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A's win 2-0

Recent_family_ones_july__07_091_tiny by notsellingjeans on

Dana Eveland threw seven exceptional innings as the A's beat the Mariners 2-0 in the opener of a three-game series Friday night in Oakland.

Eveland struck out seven and walked none on a very economical 83 pitches.  His curveball had terrific bite and he used it both to set hitters up in the strike zone and as a strikeout pitch out of the zone.  He got Ichiro to strike out on it twice.

Joey Devine threw a dominant eighth, and Brad Ziegler closed it out for his 10th save in 11 chances.

The offensive highlight was undoubtedly Travis Buck's fourth-inning solo homer to right field.  He turned on Felix Hernandez' 96 mph heater and it was a thing of beauty. We've missed you, Travis, and man-crushes all over the country have resumed in full force.

The A's added an insurance run later in the fourth when Ryan Sweeney doubled and Kurt Suzuki followed with a run-scoring single.

It looked like the game was going to end in under two hours until the Mariners made it interesting in the ninth.  But Ziegler ended a bases-loaded rally to seal the win.

Game two of the series is tomorrow, and Kirk Saarloos will get a spot start.

To top it all off, this game was broadcast in HD. 

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Wow that was fast!

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

by WaddellCanseco on Sep 19, 2008 9:15 PM PDT   0 recs

Actually, that reminds me of the kid that goes to his first night game

when the first pitch is thrown at 7:05 he says, wow that’s fast!

by lynnzgal on Sep 19, 2008 9:22 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

What the hell?

I just got home… the game’s over?!?!? I was hoping to catch the last couple innings : (

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

by IowaA'sFan on Sep 19, 2008 9:15 PM PDT   0 recs

in HD?

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Sep 19, 2008 9:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Um, I'm from Iowa.

What’s HD?

Just kidding. I know what HD is. Hog Delivery! I just did one the other day! Although I don’t see what that has to do with the A’s.

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

by IowaA'sFan on Sep 19, 2008 9:18 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Am I the only one who likes the snout extra crispy?

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 19, 2008 9:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Great - looks like you delivered the hog to the wrong address

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 19, 2008 9:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh crap.

You were the GD, weren’t you? My bad.

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

by IowaA'sFan on Sep 19, 2008 9:24 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

No comment

Don’t wanna get politically banninated.

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

by IowaA'sFan on Sep 19, 2008 9:26 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

No, Flashfire is not political

just,
uh,
has strange tastes.

by MobiusKlein on Sep 19, 2008 9:35 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Now I'm confused as to how I feel about bush

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 19, 2008 9:39 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

but IIRC, trees cause pollution

It's just something we do. It's not something we like. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Sep 20, 2008 2:46 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

But trees fight Global Warming.

Shrubs? Not so much.

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Sep 20, 2008 10:13 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

He was so dominant

that the Mariners were still scared of him in the ninth.

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

by IowaA'sFan on Sep 19, 2008 9:20 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

LOL

I fixed it. Sorry :)

"Some of the men didn't wait for the women and children to jump off the sinking ship that is our season." - 67MARQUEZ

by notsellingjeans on Sep 19, 2008 9:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Great night for Eveland

No walks – it helps that the M’s love to hack away, but still, he was very sharp.

"However, at Elias, I think they keep track of the amount of sunflower seeds spit in a dugout each night." - Brad Ziegler, 8/7/08

by doctorK on Sep 19, 2008 9:19 PM PDT   0 recs

He owns the Mariners

Though it’s arguable that the Mariners own themselves.

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 19, 2008 9:33 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Nine more wins to .500!

What do you think? Do we have a shot?

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

by IowaA'sFan on Sep 19, 2008 9:33 PM PDT   0 recs

Curse the rainout in Baltimore!

And curse Math.

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 19, 2008 9:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Aw shit.

I forgot about that rainout.
…
What is this math that you speak of?

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

by IowaA'sFan on Sep 19, 2008 9:35 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I want 9 to be less than 8

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 19, 2008 9:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

but i dont want to finish in front of the rangers

"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 20, 2008 9:38 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Then don't

Personally, I’m rooting for a 9 game winning streak to end the season because I watch and listen to the A’s to root for them to 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 Sep 20, 2008 9:42 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

+ 1

Arte didn't get much Home Run Derby. He was dug in too deep or moving too fast. His idea of great R&R was cold rice and a little rat meat.

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Sep 20, 2008 9:45 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm still looking for that song.

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 19, 2008 9:33 PM PDT   0 recs

This song?

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

by IowaA'sFan on Sep 19, 2008 9:36 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Sunshine and rainbows!

