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Open Thread: Game 137 - A's Vs. Twins

Countdown_tiny by Taj Adib on Comment 185 comments

For some reason, the auto game thread won't load, so I am trying it this way...

I won't say this on behalf of the entire AN community, but I will say it for me: if the A's win today, they will have done a lot in the past few series to help me forget about their mostly horrible month of August. In taking 2 out of 3 in Anaheim against one of the top clubs in the game, and now showing a lot of fight in not 1, but 2 walkoff victories in 3 games against a very good team that is fighting for a playoff spot, this young team is finally showing glimpses of what it is capable of. They still aren't scoring many runs, but the young pitchers are coming around and the position players are playing solid-enough defense and are focused enough so that they can keep the game close and take advantage of the other team's mistakes. That's a big improvement from just two weeks ago, and it's finally showing in the win-loss record.

Today's game also marks the final game in August and the final game before rosters expand and September call-ups take-effect. A win today combined with a gradual reinforcement of the roster from prospects over the next week could finally conspire to give the A's something that has been anathema in the team's clubhouse since early July: momentum. With some mo' and some confidence and a full, healthy pitching staff, this team might just pull-off a .500-season when all is said and done. So, disagree with me if you will and excuse the hyperbole, but I feel like today's game is the biggest of the year so far for the A's.

The team will send the mostly capable left-arm of Greg "The Nibbler" Smith to the mound against the Twins for the contest this afternoon. Smith got battered by the Angels last time out last week, but still lasted a full 6 innings in the process. Since the All Star break, Greg has not been all that effective: 1-6, 5.08 ERA and 25 walks against only 21 strike outs. So, I'm guessing the best-case scenario today is that Smith is wild, yet effective for 6+ innings, Devine can come in and shut the door in the 7th and Ziggy can provide one of his patented 2-inning saves.

In order to do that, the A's will need to scratch out at least a few runs against Smith's fellow Louisiana-native Scott Baker.  Scott, like the rest of the Twins' young rotation, is an aggressive strike-thrower that probably won't do the A's batters any favors (3.55 to 1 K/BB ratio). Best case scenario: Cust stays hot, belts another homer and newly-arrived Aaron Cunningham makes his major league debut one to remember with a multi-hit game that sparks several rallies that give the A's a one-run lead going into the later innings...

(I've been called in to work to help monitor the growing monster that is Hurricane Gustav, but I'll have internet access and will be monitoring the Game Threads and listening to the game on radio, so I should be able to stay on top of things, but if I need to abruptly halt my blog activity, I would appreciate it if someone could open a new thread if necessary...)

Lineup

Minnesota Twins @ Oakland Athletics

08/31/08 1:05 PM PDT

Minnesota Twins Oakland Athletics
Denard Span - CF Rajai Davis - CF
Nick Punto - SS Ryan Sweeney - RF
Joe Mauer - DH Bobby Crosby - SS
Justin Morneau - 1B Jack Cust - DH
Jason Kubel - RF Kurt Suzuki - C
Delmon Young - LF Daric Barton - 1B
Mike Redmond - C Jack Hannahan - 3B
Brian Buscher - 3B Aaron Cunningham - LF
Alexi Casilla - 2B Eric Patterson - 2B


 

0 recs | Comment 185 comments

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Grrr Hate Black Jerseys

"With 16-year-old Dominican righty Michel Inoa in tow, Gio Gonzalez improving at Triple-A and lefty Brett Anderson carving up Double-Abatters along with Simmons and Trevor Cahill, Oakland’s pitching depthis officially the envy of baseball." - BaseballAmerica.com

by Syphon on Aug 31, 2008 1:07 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I gotta disagree with that opening statement

As I said in my game wrap last Saturday, the A’s haven’t been outplaying anyone or improving their performance or turning things around: they’ve been enjoying their usual good pitching, outstanding defense, and nonexistent offense, and getting a few lucky breaks.

