Los Angeles Angels @ Oakland Athletics GameThread, Sep 17, 2008 7:05 PM PDT

Open Thread: Game 151 - A's vs. Angels

by louismg on Sep 17, 2008 6:50 PM PDT

Los Angeles Angels @ Oakland Athletics

If you heard me tell you that at the end of the season, the A's Greg Smith would have his name among the pitching leaders, with Daisuke Matsuzaka and A.J. Burnett, you probably would be elated, until you learned it's in the walks column. Smith, who comes into tonight's game with a 7-15 record (compared to Dice-K's 17-2 and Burnett's 18-10) is tied for third in the league in offering up free passes, with 82, and has 11 straight starts with 2 or more walks. It's a big part of his inconsistency, which has seen him alternate giving up 8 runs with 7 innings of scoreless ball, followed by 6 runs in his last outing. You're never really sure which Greg Smith is going to show up, and in his last 11 decisions, since June 30th, Smith has come out the loser 9 times.

	W-L	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
2008 - Greg Smith	7-15	4.23	1.37	103	82

The streaky Smith will be opposed by the Angels' Jered Weaver, who has had a remarkably pedestrian 11-10 record and 4.25 ERA for the division champions. He has won once in his last five starts, and lost his last contest to the A's on August 25th by a score of 2-1. With the A's riding their first three-game win streak since mid-June, we'll have to see if the same kind of luck will return for the A's to make it four in a row.

	W-L	ERA	WHIP	K	BB
2008 - Jered Weaver	11-10	4.25	1.27	136	51

On the offensive side of things, it's clear the A's wish they could trot out nine outfielders from top to bottom. Buck, Cunningham and Sweeney will lead the game off. Brown and the recently called up Gonzalez and Denorfia will be commiserating on the pine. Go A's!

Lineup

Los Angeles Angels @ Oakland Athletics

09/17/08 7:05 PM PDT

Los Angeles Angels	Oakland Athletics
Erick Aybar - SS	Travis Buck - RF
Garret Anderson - LF	Aaron Cunningham - LF
Mark Teixeira - 1B	Ryan Sweeney - CF
Kendry Morales - DH	Jack Cust - DH
Robb Quinlan - 3B	Kurt Suzuki - C
Gary Matthews - CF	Daric Barton - 1B
Jeff Mathis - C	Jack Hannahan - 3B
Sean Rodriguez - 2B	Cliff Pennington - SS
Reggie Willits - RF	Eric Patterson - 2B

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Comments

Been a while since we've seen Buck in the leadoff spot... it's nice

by NateHST on Sep 17, 2008 6:56 PM PDT 0 recs

I like this OF alignment.

[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years" - Vince Cotroneo

by WaddellCanseco on Sep 17, 2008 7:07 PM PDT up 0 recs

Greg is also among the league leaders in pickoffs!

That should count for something.

[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years" - Vince Cotroneo

by WaddellCanseco on Sep 17, 2008 6:56 PM PDT 0 recs

It's because he has so many opportunities! :-)

Yes, he’s #1 in all of the land in that category. I love the pickoff move.

More than just ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/

by louismg on Sep 17, 2008 7:01 PM PDT up 0 recs

The Walk + Pickoff is just as good as a Strikout!

[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years" - Vince Cotroneo

by WaddellCanseco on Sep 17, 2008 7:02 PM PDT up 0 recs

provided the bases were not loaded at the time

alaska A (now in Colorado)

by ak_A on Sep 17, 2008 7:11 PM PDT up 0 recs

So long as the pickoff comes first!

[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years" - Vince Cotroneo

by WaddellCanseco on Sep 17, 2008 7:13 PM PDT up 0 recs

Is this game on in the BA?

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 17, 2008 7:03 PM PDT 0 recs

Yes.

by Kimberly on Sep 17, 2008 7:04 PM PDT up 0 recs

Just checking.

Thanks!

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 17, 2008 7:06 PM PDT up 0 recs

Channel 6 here

by justarebelheart on Sep 17, 2008 7:04 PM PDT up 0 recs

In San Mateo

by justarebelheart on Sep 17, 2008 7:04 PM PDT up 0 recs

Never seen this before...

KICU is actually using their HD channel to broadcast the pregame newsbreak in HD. It sure would be nice to see some HD baseball telecasts on KICU next year.

by Soaker on Sep 17, 2008 7:06 PM PDT up 0 recs

Okay, so no one knows why Ryan is wearing

a sleeve on his left arm?

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 17, 2008 7:09 PM PDT 0 recs

Got a tattoo of Daric’s face and doesn’t want everyone to see?

by justarebelheart on Sep 17, 2008 7:10 PM PDT up 0 recs

Has Daric reciprocated?

[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years" - Vince Cotroneo

by WaddellCanseco on Sep 17, 2008 7:12 PM PDT up 0 recs

I thought for sure he'd get it tattooed on his ass.

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 17, 2008 7:12 PM PDT up 0 recs

Well, he's wearing clothes there too.

by danmerqury on Sep 17, 2008 7:13 PM PDT up 0 recs

Is tonight's thread going to be a repeat of last night's?

by Kimberly on Sep 17, 2008 7:13 PM PDT up 0 recs

The boys will start complaining.

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 17, 2008 7:14 PM PDT up 0 recs

"Repeat of last night" doesn't mean the same to Barton or Sweeney as it does to us.

by danmerqury on Sep 17, 2008 7:14 PM PDT up 0 recs

they said the other night it was because he was hit there at some point

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Sep 17, 2008 7:23 PM PDT up 0 recs

Gracias.

