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Twins = Sensational, A’s = Usual

Baseball_tiny by baseballgirl on

I think we could probably dig up almost every recap since the All-Star break and substitute it for this game’s, and you would never know the difference. The A’s had good (not great) starting pitching, excellent bullpen work, and little to no offense; losing the game, and the series.

That about sums it up.

 In other A’s news, the rumor is that both Duchscherer and Gallagher have been shut down for the season (no real surprise on either).

If you’re looking for the good news today, Dallas Braden looked competent out on the mound, keeping a pretty good line through five until getting into a jam in the sixth, and Huston Street looked like the pre-2008 Huston, as he got out of the bases-loaded jam in the sixth (saving Braden further damage), and pitched a perfect seventh, as well.

Embree came in to pitch a perfect eighth, and with that, the A’s pitching did their job, holding the Twins to 3 runs over 8.

However, pitching really wasn’t the problem today. That honor rests solely with the A’s offense. 

The A’s scored an unearned run right off the bat in the first on a single by Cust, but despite scoring chances the rest of the game, the A’s couldn’t plate another run. In fact, they didn’t get another hit after the fourth. The highlight of the late innings was Suzuki taking Nathan to a full count before flying out.

For those of you keeping track, the A’s have been held to 2 runs or fewer in thirty-five games this year. Correction: Despite what our announcers claim, we think it is actually fifty games at 2 runs or fewer. That’s almost unimaginably bad. That even overshadows their eleventh consecutive series loss.

The silver lining, I guess, is that the A’s now play the one team they might have a chance to beat; the Seattle Mariners. The A’s and Seattle hook up for four games this weekend, starting tomorrow night.

I recommend finishing the Olympics first.

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Way to jinx tomorrow by saying the A's might win.

Now I’m expecting some goddamn cookies.

YOU SAID YOU BAKED.

…

by mikev on Aug 20, 2008 1:10 PM PDT   0 recs

You call it "offense"

Is that because it’s “offensive”?

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Aug 20, 2008 1:12 PM PDT   0 recs

Watching the A's

Is like watching a hockey team try and implement the trap, from the moment the puck drops till the final buzzer – zzzzz

by SwisherThresher on Aug 20, 2008 1:13 PM PDT   0 recs

In other news

football season starts soon, which means we can excitedly follow the 49ers v. Raiders v. Barry Zito win count. With 7, I think Barry might be safe from the both of them.

RagingHarden: Yeah if you get 20 starts out of me I'll be shocked. Like, I'll wreck my drawers.

by walk off bunt on Aug 20, 2008 1:13 PM PDT   0 recs

Also fun football prop bets

Daric Barton home runs v. Alex Smith touchdown passes.

  1. of A’s to hit disabled list v. number of Raiders touchdowns, total.

Can’t think of any more at the moment, but I’m sure they’re out there.

RagingHarden: Yeah if you get 20 starts out of me I'll be shocked. Like, I'll wreck my drawers.

by walk off bunt on Aug 20, 2008 1:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

1.

should be “number of.”

RagingHarden: Yeah if you get 20 starts out of me I'll be shocked. Like, I'll wreck my drawers.

by walk off bunt on Aug 20, 2008 1:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

sekrit list code?
  1. item 1
  2. item 2
  3. item 3

It works!

There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 20, 2008 1:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Well considering Smith isn't the niners starter...

"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson

by nevermoor on Aug 20, 2008 8:33 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Dallas Braden = most reliable starter in the rotation at this point

Who would’ve guessed that in April?

"Innings eater? Depends on whether you want delicious innings or burnt, moldy innings. Kirk Saarloos is the Hot Pockets of inning eaters." - Gallagher's Watermelons

by notsellingjeans on Aug 20, 2008 1:15 PM PDT   0 recs

More like...

how sad is that?

But in his defense, Braden’s always had outstanding minor league numbers, but the scouts have never really liked him. Maybe he can sustain this reasonably good pitching for the rest of this season and give us all a much-needed reason to continue watching this team play.

I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!

by Taj Adib on Aug 20, 2008 1:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I think someone should come up with a pitch called a "frigball"

There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 20, 2008 1:42 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

my sources tell me

he sneaks a few in from time to time…

by cvdoug on Aug 20, 2008 6:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Sigh.

Witnessing yet another lackluster A’s performance is depressing, but I guess it’s still better than working. Now I have to go back to working.