Yeah, as last Saturday and last night, a win is awesome, and to win in exciting fashion is fun, but …

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

by monkeyball on Aug 31, 2008 1:09 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

When you play fundamentally good baseball (especially defensively)..

for a long enough period of time, you are bound to start winning games. Which was my point. I won’t forget entirely about how bad this team played overall for much of the past month and a half, but although they can’t hit, they have at least showed that they can pitch well enough and play good enough defense to give themselves a chance to win in most every game of the past 2 series, which is an improvement and a start…

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

by Taj Adib on Aug 31, 2008 1:14 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

true

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

by monkeyball on Aug 31, 2008 1:15 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Someone please help me.

What is the name of the song Ryan Sweeney uses at his AB music?

Mark Ellis: sent down from Heaven to rob Evil of hits and hand out rainbows

by Jennifer on Aug 31, 2008 1:10 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

You people suck.

Mark Ellis: sent down from Heaven to rob Evil of hits and hand out rainbows

by Jennifer on Aug 31, 2008 1:25 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's just music.

It sounds rap-ish…. Hell, I can’t explain it.

Mark Ellis: sent down from Heaven to rob Evil of hits and hand out rainbows

by Jennifer on Aug 31, 2008 1:27 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It's been stuck in my head for days...

just the part that plays during his AB, though. I wanted to stick a hot poker in my ear.

Mark Ellis: sent down from Heaven to rob Evil of hits and hand out rainbows

by Jennifer on Aug 31, 2008 1:31 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I just downloaded it on iTunes.

I usually listen to alternative music, but I like it.

Mark Ellis: sent down from Heaven to rob Evil of hits and hand out rainbows

by Jennifer on Aug 31, 2008 1:43 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I wouldn't have known the song unless

I was forced to listen to it in my friend’s car. I’m not good with rap songs.

by Kimberly on Aug 31, 2008 1:34 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

[hugs]

Except you, my dear. Gold star for Kimberly. Thank you.

Mark Ellis: sent down from Heaven to rob Evil of hits and hand out rainbows

by Jennifer on Aug 31, 2008 1:29 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wiki used to have a nice long list, and I found it reposted somewhere else...

but of course, Ry Ry’s not on it. They do have that Huston Street used to use “Hate Me Now”, though. How appropriate.

by schmifty on Aug 31, 2008 1:28 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

He still does

It was played last night. It’s still kind of appropriate. ;)

"Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona. Not all games and holes are created equal." --George F. Will

by anomaly_kat on Aug 31, 2008 1:49 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

It was a little strange to hear it

because they didn’t use the accompanying superhotfastball graphic on the scoreboard. However, Duke (the LF drummer not the pitcher) revived his Huston theme music, which is a free adaptation of “Rock and Roll Pt. 2” for percussion and mass humming chorus.

Polynesian Sauce may not be available in all locations.

by Englishmajor on Aug 31, 2008 2:17 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

speaking of drummers

it was great to hear the LF drummers loud and clear last night

by OaklandSi on Aug 31, 2008 2:23 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

our thoughts and prayers are with everyone

in the hurricane’s potential path. My entire family is in the Caribbean, and every year we try to stay prepared and a watchful eye on the weather forecasts.

Even if the A’s can’t get to .500 they can at least aim at overtaking the Rangers for second place.

Regardless, I’ll be cheering them from the stands for most of the remaining home games.

Let’s Go Oakland!

by OaklandSi on Aug 31, 2008 1:13 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Man, will this team EVER figure out how to get

Morneau out when a runner is on base ahead of him? Gol-lee!

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

by Taj Adib on Aug 31, 2008 1:17 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Comcrap finally gets their HD telecast on the air

Do they have as much difficulty with Giants HD telecasts as they have with the A’s telecasts? Somehow I doubt it.

I need as much clarity as I can get today. (Soaker probably celebrated last night’s glorious Golden Bears victory a little too much.)

by Soaker on Aug 31, 2008 1:22 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

i was wondering if it was just me.

I only get the games in HD, no regular CSN-BA

by chri5 on Aug 31, 2008 1:23 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ughhhh...

Same old same old Smith…poor, poor location.

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

by Taj Adib on Aug 31, 2008 1:34 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Keep on using "we" please.

What’s the use being a fan of a team if you can’t consider your cheering and the team’s performance two sides of the same coin?

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

by Taj Adib on Aug 31, 2008 1:39 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

My mother would disown me if I got married at a baseball stadium.

