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Open Game Thread: Game 51 - Oakland A's at Chicago White Sox (cont.)

Well, the A's are hanging on by two runs (5-3) and it's down to the bullpen to nail it down, which has been a little scary recently.  Buckle up, folks.

LET'S GO A'S!!!!!

 

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Hello, sir.

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on Jun 3, 2009 7:26 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Is it me you're looking for?

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

by alox on Jun 3, 2009 7:28 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Whoa...where am I?

/blinks

Is this a new thread?

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 Jun 3, 2009 7:27 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Some creepy statue won't appear, will it?

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 Jun 3, 2009 7:29 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

O NOES!

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 Jun 3, 2009 7:31 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Let's do this.

Nico: Okay. We have twelve hours to make a really big pickle.

by pam5981 on Jun 3, 2009 7:27 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Jun 3, 2009 7:27 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

F'n Leopold!

Roomy

These ain't your father's A's.

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 3, 2009 7:28 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha.

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on Jun 3, 2009 7:29 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Hey kid

Are you mocking me?

These ain't your father's A's.

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 3, 2009 7:29 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

No, sir.

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on Jun 3, 2009 7:29 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

LOL

Have the Army recruiters stopped by your school yet?

These ain't your father's A's.

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 3, 2009 7:30 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think I’ve seen them around.

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on Jun 3, 2009 7:31 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Does a young man good

to get some senseless violence in his life.

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

by alox on Jun 3, 2009 7:31 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Now tell him to get the hell off your lawn.

Nico: Okay. We have twelve hours to make a really big pickle.

by pam5981 on Jun 3, 2009 7:30 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

You still awake?

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

by alox on Jun 3, 2009 7:30 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Ouchie Waa Waa

These ain't your father's A's.

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 3, 2009 7:30 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

That was a nifty play, Wuertz.

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on Jun 3, 2009 7:28 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Great paté, but I gotta motor or I'll be late for....

Drag Me to Hell (taking advantage of my wife’s book club to catch a flick she doesn’t want to see).

Route the A’s on to victory!

Interleague Play: Celebrating Thirteen Seasons of Suck

by GreenNGoldSooner on Jun 3, 2009 7:30 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Why do I smoke these things?

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Jun 3, 2009 7:30 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

you two.

"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 4, 2009 6:31 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I wanna see that one

Gonna see Land of the Lost on Friday, but want to find time for Drag Me to Hell as well.

by worldblee on Jun 3, 2009 7:31 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I love the Sleestacks

( see avatar- Fantasy Football logo since 2003 )

These ain't your father's A's.

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 3, 2009 7:32 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm a happy seal

by SwisherThresher on Jun 3, 2009 7:32 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Please explain how you couldn't save money

by just melting some ice cream and pouring some vodka in it.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Jun 3, 2009 7:35 PM PDT up reply actions   1 recs

you sir are a genius

Bad spellers of the world untie.

by A'sfaninNC on Jun 4, 2009 6:18 AM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Everybody's favorite: the 5 out save.

Nico: Okay. We have twelve hours to make a really big pickle.

by pam5981 on Jun 3, 2009 7:31 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

( rolls eyes )

These ain't your father's A's.

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 3, 2009 7:34 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

bailey rested and ready to go

What did i tell you...didn't I say they would win? Yeah that's right I did didn't ? Wait.. what? They LOST?!?!?

by greenbean on Jun 3, 2009 7:31 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I hate this move.

You can’t keep asking your closer to get 5-out saves. Unless Ziggy is pitching the 9th (which he isn’t), there’s no reason to go to your closer this early. Wuertz can’t face Dye, a righty? Come on.

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 Jun 3, 2009 7:32 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

No excuses for Geren here

Must we keep trying to ruin the good guys…

These ain't your father's A's.

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 3, 2009 7:33 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Not trying at all. Geren does it effortlessly.

In the battle of the strong, victory goes to the brave.

by javaball on Jun 3, 2009 7:35 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think on this team, this year

it’s not like we have that many save opportunities. What are the chances we’ll have a lead to protect in the ninth tomorrow afternoon?

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Jun 3, 2009 7:34 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Bailey's has pitched on back-to-back days once in the last 3 weeks,

and has pitched in a total of 12 games since the beginning of May.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Jun 3, 2009 7:38 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

But you prefer it to the 4-out blown save, I assume

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Jun 3, 2009 7:40 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

How do you know that will happen?

