A's Win Fourth Straight as Power Surge Continues; Braden Sharp
by 67MARQUEZ on Jun 5, 2009 9:28 PM PDT
Email
PrintOK, remember when I said it was wildly premature to say the A's are clicking on all cylinders? Well perhaps I was wildly premature in saying it was wildly premature.
Wait, what?
Striking early and often, Oakland cruised to a 9-1 victory over the stumbling Baltimore Orioles, their season-high fourth straight win.
The A's wasted no time in putting runs on the board. Orlando Cabrera jumped on Jeremy Guthrie's first pitch for a base hit, and sped over to third on a single by Adam Kennedy. Both runners waltzed home on a three-run bomb by Jack Cust (back spasms and all) and the A's had a 3-0 lead before most of the Friday night crowd of 12,608 had settled in their seats.
That turned out to be only half the fun in the first. Matt Holliday singled, and after Jason Giambi forced him at second with a shot off Guthrie's right hand, Kurt Suzuki drilled a double over the head of center fielder Adam Jones. Aaron Cunningham singled up the middle to score Giambi and Suzuki, took second on the throw to the plate, and raced home through Mike Gallego's stop sign on a base hit by the much-maligned Rajai Davis for a 6-0 score.
That was all for Guthrie whose line read like this: 2/3 IP, 7H, 6ER. Well, at least he didn't walk anyone.
Staked to a month's worth of run support, starter Dallas Braden (7IP, 5H, 1R) stayed clear of metal objects, and fired zeroes at the O's. He struck out two batters in each of the first three innings then K'd hot-hitting Luke Scott for the second time in the fourth to tie a career high with seven. Even when he wasn't punching out Baltimore batters, Braden still had his fingerprints all over this one, inducing a 1-6-3 double play to end the fifth.
The A's rewarded the southpaw for his glove work with another three runs in the bottom half. Adam Kennedy led off with a single, the first batter to reach base against reliever Mark Hendrickson, who had retired ten straight. Jack Cust walked to bring up Holliday, who mashed a three-run homer to deep center to make it 9-0.
That's right folks; the price of Matt Holliday has just gone (back) up.
The Orioles finally figured out Braden in the seventh. Luke Scott homered to right, his 13th of the year, to put a stop to a string of 20 scoreless innings by Oakland pitchers. One can only wonder where Baltimore would be without Scott. He has hit his team's last six homeruns. During this recent skid in which they have lost five of six, the Orioles have scored a total of nine runs, or tonight's A's output.
Yikes.
Meanwhile the cylinders I keep referring to were a-clicking tonight. Braden went at least six innings for the fourth consecutive start, the offense now has a dozen homers in its last six games, and the defense has been solid, if not spectacular. It was a nice tidy win (2 hours, 14 minutes) for the Home Nine.
That corner we all keep waiting for the A's to turn is coming into view. And it's a beautiful thing.
154 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
what the hell?
you write this in the top of the second?
"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
oh. ok.
carry on.
"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 5, 2009 9:32 PM PDT up reply actions
they're be peas when you are done.
"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 5, 2009 9:37 PM PDT up reply actions
TWSS.
(sorry, it was actually a good one, and it’s Mike’s birthday!)
Nico: Okay. We have twelve hours to make a really big pickle.
Purrrrrrr
The sound of the A’s engine running smoothly on all cylinders.
Also, the sound of my cat when she’s happy.
wait.
what’s your cat sound like when it’s running on all cylinders?
"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 5, 2009 9:31 PM PDT up reply actions
An awful lot of wailing, frankly
Rather annoying.
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
If some folks are watching Braden and wondering how he is so successful
with his stuff, watch how he works the inside corner. He throws some of the most effective inside corner strikes of any pitcher. He works up just above the hands very effectively too. He really impresses me.
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
biggest difference between this year and last
IMO
Roy Steele is the voice of God
by cuppingmaster on Jun 5, 2009 9:35 PM PDT up reply actions
How 'bout them A's?