But that would be awesome.

Mark Ellis: sent down from Heaven to rob Evil of hits and hand out rainbows

by Jennifer on Aug 31, 2008 1:40 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I know!

Were they in the all you can eat section too?

by lynnzgal on Aug 31, 2008 1:41 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

The colors could be red and white....

and the cake could have a stitching pattern on it.

Mark Ellis: sent down from Heaven to rob Evil of hits and hand out rainbows

by Jennifer on Aug 31, 2008 1:45 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Would hot dogs be too whiskey tango

for the reception? May have to step up and serve polish sausages.

Mark Ellis: sent down from Heaven to rob Evil of hits and hand out rainbows

by Jennifer on Aug 31, 2008 1:50 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Call me crazy,

but that would be so romantic.

by lynnzgal on Aug 31, 2008 1:47 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Lol!

E1 on the boucqet toss!

by lynnzgal on Aug 31, 2008 1:50 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

LOL!

The guy catching it was hilarious. How many times did she toss it? And where is Mr. Baseball Wedding Guy?

Mark Ellis: sent down from Heaven to rob Evil of hits and hand out rainbows

by Jennifer on Aug 31, 2008 1:52 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I wonder if the priest wore an ump's uniform?

Mark Ellis: sent down from Heaven to rob Evil of hits and hand out rainbows

by Jennifer on Aug 31, 2008 1:54 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

no

he wore a referee jersey and an a’s hat. i was in attendance at the wedding, it was beautiful.

"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball

by flipgatey3 on Aug 31, 2008 8:07 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Awww.

Now I just need to find a guy who’s an A’s fan. All the guys I have dated either hated baseball or loved the Giants.

by Kimberly on Aug 31, 2008 1:53 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Aaand my reply above was supposed to go here. Duh.

by schmifty on Aug 31, 2008 1:57 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

CUNNINGHAM TIME.

\

I see the future. I see cake.

by Blicks on Aug 31, 2008 1:46 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Come on, Aaron!

Mark Ellis: sent down from Heaven to rob Evil of hits and hand out rainbows

by Jennifer on Aug 31, 2008 1:47 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Come on, Aaron!

Mark Ellis: sent down from Heaven to rob Evil of hits and hand out rainbows

by Jennifer on Aug 31, 2008 1:47 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I must have really meant that.

Mark Ellis: sent down from Heaven to rob Evil of hits and hand out rainbows

by Jennifer on Aug 31, 2008 1:47 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

If you say it one more time

it will match the number of pitches he saw in his first big league AB.

by Soaker on Aug 31, 2008 1:50 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Rats!

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

by Taj Adib on Aug 31, 2008 1:47 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Gaw.

I see the future. I see cake.

by Blicks on Aug 31, 2008 1:48 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

This game has too much cuteness.

Someone is going to need to lose a limb to counterbalance this sugary mess.

Mark Ellis: sent down from Heaven to rob Evil of hits and hand out rainbows

by Jennifer on Aug 31, 2008 1:57 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Back to back hits?

Both Sweeney and Rajai obviously didn’t spend too much time in the A’s minor league system….

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

by Taj Adib on Aug 31, 2008 2:01 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

OF next time, please.

Mark Ellis: sent down from Heaven to rob Evil of hits and hand out rainbows

by Jennifer on Aug 31, 2008 2:02 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I am not watching tv....

Was that as good of a play as Vince said it was?

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

by Taj Adib on Aug 31, 2008 2:12 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I missed that,

but they’re saying Zooks hit just now was fair.

by lynnzgal on Aug 31, 2008 2:16 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

P.S.

How does MLB.com Gameday already have a picture of Cunningham in an A’s uniform? I thought Aaron’s only been in Oakland for like 12 hours?

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

by Taj Adib on Aug 31, 2008 2:22 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Sometimes guys already took their picture in Spring Traning / February

like the Jays’ 20-yr-old Travis Snider, who was called up 2 day ago – already has pic

by schmifty on Aug 31, 2008 2:23 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ahhh...