A free society is one where it is safe to be unpopular.

by IowaA'sFan on Aug 20, 2008 1:15 PM PDT   0 recs

Such negativity

You’d think it was August and we were 20 games ou…never mind

Where did the season go?

Coulda sworn it was March, and the Sox and A’s were teeing off at 3am in Tokyo.
(golf reference = A’s ball right about now)

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Aug 20, 2008 1:17 PM PDT   0 recs

As our intrepid adventurers

Boldly refuse to succumb to the evil scoring opportunities.

"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson

by nevermoor on Aug 20, 2008 8:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Now the A's have the

same record for the season as the Pirates.

by Mississippi A's Fan on Aug 20, 2008 1:19 PM PDT   0 recs

This is hard to admit but

I am also a Pirates fan. Its usually not a tough call on which teams game i check out this time of the year but with them both playing about the same it has been a tough call. Maybe I should find a team that 1. keeps its players around, 2. will spend a little money, not a lot but some, 3. wont trade everything for the next big thing, 4. idk what else and will probally stick with the A’s and Pirates

by A'sfaninNC on Aug 20, 2008 1:27 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm also a dual Pirates/A's fan

Pirates since the 60s, A’s since the 70s. With our teams the good times are so good because the bad times are so bad. (though it’s getting harder and harder to remember the Bucs’ good times).

I choose option 4. for life.

by Brian in 317 on Aug 21, 2008 7:37 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Things are looking so grim

I just might jump on the Washington Generals bandwagon.

by Ray of Lite on Aug 20, 2008 1:25 PM PDT   0 recs

Does anyone have anything official on Duke/Gallagher?

I heard something on the broadcast, and in the game thread, but no linkage.

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Aug 20, 2008 1:35 PM PDT   0 recs

Just assume they're both done for the season.

That way, anything less will be a pleasant surprise.

by mikev on Aug 20, 2008 1:36 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

actually, a proactive/preventive shutdown of both would be (would have been) a pleasant surprise

A “we’re shutting them down and they’ll both need surgery,” however …

There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 20, 2008 1:43 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Embarassingly bad.

I still wore A’s gear to work today.

WEAR IT, AN!

I wonder if Lew or Bily are doing the same.

I wonder if Lew is ever going to get to the point where he says "Screw it, Billy! Here’s a blank check book, now go out and get me some @#$!&%#! hitters! If I have to watch another feeble showing by our offense, I’m gonna fire someone’s sorry ass! "

"If you lived in the now, you'd be home by now."

by McFood on Aug 20, 2008 1:49 PM PDT   0 recs

Mr. Finley, is that you?

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Aug 20, 2008 1:50 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

the firing part

not the blank check part

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Aug 20, 2008 1:51 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I Will Still Watch The A's over the Olympics

Call me a sadist. Bad A’s baseball still beats the Olymic games in my book. What is truly sad is that this is the 11th straight series they have lost.

You need to go all the way back to 1960 when they were in Kansas City to find this brutal stat being equaled.

I think it will be safe to say that this upcoming series with the Mariners will be the “Battle of the Bad”. I still think that the A’s are still trying. The Mariners cashed it in a long time ago.

by KCa's on Aug 20, 2008 1:53 PM PDT   0 recs

They're trying, sure, but I don't think that's the problem ;-)

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Aug 20, 2008 1:54 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Sounds like...

you haven’t watched much beach volleyball

by Keystone State on Aug 20, 2008 1:56 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Watching the A's IS like watching the Olympics...

Track and Field: The A’s were in the running until they hit a few hurdles.

Gymnastics: The A’s are tumbling in the standings.

Volleyball: The A’s keep serving it up, and it keeps getting smashed back in their face.

Diving: The A’s made a big splash to start the year, now they’re diving in the standings.

"If you lived in the now, you'd be home by now."

by McFood on Aug 20, 2008 2:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

'aint that the truth

Very good

I hate unproductive outs and the A's are producing them at record production

by Trainman on Aug 20, 2008 2:25 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Fewer amateurs

on the Olympic team.

"If you make up your mind not to be happy, there's no reason why you shouldn't have a fairly good time." -Edith Wharton (The Last Asset)

by Oakville Athletic on Aug 20, 2008 3:50 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

shouldn't it be-

Diving: LOOK OUT DALE!!!

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

by 5Aces on Aug 20, 2008 3:51 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Don't

make a diving joke about the A’s. Too soon.