Hey, I know I haven’t rapped at you guys for a while but, is this great or what? Maybe it’s undue optimism, but there’s nothin’ like a winning streak to make you feel good. This streak has really given me hope for the future. If the starters can keep doing their thing, with just a liiitttle bit of hitting… we’ve got it made. Go Oakland!
A free society is one where it is safe to be unpopular.
And it's particularly nice because it's been based on...
…excellent performances by young pitchers.
Bodes well for the future!
Interleague Play: Celebrating Thirteen Seasons of Suck
by GreenNGoldSooner on Jun 5, 2009 9:35 PM PDT up reply actions
Yay for Braden
and thanks to his post-appearance interview, I have a new sig-line.
"If Vin Mazzaro comes anywhere near me with shaving cream he’s gonna be coming away with a bloody stump" – Dallas Braden
I thought that was a joke
He really said that? Where the hell was I?
I'm here to talk about the past.
probably writing your game summary.
"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 5, 2009 9:36 PM PDT up reply actions
its a great thing
that he is having fun with the rest of the guys, the clubhouse have been kinda dead this season……..
I loved the "bloody stump" comment.
Had the TV guys confused. “What did he say about a stump?”
A free society is one where it is safe to be unpopular.
He's doing another one right now.
I think I might love him. Which is not comfortable for me.
I'm here to talk about the past.
Polygamist!
"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 5, 2009 9:45 PM PDT up reply actions
What am I, chopped liver?
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
you're significantly better than chopped liver.
"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 5, 2009 11:44 PM PDT up reply actions
Pretty high
if it weren’t for the fact that it was Braden.
Nico interviewed this dude in Arizona. I wish he would have let me sit in for that. I may have never come back home.
I'm here to talk about the past.
If I had known that, I would have let you sit in
Zing!
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
Dallas Braden FTW
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 5, 2009 11:42 PM PDT up reply actions
He's been pretty good this year.
Plus his deal is incentive based – he gets an extra $5m if he makes 18 starts
Dallas Braden
definitely has the double-dominant Eccentric Lefty Gene, I love it.
Hey, I just bought the team from Lew Wolff... who wants to play third?
Was he in the same rotation as Lefty Grove?
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
I'm so proud of Pepe Braden
He looked like a complete ass a year ago while wearing his cap sideways and having the misbehaving hair. I have fallen in baseball love with this guy and the future is so bright I gotta wear shades.
These ain't your father's A's.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 5, 2009 9:48 PM PDT reply actions
I mean...holy cow. This cat is a pimp in the good sense of the word.
We may have the new Big 3 and I can’t believe that we’re barely into June. It’s been two completely different seasons and it’s about time Nico wrote a new letter to Billy Beane. Still not high on Geren at all but doubtful that they will look to change that now, if they were ever considering it anyway.
These ain't your father's A's.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 5, 2009 9:52 PM PDT up reply actions
great pitching and good offense...
is making Bob Geren look like a genius!
"I’m actually a disgrace to myself right now." - Sean Gallagher (quoting me after a night out on the town)
All work and great play makes Bob a non-dull looking manager
These ain't your father's A's.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 5, 2009 9:59 PM PDT up reply actions
I thought his calling for the 3-run HR was brilliant
Both times.
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 gotta pick your spots and he certainly did :-)
These ain't your father's A's.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 5, 2009 10:02 PM PDT up reply actions
Could he have picked April or May?
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 didn't learn the 3-run HR sign until June 1st
seems to be working now, though.
"I’m actually a disgrace to myself right now." - Sean Gallagher (quoting me after a night out on the town)
by FoolshGame22 on Jun 5, 2009 10:11 PM PDT up reply actions
I choose to believe that Mike Gallego called the HR's
These ain't your father's A's.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 5, 2009 10:12 PM PDT up reply actions
No, he actually held Cust up at third but
Cust trotted through the stop sign.