That would make perfect sense. I didn’t think any facet of the Major League Baseball conglomerate was that forward-thinking…

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

by Taj Adib on Aug 31, 2008 2:25 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I was surprised, too, when I saw Travis's picture

I’ve been watching him locally at AA all year, and I didn’t think he’d be called up at all, so I didn’t think they’d have his picture for the bigs. I guess some guys are already earmarked in February, even if they are very young.

by schmifty on Aug 31, 2008 2:29 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Word... about MLB, that is.

"If I've got baggage, he's got a whole set of Louis Vuitton." ~ Milton Bradley on Barry Bonds

by UncleLeo on Aug 31, 2008 2:38 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

And fast!

Polynesian Sauce may not be available in all locations.

by Englishmajor on Aug 31, 2008 2:33 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Crosby is not.

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

by Taj Adib on Aug 31, 2008 2:38 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Crosby just sucks.

I see the future. I see cake.

by Blicks on Aug 31, 2008 2:39 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Wow, they took a whole lotta guys' headshots in February...

Anthony Recker, Richie Robnett, Henry Rodriguez, Casey Rogowski, Jay Marshall, Fernando Hernandez, Arnold Leon, Jeff Gray, James Simmons, Ryan Wing…

by schmifty on Aug 31, 2008 2:41 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Fernando Hernandez? WTF?

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

by Taj Adib on Aug 31, 2008 2:42 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Gaw balk.

I see the future. I see cake.

by Blicks on Aug 31, 2008 2:43 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Game over.

Morneau is unstoppable.

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

by Taj Adib on Aug 31, 2008 2:45 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Yep

Greg does not have the stuff to be able to get away with a mistake.

  1. starter

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

by Trainman on Aug 31, 2008 2:47 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

How does

Pressing the # key give me a 1.

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

by Trainman on Aug 31, 2008 2:48 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

That should be #5 starter

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

by Trainman on Aug 31, 2008 2:50 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Ughh...

Smith totally lost his composure after that homer. Not a good sign.

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

by Taj Adib on Aug 31, 2008 2:49 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

smith...

for a guy who’s makeup and composure is supposedly good…mature for his age. it sure doesnt make up for his control and issues with giving up hr’s. really he’s no better than eveland, just doesnt make his struggles obvious on the mound emotionally.

good or bad that braden is their best SP right now

by Asfan4ever723 on Aug 31, 2008 2:54 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

lol kuiper, you got my hopes up

talking about a trade, then its eckstein

by Asfan4ever723 on Aug 31, 2008 2:56 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

This is probably

the smallest game thread I’ve yet seen.

by VORP is too nerdy on Aug 31, 2008 3:23 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hopefully.

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

by Taj Adib on Aug 31, 2008 3:26 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

I misseded Aaron's double, it stated it was ground rule

was it close to being a HR?

I see the future. I see cake.

by Blicks on Aug 31, 2008 3:30 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

No

Opposite field, huge hop over the fence

by asfaninpismobeach on Aug 31, 2008 3:31 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Hahahaha!

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

by Taj Adib on Aug 31, 2008 3:44 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Man, only the A's can make me bright and cheery with thoughts of a future dynasty...

to utterly devastated by the current ineptitude of the team.

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

by Taj Adib on Aug 31, 2008 3:54 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

As it stands...

Minnesota: 10 runs, 9 hits
Oakland 1 run, 10 hits

Huh?

by danmerqury on Aug 31, 2008 3:56 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

All the runs

came at once, basically.

Plus a bunch of walks; it is Greg Smith after all.

by VORP is too nerdy on Aug 31, 2008 3:57 PM PDT to parent up reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Aaron, what a man!

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

by Taj Adib on Aug 31, 2008 4:03 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Effff.

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

by Taj Adib on Aug 31, 2008 4:12 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

Just got back from two hour workout

Didn’t miss much.

Good to see Cunningham get two hits and two RBI’s

Greg Smith did his Barry Zito impression again. Poor guy appears to be a #5 at best. I guess we have to see how he does early next season.

At least the losses are not as painful as the toothache(s) I have in two teeth. Drinking hot or cold fluids is not a good feeling. Best way to deal with toothache is have them extracted. That fixes the problem once and for all.

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

by Trainman on Aug 31, 2008 4:36 PM PDT reply reply actions actions   0 recs

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