Kennedy's Unicorniness Saves A's As Bailey Wins On Birthday
by Nico on May 31, 2009 3:21 PM PDT
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PrintUPDATE: TUESDAY, 4:35pm PDT ... Vin Mazzaro will be called up to make his major league debut starting against the White Sox on Tuesday.
Now that all the yahoo readers who happened to put "unicorniness" into their search engine are here, the A's avoided a series sweep today thanks in large part to two HRs by Adam Kennedy, the second of which broke a 4-4 tie in the 9th off of Frank Francisco.
After Ryan Sweeney robbed Ian Kinsler of a HR (he does that a lot) leading off the 1st, Dallas Braden settled down big time and took a 4-0 lead into the bottom of the 7th, thanks to HRs by Kennedy and Giambi, and a couple 7th inning insurance runs. Then Braden's tidy outing was interrupted by the fact that he was bleeding all over the place, courtesy of a blister he had apparently borrowed from Brett Anderson. Braden left the game after the first two hitters reached in the 7th, both of whom scored. Two more scored in the 8th off of Michael Wuertz and Andrew Bailey, who turned 25 today but was charged with a blown save when Marlon Byrd's dribber that wouldn't have hurt one tied the game in the 8th.
Enter Kennedy, exit baseball into the upper deck, 5-4 A's in the 9th. Evidently, Francisco's 0.00 ERA did not impress Kennedy. No chairs were thrown. In the bottom of the 9th, Bailey neutralized a leadoff pinch hit single by Josh Hamilton by getting a 4-6-3 DP from Kinsler (who was supposed to hit it just over the CF wall and into Sweeney's glove, but this was good too). When Michael Young hit a slow comebacker, it made a winner out of the birthday boy.
Finally, let me just say that Dallas Braden plays with exactly the kind of energy and intensity I wish to see from all 25 guys, constantly motivating himself with comments to his glove and the ball between pitches ("Hit your f-ing spots!" "C'mon now, let's go!") and always ready to dive for anything near him. A 1.64 WHIP (.316 BAA) against right-handed hitters will catch up to him soon if he doesn't make some adjustments, but there's a reason Braden is overachieving and his teammates should take their cue from him. Great competitor.
Braden, Kennedy, Bailey. Give me those guys, and Suzuki, and I can win some games.
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So this is what a victory feels like,eh? I kinda like it.
Bravo Kennedy! Where would the A’s be without A. Kennedy?
Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox
Last place... oh wait...
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on May 31, 2009 6:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Speaking of what's worse then Bob Geren
Our bullpen has been HORRIBLE of late. Was our strong key early this season, but casilla, wertz, zig, Springer, even the overworked Bailey. Too bad Gio walks way to many batters or I would say bring him up and let him turn it lose like the Rays did last year with David Price…..But hey, Dan Meyer and Kiko Calero or doing horrible – not.
really, it's more that the bullpen has been worked to death early on in the season.
other than Anderson’s shellacking yesterday and Martinez sucking on Friday, though, the starters have been doing their jobs, going deeper into games and keeping the A’s in ballgames.
Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox
This should have been expected.
We were going into the year with just one veteran pitcher—and he was injury prone. Even 2005, with just Zito and Harden returning had a more stable rotation. Anderson, Braden, Cahill, and Outman are likely all on strict pitchcounts (this being their first full year in the rotation) and the fifth rotation spot is up for grabs.
Sometimes life will strike you out on a curve ball and the only choice you have is to flip off the umpire and walk to first base anyway.
by Threepwood XX on May 31, 2009 4:20 PM PDT up reply actions
There is ZERO reason Bailey should've pitched in a blowout loss yesterday
You do NOT use your best relievers in a blowout. Ever.
"And you just don't get it, you keep it copacetic..."
but this Geren we're talking about here, Blicks.
He just does not get it….at all.
Zeigler to Geren…."A-Rod? He’s my bitch." -alox
Oh yeah, I know.
He needs to go, period.
If he blows out his arm (he’s very high up there in reliever IP in all MLB, but he was a starter in the minors for some time, if I’m right), its on Geren.
"And you just don't get it, you keep it copacetic..."
Actually, pitching Bailey yesterday didn't bother me
He hadn’t pitched for nearly a week and needed an inning to stay sharp. Managers can’t help it when closers are not needed for several days at a time and then suddenly are needed multiple days 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
Not necessarily true
There are times when a pitcher needs to get into A game after a long break. Unfortunately it often becomes magnified when that warm-up game happens just before an important appearance. I still can’t believe he through two innings because he’s too damn important for them to treat him like Jay Witasick.