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
I keep upgrading my rating of Braden
I have to go from “strong #3” to “weak #2” in my assessment of him going forward. He seems about where Blanton and Jered Weaver were the previous 3 seasons or so, in terms of what you can expect in innings, consistency, how often he’ll “give you a chance to win,” and so on. And that’s a lot better than I would have predicted 2 years ago.
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's a #3 at this point at it's not even close
I bagged on him more than anyone last year and I love the “all you can eat” crow.
These ain't your father's A's.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 5, 2009 9:53 PM PDT up reply actions
He's beyond Blanton, Nico. Blanton never showed this much promise.
These ain't your father's A's.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 5, 2009 9:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Actually, second half of 2005 he did
Remember that Blanton got deep into games and had several seasons where if you gave him 4 runs he’d give you a win. The A’s just didn’t have a good enough offense a lot of the time to take advantage of his pitching. Yet he still averaged 14 wins/year, which is pretty darn solid.
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
Yeah. I should apologize for saying that but I can't.
Blanton was a great competitor and showed promise at times. However he just never gave me a soothing feeling when he was on the mound. He surely had a knack for pitching well against the Angels and I would bet he had worse luck while pitching great than he had against any other team.
These ain't your father's A's.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 5, 2009 10:01 PM PDT up reply actions
I think you mean Mariners.
Mariners are the team Blanton pitched flukishly well against, not Angels.
"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers." —Rev Halofan
His ERA is Timbuk 3.63
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
See this what I love about AN
We all knew this was coming. None of us ever panicked.
by throttle mathius on Jun 5, 2009 9:49 PM PDT reply actions
I'm just proud of how I never lost faith in Beane or Geren,
and always knew Outman and Braden would be among the league’s ERA leaders.
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's why you're the BlogMaster...
prescience!
"I’m actually a disgrace to myself right now." - Sean Gallagher (quoting me after a night out on the town)
Don't you only get those at Chrishmash?
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
Outman
I knew Braden was going to be good but Outman is a surprise. I thought of him as a 5th starter type.
I'm surprised by Outman, too...
I was ready to throw him on the scrapheap. What do all these rooks have in common. Four hard-throwing, md-90’s fastballs when they want it. Have the A’s ever had that many starters who could just blow it by a batter, if they had to?
I don’t think so.
"I’m actually a disgrace to myself right now." - Sean Gallagher (quoting me after a night out on the town)
by FoolshGame22 on Jun 5, 2009 10:05 PM PDT up reply actions
I love the pitching staff of 1989
Good times.
These ain't your father's A's.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 5, 2009 10:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Even springer pitched well
What happened tonight? Davis gets a RBI. Hannahan a hit. Springer pitches a inning without a run. Did Geren go to church last night and brought back some good luck?
OK you can't sit with us at lunch anymore.
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
Much mindless screaming.
Accompanied by intense giggling and laughter….most likely at my expense. But I don’t care, the A’s won!
Plus I got to embarass a daughter and a niece and ran two boys off in a heartlessly cruel manner! My night is complete.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
Awesome. Sounds like fun.
"Go ahead and overachieve, you scrappy Brett-Favre-colored walk-takers." —Rev Halofan
Wow, we're actually good...
Look like AL West winners to me, just as I predicted! ;-)
"I’m actually a disgrace to myself right now." - Sean Gallagher (quoting me after a night out on the town)
someday
Dallas may be featured in that highest of honors that can be bestowed upon a southpaw with a screw loose: an Eccentric Lefty Joke, the kind that usually begin with Bill the Spaceman Lee and Rube Waddell on the bus with Barry Zito.
Hey, I just bought the team from Lew Wolff... who wants to play third?
dammit why can't I reply to the right comments?
that was for Nico above but I must have smoked crack again because it ended up here.
