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Open Thread: Game 138 - A's at Kansas City

Goat_tiny by Nico on

Emil Brown, incensed that the A's refuse to value more highly a hitter who can't OPS .700, get on base 30% of the time, run the bases competently or, you know, catch the ball in the outfield, returns to the place where he was duly appreciated...well actually, non-tendered after leading the Royals in RBI two years in a row. YOU'RE sorry the A's signed you? Puh-leese.

All I ask from the A's tonight is that they do not mess up and score six early runs, because with Gio Gonzalez on the mound that could be disastrous. Gio tries to rebound from a disappointing start in Anaheim when he was staked to a 6-0 lead and could not retire a man - or a woman or even a ferret - in the fourth inning. Gonzalez is opposed by über-talented right-hander Zack Greinke.

The latest additions to Oakland's expanded roster are lefty Josh Outman, obtained in the Joe Blanton trade, and "Good Sweeney," i.e., Mike Sweeney, who replaces Frank Thomas as the A's "old, formerly great hitter who can draw walks but can't actually walk."

Tonight's starting lineups, not featuring the tragically underappreciated Emil Brown:

Davis - CF
R. Sweeney - RF
Crosby - SS
Cust - DH
Suzuki  - C
Barton - 1B
Hannahan - 3B
Cunningham - LF
Patterson - 2B

DeJesus - CF
Aviles - SS
Guillen - RF
Butler - DH
Shealy - 1B
Olivo - C
Teahen - 3B
Callaspo - 2B
German - LF

UPDATE: Rain Delay before first pitch. The game is scheduled to begin around 5:40pm PDT. This is the longest the A's have not trailed in a game since the 2006 season.

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no tv?

gah…

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Sep 2, 2008 5:01 PM PDT   0 recs

Only 16 of 25 September games on Bay Area TV

Seems like the A’s, “CSN-Giants” and KICU have decided to euthanize the interest that remains in the 2008 club.

by Soaker on Sep 2, 2008 5:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

yikes

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Sep 2, 2008 5:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Haven't heard much about Outman

Anybody know what his scouting report is like? Thrower like Eveland? Nibbler like Smith? Just bad like Meyer?

by NateHST on Sep 2, 2008 5:01 PM PDT   0 recs

Seems like he's closest to Eveland

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Sep 2, 2008 5:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Very hard thrower - 94MPH-98MPH

who historically has had control problems. So maybe the best comp is Henry Rodriguez.

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 2, 2008 5:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

That overstates his velocity by a good bit

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Sep 2, 2008 5:27 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I've never seen him throw, but here's from the Chron:

Outman’s fastball registered as high as 97MPH, and he was consistently working in the mid-90s, according to Sacramento manager Todd Steverson.

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 2, 2008 5:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

yeah, I saw that

all the other reports I’ve seen have been lower, and in any case that blurb doesn’t say “94-98” to me.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Sep 2, 2008 5:49 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Fine, 94-97

I think "consistently in the mid 90s and registering as high as 97" translates to "94-97".

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 2, 2008 6:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

He could do that as a reliever maybe

but I’d fall out of my chair if that was his range as a starter. I would expect 90-94. “94-97” for a starter would be top 5 or 10 in the majors. He would have way more hype if he threw that hard.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Sep 2, 2008 6:20 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

He WAS doing it as a reliever

since the quote was from Sacramento’s manager and he has pitched in relief for the Rivercats.

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 2, 2008 6:36 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Didn't know this before, but

Through Google, I keep finding things about how he had a completely unorthodox delivery in high school that worked great, but he learned “conventional” mechanics in college.

The delivery, awkward in its appearance, begins with the pitcher raising his arm vertically with the ball, then bending it behind his head — seemingly touching his opposite shoulder. The pitcher then pivots his front foot, beginning his follow-through with a “walking step” forward. There is no leg kick as with conventional mechanics.

by danmerqury on Sep 2, 2008 5:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I used to do things like that in high school actually

All of my stuff sucked, so I’d change my windup and arm angle every pitch to confuse the hitters

by NateHST on Sep 2, 2008 5:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

One time I was so desperate to confuse hitters that I threw my shoe

Unfortunately, it was laced.

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 2, 2008 5:17 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Does anyone know what roster moves were made to clear space for Outie and Sweeney?

"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 Sep 2, 2008 5:07 PM PDT   0 recs

Frank Thomas to Disabled/Dead List - maybe he's big enough to count for two moves.

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 2, 2008 5:11 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

He would need to go to the 60-day though, which would mean done for the year

We need to clear two 40-man roster slots to add Outman and Sweeney…Frank to the 60-Day DL would be one…

"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 Sep 2, 2008 5:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I think Frank is done - I expect he'll be 60-Day DL

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 2, 2008 5:18 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

So, um, it's been a weird couple of months for my family

First, my car accident and now, last night, my wife fell down the stairs in our house and broke her ankle. She can’t put any weight on it. This happened the day AFTER she ran the Disneyland half marathon.

by Blez on Sep 2, 2008 5:16 PM PDT   0 recs

happened to my friend

last year after the Disney Half Marathon, she said he knee felt like it gave up on her and she fell onto a chair and somehow fractured something.

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

by BigTuna on Sep 2, 2008 5:18 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah

She was fine though. Wasn’t very sore, she just happened to be traversing our stairs in the dark and just completely missed a step. One of the worst sounds I ever heard was the crash and then her screaming.

by Blez on Sep 2, 2008 5:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

So you've never listened to Cotroneo, then.

