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Open Game Thread: Game 141 - A's at Orioles

Recent_family_ones_july__07_091_tiny by notsellingjeans on

After getting swept by the Royals, the A's open up a three-game set tonight at Camden Yards at 4:05 p.m. Pacific Time.  Dallas Braden faces off against fellow lefty Chris Waters of Baltimore. 

Braden, who has been the team's best starter over the past month, hasn't allowed more than three runs in any of his past five starts.  Conversely, Chris Waters has spent the last five starts looking a lot like the Dallas Braden of '07 - fairly suckish.  Since his sterling 8 inning, 1-hit major league debut on August 5, the 28-year-old  Waters has allowed 20 earned runs in 25 innings.

The A's and Bob Geren are relying on another good performance from Braden tonight especially, because tomorrow features the team's 2nd doubleheader in three days, and a starting pitcher that remains TBD.

In case you missed the news, Justin Duchscherer suffered a setback with his hip in a bullpen session yesterday and was scratched from tomorrow's start.  He's scheduled to meet on Monday with the doctor who operated on his hip last July. 

I'm starting to hate the phrase "Duchscherer's hip" the way that major league pitchers hate hearing "Dr. James Andrews."  The words that follow both are almost guaranteed to be negative. 

Greg Smith is scheduled to start the first game tomorrow, and I'm guessing we'll see an extended outing (~4 IP?) on short rest from Kirk Saarloos as well as a slew of relievers in the second game. 

At this point, I hope Duchscherer is shut down for the remainder of the season.  He and the team have nothing to gain from making one measly start in late September, and they have a lot to lose.  I wouldn't be surprised if the team puts him on the 60-day DL by tomorrow afternoon so that they can purchase of the contract of another pitcher in AAA like Brad Kilby for reinforcements in the doubleheader. 

But if you want to try and find a positive in Duke's setback, here it is:  It's very unlikely that he gets traded in the offseason at this point.  Teams didn't give up enough to meet Beane's price when Duke was dominant two months ago; surely the offers won't be impressive when he's coming back from injury.  If he's healthy, the A's are looking at an opening day '09 rotation of Duke-Eveland-Smith-Braden-Gallagher, with Gio the obvious 6th guy if Duke or someone else opens '09 on the DL. 

In other injury rehab news, Sean Gallagher threw five scoreless innings yesterday to lead the Rivercats to a win in Game 2 to tie up their playoff series against Fresno at 1-1.  Keeping in mind Dan Meyer's latest meltdown last night, the schedule lines up perfectly for Gallagher to mercifully take Meyer's turn in the rotation on Tuesday at home against the Angels, where he hopefully would reinact the magic he produced the last time he faced them in his A's debut.  Gallagher hasn't been announced as next Tuesday's starter, but it certainly seems logical, especially if the Rivercats are eliminated in the first round of the playoffs this weekend.

Rivercats third baseman Jeff Baisley has six hits (including two homers) in the first two games of the AAA playoffs.  By next week he could be starting at third for the A's.

Tonight's lineups:

Oakland
  AB R H RBI BB K LOB Season Avg 
R. Sweeney cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .287
B. Crosby ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .246
E. Brown lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .247
J. Cust dh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .228
K. Suzuki c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .287
D. Barton 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .224
J. Hannahan 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .219
A. Cunningham rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .300
E. Patterson 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .197
 Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  
 Baltimore
  AB R H RBI BB K LOB Season Avg 
B. Roberts 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .297
A. Jones cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .275
N. Markakis rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .306
R. Hernandez c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .258
K. Millar 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .243
L. Scott dh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .269
O. Salazar 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .200
L. Montanez lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .333
J. Castro ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .207

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Cunningham's defense: any thoughts?

I’ve been surprised to see that the team prefers having Sweeney in CF over Cunningham. It’s happened in a few games now, so it appears that it’s not just a coincidence.
Hasn’t Cunningham played quite a bit of CF?

It seems the organizational “CF defense depth chart” is Rajai-CarGon-Sweeney-Cunningham, which isn’t quite what I would have expected.

It looks like they view Cunningham as a corner outfielder at the major league level.

"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 5, 2008 3:25 PM PDT   0 recs

I'm not really aware of how stout Cunningham is defensively

But perhaps it’s possible they just don’t want to overload his plate too early.

by danmerqury on Sep 5, 2008 3:45 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Disappointing news on Duke...

But Man do I agree..he 100% has to be shut down the rest of the way now.

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Sep 5, 2008 3:27 PM PDT   0 recs

Reminder: Did you vote for Bill King today?