Hey, I just bought the team from Lew Wolff... who wants to play third?
by emperor nobody on Jun 5, 2009 9:54 PM PDT up reply actions
In moderation
crack is still not understandable :-0
These ain't your father's A's.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 5, 2009 9:56 PM PDT up reply actions
I dunno....
He doesn’t fit the mold. Kind of violent.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
that was great!
blinky just spoke on air without knowing it on postgame show. Said 50% of people don’t care about the concert tomorrow and 50% do… only 2 people voted.
Stright Outa Stockton SOS!!
Hell of an outing by Dallas. hes pich great and A’s are playing good ball. Holliday’s stock just went up with that 3 run bomb. first 4 game win streak all year, its all good in Town to night. GO A’s!!!
Holliday's ball
was headed for the BART station when it ran into Mt. Davis there.
Braden just said on the radio that Holliday broke one of the suite windows in center field during BP today, dunno if he was serious but he sounded like he was.
Hey, I just bought the team from Lew Wolff... who wants to play third?
by emperor nobody on Jun 5, 2009 10:00 PM PDT up reply actions
Crazy muthaf***a named Braden.
Sing it NWA Nina Gordon….
Interleague Play: Celebrating Thirteen Seasons of Suck
by GreenNGoldSooner on Jun 5, 2009 10:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Hey Jack
You’re a lousy fucking softball player but seem to do okay when hitting a baseball.
These ain't your father's A's.
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jun 5, 2009 10:05 PM PDT reply actions
Shall we keep them?
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 DL springer
call up Hrod, who’s control is improved and doing well in AAA. who doesnt want to see 100mph fastballs
I want to see 100 mph fastballs...
the rookies are already competing against each other. Think what they’d do if they had to compete with 100 mph fastballs. No team would hit us!!!
"I’m actually a disgrace to myself right now." - Sean Gallagher (quoting me after a night out on the town)
by FoolshGame22 on Jun 5, 2009 10:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Don't agree
When H-Rod, Demel, Banacka, Carignan, Gray, whoever…can throw 30 IP at Sacramento while walking less than 2/9, they can come up to Oakland. Until then, they can learn control…and we can get by with Springer, Reineke, Cameron, whoever…
In other news, Suzuki's hitting streak for the M's is over.
Went 0-4 with a walk against the Twinkies tonight.
"If Vin Mazzaro comes anywhere near me with shaving cream he’s gonna be coming away with a bloody stump" – Dallas Braden
how 'bout Miggy's hitting streak?
Still intact? One of Beane’s worst calls ever, by the way.
"I’m actually a disgrace to myself right now." - Sean Gallagher (quoting me after a night out on the town)
by FoolshGame22 on Jun 5, 2009 10:32 PM PDT up reply actions
I wanted them to bring Miggy back this year
Houston was trying to unload him as a salary dump and I think he would have been a great addition, both for his right-handed hitting on the left side of the infield and for his energy and spirit – something the team sorely lacked for two months.
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
yeah, one might think that was kind of a no-brainer...
I have no inside knowledge to prove it, but I still think Beane has his “biases.” Once he dumps a player, he knows he’s right about it and there is no looking back.
Miggy would have been a MUCH better addition to this team this year than Nomar, but… Beane just couldn’t look beyond his own… ego?
"I’m actually a disgrace to myself right now." - Sean Gallagher (quoting me after a night out on the town)
by FoolshGame22 on Jun 5, 2009 10:40 PM PDT up reply actions
I think some of it had to do with potential legal troubles
that the A’s might have thought could impact this season. That’s my recollection, anyway.
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
I don''t think so
his trouble with the law always looked very minor.
My guess is the price was too high.
I would bet the house
That Miggy despite legal troubles would play more games than Nomar and Chavez combined.
I’d have made that bet in the spring.
They're called RUNS for a reason.
I think
it had more to do with the $13 million Tejada is due this year along with the prospects it would have taken to acquire him. Nomar for a million bucks is a relatively low risk gamble. Tejada for $13 million and someone like Josh Donaldson? I’ll pass.