I guess it’s smart not to have him available tomorrow if there is a close game.

These ain't your father's A's.

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 3, 2009 7:41 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

My complaint is that I feel Geren panicks too often

“AAHH – get two people up in the pen and have them ready in 30 seconds!! GAAAH, a baserunner, get Bailey 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

by Nico on Jun 3, 2009 7:42 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I'm less of a fan

of “my closer always and only pitches in the 9th inning in save situations” than of putting a closer in in the 8th with the tying run at the plate.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Jun 3, 2009 7:43 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't mind the 4 or 5 out save,

as long as it’s the exception not the rule. I just see Geren be really reactive a lot, where the moment there’s trouble he’ll rush a couple relievers up as if “who could have foreseen someone might get on base???” He’s often had Bailey up playing catch in 4-5 run games, and it bugs me.

Case in point tonight: Wuertz vs. Dye – great matchup for Wuertz. Just seems like Geren rushes to get the same people in all the time, often before it’s warranted. More of a general peeve than a comment about tonight, where I think overall the game was well managed.

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 Jun 3, 2009 7:48 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I recall someone on the game thread last night

asking why Bailey wasn’t in last night — with a comfortable lead. Happily he was kept out last night so he could be available when he was more needed, like tonight.

by OaklandSi on Jun 3, 2009 7:50 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

If Bailey were a "setup guy" and not a closer

no one would even notice if he was pitching 1.2 or 2 innings regularly. And no one would worry about him getting hurt. That’s what setup men do. But if he’s a closer, then folks worry about his arm.

Checking Bailey’s game logs, it looks like Bailey has thrown more than 1 inning in about 1/2 his appearances this season. I don’t think there’s any evidence that pitching that way hurts a reliever’s arm. And since the A’s are pretty bad, he’s not likely to be put into save situations in 3 or 4 straight games.

As for Geren’s reactiveness, I’m fine with what he did tonight. Wuertz isn’t Duke, after all. Although Dye is a good matchup for him, Dye is still a much better player than Wuertz. Facing the middle of their order with the tying run at the plate was the key part of the game, and I’m fine with Geren putting his best against theirs in that situation.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Jun 3, 2009 7:54 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I really didn't mind Bailey getting the call tonight, per se

Just generally, I worry that guys who throw hard and put a lot of strain on their arm (hard cutter, big curve) shouldn’t throw multiple innings that often. But what the heck do I know about pitchers’ health? Not much. (Though probably a little more than the A’s training staff.)

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 Jun 3, 2009 7:58 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Besides, what’s the difference between a 70-win season and a 50-win season?

In the battle of the strong, victory goes to the brave.

by javaball on Jun 3, 2009 7:36 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

20 games?

These ain't your father's A's.

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 3, 2009 7:36 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

and ruin a chance to get a good draft pick?

In the battle of the strong, victory goes to the brave.

by javaball on Jun 3, 2009 7:37 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

ISWYDT

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

by iglew on Jun 3, 2009 7:49 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think the thought process is that the A's essentially feel

like they can easily use Ziggy in save opps. So it’s like they have two closers.

And Bailey, unlike Huston Street, seems to do fine going to sit down and coming back.

by Tyler Bleszinski on Jun 3, 2009 7:42 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah

He could pitch yesterday and tomorrow.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Jun 3, 2009 7:44 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Yeah and you give him the night off tonight

And come back with him tomorrow if necessary. It’s not ideal, but the A’s don’t exactly have a lot of bullets in the bullpen gun these days.

by Tyler Bleszinski on Jun 3, 2009 7:45 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

could not disagree more

Dye and Thome were the key hitters remaining— so what if it was the 8th— use your best against their best.

Strong, strong move by Geren

by jasonthea on Jun 3, 2009 7:49 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Davis is having his best game of the year.

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on Jun 3, 2009 7:35 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Da!

And I’m having my best day this year of speaking Russian.

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Jun 3, 2009 7:35 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

And he's been picked off

That’s Rajai fur ya!

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 Jun 3, 2009 7:35 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

jinx

These ain't your father's A's.

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 3, 2009 7:38 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

whoo hoo!!!

What did i tell you...didn't I say they would win? Yeah that's right I did didn't ? Wait.. what? They LOST?!?!?

by greenbean on Jun 3, 2009 7:35 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

No takers.

