Down 3-0? No Problem - A's Rally, Beat Tribe 8-5
by Nico on Mar 8, 2009 3:47 PM PDT
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PrintLast year, the other name for an A's 3-0 deficit was, "We'll try to get 'em tomorrow." Nowadays, the A's actually have the offensive potential to come back. In today's split squad game with the Indians, Brett Anderson shut out the Tribe for 2.2 IP (2 hits, 1 BB, 1 K), but relievers Michael Wuertz and Tyson Ross faltered as Cleveland jumped out to a 3-0 lead behind Kirk Saarloos' three innings of shutout ball.
However in the 5th, Rajai Davis, triples masheeeeeeen, got the A's on the board with a three-bagger that scored the only runner who might be able to stay with him in a footrace, Corey Wimberly. Then in a significant at bat, the strickout-prone Jack Cust lifted a sacrifice fly to make it 3-2. The A's would tie it only to fall behind 4-3 on a Kelly Shoppach 6th inning HR off Ross.
It took Oakland only two swings to produce five runs in the bottom of the 6th. With the bases loaded, Gregorio Petit's two-run single put the A's ahead to stay, 5-4. Petit may not be able to hit major league pitching, but apparently he still hasn't gotten the memo. Matt Carson then launched a three-run HR to give the A's an 8-4 lead. It proved to be the margin of victory as Cleveland scored one in the 9th off Jerry Blevins, who bounced back to coax a game-ending DP.
The box score is here. In the A's-Giants game, Dana Eveland (3 IP, 4 hits, 3 runs) and James Simmons ( 2 IP, 3 hits, 2 ER, 2 BB) were not overly impressive as Oakland fell 10-1. Ryan Sweeney went 2 for 3 to raise his spring average to .545 (12/22).
Stick around - in just a bit, we'll turn our attention to the #2 spot in the A's batting order...
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Yeah, about 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
"nice way to end the Cleveland game" is the new "First"
Clowns to the left of me... Jokers to the right...
by FoolshGame22 on Mar 8, 2009 4:17 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
there are sites where "First!" comments are an automatic ban
i wish AN was one of those sites…
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 Mar 8, 2009 5:13 PM PDT up reply actions 3 recs
xbhaskarx: Available for parties!
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
Rec'd
Many years from now, when his name's recalled
Everyone will say, "He should have passed the ball"
-- Al Stewart, "Football Hero"
Korach is saying 5 straight for the A's in the Cactus League...
must not have seen the score from Scottsdale.
Clowns to the left of me... Jokers to the right...
Probably depends on which game ended first
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
He reported the Giants game as a final while the Indians game was still going on,
so he can’t use that excuse.
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
What's Carson's glove like?
He sure is making a case to get some consideration as a backup outfielder.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
I think he's an example of spring training not being that important
Whereas Mazarro, Cahill, and Anderson are examples of it being important.
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
27 is the "breakout" age for major leaguers...
how old is Carson?
Clowns to the left of me... Jokers to the right...
He was 26 last year
I harbor no illusions that he has a realistic chance of making the team, but he did well in AAA last year, and seems to have turned a corner the last couple of years. I’m guessing his glove is pretty good, because I don’t think he would have stuck around the minors as long as he has without it. He has pretty decent wheels, if stolen bases are any indication. Looks like he’s split time between center and right, which probably means he can move and throw.
Anywho, I’d rather carry Davis, but am not certain I’d rather carry a very old Denorfia over him.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
Denorfia is 1 year older...
With stout hearts, and with enthusiasm for the contest, let us go forward to victory. ----Hero Defector Montgomery
My bad.
I thought he was turning 29 this year. I don’t think he’s a slam dunk to be better than Carson, though. In any case, it’s highly unlikely two outfielders are going to make it, and Davis is the guy.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
29 is very old?
sigh
what have i got myself into this time... http://damiansthirtyyearchallenge.blogspot.com/
by alea iacta est on Mar 8, 2009 4:59 PM PDT up reply actions
What's that?
Speak up, sonny!
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
well, Cust was what... 28 when he got his shot?