Still I believe Geren should be fired for several reasons.
These ain't your father's A's.
by ohtobe21likehuston on May 31, 2009 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions
threw
These ain't your father's A's.
by ohtobe21likehuston on May 31, 2009 4:32 PM PDT up reply actions
but because of some crazy glitch in the computer
he still keeps receiving a paycheck.
These ain't your father's A's.
by ohtobe21likehuston on May 31, 2009 4:50 PM PDT up reply actions
"A's avoided a series sweep today"
That will be the game recap of the season.
In the battle of the strong, victory goes to the brave.
I dunno, I've got a feeling
that a gal by the name of Jordin Sparks can help the A’s turn this season around.
or a's give up lead, try to lose, and FAIL
"If Bowden was a general contractor, he'd build houses with nine bedrooms, six garages, no bathrooms, and half a roof."
by DyeLongJustice on May 31, 2009 6:29 PM PDT up reply actions
YAY WIN!!!
Braden and Outman have been pleasant surprises. And AK is awesome.
A 1.64 WHIP (.316 BAA) against right-handed hitters will catch up to him soon if he doesn’t make some adjustments
His .325 BABIP should also come down, bringing that WHIP and BAA down with it. Silver lining FTW.
"And you just don't get it, you keep it copacetic..."
Hey
We’re all gonna get laid!
These ain't your father's A's.
by ohtobe21likehuston on May 31, 2009 4:25 PM PDT reply actions
I love this RD joke
“I’m not a sexy guy. I went to a hooker. I dropped my pants. She dropped her price.”
These ain't your father's A's.
by ohtobe21likehuston on May 31, 2009 5:33 PM PDT up reply actions
when i was born my doctor told my mom, "we tried everything...
he pulled through anyway."
don't care if i ever get back.
Losses definitely cause pent-up anger
so wins should do the opposite
These ain't your father's A's.
by ohtobe21likehuston on May 31, 2009 5:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Anger explosions?
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on May 31, 2009 6:28 PM PDT up reply actions
it's not so much that we win, but that we fail to lose this season.
"If Bowden was a general contractor, he'd build houses with nine bedrooms, six garages, no bathrooms, and half a roof."
Wait, did I just see that right?
Does Bailey seriously have the most Wins of any pitcher on the staff?
Erk. =[
FIRE GEREN NOW
http://firegerennow.blogspot.com/
pitchers call what Bailey did today a "vulch"
(short for vulture). That’s when a pitcher blows a save but ends up with the win.
Keith Foulke knows all about that.
Somehow he managed to steal like 11 wins from Tim Hudson (and probably the CY award) in 2003.
Huddy was 16-7 that year (yeah, I know) with a 2.70 ERA. Imagine if he had been, oh, 24-7, 2.70?
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
Love the photo!
will crosby spread his legs so far apart at bat that the games will have to be rated nc-17 -- emperor nobody
Trade Adam Kennedy
To Milwaukee. Strike while the iron is hot. He’s killing our chance for the number 1 draft pick in 2010.
Might as well Jump! - Van Halen
we should pick up all F.A.T.s (free available talent)
through ’em against the wall, and see which ones stick. Them sell them off to the highest bidder.
"If Bowden was a general contractor, he'd build houses with nine bedrooms, six garages, no bathrooms, and half a roof."
by DyeLongJustice on May 31, 2009 9:45 PM PDT up reply actions
hero66, as badly as the A's have played this season,
and as poorly as they’ve been run on the field, off the field, TV, radio, you name it, my fear would have been that AN would be a ghost-town right about now. Instead, here you see lots and lots of people still with enough passion to vent on a daily basis – more passion than I’ve seen on the field most days.
Coming here and venting is being a fan; it shows you 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
Ah, sorry.
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
Wait, are you talking about the A's or the AN Personals?
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
There's a difference?
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
You know what's worse than being an A's fan this season?
Being an Ohio State University baseball fan today.
Ugh.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
I always wondered where Mike Oquist ended up.
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
He came in when Jeff Kaiser got worn out
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
So then he wasn't so permanente after 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
Braden
Braden’s being a great competitor has nothing to do with him overachieving. It just happens sometimes.
"Swinging and missing to me is like 'Jesus, what happened?'" Scott Hatteberg
I wonder if it's one of those things where
you really have to have played or been part of professional sports to understand why it is in fact true. I think it would be difficult to explain, yet easy to know if you’ve been there.