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin

by Helloooo 1st on Aug 20, 2008 4:51 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Help me..

i’ve struck out and can’t get up! Somebody hit into a double play – quickly.

by Keystone State on Aug 20, 2008 1:54 PM PDT   0 recs

Today's Irony

Rich Harden as a Cub: 3-1, 1.50 ERA, 0.95 WHIP Healthy
Gaudin as a Cubs reliever: 19 innings, 2.75 ERA, 0.97 WHIP Healthy

Sean Gallagher as an Oakland A: 1-2 6.55 ERA, 1.98 WHIP Injured
Eric Patterson as an Oakland A: 0-2-.148, .429 OPS
Matt Murton as an Oakland A: 0-2-.100 .262 OPS In Minors

Josh Donaldson is having a fine year in Stockton. But as a minor leaguer in A ball, he could have been a throw-in in any deal.

Josh Donaldson

by richwol1 on Aug 20, 2008 2:10 PM PDT   0 recs

addendum

Those are Murton’s MLB stats. He’s in the minors now.

by richwol1 on Aug 20, 2008 2:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

hmmm....

there should be a diary or 5 that rant about the same thing.

by inbillywetrust on Aug 20, 2008 2:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah

But after yet another game in which the A’s can’t score runs. And a turn of events that makes Dallas Braden the A’s #1 starter, perhaps it’s worth repeating.

Mostly, I’m just disgusted right now.

by richwol1 on Aug 20, 2008 2:22 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, I'm pretty ill myself.

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Aug 20, 2008 2:44 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

that i respect...

and i’ve taken the recent a’s malaise hard too. but i’m not angry about it. it doesn’t define my life. i still watch or listen to each game and i’m excited about the future.

the a’s were never going to make the playoffs this year and winning the WS is my only goal.

by inbillywetrust on Aug 20, 2008 3:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I am with you on this

I just like the baseball. Its better than November, December and January.

by Future Ed on Aug 20, 2008 3:41 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The Mal-A's

I think we should all start wearing cardigan sweaters.

There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 20, 2008 3:54 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I've had to go to the doctor three times this week.

My damn kids won’t visit me, and the arthritic hip’s acting up again….is it cold in here? I feel a chill.

I see a deranged rabbit, on fire, cowering away from a vagina. I await the results of the Rorschaschererer. -Nico

by Leopold Bloom on Aug 20, 2008 9:39 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

strickout!!!

There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 20, 2008 9:49 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Actually it's 50 games of 2 runs or less

I counted it. Of 126 games this year they have actually managed 2 runs or less in 50 – yes 50 – games. 4 of those the A’s won. That includes 9 shutouts (thought this would be higher but they have managed to eek out 1 run in alot of games that of course would otherwise been a shutout) 1 run 25 times (no wins) leaving 16 games of 2 run output. It gets even “better” if you add in all the times they scored only 3 times, but I’m sure not too many teams win alot when they score 3 or less- but still this 2008 A’s offense is the utter definition of futility.

This has got to be historically bad. Maybe someone here with more ability can check to see if this ranks up there with the all time “greats” through a similar number of games.

Gonzalez, De Los Santos, Anderson, Cahill, Simmons...the best rotation in baseball....in, uh 2010.

by J Mack on Aug 20, 2008 2:16 PM PDT   0 recs

Sorry, I THINK it's fewer than 2 runs.

See if that’s 35

So, bring on Bonds! Or, not... then, bring back Langerhans!! -One won lost one

by baseballgirl on Aug 20, 2008 2:41 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

34 times of 1 or 0 runs

Gonzalez, De Los Santos, Anderson, Cahill, Simmons...the best rotation in baseball....in, uh 2010.

by J Mack on Aug 20, 2008 2:54 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That's correct

2008:
9 shutouts
25 games with 1 run (no 1-0 wins)
34 games with 0 or 1 run/126 games = 27.0%

The Oakland record for shutouts was established in 1978:
19 shutouts
27 games with 1 run (remarkably, 5 1-0 wins)
46 games with 0 or 1 run/162 games = 28.4%

by Soaker on Aug 20, 2008 3:18 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

but

have not been shut out for a month. July 21 was the last one, before that June 28 (and 25th). 4 times in may and a couple in April.

I don’t know what it means, but that is a dilver lining I suppose.

by Future Ed on Aug 20, 2008 3:50 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

blind squirrel meet nut

"There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want" -Bill Watterson

by nevermoor on Aug 20, 2008 8:38 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I actually think this is almost a defense of the Harden trade.

