM PDT up 0 recs

Absolutely. THEY are horrible

Tomorrow no TV for Direct Tv customers. Anyway, I like listening to the games on MLB Audio.

by Yellowhorse on Jul 5, 2008 11:16 PM PDT up 0 recs

It's listed for WGN

Will DirecTV have it blacked out?

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

by Monday Fan on Jul 5, 2008 11:47 PM PDT up 0 recs

I live in the Sox' "local" area...

...and I get WGN on my DirecTV subscription. I should get it.

by UncleLeo on Jul 6, 2008 1:12 AM PDT up 0 recs

I think it's time I drop Greg Smith from my Fantasy team

one of my starters went down with an injury and Smith was doing good. As soon as I add him he starts to falter :-(

You have to include smiley faces - Poppy
;- ) :- ) :-O : -> : -] : -}

by micdog2001 on Jul 5, 2008 10:56 PM PDT 0 recs

So you readily admit

that this is your fault?!

Fortunately, this is his age-28 year: his killing productivity is likely to decline. Impressive range, though. -Monkeyball

by Leopold Bloom on Jul 5, 2008 11:14 PM PDT up 0 recs

I got bored with the game in the fifth....

so I decided to go watch the RiverCats. All of them are remarkably left handed and pure A’s type hitters. They lost too. And Dallas Braden isn’t very good.

"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on Jul 5, 2008 11:28 PM PDT 0 recs

I don't know. I think pitching a CG while giving up 4 R, 2 ER, with...

...4 hits, 0 walks and 8 strikeouts is pretty good.

Unless you’re just being sarcastic.

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

by Flashfire on Jul 5, 2008 11:38 PM PDT up 0 recs

A little. But the HR's he gave up....

went a long, long, way.

"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on Jul 5, 2008 11:40 PM PDT up 0 recs

I find your lack of faith

Disturbing.

Fortunately, this is his age-28 year: his killing productivity is likely to decline. Impressive range, though. -Monkeyball

by Leopold Bloom on Jul 5, 2008 11:44 PM PDT up 0 recs

I found the height the Grizzlies launched those balls disturbing.

There’s a better chance that they will be in Oakland long before Dallas. In fact, anyone living near the Coli might want to take a look out their window. They might be landing right about now.

"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on Jul 5, 2008 11:48 PM PDT up 0 recs

Another thing.

The Cats managed to load the bases in the ninth with Travis up to bat and down by 3. Needless to say, that’s how the game ended. On the other hand, earlier in the game Travis lined a ball into the left field stands that most likely broke the sound barrier. I think it broke some of the fingers of the guy two rows in front of me who made a dive towards his kid to spare her from having her head completely taken off. The ball caroomed off his hand and landed several rows away. Nice play actually.

"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on Jul 6, 2008 12:01 AM PDT 0 recs

Maybe it's just me

but I thought Smith looked about the same as he did in his previous start. The difference was the Angels gave him a lot of free outs by swinging at pitches out of the strike zone early in the count where the White Sox waited him out, took their walks and forced him to come over the plate.

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

by Monday Fan on Jul 6, 2008 2:22 AM PDT 0 recs

to add to that it pretty much how he has looked most of the season

its just been that the damage has been easier to overcome

by A'sfaninNC on Jul 6, 2008 11:00 AM PDT up 0 recs

I'm usually limited to listening to mlb.com audio

although it’s the A’s broadcasters, who I much prefer.

today I get to see the game! on WGN (unfortunately, with the Chicago announcers). But hey, at least I can see the game, so I’m excited.

by OaklandSi on Jul 6, 2008 9:24 AM PDT 0 recs

Me too.

Will I watch it? You can put it in the books.
Will the announcers piss me off? YESSSSSSSSSS

by nevermoor on Jul 6, 2008 10:00 AM PDT up 0 recs

Blacked out

I’m in the East Bay and have DirecTV. Just as the pre-game show came to an end, they blacked out the game. I know it’s easy to bitch at Bud Selig and MLB’s ridiculous blackout rules but the A’s are at fault here. There’s no good reason why they don’t have a local broadcast of this game. KICU is running infomercials while this game is being played.

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

by Monday Fan on Jul 6, 2008 11:07 AM PDT up 0 recs

Interesting for RAFs w/ Expanded Cable only

I’m a RAF and was thinking that the Sunday game would be radio only… but scrolling through my digital cable guide, I see that WGNSAT (Comcast CH30) is carrying the game. Now, assuming Comcast isn’t lying (big ass assumption)... locals may actually be able to see the game today. Which is good because my “mute” button has been in need of some work. I guess we’ll know in an hour…

"optimism 1 pessimism 0" ~Dirk

by 149 on Jul 6, 2008 10:05 AM PDT up 0 recs

Harrelson isn't much worse that Kuiper & Fosse

Kuiper and Fosse are so terrible I usually have the sound muted when I watch the A’s anyway. Kuiper’s crackpot theorizing and speech impediment make him unlistenable. Fosse’s rampant homerism and overuse of the words “great” and “unbelievable” drive me crazy. Maybe I should un-mute him just to find out who he’s fellating these days. With Carney Landsford and Terry Steinbach retired and Jason Kendall sent off to Milwaukee, who’s the new apple of his eye?

If nothing else, I may be able to figure out the Pepsi commerical with a man flying out of a restaurant and being dragged through the streets and through a soccer pitch before being plopped in someone’s back yard and getting knocked out cold when a TV drops out of the sky and skulls him. There must be something in there telling me why I should buy Pepsi instead of Coke.

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

by Monday Fan on Jul 6, 2008 10:06 AM PDT 0 recs