E. Gonzalez Lit Up In 3rd As Rangers Rally To Beat A's

by Nico on Mar 19, 2009 4:33 PM PDT

Final Score: Rangers 8, A's 5

4 in the 1st was as good as it would get for the A's today. Highlighted by Ryan Sweeney's two-run triple, Oakland jumped out to a 4-0 lead off of Kris Benson and the Rangers. And for two innings, Edgar Gonzalez looked like he would make those runs stand up and make a strong bid for that #5 spot in the rotation.

Then came the bottom of the 3rd, in which Gonzalez got just one out and surrendered 6 runs, including a two-run HR by Marlon Byrd. Jerry Blevins got the final two outs of the inning before Josh Outman took over in the 4th and became the biggest A's story of the day. Outman, who has been plagued by some mechanical and control issues this Spring and had allowed 12 hits and 5 BBs in 8.2 previous innings, put in by far his most solid effort to date: 4 IP, 3 hits, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K. Outman's Cactus League ERA now stands at 2.13.

Meanwhile, Gonzalez has pitched well at times but his 7.94 Cactus League ERA has to be put in context: His career ERA in the major leagues, 5.97, isn't that much better. Speaking of pitchers named Gonazlez, you wonder how Edgar's poor performance and Outman's sparkling one may impact Gio Gonzalez, who would appear to be battling those two, as much as any pitchers, for a roster spot.

I also want to put a thought out there for discussion: Who should be the A's Opening Day starter given that Duchscherer won't be ready? Personally, I say it should be Dallas Braden. My reasoning is:

* There's no obvious choice
* Gallagher has pitched few Spring innings and hasn't pitched well enough to earn it
based on last year's or this Spring's performances
* Dana Eveland is not especially experienced, nor has he been "lights out" in the
Cactus League,
* Braden is the only one who has come up through the A's system, he pitched well last year, and he has pitched well this Spring.

So Braden is my choice for the honor. Is he yours?

Boxscore

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braden opening day by default

spring training aside, he would be a long reliever/swing starter (like saarloos/dinardo) or 2nd bullpen lefty if this was any other typical A’s rotation

by Asfan4ever723 on Mar 19, 2009 4:42 PM PDT reply actions

I'd like for the Opening Day starter to be Dallas,

but my guess is that it will go to Eveland more or less by default, which is also fine.

LAA does have a righty heavy lineup, though (Vlad, Hunter, Napoli, Kendrick) so I wouldn’t be surprised to see Sean out there on day 1.

The artist formerly known as HigherPie.

by vegAN ryAN on Mar 19, 2009 4:43 PM PDT reply actions

LAA killer

Sean Gallagher has a good track record against the angels, maybe it will come in to play?

by Wreckonized on Mar 19, 2009 7:59 PM PDT up reply actions

It's based on two starts...

"We were s--, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."

by lenscrafters on Mar 19, 2009 8:13 PM PDT up reply actions

I think that is what we call a "small sample size"

by drink409 on Mar 19, 2009 10:31 PM PDT up reply actions

I think that's what we call a "winner!"

Gallagher for Opening Day!

Clowns to the left of me... Jokers to the right...

by FoolshGame22 on Mar 20, 2009 1:58 AM PDT up reply actions

"Winner, winner, chicken dinner!"

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

by mrod on Mar 20, 2009 2:03 AM PDT up reply actions

nicely done

Bad spellers of the world untie.

by A'sfaninNC on Mar 20, 2009 9:07 AM PDT up reply actions

It's a four-game series - he's gonna pitch

He also doesn’t so much have a “good track record” as he made a great first start against them (and one OK 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 Mar 19, 2009 8:15 PM PDT up reply actions

I'd say Braden has as much a right to

start as any other contender. But pitching lines at this point in ST shouldn’t garner all that much concern. However, having said that, our rotation is starting to frighten me just a wee bit. After the last two seasons, I would dearly love a competitive run.

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

by alox on Mar 19, 2009 4:43 PM PDT reply actions

Dana

He’s the elder statesman of the rotation.