Rajai will be on this team. Denorfia won’t. Haven’t seen (or even heard) enough about Carson to make a judgment. But, I like what I’ve seen this Spring. Course, I liked Linden last Spring, too.
Clowns to the left of me... Jokers to the right...
I liked Linden, too, but dropping him made more sense
because he was so much more stretched in CF than Denorfia. It appears Denorfia and Carson would be equally stretched as centerfielders.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
My bad
I thought he was turning 29 this year. I don’t think he’s a slam dunk to be better than Carson, though. In any case, it’s highly unlikely two outfielders are going to make it, and Davis is the guy.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
Simmons pitching himself out of contention
Simply put, one more bad performance and I think he’ll be an early AAA designate. Whereas Gio and MAC are all clearly in the mix for the final 2 spots. And again one wonders about Eveland or Braden getting dealt at some point. I know they have some (not much) experience, but they might be enough for someone else to give BB what he wants and open up another spot for one of the kids. I personally would be thrilled at an Opening day rotation that featured Gio, Cahill and either Anderson or Mazzaro.
Why would BB deal one of them
His rotation is shaky at best right now so why would he deal one of the “veterans” now, especially since neither has much trade value?
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
well, here's the logic
BB becomes fairly convinced that 1 or more of MAC will be as good as, and perhaps better, than Eveland and Braden. And then a team suffers a big blow to their rotation between now and Opening Day— Eveland and Braden might look better than their alternative.
and, what exactly does BB want between now and Opening Day?
a SS? A big right-handed bat? A 2B? I don’t doubt that BB feels that one or more of the MAC will eventually be better than Braden and/or Eveland. But, prolly not before Opening Day. And, I’m not sure what he’d be trading for.
Clowns to the left of me... Jokers to the right...
he wants more youth at more positions
and his best pitchers on the mound. If Eveland and/or Braden are not going to be among his 5 best pitchers, why not deal them for something? Obviously both will likely not be traded, but i could easily see one of them moving on.
really?
I’m not totally sold on either Eveland or Braden as stalwarts of the rotation, yet. But, if you traded either one or both wouldn’t you be relying on Gio (whom I have no faith in) or two of all of the MAC to step up? Hey, Im a believer in the young pitchers, as much as the next guy, but I just don’t see BB dealing either Eveland or Braden now.
Clowns to the left of me... Jokers to the right...
by FoolshGame22 on Mar 8, 2009 11:11 PM PDT up reply actions
or two of or all of the MAC
i hate typos
Clowns to the left of me... Jokers to the right...
by FoolshGame22 on Mar 8, 2009 11:12 PM PDT up reply actions
I would be appalled at that development
Many years from now, when his name's recalled
Everyone will say, "He should have passed the ball"
-- Al Stewart, "Football Hero"
Not appauled?
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
well, get ready-- here are the numbers to consider
“eventually” may mean tomorrow.
Eveland’s career ERA+ is 79, braden’s 76. Decidedly below-average. But last year they were closer to average— 93 and 98, respectively. In other words, they were better than most #5 starters and even a few #4 starters. So they have value.
Beane will not allow a situation where he has a logjam on the mound— and guys are being held back who are BETTER than the guys ahead of them. Better now, not in a year— or even 3-4 months.
And the evidence? Well, it’s the team’s own experience. Eveland and Braden still fell short of 100 ERA+ in what was either their first (Eveland) full season or second (Braden) partial season as starting pitchers.
Some other guys— just starting out— were a lot better than that— 142, 172, 100/114 (two partial), 123, 121 and 86/126 (two partial). In other words only one of six specific pitchers performed worse than Eveland or Braden in their first full or partial seasons as starters. the names— well, you know or can readily guess them: Hudson, Zito, Harden, Blanton, Lidle, Mulder.
My point is not that Cahill-Anderson- Mazzaro are destined to be better than these 6— and very possibly not as good. But I believe— and i believe the A’s believe— there’s a pretty darn good chance that they’ll be in the same ballpark— in other words, better from the get-go than the likes of Eveland, Braden and Gallagher. This franchise— in this regime—in this ballpark (had to repeat the reference) has a very good track record with highly-touted young pitchers. 5 of these 6 were in the AL’s top 10-15 starters by no later than their 2nd year. Why hold superior talent back? It’s not that they will be better by August or September— it’s that they are likely to be better NOW.
okay, you've convinced me...