She should add in unicorns.

by lynnzgal on Sep 19, 2008 9:42 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I saw Leslie Gore live once.

With Lou Christie. She was very entertaining, but Lou made her look like an amateur.
Lou Christie!

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

by IowaA'sFan on Sep 19, 2008 9:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Love that I can see them from my house,

and if I walk down to the end of my street I can hear the music too.

by lynnzgal on Sep 19, 2008 9:49 PM PDT   0 recs

Yeah, I'm on LSD too

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 19, 2008 9:50 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You have better LSD?

Serves me right for accepting a “bargain” from a midget tranny.

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 19, 2008 9:53 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Haha!

Oh you! I can’t tell if you’re kidding me or trying to kick my ass.

by lynnzgal on Sep 19, 2008 9:58 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

No, I'm not kidding

But it’s possible he/she was a dwarf – I’m never sure of the technical distinction between a midget, a dwarf, and salb918.

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 19, 2008 10:02 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Well,

never having met salb918, I definitely can’t.

by lynnzgal on Sep 19, 2008 10:04 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You might have met him and not known it

because you were looking straight ahead.

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 19, 2008 10:05 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You know the creepy guy who's been stalking you?

I’ve been stalking him.

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 19, 2008 10:19 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

< files restraining order against Nico >

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

by oblique on Sep 19, 2008 10:24 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

{puts with all the others}

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 19, 2008 10:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

(oblique sell name rights to Nico)

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Sep 20, 2008 10:26 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Ziggy

He’s doing a great job…even though he’s seeing a truckload of lefties (expanded September roster has alot to do with that). Cool under pressure!!!

by captain bubblehead on Sep 19, 2008 10:00 PM PDT   0 recs

2nd base

I wonder whether Ellis would have got that ball in the 9th inning that Pennington couldn’t come up with. It would have changed the whole inning. Perhaps a one-year deal for Ellis could be mutually beneficial because it’s not clear Pennington or Patterson either hit or field well enough to be full-time major league second basemen. Ellis had 4 errors this year in 115 games. Pennington has 5 errors in 27 games.

by SA on Sep 19, 2008 10:07 PM PDT   0 recs

I'd love to see a one-year deal

Given the way Ellis’ season has ended it seems like it might be mutually beneficial. I think Ellis would have gotten to that ball without diving but then would have had to make a quick throw with little on it – probably just in time (he has a knack for that).

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 19, 2008 10:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'd be ecstatic with a 1 yr deal for Ellis!

I’d even be happy with two years, as long as the total money isn’t too much.

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

by UncleLeo on Sep 19, 2008 10:46 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Agreed,

A one year deal with Ellis might could be in everyone’s interest. If he can rehab the way he thinks he can I would want him back.

by lynnzgal on Sep 19, 2008 10:50 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

just got back from the game

a bit late because of the very colorful but muted music fireworks — anyone else notice that the music was much harder to hear than usual?

Highlights of the game were Eveland and Buck. Lowlights included several plays that Crosby missed, and of course Cust setting the American League record for strikeouts.

Over 30,000 fans attended — and unfortunately started the Wave in the eighth inning.

For the Mariners, Felix and Ichiro were impressive as usual. The rest of that team looks as beaten down as any I’ve seen.

by OaklandSi on Sep 19, 2008 10:57 PM PDT   0 recs

I'm just back too

I wasn’t having a problem with the music, other than being embarrassed by not knowing what any of it was after the first two songs (1968 and 1978…..I didn’t know any of the more recent stuff). The fireworks were great as always, even with the low clouds. The rain in the first inning was annoying and a sad reminder of the end of the season, but it stopped. A great many people in the left field bleachers shared this gamethread sentiment about the familial sucktitude of the brothers Tuiasosopo and wished to share their insight with Matt. A very drunk young man behind me predicted Hannahan’s base hit and congratulated himself on it for the rest of the game. There is no tent sale, but all of the stores have 50% off sales now, and most still have a pretty good selection of stuff, including the satin warmup jackets and the elephant-in-sunglasses patches which someone was asking about earlier.

Don't blame me, I voted for Bill King.

by Englishmajor on Sep 19, 2008 11:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You beat me by one song.

I could name Jumpin’ Jack Flash, of course, and have some vague recollection of the late 90s boy band song, but those were not classics (I hope). Maybe the royalties budget was running low.

Oh, and I got my 1.5 secs of fame cheering for the Travis HR. I warn’t pretty.

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Sep 20, 2008 7:43 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

The NL MVP this year is probably going to be a guy who struck out 200 times. Cust’s record really means nothing.