Remember to vote daily www.baseballhalloffame.org/awards/frick_2008/vote.jsp

"And sometimes, when it seems like all hope is gone, Life tosses you a special gift of a baseball game" . 7/10/08 BaseBallGirl headline

by LongTimeFan on Sep 5, 2008 3:33 PM PDT   0 recs

I did.

SO tempted to vote for Rex Hudler. :-)

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

by louismg on Sep 5, 2008 3:49 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Jeff Gray was called up today
I haven’t seen this mentioned anywhere, but that might just be because no one cares.

Overqualified to be an A's fan.

by andeux on Sep 5, 2008 3:34 PM PDT   0 recs

I was too busy scratching my

head wondering how it is that Hannahan is still playing. The only possible explanation is that with 120 K’s so far this season he has a good chance to catch Cust for the lead.

by Laoren on Sep 5, 2008 3:45 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Man a lot of these guys are lucky.

Because most of them would not be playing in the big leagues right now if they played for any other team.

39 remarkable innings.

by ZigFan31 on Sep 5, 2008 3:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

no way

I’m going to have to start paying close attention to the game just to se if he pitches. I stll dont reall believe he exists.

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

by 5Aces on Sep 5, 2008 5:02 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm listening to the pregame show

there seems to be some doubt that all the games scheduled today and tomorrow will be played because of the weather.

by OaklandSi on Sep 5, 2008 3:43 PM PDT   0 recs

that's what they were questioning

I agree there’s no need to make them up…are there precedents for not making up games?

by OaklandSi on Sep 5, 2008 4:08 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, once in a while you'll see teams finish with 161 games played

It’s situations like this that usually cause it.

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Sep 5, 2008 4:09 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Why wouldn't they play Sunday instead?

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

by alox on Sep 5, 2008 4:17 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

It was already cleared so as not to conflict with the Ravens opener

And who knows how bad the weather could still be then anyway?

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Sep 5, 2008 4:18 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

AHHHHHHHH!!!

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 5, 2008 3:44 PM PDT   0 recs

Thank you for that.

I loved it.

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 5, 2008 5:04 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Emil Brown starting in LF...Hannahan still playing at 3b

Victory….

I am Ray Fosse's infatuations with Clay Wood and high-definition television.

by franks a lot on Sep 5, 2008 3:54 PM PDT   0 recs

No...

they’re just afraid someone might get hurt in this kind of weather and of all the players on the roster that you don’t mind accidentally slipping on water and pulling or tearing something… really, who would you choose?

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by DMOAS on Sep 5, 2008 4:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Nope... not unless you're mistaking me as being someone serious

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by DMOAS on Sep 5, 2008 4:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Only if this is the place where I can post an image of The Riddler?

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by DMOAS on Sep 5, 2008 4:33 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Salazar and Castro of the O's

Both have sub .210 averages, which makes me wonder why they aren’t playing for the A’s.

I am Ray Fosse's infatuations with Clay Wood and high-definition television.

by franks a lot on Sep 5, 2008 3:56 PM PDT   0 recs

I LOVE the Breast Cancer Awareness Day commercial.

The look on Swooney’s face when he takes the pink bat — absolutely priceless.

by whiteshoes40 on Sep 5, 2008 4:07 PM PDT   0 recs

It's hard to tell who the Orioles fans are booing.

I guess it doesn’t really matter either.

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

by alox on Sep 5, 2008 4:18 PM PDT   0 recs

Things could be worse for us A's fans

I mean, Angelos could be the owner of the A’s.

"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 5, 2008 4:19 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Truly so.

Failure as Destiny. Not fun.

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

by alox on Sep 5, 2008 4:20 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Sadly,

It sucks that I know that come December, I’ll be missing A’s baseball. Even if it is drek.

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

by alox on Sep 5, 2008 4:22 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Finding meaning in meaningless games,

like noticing that the first 4 A’s outs were ground-outs to different infielders (1st, SS, 3rd, P), and hoping to end the inning with 2nd & C to complete the set.

by green star oakland on Sep 5, 2008 4:26 PM PDT   0 recs

OK, I'm here -

the A’s can start scoring lots of many runs now.

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 5, 2008 4:26 PM PDT   0 recs

those are ... nacho runs

If you’re not lying, i recommend seeing a doctor. @('.')@

by monkeyball on Sep 5, 2008 4:27 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Actually

it turns out they can’t.

Overqualified to be an A's fan.

by andeux on Sep 5, 2008 4:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Kuiper and Fosse are making great points about this doubleheader

Originally the Orioles wanted it changed so they wouldn’t have to “compete” with the Ravens on Sunday. Now the weather looks like it may wash everything out tomorrow but right now the forecast for Sunday is partly cloudy with little to no precipitation expected.