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 17, 2008 7:24 PM PDT up 0 recs

That DP was unnecessarily hard...

But we’ll take it!

More than just ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/

by louismg on Sep 17, 2008 7:10 PM PDT 0 recs

The only things missing were fire

and sharks with laser beams.

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 17, 2008 7:11 PM PDT up 0 recs

I'm not allowed to talk about fire anymore

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Sep 17, 2008 7:12 PM PDT up 0 recs

Play with fire....

piss the bed.

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 17, 2008 7:13 PM PDT up 0 recs

What is scarier?

Sharks with laser beams or dogs that shoot bees out of their mouths?

More than just ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/

by louismg on Sep 17, 2008 7:15 PM PDT up 0 recs

dogs with bees

You can at least avoid the sharks by staying out of the water. Dogs though? They’re everywhere….

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Sep 17, 2008 7:30 PM PDT up 0 recs

Dogs with bees?

And they I have a dirty and perverted mind.

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 Sep 17, 2008 7:33 PM PDT up 0 recs

and they I?

what you say?

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Sep 17, 2008 7:34 PM PDT up 0 recs

Whew. Cliffy, you skeared me.

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 17, 2008 7:10 PM PDT 0 recs

Yay Cliff!

And whew.

[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years" - Vince Cotroneo

by WaddellCanseco on Sep 17, 2008 7:11 PM PDT 0 recs

Wow this things dead.

by mattman on Sep 17, 2008 7:14 PM PDT 0 recs

TWRS?

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 17, 2008 7:15 PM PDT up 0 recs

TWDS

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Sep 17, 2008 7:15 PM PDT up 0 recs

TWRS.

by Kimberly on Sep 17, 2008 7:15 PM PDT up 0 recs

Damn it!

by Kimberly on Sep 17, 2008 7:15 PM PDT up 0 recs

I know you are.

But what am I?

More than just ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/

by louismg on Sep 17, 2008 7:15 PM PDT up 0 recs

Damn beat me too it!

by justarebelheart on Sep 17, 2008 7:16 PM PDT up 0 recs

Travis got his hair cut!

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 17, 2008 7:16 PM PDT 0 recs

Will he ever learn?

[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years" - Vince Cotroneo

by WaddellCanseco on Sep 17, 2008 7:17 PM PDT up 0 recs

Just a trim.

I liked the shaved look way better than his honey puff.

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 17, 2008 7:19 PM PDT up 0 recs

Maybe, but he played better with maximum hair.

[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years" - Vince Cotroneo

by WaddellCanseco on Sep 17, 2008 7:20 PM PDT up 0 recs

He needs one of those Sacramento mustaches

by NateHST on Sep 17, 2008 7:20 PM PDT up 0 recs

"Sacramento mustache(s)"

HAS to be added to AN’s euphemism guide.

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 17, 2008 7:22 PM PDT up 0 recs

Where is this "euphemism guide"?

[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years" - Vince Cotroneo

by WaddellCanseco on Sep 17, 2008 7:24 PM PDT up 0 recs

In our heads.

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 17, 2008 7:25 PM PDT up 0 recs

Is that a euphemism?

[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years" - Vince Cotroneo

by WaddellCanseco on Sep 17, 2008 7:27 PM PDT up 0 recs

[consults guide]

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 17, 2008 7:27 PM PDT up 0 recs

That why he was getting vertigo.

His head was too top-heavy.

by danmerqury on Sep 17, 2008 7:22 PM PDT up 0 recs

Aaron, don't ever do that again.

I see the future. I see cake.

by Blicks on Sep 17, 2008 7:19 PM PDT 0 recs

For a second I thought

You girls made a pact not to post while Ryan is batting.

Oh.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Sep 17, 2008 7:20 PM PDT 0 recs

Okay, I think someone greased the baseball tonight.

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 17, 2008 7:21 PM PDT 0 recs

Oh god, hahaha.

Willits dropped it, then Rodriguez dropped it on the cutoff.

by danmerqury on Sep 17, 2008 7:21 PM PDT 0 recs

They called it a double?

[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years" - Vince Cotroneo

by WaddellCanseco on Sep 17, 2008 7:23 PM PDT up 0 recs

Yay Jack!

[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years" - Vince Cotroneo

by WaddellCanseco on Sep 17, 2008 7:22 PM PDT 0 recs

Ooof.

Looked good coming off the bat. Right to Aybar.

by danmerqury on Sep 17, 2008 7:23 PM PDT 0 recs

good job zooks

"I talked to Paul this morning and asked if he could acquire some chemistry from another GM whose team is out of the race. But I'm concerned chemistry might not clear waivers."
--Beane

by DyeLongJustice on Sep 17, 2008 7:23 PM PDT 0 recs

Double plus 2 singles shouldn't equal zero runs.

[Crosby] "Guy that has driven in some big runs for the A's over the years" - Vince Cotroneo

by WaddellCanseco on Sep 17, 2008 7:24 PM PDT 0 recs

except....

alaska A (now in Colorado)

by ak_A on Sep 17, 2008 7:25 PM PDT up 0 recs

okay jack cust celebrity look alike

i had one a few months ago…but forgot. however, i see some of Harvey Keitel

alaska A (now in Colorado)

by ak_A on Sep 17, 2008 7:24 PM PDT 0 recs

Good AB by Zooks

Weaver looks pretty bad so far – so so fastball command and hanging curves. Unless he gets it together the A’s should be able to score their “usual 7” :-)

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 Sep 17, 2008 7:24 PM PDT 0 recs