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 2, 2008 5:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

sounds like a real Mickey Mouse injury to me

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

by monkeyball on Sep 2, 2008 5:27 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

You have my

sympathy empathy – my mom broke her ankle in December (triple fracture plus dislocation) and is equipped with Airport Security alarming hardware (bolts, screws). She really needs the “Clear Card” but she’s waiting for an A’s player to walk and Emil Brown just keeps on hacking away.

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 2, 2008 5:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

How did she do it?

We have an appointment with the orthopedic surgeon tomorrow, so I’m hoping it isn’t very bad. Judging from her screams (she has a pretty high pain tolerance and said the pain was worse than childbirth) and the size of the swelling though, I’m not hopeful.

by Blez on Sep 2, 2008 5:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

She should have just asked for an epidural before taking the stairs.

Ray: "How fun is it to be up here playing in the Big Leagues?"
Gio: "It's *SUPER* fun!!!"

by Poppy on Sep 2, 2008 5:36 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Well, my mom was sent by ambulance to the hospital

where she stayed overnight and had “emergency surgery” the following day. But the dislocation left her foot temporarily deformed so there were no options. It has been a slow path to recovery because while the ankle is now healed and strong, compensating has caused much pain on the opposite side. I hope Mrs. Blez’ injury is not as severe and it sounds like it isn’t, in that there was presumably no dislocation.

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 2, 2008 5:38 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

My mom has more hardware than she has bones, I think.

I think our moms should go through security checkpoints together and get everyone distracted while we steal some stuff.

Ray: "How fun is it to be up here playing in the Big Leagues?"
Gio: "It's *SUPER* fun!!!"

by Poppy on Sep 2, 2008 5:35 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

What is one going to steal at the airport, though?

Certainly not the food.

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 2, 2008 5:39 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Not trying to one-up all of your moms' stories

but my mom created a scene at a TSA screening — six years after she died, when I finally got around to taking her ashes back to Minnesota. It seems the chemical signature of cremated human remains and Semtex are pretty much the same.

Polynesian Sauce may not be available in all locations.

by Englishmajor on Sep 2, 2008 7:38 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

My mom can beat up your mom's ashes

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 2, 2008 7:39 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Didn't you get the memo?

The only people allowed on AN are terrorists, and you.

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 2, 2008 7:41 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

dammit, Nico, you tease!

I thought your first paragraph was leading up to an announcement that DFA had become truly eponymous.

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

by monkeyball on Sep 2, 2008 5:28 PM PDT   0 recs

Lenny D DFA'd, Outman is on the 25-man roster

It’s updated on the team 40-man roster, but there’s no news release yet.

"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 Sep 2, 2008 5:38 PM PDT   0 recs

new nickname for Lenny

Lenny DiFA

Let's have our Piazza and eat the Cust too - SPWC

by closetasfan on Sep 2, 2008 5:52 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

KC telecast..

just put up CarGon’s photo next to Gio’s stats as tonight’s stating pitcher. I did a double take and said, “Cool, maybe Carlos can pitch” .

Game about to start for those listening…

39 remarkable innings.

by ZigFan31 on Sep 2, 2008 5:40 PM PDT   0 recs

more KC telecast

“Crosby, the veteran of the team at SS…” ouch.

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Sep 2, 2008 5:49 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Eleven

Smith 27
Eveland 24
Duchscherer 22
Blanton 20
Harden 13
Braden 8
Gallagher 7
Gaudin 6
Gonzalez 6
Meyer 3
DiNardo 2

by Soaker on Sep 2, 2008 5:56 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

seems like more. sigh

Proud mommy of "mini-kapers"

by kapers on Sep 2, 2008 5:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Sure to don't want to become a Rangers fan?

They’ve used 15 different starters this season.

by Soaker on Sep 2, 2008 6:02 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Does Sidney Ponson count as one or two?

Overqualified to be an A's fan.

by andeux on Sep 2, 2008 6:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

But you're going to find out anyway: 22

Those who have appeared only in relief:
Embree 60
Street 54
Casilla 45
Ziegler 35
A. Brown 31
Devine 30
Foulke 27
Blevins 25
Saarloos 5
Calero 5
Hernandez 3

by Soaker on Sep 2, 2008 6:08 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Rule 5 guy who was more Mike Neu and Jay Marshall and Ryan Goleski

than he was Josh Hamilton or Joaquim Soria.

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 2, 2008 6:16 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

In Greg Smith's ML debut in Toronto (4/9)

Fernando Hernandez also made his ML debut, pitching the bottom of the 8th and picking up the victory when the A’s scored 4 in the 9th to win the game, 6-3.

He then had two disastrous outings later on that road trip, in Cleveland, and was quickly returned to the White Sox.

by Soaker on Sep 2, 2008 6:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Gio's looked awful in his last two starts.

Cunningham’s a bit rubbish in the field too.

by OldhamA on Sep 2, 2008 5:54 PM PDT   0 recs

sigh, just another day in A’s baseball

by justarebelheart on Sep 2, 2008 5:55 PM PDT   0 recs

well, maybe we'll see Outman!

The A's colors are green and gold.

by mikeA on Sep 2, 2008 5:58 PM PDT   0 recs

someone ask the Commish to light up the Out-Signal!

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

by monkeyball on Sep 2, 2008 6:02 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Gio was brought up a year too early

Not very impressive so far.

Control is a major problem. Has a nice curve and a very, very hittable meatball

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

by Trainman on Sep 2, 2008 6:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Agreed

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

by Trainman on Sep 2, 2008 6:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Not bad

the warning track is like a friggen lake. The ball was hit pretty hard and Cunninham was right against the wall in a ton of water.

by asfaninpismobeach on Sep 2, 2008 6:03 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Can someone describe how Cunningham made an error?

Was it fielding or throwing? Tough play or easy flub?

"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 Sep 2, 2008 6:02 PM PDT   0 recs