1 Is Enough: A's Blank Indians 1-0 For First Win

by Nico on Feb 28, 2009 2:22 PM PST

Last season, 1/4 of the time the A's impotent offense managed one run or none at all, prompting Billy Beane to go out and improve Oakland's lineup so that young pitchers - guys like Dallas Braden and Trevor Cahill, for example, would have a margin for error as they got their feet wet in the big leagues.

The A's managed only three hits today, none until the 7th inning, but parlayed back-to-back leadoff doubles, by Ryan Sweeney and Chris Denorfia, into the game's only run. Meanwhile, Braden was 6 up 6 down perfect, as was Cahill, who did not allow a ball out of the infield (4 ground balls, 2 Ks). Tyson Ross worked a perfect 9th to save what turned out to be a combined 3-hit shutout by a bevy of young pitchers: Braden, Cahill, Jeff Gray, Andrew Bailey, Chris Schroeder, Jared Lansford, and Ross.

Oakland pitchers walked only one batter all game, issued by Bailey in the 6th inning when a bloop single and infield hit combined with the walk to load the bases with two out. Bailey ran the count full to Kelly Shoppach but fanned Shoppach to turn back the Indians' biggest threat by far.

They say that early in the Cactus League, the pitchers are generally ahead of the hitters, and today hardly offered a compelling rebuttal.

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I love spring training,

it’s fun to hear how the young A’s are doing and who’s making a good impression. I don’t really care if we win or lose because it’s not our starting team (or theirs). Which in turn takes away the aching pain in my stomach when we haven’t scored in the first 7 innings. And I can dream about Nico quitting his job to take over for Buan, so somebody can talk about the game with knowledge of what really happened.

Never mind the stress here's the Dank ~RIP~Justin Huff

by crb29 on Feb 28, 2009 2:42 PM PST reply actions

LOL. You know, I used to broadcast spring training play-by-play for the A's

But that was 1987-1991…

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 Feb 28, 2009 3:10 PM PST up reply actions

That was a good time to do it IMO.

"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 Feb 28, 2009 3:22 PM PST up reply actions

What are you talking about?

The A’s were awful back then.

Oh. I read that as “1887-1891”.

I'm here to talk about the past.

by 67MARQUEZ on Feb 28, 2009 4:13 PM PST up reply actions

That's only because meteorology as a science

was all but non-existent back then so any time there was a cloud in the sky within a week of a game, they canceled due to rain. I really think they could have dominated had they actually played a game or two.

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

by DMOAS on Mar 1, 2009 1:17 AM PST up reply actions

And now you just write about them on the internet. We need a timeline of how that works.

You know we’re going to need a Nico Biography since you’re the head honcho now…

"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."

by mikev on Feb 28, 2009 3:31 PM PST up reply actions

I'll call it,

“Things My Father Beat Me With!!!: A Touching Biography of Abuse, Alcoholism, and Beastiality.”

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 Feb 28, 2009 4:53 PM PST up reply actions

Are we brothers?

Can monkey care be a positive experience? Yes, but only if you are committed, well-prepared, and well-informed ahead of time. To what degree is this possible? What if monkey care is harder than you thought it would be? --Pet Monkey: A Reality Check

by Leopold Bloom on Feb 28, 2009 11:30 PM PST up reply actions

Sample Chapter Names

“Even though I’m plastered, you still look like my grandma, ah hell, I’ll you anyway”
“The Great Goats-bee”
“I’m not drunk enough to do that… oh wait, yes I am, oh it’s on”
“Oh momma, here comes a Llama”
“The Goats of Wraith”
“A Tail of Two Ponies”
“The Old Man and the Sea… or how my dad took me out fishing and left me in the ocean”

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

by DMOAS on Mar 1, 2009 1:24 AM PST up reply actions

Actual chapter names in first draft:

“I Know Why The Caged Goat Bleats”
“A Raisin (Lodged) In The Son”
“The Fermented Grapes Of Wrath”

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 Mar 1, 2009 9:10 AM PST up reply actions

Oh I know, I think you've still got it.

You might be a little rusty after 18 years, but you’ve got great opinions and good knowledge of the A’s. But as a fellow educator, I understand the love for the kids.

Never mind the stress here's the Dank ~RIP~Justin Huff

by crb29 on Feb 28, 2009 3:36 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

I do "still have it," somewhat, because I can't help doing play-by-play in my head,

until I realize that I’m doing it and actually tell myself to stop. Sounds strange, but it’s true.