In that case, they should have the doubleheader on Sunday and deal with it. Otherwise, we’re looking at the possibility of the A’s leaving for Detroit with only one of the three games in this series played, and if they end up having to play the games chances are the off-day on September 25 between trips to Texas and Seattle could be a makeup date where the A’s would potentially be in Baltimore less than 24 hours to play two games then get right back on a plane cross-country to Seattle for the last series of the year. Meanwhile, the Orioles would be home anyway between series against the Rays and Jays.

Why should the A’s have to – potentially – come back later? By all accounts, the games could be played Sunday if they needed to be, while the A’s are still in town, with no need to come back later in the year. That’s when they should be played if they absolutely HAVE to be.

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Sep 5, 2008 4:28 PM PDT   0 recs

Both teams are completely out of it

If they don’t play the games this weekend, they won’t make them up. I say give both team’s fans a much needed two days off from losing.

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by DMOAS on Sep 5, 2008 4:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

MLB may require them to play the DHer Sunday

I can’t imagine Selig passing on any revenue, even the tiny amount an A’s-O’s doubleheader would bring. I can easily imagine, however, Selig tearing apart his office looking for a lost penny.

"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 5, 2008 4:35 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

And if he had his choice it'd still be a day/night doubleheader so they could pull two gates from it...

…rather than the sort they had just yesterday in Kansas City. That’d mean the A’s getting out of Baltimore later at night, but I guess that’d be the way it goes.

Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog

by Flashfire on Sep 5, 2008 4:37 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

and the conflict with sunday night baseball

In search of a new signature. Say something funny and you may see your comment here!

by DMOAS on Sep 5, 2008 5:02 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I'd post the FLAIL pic of Crosby, but I'm too lazy

"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 5, 2008 4:39 PM PDT   0 recs

Cunningham and Crosby

The “here’s what not to do” C-brothers.

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 5, 2008 4:40 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Crosby whiffing on the low and away pitch....

who wouldv’e thunk it.

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

by alox on Sep 5, 2008 4:39 PM PDT   0 recs

Unpossible!

"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 5, 2008 4:41 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Offense!!!!

Anyone picked out their post season favorites? I’m going with Tampa Bay…..and anybody else playing the Angels. Even if it’s the Yankee’s or Red Sox.

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

by alox on Sep 5, 2008 4:49 PM PDT   0 recs

Cust fouled off ball four.

Don’t see that very often.

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

by alox on Sep 5, 2008 4:53 PM PDT   0 recs

Finally !

A ground-out to 2nd.

by green star oakland on Sep 5, 2008 4:55 PM PDT   0 recs

No, I will not tip my f***ing hat to Chris Waters.

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 5, 2008 4:56 PM PDT   0 recs

I'm watching him pitch

and my eyes are bugging out of my skull. Even mediocre hitters should be tagging this guy. Yet the A’s keep trying to pull outside pitches. This guy consistently throws outside.

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

by alox on Sep 5, 2008 4:58 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

My feeling is...

if the A’s don’t have any intent to have an offense, we might as well get no-hit and be part of history… namby pambying it isn’t any good.

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

by louismg on Sep 5, 2008 4:56 PM PDT   0 recs

we should have thought of this before hand

we could have gone the entire month of september hitless.

In search of a new signature. Say something funny and you may see your comment here!

by DMOAS on Sep 5, 2008 5:02 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

AHHHHH!!!

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 5, 2008 4:59 PM PDT   0 recs

You said that already.

So, on a scale of crappy to mind-numbingly awful, how was the doubleheader yesterday?

by whiteshoes40 on Sep 5, 2008 5:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Photos eventually coming.

The games sucked, but I loved it. I love my boys. All of those little bastards.

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 5, 2008 5:10 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

But RyRy and Dale Staplehead

 absolutely made my week. I thought I was dead inside because of this season…. no way in hell.

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 5, 2008 5:19 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

LOL

I am tired and still have a busy day again tomorrow. It may be Monday before it is up.

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

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

Boo.

That’s just mean.

by whiteshoes40 on Sep 5, 2008 5:30 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I can has nap?

But he came back. And there was much rejoicing.

by Jennifer on Sep 5, 2008 5:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

NO

NO SOUP NAP FOR YOU

by whiteshoes40 on Sep 5, 2008 5:32 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Is Barton showing his skilz as a defensive flailer, too?

Let’s see Ramon gets a hit because Barton watched the ball roll past his shoes. He did execute the Braden pickoff, so it was a wash(?). Then he clanks another guy on base and gives him second when Braden hit him in the glove too hard on the pickoff attempt.

Yet, Fosse sez it’s all Braden. Huh?

by NotJohnnyDamon on Sep 5, 2008 5:06 PM PDT   0 recs