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
btw, it's not a blister that knocked Braden out of the game
Just a cut.
Braden said he accidentally sustained the cut on the team medical case in the dugout between innings.
There's no crying in baseball!
What a great medical staff!
Even their equipment does more harm than good.
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
"Wait...Did I leave the irony on?"
{rushes home}
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
please tell me your making this up
so the training staff’s equipment is now openly and brazenly attacking the players?
Someone better tell these guys not to turn their backs on the Stairmaster in the clubhouse.
Hey, I just bought the team from Lew Wolff... who wants to play third?
by emperor nobody on May 31, 2009 7:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Maybe the medical case is where he keeps his moustache wax
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
Just when I thought
this team’s injuries couldn’t get any more ridiculous…
will crosby spread his legs so far apart at bat that the games will have to be rated nc-17 -- emperor nobody
Does this mean Braden's ability to hitchhike is currently "mile to mile"?
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
Is Ellis expected back this season?
When he does, if Kennedy is hitting anything close to what it is now, what happens then? Stopgap 3B?
DH Kennedy?
Kind of an abuse of the concept of a DH, but at the moment it would pay off.
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
That would look something like
Cabrera – SS (Not my idea, I just know that’s where he’ll hit)
Kennedy – DH
Cust – RF
Holliday – LF
Giambi – 1B
Suzuki – C
Sweeney – CF
Ellis – 2B
Crosahan – 3B
Now THAT…is a mediocre offense AND a mediocre defense!
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
When is Ellis eligible to come off the 60 day?
Nico: Okay. We have twelve hours to make a really big pickle.
End of June - the 28th?
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
The only reason I ask about expected back this season is that 60 day DL for the A's
is the pre-obituary of the season-that-could-have-been list. Then the followup autopsy report by a member of AN later.
I know Ellis isn't supposed to throw that far because of his bad shoulder,
and I’m pretty sure Kennedy has never played 3B – probably because he doesn’t have the arm for it either. Given our current 3B options, its probably worth trying anyway.
We could just put the shift on for every hitter,
and if they hit it to the right of SS, well, so be it.
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
We could go with two outfielders, or no catchers.
Really though, I figure if you stick one those guys at 3B and they blow out a labrum or two, its not like either of them are really signed for that long.
unlike the rest of you guys this was the first game ive seen live all season I was stuck in China. But AK is playing like a stud, Giambi hit a bomb, Braden pitched an amazing game and its still early. Sure we probably wont win a pennant but rooting on my boys and watching competitive games is all i really want.
I'm not superstitious, but...
could you watch every game live for a while?
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
No Beijing Mojo
I live in Beijing and have watched or listened to most games live this season on mlb.tv (at the bizarre hours you’d expect with a 12-15 hour time difference). So watching live from China doesn’t seem to help much. :-( Glad it worked for you on your return home David630.
Maybe if I start watching games on delay a few hours after they’re over, I can create some Cosmic Wormhole Mojo and that’ll help us win more games.
I love them A's, even when they're earnin' F's.
does anyone know
why the Rangers fans throw the A’s homerun balls back? Is this normal?
by Chilango on May 31, 2009 8:50 PM PDT reply actions
I think this started as a bleacher-bum tradition in Chicago
Now, fans do it all over the country, and not just to the A’s.
"Until Holiday comes around, I will refer to him as Coors Light." Ak_A
Ha!
To think how much I wanted to catch a ball when I was a kid. I don’t think I would have had the self-discipline to throw it back. It’s good to see they’re raisin’ their kids right over Texas way…
by Chilango on May 31, 2009 9:02 PM PDT up reply actions
I remember them doing it at Wrigley in '81, '82...
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on May 31, 2009 11:10 PM PDT up reply actions
it happens at the coliseum too
you catch HR by opponents, crowd chants at you “throw it back” till you think it’s the right thing to do, you throw it back, and security pounces on you immediately to kick you out of the game. saw it happen, RF bleachers, just last wednesday.
don't care if i ever get back.
by AV on Jun 1, 2009 11:03 AM PDT up reply actions
So if they want to throw it out, give it to them to throw out
let them get the boot
Yes, my friends, I say yes!
Gooo Oakland! I will be at A’s vs. Sox tomorrow, in Chi-town, and I will bring back pics. Go A’s!
A free society is one where it is safe to be unpopular.
He's obviously delusional:
“Standings-wise, it was a big win,” manager Bob Geren said.