Trade Duke, Eveland and Braden now, for whatever you can get for them.
We’ll go with our best pitching young pitching and let ‘em grow together: Gallagher, Anderson, Cahill, Mazzaro and Ynoa. A 7-year World Series dynasty!!! The A’s we’ll be historic!
Damn the torpedos! DMOAS probably doesn’t like this expression, either. ;-)
Clowns to the left of me... Jokers to the right...
by FoolshGame22 on Mar 8, 2009 11:25 PM PDT up reply actions
fine
But as I said, I could see one of the Eveland-Braden duo getting dealt to make way for 1 or more of MAC. That is hardly a radical notion as much as some believe it is. And Duke could go the bullpen if the A’s concerns about the strains on his arm of starting mount.
But to tell you truth
Ultimately putting MAC all in there with some combination of Gio/Gallagher and whomever (Ynoa is obviously at least 3 years away) is probably the right way to go.
pre-season cumulative stats?
does the A’s official site show each player’s pre-season stats somewhere? all i got was their career real stats. thanks.
Yes - click on "stats" and "spring training 2009" is one of the options
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
come from behind
as I remember the 2007 catus league champion A’s came from behind in many many games. Part of the reason a teams record in ST is not important. Good for Anderson. He is likely the first up of the MAc, no?
Either way, All three of Cahill, Anderson and Mazzaro look good!
Add an experienced Gio and Gallagher to the mix and we have a good looking 5 for the future
What’s funny is that come 2010 we could be talking about DLS the same way.
"Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, either way, YOU'RE RIGHT !"
DLS will have to rocket through the system
FDLS was old for the level he dominated a couple years back. He has better stuff than any of MACS but the great thing about MACS is they’re all 21-22. FDLS is older than any of them. 2009 will be his age 23 season and he will probably need to start at A+. Hopefully he can make it to at least AA or he won’t see big league time until he’s 25. If he actually is that age.
OTOH a guy like Arnold Leon could become a really good prospect. He’ll likely start in A+ but could also see time at AA (hopefully as a SP in both cases). And 2009 is his age 20 season.
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton
Is Ynoa really 17?
Or should we start looking for his 1988 brith certificate?
Clowns to the left of me... Jokers to the right...
I don't think age should matter in his case
It would matter if he hadn’t gotten injured and had just become stagnant and wasn’t advancing. Basically the injury should give him a mulligan. We should just look at his performance over the next couple seasons and not his age, and hopefully he can make it to the majors and perform well.
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
Exactly - the injury raises the odds that he'll never reach his potential,
but if he can come back strong then it should just be considered “two lost years.”
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
Carson...
He was cramming the ball on tv yesterday. I like the idea of him being overlooked in the poorly attended to Yankees farm system. Im also curious about his glove. If its a plus glove then he is very interesting. 27 is a good age as some mentioned
I miss Chad God
BTW...A's are in Tucson on Tuesday...
Anybody coming down?
"No offense, Nico, but starcitygames.com used to be the AN of Magic sites "
Petit may not be able to hit major league pitching, but apparently he still hasn’t gotten the memo.
all 8 runs came against rundles (5 major league innings) and meloan (9 major league innings). i don’t know if they’re any good, but they’re definitely not established major leaguers.
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
I know - spring training isn't "major league pitching,"
but whenever he hits for the Oakland A’s he seems to hit pretty well, was my point. Especially for a guy whom the A’s obviously are convinced can’t hit a lick in the bigs.
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
Depends on the guy...
Unfortunately, I saw Lackey start the other day, and he is pretty much ready… Danny was the opposing starter and looked really rusty. Point being, who you get hits against, how ready that guy is, what pitch you hit, etc. are the only really good bits of info you can take from ST…overall stats can get ridiculously skewed…
"No offense, Nico, but starcitygames.com used to be the AN of Magic sites "
lots of locals involved in that play
woodland native pedroia missed a bunt attempt, and oaktowner rollins was thrown out at second base (ramon hernandez to marco scutaro).
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
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