RIVER CATS: AAA CHAMPS!

by niallmack on Mar 19, 2009 4:48 PM PDT reply actions

fattest stateman of the rotation

enjoying those pre/postgame buffets a bit much

by Asfan4ever723 on Mar 19, 2009 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Who else has a Pepe???

I’m for Braden as he’s been looking good in ST and had a pretty good second half of 08.
if the A’s can keep the offense flowing in the regular season we should be alright if any of the contestants have an O.K. start.
Here’s to a healthy infield, would it be asking too much?!

sanity is insanities underpants...

by brian.only on Mar 19, 2009 5:06 PM PDT reply actions

E - Gone

experiment is over….for now….keep him on the roster as the long reliever and give outman and gio the spots until Duch come back and to let Cahill/vin/ and or anderson stick in the minors for a bit just to keep them from being “super two”s like the Ray’s did with Longoria last year.

D. Eveland
S. Gallagher
D. Braden
Gio Gonzalez
J. Outman

by ryanmoser on Mar 19, 2009 5:12 PM PDT reply actions

You know, I'm not sure Outman has pitched better than E. Gonzalez this Spring

Sounds strange, given Outman’s 2.13 ERA and Gonzalez’ 7.94 ERA, but the former has mostly been “bad outings, not a lot of runs charged to him” and the latter has mostly been “one really bad inning.” For guys with ERAs a full 5.5 apart, the separation hasn’t actually been much overall from what I can see.

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 19, 2009 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions

This is why spring numbers are silly

As much as I favor looking at stats, I think spring training is one time where in-person scouting is very important. I trust the A’s to know which of those two has actually been better. As fans, we don’t really know a lot that goes on in ST (for example, sometimes pitchers don’t throw certain pitches – or they only throw a certain pitch – during an outing. In this case, does it really matter what the result was if they were clearly just trying to get their arm ready for the season?). It’s fun to make guesses, but I just don’t feel nearly as informed on spring training competitions as I do overall judgments of who is good and who isn’t.

by thejd44 on Mar 19, 2009 5:20 PM PDT up reply actions

but is E Gone really the answer

I think we all know – NO!

So let Gio and Outman at it until Big Mac is ready

by ryanmoser on Mar 19, 2009 5:41 PM PDT up reply actions

Braden might be the most deserving

But the fact that he came up through the system should have absolutely no bearing on that decision.

I think it’ll be Gallagher or Eveland, and would leave towards Eveland.

by thejd44 on Mar 19, 2009 5:17 PM PDT reply actions

I'm not sure I agree

“Who came up through the system” shouldn’t have any bearing if someone else is a better choice, but when all three are interchangeably “well we’d never consider him if we had a real #1, but he’s a pretty good pitcher,” then I think that since getting the Opening Day start is primarily an “honor” (and not especially meaningful for strategy), why not factor in who came up with you and has always been “one of yours”? Seems like as good a tie-breaker as any.

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 19, 2009 5:50 PM PDT up reply actions

If one of the MAC makes it as the fifth starter

then that guy would start the home opener.

Right now, I say it’s either Braden or Eveland. I’m thinking Gallagher will start out being the number 3 starter, especially if the A’s go with four lefties…

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

by mrod on Mar 19, 2009 7:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Actually, if they go with four lefties then order really doesn't matter -

Any way you slice it, you’re gonna have four in a row!

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 19, 2009 7:54 PM PDT up reply actions

true dat....true dat.

I can’t wait for the home opener!

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

by mrod on Mar 19, 2009 8:46 PM PDT up reply actions

if anyone has noticed

The a’s bats have been alive and well even the hitters that were here last year. Funny thing is the M’s up north are having trouble hitting the ball. Taking to many strikes. Sounds familar? No love lost for Ty being gone and up north. Never realy thought he was any good.

by Arcman on Mar 19, 2009 5:25 PM PDT reply actions

I never thought so either

But I’m not going to use ST stats as my argument.