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 Jun 3, 2009 7:36 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

whatever else happens

Kudos to Geren for getting his best reliever in the game in the most critical spot.

by jasonthea on Jun 3, 2009 7:39 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Cabrera didn't argue - I think he was impressed by Alexi's play

SSs looking out for each other.

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 Jun 3, 2009 7:41 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Crap, we're facing Buehrle tomorrow

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Jun 3, 2009 7:41 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Yeah, he’s 6-1 with a 2.71 ERA.

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on Jun 3, 2009 7:41 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

but most certainly not painlessly

Nico: Okay. We have twelve hours to make a really big pickle.

by pam5981 on Jun 3, 2009 7:43 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

He's not that good against the A's over his career

Though this isn’t your typical A’s offense

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

by Flashfire on Jun 3, 2009 7:43 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Dammmmmn.

Nico: Okay. We have twelve hours to make a really big pickle.

by pam5981 on Jun 3, 2009 7:44 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I love winning

We’re all gonna get laid!

These ain't your father's A's.

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 3, 2009 7:45 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

OMG WINZ?!!!

"If Bowden was a general contractor, he'd build houses with nine bedrooms, six garages, no bathrooms, and half a roof."

by DyeLongJustice on Jun 3, 2009 7:45 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

glad i was just in time to show up for the end of the game

"If Bowden was a general contractor, he'd build houses with nine bedrooms, six garages, no bathrooms, and half a roof."

by DyeLongJustice on Jun 3, 2009 7:45 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

adieu, adieu, to you and you and you.

JJ Martin
The best way to catch a knuckleball is to wait until the ball stops rolling and then pick it up. ~Bob Uecker

by JJ Martin on Jun 3, 2009 7:45 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

I just got home

Did I miss anything? ;)

There's no crying in baseball!

by gigglingone on Jun 3, 2009 7:46 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

Yawn

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Jun 3, 2009 7:47 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Well as wins go, it WAS pretty boring.

Nico: Okay. We have twelve hours to make a really big pickle.

by pam5981 on Jun 3, 2009 7:48 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

We won!

These ain't your father's A's.

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 3, 2009 7:47 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Buehrle

Nico: Okay. We have twelve hours to make a really big pickle.

by pam5981 on Jun 3, 2009 7:49 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

which was part of the reason Geren used Bailey tonight in the 8th

This was the winnable situation— tomorrow probably won’t be

by jasonthea on Jun 3, 2009 7:50 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I don't think he's ever really dominated the A's

but this is a different team and a new year. Of course Kenny Rogers never seemed to give us much of a chance.

These ain't your father's A's.

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 3, 2009 7:51 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

We are officially nearing mediocrity.

Woo!

Nico: Okay. We have twelve hours to make a really big pickle.

by pam5981 on Jun 3, 2009 7:51 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

approaching watchability

HRs will do that fer ya.

"Losing feels worse than winning feels good." Vin Scully

by One won lost won on Jun 3, 2009 8:01 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Winning games is kind of cool.

Maybe we should try doing it a few more times.

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

by iglew on Jun 3, 2009 7:51 PM PDT reply actions   0 recs

you mean --gasp --

winning the game is the point?

by OaklandSi on Jun 3, 2009 7:52 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

quick call Geren

we had it wrong this whole time…and we all thought he was stupid

HILLIS

by robbo650 on Jun 3, 2009 8:01 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

I think closers do better

(and this is only my opinion), if they get into the game in the 8th for a batter or two.

"Losing feels worse than winning feels good." Vin Scully

by One won lost won on Jun 3, 2009 8:09 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Perhaps it did not dawn on the collective "we"

that is the 25-man roster, until Holliday said, “(paraphrasing) I want to be on a winning club. It’s so much more fun!! Best fun in my baseball career.”

"Losing feels worse than winning feels good." Vin Scully

by One won lost won on Jun 3, 2009 8:03 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

Back in 2006,

the players (Chavez and Zito) were saying, after missing the playoffs for two years, it feels extra sweet to be back again. But now the A’s have had 3 straight losing seasons and counting, the majority of the players on the roster have no idea what the postseason is like.

In the battle of the strong, victory goes to the brave.

by javaball on Jun 3, 2009 8:16 PM PDT up reply actions   0 recs

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