As for Ichiro: Ichiro 2008 EQA: 286. Ryan Sweeney 2008 EQA: .282. And a lot of people might not realize it, but Sweeney’s a better defensive player. Ichiro has the super cannon arm, but he hasn’t actually been a plus defender for quite some time.

That Ichiro contract is already ugly, but in a year or two it might be the worst in baseball for a position player (MIchael Young will give him a run for his money).

by thejd44 on Sep 20, 2008 12:06 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Cust is certainly not close to being an MVP

that he leads in some offensive categories on the A’s says less about his abilities than it does about the A’s offensive weakness.

and Ichiro is hardly a lousy player offensively (six straight years of 200+ hits is not too shabby) or defensively (Sweeney doesn’t have nearly the number of games or defensive chances…Sweeney’s future is certainly brighter, as he is quite a bit younger). Ichiro’s contract may seem ugly because the Mariners are on their way to a 100-loss season with a $100 million payroll.

Anyway, my comments had to do with this particular game.

by OaklandSi on Sep 20, 2008 1:14 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I never said Cust was an MVP

What I said was that one of the guys who will finish in the top 3 in NL MVP voting will have 200 strikeouts this year. They are, basically, outs. Very slightly worse than regular outs. The strikeout record says as much about how good a hitter is as a saves record says about how good a pitcher is.

Where did I say Ichiro was lousy? He’s an ok hitter (especially now) making the money that should be reserved for an elite player. Ichiro has 200+ hits every year for a handful of reasons: He’s a leadoff hitter, he plays nearly every game (health is certainly a positive attribute), he doesn’t walk, and he’s fast so he gets lots of infield/bunt hits. He has a fairly empty .300 average most seasons. All that makes him a pretty good, but not great, hitter. An .808 career OPS for a corner OF (what he’s primarily been and what he should always be) is nothing to sneeze at. It’s also not an all-time great number. His speed/stolen bases help. But not enough.

He’s not great defensively. At all. He’s not lousy defensively, but he’s a seven-time Gold Glove OF and he shouldn’t have any of them.

This year, Ichiro is only a marginally better player than Ryan Sweeney. That’s my real point. He’s worth a half-win more, maybe a full win because of Sweeney’s injuries. Does anybody think Sweeney + 1 win is worth $17 million?

by thejd44 on Sep 20, 2008 1:29 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

my comment really had more to do with

how beaten down the Mariners looked last night as a team. But I had to note some exceptions, notably Felix’s performance last night, as well as Ichiro’s (he made a highlight reel-worthy catch that even A’s fans were applauding).

by OaklandSi on Sep 20, 2008 10:13 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I agree that Ichiro is generally overrated

but you’re underrating him just as badly. He’s been a 30 RAA hitter over his career. His defense seems to be the most contentious thing in baseball short of “Moneyball” but it’s certainly not worse than 0 runs overall (which is a slightly above average corner OF or a slightly below average CF). +3 win players are usually paid $15 million or more a year; surely his marketing proceeds easily make up whatever difference there is between his salary and his value.

If he declines in future, all bets are off of course. Right now he’s worth the money.

The sad thing is that he would be 10-15 runs a season better than he is offensively if he was not such a selfish prick.

Your 2008 Athletics: It's Nothing Personal.

by PaulThomas on Sep 20, 2008 1:41 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I had a whole response typed out, then hit the wrong button

In summary: Fair point with the marketing. It’s financially a good move even when he sucks in 3 years.

He’s had 4 years (out of 8, including this year), where he’s been 2.5 or fewer wins above average, 1 year at about 3, and 3 where he was pretty freakin’ awesome. Averaged out, that’s about +3 wins, like you said. But I think looking at the numbers more closely shows a guy who has been very inconsistent (despite his reputation) over the years, and three of the last four seasons will be slightly above 2 wins above average. Bad? Nah, of course not. But not worth the $17 million from a baseball standpoint.

As for him being selfish. I assume you mean that he doesn’t hit for the power he has so he can have a +.300 average and 200 hits. If this is the case, I think it’s funny that the media claims this makes him unselfish when it’s really the opposite. He might hit for a lower average and some fewer infield singles, but he’d produce quite a few more runs with an extra 10 or so homers (and probably more doubles and triples) a season.

I dont know if BBPro has a sorting feature that can do this: Over the course of Ichiro’s career, how many corner OFs have had the same number of RAA or better? Over the past five seasons, Ichiro has been 1 win better with the bat than Aaron Rowand (149 RAA to 138). I assume bbpro accounts for league, park, etc. That’s pretty telling, I think.

by thejd44 on Sep 20, 2008 2:13 AM PDT to parent up   0 recs