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin

by Helloooo 1st on Mar 19, 2009 5:35 PM PDT up reply actions

Interesting stats so far from ST

Petit has the most ABs on the club with 40 so far. Buck and Sweeney are tied for second with 37. Maybe we’re a bit off base in saying that the A’s don’t realize Petit is alive. Trouble is that he’s only got 1 BB so far so his .300 BA is nice but that .317 OBP isn’t.

Crosby continues to show why he should be starting with that awesome .167 BA and .479 OPS. Thatta boy Bobby!

Doolittle, on the other hand, continues to mash. He’s sporting a 1.111 OPS. If he can fully develop into an exceptional all around 1Bman that’d be uber sweet.

Finally, we’re all waiting on bated breath for Holliday’s first homer as an A. The Babe Ruth diet he’s (reportedly) been on lately doesn’t seem to be helping. As far as homers go, Buck leads the team with 3 while 3 players are tied with 2 (Powell, Sweeney, and Cust).

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin

by Helloooo 1st on Mar 19, 2009 5:44 PM PDT reply actions

Ah, Croz - plus ça change...

If Petit could hit .280/.300 and play top-notch defense at 2B, SS, and 3B, I’d be fully satisfied with him as a backup infielder, “1BB/40 PA” and all.

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 19, 2009 5:53 PM PDT up reply actions

That .317 OBP would be a good season for Crosby.

Actually, I don’t think Cabrera will OBP .317 for the A’s this year either.

by thejd44 on Mar 19, 2009 5:53 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't think Petit will either

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin

by Helloooo 1st on Mar 19, 2009 5:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Don't ABs ignore BBs?

What are the rankings for plate appearances? If Petit took a walk now and then he’d be lower down on the AB list.

transfiguration When the woman puts mascara on, it means she’s leaving the house. When the man puts big boots on, it means the alley has been erased by snow. When the black cat has a white strip on its back, be careful! The world can change in an instant.

by Elvez on Mar 19, 2009 9:08 PM PDT up reply actions

For some reason

I think the mlb.com stats basically make PAs into ABs. I could be completely wrong but I didn’t see a PA column.

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin

by Helloooo 1st on Mar 20, 2009 4:48 PM PDT up reply actions

i wouldn't be shocked

mlb.com isnt exactly stellar

"True fact: In a global thermonuclear war, the only human who would survive would be David Eckstein" -PT

by travdog6 on Mar 20, 2009 7:32 PM PDT up reply actions

nope... TPA is on the 2nd page...

along with OPS.

Clowns to the left of me... Jokers to the right...

by FoolshGame22 on Mar 20, 2009 9:09 PM PDT up reply actions

let's see if this works

Oakland A’s TPA – Spring Training 2009

Clowns to the left of me... Jokers to the right...

by FoolshGame22 on Mar 20, 2009 9:14 PM PDT up reply actions

Thanks

Well he’s still near the top so in any case he’s been getting an extended look.

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin

by Helloooo 1st on Mar 20, 2009 9:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Did Pepe put you up to this, re: Braden?

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by Flashfire on Mar 19, 2009 6:03 PM PDT reply actions

Horrible news:

The Parkway is closing.

:`-(

The artist formerly known as HigherPie.

by vegAN ryAN on Mar 19, 2009 6:37 PM PDT reply actions

That is sad

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 19, 2009 6:47 PM PDT up reply actions

That SUCKS!

"You have to score to win"~Rickey Henderson

by lynnzgal on Mar 19, 2009 7:22 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm really hoping

a DeLauer’s Newsstand-style salvation can somehow happen here. Oakland can’t lose the Parkway.

The artist formerly known as HigherPie.

by vegAN ryAN on Mar 19, 2009 7:25 PM PDT up reply actions

Or a Grand Lake one.

Allen?