Every time I see his Cub’s stats, I get sick. But, then I remind myself that even if we had kept him and he pitched the exact same (which is probably unlikely given strength of AL, etc) we probably wouldn’t have won many more games than we have.

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

by 5Aces on Aug 20, 2008 3:55 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

+1

There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 20, 2008 3:57 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Hmm - best case scenario

Ziegler made closer way back -
Harden / Gaudin still in -
Chavez healthy -

result:
A’s back ‘only’ 10 games.

Thin gruel

by MobiusKlein on Aug 20, 2008 4:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I also heard KenKo say 35 of 2 or less....but he is wrong.

Gonzalez, De Los Santos, Anderson, Cahill, Simmons...the best rotation in baseball....in, uh 2010.

by J Mack on Aug 20, 2008 2:17 PM PDT   0 recs

is this what you call rebuilding ???

See if we can become the worst team in the majors then next year win one more game! I have to say I have not listened to or watchd a full game in weeks used to listen/watch every game win or lose beacuse they used to be exciting to watch now they are just bad and preditcable had season tix now for 30 years but this may be the last !

ChrisB

by ChrisB on Aug 20, 2008 2:24 PM PDT   0 recs

Don't give up now

If you actually sat through this season then there’s no point in throwing in your tickets considering how good this team will be in 2-3 years. They won’t be this bad for a long time.

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin

by Helloooo 1st on Aug 20, 2008 4:55 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

do you mean

“how good they MIGHT be??”

by cvdoug on Aug 20, 2008 6:19 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

3 runs 20 times

A’s are a not totally horrible 9-11 in those contests, still to only score 3 times or less in 70 out of 126……(hangs head in shame)

Gonzalez, De Los Santos, Anderson, Cahill, Simmons...the best rotation in baseball....in, uh 2010.

by J Mack on Aug 20, 2008 2:26 PM PDT   0 recs

I love the Athletics....forever....but this is very, very hard to watch.

Gonzalez, De Los Santos, Anderson, Cahill, Simmons...the best rotation in baseball....in, uh 2010.

by J Mack on Aug 20, 2008 2:27 PM PDT   0 recs

For those of you keeping track, the A’s have been held to 2 runs or fewer in thirty-five games this year. That’s almost unimaginably bad. That even overshadows their eleventh consecutive series loss

This part of the game wrap should be edited because while 35 is unimaginably bad…it is actually much worse.

Gonzalez, De Los Santos, Anderson, Cahill, Simmons...the best rotation in baseball....in, uh 2010.

by J Mack on Aug 20, 2008 2:30 PM PDT   0 recs

On a positive note...

…the A’s WON’T lose tonight!

by Dr Pez on Aug 20, 2008 2:38 PM PDT   0 recs

Olympic Rules

would the A’s score if they were spotted two runners like they do for extra innings games in the Olympics?

Enjoy the game

by DCinWC on Aug 20, 2008 2:49 PM PDT   0 recs

They can't even score when they load the bases.

Only 2 runners on? that’s damn near impossible.

by mikev on Aug 20, 2008 3:25 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The A's already lost?

So now I can go to work without having to wonder? Cool.

Hey, what happened to PT? I haven’t seen him post anything in quite some time.

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

by alox on Aug 20, 2008 3:48 PM PDT   0 recs

I am guessing

pennoyer v neff

by Future Ed on Aug 20, 2008 3:50 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I prefer Dietrichson v. Neff

There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 20, 2008 3:57 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

If

she was present in your residence would you consent?

by Future Ed on Aug 20, 2008 3:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I don’t go for femmes fatales … a singe fatale, maybe

There were a lot of stupid, long confusing words that I’m sure normal people don’t use. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Aug 20, 2008 4:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

They know more tricks than a carload of monkeys.

And if there’s a death mixed up in it, you haven’t got a prayer. They’ll hang you just as sure as ten dimes will buy a dollar.

I see a deranged rabbit, on fire, cowering away from a vagina. I await the results of the Rorschaschererer. -Nico

by Leopold Bloom on Aug 20, 2008 9:46 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Remember the good ol' days...

…when the A’s used to score 2 runs a game?

by gregorymark on Aug 20, 2008 6:18 PM PDT   0 recs

Look for Eveland to get re-called to the big club in the next two days

Not only does it coincide with Duke and Gallagher’s injuries, but if he’s recalled in the next two days