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 Feb 28, 2009 4:55 PM PST up reply actions

Nice insight

by somebodyelse on Mar 1, 2009 5:06 AM PST up reply actions

Zen Koan

If nobody hears a play-by-play did it really happen?

by OaklandSi on Mar 1, 2009 10:33 AM PST up reply actions

According to many minor league announcers: Yes.

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 Mar 1, 2009 10:51 AM PST up reply actions

I like Cahill's line from today.

2 IP No Hits Allowed
2K’s 0 BB 4GBO’s
I can’t find # of pitches thrown, however. Oh well…..that’s a tidy little performance from Trevor. Good to get that 1st win.

Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox

by mrod on Feb 28, 2009 4:09 PM PST reply actions

Never ever shave, Braden.

Or get your tattoo removed, I suppose.

by danmerqury on Feb 28, 2009 4:23 PM PST reply actions

Let's all take a deep breath!

I like the first comment. It’s Spring Training, who cares? Nobody got hurt, the pitching looks great, and I CAN’T WAIT UNTIL 4/6! Only 36 more days of games that don’t count. Oh, who am I kidding! I listened to part of the game today and was hanging on every pitch. Go A’s! Great pitching!

by A'sfansince1970 on Feb 28, 2009 5:09 PM PST reply actions

no way

I want to WIN the cactus league. That will be a sure sign that the A’s will win 100 games in the regular season.

Name the last time the spring training winner lost moer than 85 games?

by Future Ed on Feb 28, 2009 6:34 PM PST up reply actions

Baltimore, 2002
ST: 20-9 (.690)
Regular Season: 67-95 (.414)

Kansas City, 1999
ST: 22-9 (.710)
Regular Season: 64-97 (.398)

Detroit, 1996
ST: 20-10 (.667)
Regular Season: 53-109 (.327)

California Angels, 1996
ST: 21-10 (.677)
Regular Season: 70-91 (.435)

:-)

by HigherPie on Feb 28, 2009 8:16 PM PST up reply actions

But how many teams started 1-2-1 and then won 90+ regular season games?

{that oughta keep him busy}

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 Feb 28, 2009 8:25 PM PST up reply actions

Lol!

"You have to score to win"~Rickey Henderson

by lynnzgal on Feb 28, 2009 8:31 PM PST up reply actions

Kudos on the research

but, did we forget
Oakland, 2008
ST: 18-8 (.692)
Regular Season: 75-86 (.466)

by Future Ed on Feb 28, 2009 9:30 PM PST up reply actions

Yes - we drank JUST enough to forget that, thank 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 Feb 28, 2009 9:32 PM PST up reply actions

I owe you

one squashed strawberry alley cat

by Future Ed on Feb 28, 2009 9:37 PM PST up reply actions

Good. That'll match my boysenberry one

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 Feb 28, 2009 9:58 PM PST up reply actions

Doesn't count.

That team sucked.

by HigherPie on Feb 28, 2009 9:39 PM PST up reply actions

So far they've pretty much

been giving 2 IP for starters and 1 IP for relievers. Ross has gotten only 1 IP both games he’s made an appearance. Is there anything to this? Are they just working towards getting him used to the new mechanics? Anybody got any thoughts?

by NateHST on Feb 28, 2009 6:35 PM PST reply actions

I wouldn't read too much into it

it’s so early that it’s probably more a matter of “let’s put him out there when we can” rather than any specific plan.

by chipper1001 on Feb 28, 2009 6:40 PM PST up reply actions

A lot of this year's decisions revolve around the longer spring training

Usually on Feb 28th they aren’t even playing games yet.

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 Feb 28, 2009 6:43 PM PST up reply actions

I like the lack of walks by our pitchers

You can’t really read too much into spring numbers but it’s nice to see our guys pounding the strike zone early. Now, when hitters start to catch up to the pitchers we’ll see if they’re throwing quality strikes or not.

by OkayJay81 on Feb 28, 2009 8:28 PM PST reply actions

I agree - these are young pitchers with very solid stuff

If Eveland, Gio, Cahill, and Mazzaro pound the strike zone, they will be successful (Anderson already does, and so does Braden without half the stuff some of these guys have). Very encouraging.

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 Feb 28, 2009 8:36 PM PST up reply actions