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
Is he picking cliched, positive, lame quotes out of a jockstrap or what?
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
He fills out a page in a Mad Libs book before the game
and uses all the nice cliched, positive, lame adjectives that he came up with during the post-game interview.
I love them A's, even when they're earnin' F's.
So I wasn't too excited about the prospect of seeing Adam Kennedy on the A's at first,
but I’d say by now he’s officially won me over. I’ve almost forgotten he was on that other team that I really don’t like at all. Almost.
I recall you being less than thrilled.
Of course I can’t say that any of us were in a rush to buy his jersey.
I'm here to talk about the past.
I was.
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on May 31, 2009 10:57 PM PDT up reply actions
...and why's that?
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on May 31, 2009 11:02 PM PDT up reply actions
Because you like the Angels, of course.
by whiteshoes40 on May 31, 2009 11:04 PM PDT up reply actions
ick.
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on May 31, 2009 11:05 PM PDT up reply actions
I'd say they're pretty firmly entrenched in my top five teams of despise.
A little less now that F-Rod’s gone. Still, they have Stay Puft, whom I despise, and Chone, who’s my nemesis.
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on May 31, 2009 11:13 PM PDT up reply actions
It depends, year to year,
but they’re always top five.
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on May 31, 2009 11:24 PM PDT up reply actions
Random question: Is that jersey/player shirt jinx still in effect?
As in, you buy one and then, sometime that season, the player leaves?
I don’t think I know what I’m talking about anymore.
emperor nobody: "can ben copeland play third will the mcgwire throwback jersey be sponsored by balco labs i think i am having non-nerve-damage related chest pains well there’s holliday’s homer for may"
Clayton Tanner. I have nothing witty to add.
by walkoff baltimore chop on May 31, 2009 10:59 PM PDT up reply actions
For 67M?
Almost a certainty.
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on May 31, 2009 11:02 PM PDT up reply actions
I just nod and agree to anything negative about you.
I’m a good friend.
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on May 31, 2009 11:14 PM PDT up reply actions
In-deed you are.
And it’s totally cool, ‘cause I have a detailed list of every negative comment about me. It’s actually a pretty long list.
I'm here to talk about the past.
You're going to kill me while wearing a dress, aren't you?
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on May 31, 2009 11:25 PM PDT up reply actions
I'd answer that
But that would make it easier for them to trace me.
I'm here to talk about the past.
at least you care enough about me to stalk.
I’ve felt alone all day.
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on May 31, 2009 11:28 PM PDT up reply actions
Who's "alone"? And how did "alone" react to a day of being felt?
We want details.
by el campysino on May 31, 2009 11:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Alone was cool with it.
She’s used to me wrestling with her for days.
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on May 31, 2009 11:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Keep wrestling Alone.
Alone is followed by Disconsolate, and I don’t want to tell you what comes next.
by el campysino on Jun 1, 2009 12:01 AM PDT up reply actions
hanging myself in the closet?
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 1, 2009 12:07 AM PDT up reply actions
Morbid frivolity is all well and good, I guess ...
but your response scares me, Leopold.
by el campysino on Jun 1, 2009 12:19 AM PDT up reply actions
..well, then, my egocentric ass is appeased.
I’m too in love with myself to harm myself.
Plus, I don’t think the closet rod would support my weight.
"A few of the guests, who had the misfortune of being too near the windows, were seized and feasted upon at once.""--Pride and Prejudice And Zombies
by Leopold Bloom on Jun 1, 2009 12:37 AM PDT up reply actions
A worrisome response. But still,
vastly better than no response at all.
Time to get some sleep, LB.
by el campysino on Jun 1, 2009 12:43 AM PDT up reply actions
I love how greive the rangers color man says after sweeney’s catch “It really an easy paly when it comes down to it.” What a blow hard. I hate anyone from texas.
P.s. your son sucked
"Bring back Swish."
by Swell on Jun 1, 2009 1:21 AM PDT reply actions
The headline I want to see is...
A’s fire Geren. If that happens, this season will be a success, no matter what the won-loss record is.
OT, but Rob Neyer mentions Nico's blog entry on Geren
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/sweetspot/0-3-0/Monday-Mendozas.html
"You know, a long time ago being crazy meant something. Nowadays everybody's crazy."
-Charles Manson
Good story about Rickey
Billy Martin, on the other hand…
"You know, a long time ago being crazy meant something. Nowadays everybody's crazy."
-Charles Manson
by kaweahkaweah on Jun 1, 2009 11:16 AM PDT up reply actions
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