"You have to score to win"~Rickey Henderson

by lynnzgal on Mar 19, 2009 7:48 PM PDT up reply actions

That is a drag

The Parkway was one of the places I loved most when I lived there, and their “baby brigade” events (is that what they called it?) were a fantastic respite for my wife and I when we were new parents.

by Ray of Lite on Mar 19, 2009 11:08 PM PDT up reply actions

as toni reali woul say

he gone

If you had a lineup of 9 Jack Custs who hit(Cust career average) .239 AVG, .382 OBP, and .475 SLG, then your team would score 6.12 runs per game-totalling to 991runs a season.The 08 rangers lead the majors in runs score with 901.

by 9Custs on Mar 19, 2009 8:15 PM PDT reply actions

Its the

White Sox announcers who say that

by pbra17 on Mar 19, 2009 9:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Or the 1Bman for Castelmont HS when we played them.

On the rare occasion they recorded an out at 1B the guy would literally yell “He gone!”

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin

by Helloooo 1st on Mar 20, 2009 4:50 PM PDT up reply actions

that was hysterical

"True fact: In a global thermonuclear war, the only human who would survive would be David Eckstein" -PT

by travdog6 on Mar 20, 2009 7:33 PM PDT up reply actions

Either Braden or Eveland

When there’s no obvious choice, you honor seniority. Braden has the most starts as an Oakland A, but Eveland has more starts total because of his year in Milwaukee.

I agree with Nico that being the opening day starter is purely an honor and has nothing to do with strategy, so it’s a question of whom you want to honor.

Given that neither of them has a whole lot of experience, I see no reason why preference shouldn’t be given for the guy who has been on the team for two years instead of just one. But I also see no reason why it must, so either selection would make sense to me.

"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers."

by iglew on Mar 19, 2009 8:56 PM PDT reply actions

Opening Day starter

This discussion reminds me of why I just can’t take the A’s seriously as contenders.

by bear88 on Mar 19, 2009 9:50 PM PDT reply actions

C'mon now....

The season has not even started yet, bear88. Let’s try to look at things a little more “glass half full” right now…. :)

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

by mrod on Mar 20, 2009 1:53 AM PDT up reply actions

the rotation is "iffy," no doubt...

If the kids perform, we win… Angels don’t.

But, our outfield looks pretty good in Spring:

 Player        Team     OBP     SLG     AVG

R Sweeney       OAK 	.488 	.703 	.432

M Carson        OAK 	.417 	.619 	.381

R Davis         OAK 	.429 	.611 	.361

C Denorfia      OAK 	.409 	.450 	.350

M Holliday      OAK 	.375 	.400 	.333

T Buck          OAK 	.432 	.595 	.324

A Cunningham    OAK 	.378 	.517 	.310

One bright spot, at least. Not so sure about the infield.

Who is playing in the Slegna outfield this year?

Clowns to the left of me... Jokers to the right...

by FoolshGame22 on Mar 20, 2009 2:22 AM PDT up reply actions

Geez wee need to send

that chump Holliday down to AAA. Carson is way betterer.

by AsFanInLA on Mar 20, 2009 12:04 PM PDT up reply actions

But does he give faster betterer care?

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 20, 2009 12:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Man crush

Could Nico have developed a man crush for Braden after interviewing him?

by Larry E on Mar 20, 2009 6:47 AM PDT reply actions

my vote

Braden…I agree that being chosen as the Opening Day pitcher is an honor, and one that Eveland hasn’t earned to the same degree as Braden.

Braden seems to have improved over a longer trajectory since his (except-Baltimore) shaky debut.

Besides, I’d love to see the sideways cap come back.

by HardensGirl on Mar 20, 2009 8:15 AM PDT reply actions

I did have mildly high hope for Édgar González, however they are fading fast

but before he is completely thrown under the bus if it were me, I would give him the rest of ST just to see what/if there is any hope. But i am down with Braden as opening day starter.

Bad spellers of the world untie.

by A'sfaninNC on Mar 20, 2009 9:10 AM PDT reply actions

Exactly - Edgar has basically had one rotten inning

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 20, 2009 10:40 AM PDT up reply actions