"May our feet be swift. May our bats be mighty. And may our balls be...plentiful."
by nothinlikethetown on Jun 6, 2009 2:05 AM PDT up reply actions
How about Crosby and his $5.25million
for Tejada and his $13million? The Astros were just trying to dump his contact and needed a SS if they traded him.
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
If that's all it would've taken I doubt Miggy would still be an Astro
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
So i think Longworth is an upgrade over Sire
much better interviews.
Sire would be perfect if we were selling jeans
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
I just got back from the game
A couple of eyeball notes from sitting in the yard:
-Braden was fearless. He challenged every single hitter and didn’t junkball anybody. His changeup was devastating and made the O’s look positively silly on some of their swings. Luke Scott’s HR was the only mistake – that was a no doubter.
-Cust’s HR might have gone higher in the air at its height than it went for distance out of the yard. Everybody at the stadium stood up as soon as it was off the bat and had to wait and wait and wait and wait for it to come back down. Adam Jones was able to get ready and wait for it at the wall. Amazing moonshot
-I’ve never seen a ball hit so hard as the one Holliday took out. It hit about 10 feet below the windows in the CF suites, and it might have still been going up.
-Rajai Davis’ shuffle-run in CF reminds me of Dan Johnson’s crab walk.
"Fearlessness" actually is a pitching quality
Braden challenges in the strike zone early and often, Eveland doesn’t. Braden isn’t daunted by someone hitting him hard; Eveland is. Braden pitches to succeed; Eveland pitches not to fail.
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
I knew it was going to be that type of game when he struck out Adam Jones in the first on a 91 mph fastball
A less ballsy pitcher would have gotten 2 strikes on Jones and then started throwing junk hoping for a swing out of the zone. Braden came right at him and blew him away.
His K of Huff to end the 1st was an absolutely obscene changeup. It absolutely disappeared.
Braden is hardcore...
I’ve liked him ever since I learned he threw the scroogie back in his minor league days. He’s definitely got a scroogie loose. Great interview. Radinich will be fawning all over him, if his masters at KNBR ever allow him an on-air interview.
"I’m actually a disgrace to myself right now." - Sean Gallagher (quoting me after a night out on the town)
by FoolshGame22 on Jun 5, 2009 10:45 PM PDT up reply actions
Only 7 games under .500!
(This countdown thing appears to be working just as I had planned.)
1. That was a fun game. I’m still not quite sure what I witnessed in the bottom of the 1st… I believe it was a massacre of sorts, but I’ll need to review the tape to be sure.
2. I would have preferred a shutout, but hey, a girl can’t have everything.
3. I want to see Dallas’s postgame interview. That guy is awesome.
4. Did we know Holliday has an official blog?
5. Okay, I think that’s all for now. G’night.
There goes my comment
But Holliday’s blog must be new? And of course, it’s filled with the same old dribble most of these so called blogs have. I wish Dallas Braden had a blog.
"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 6, 2009 8:39 AM PDT up reply actions
I'm drawing a blank on that one.
But it’ll come to me eventually. Wait! It’s on the tip of my tongue.
Never mind, it was just a Cheeze-It crumb.
I'm here to talk about the past.
Billy Koch?
"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 6, 2009 1:52 PM PDT up reply actions
GYMNASTICS!!!!
Sorry, had a soccer game.
(we lost.)
(I scored 3 goals in 6 minutes)
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
and, you still lost?
"I’m actually a disgrace to myself right now." - Sean Gallagher (quoting me after a night out on the town)
by FoolshGame22 on Jun 5, 2009 10:46 PM PDT up reply actions
9-4.
It wasn’t pretty
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
That's....I mean....well....
That doesn’t sound like a soccer game. Are you sure it wasn’t kickball? I don’t know if I’ve ever heard of such a high-powered offense in a soccer game.
Either way, I’m sorry to hear it.
In God We Trust....All Others Must Show Data
I think Guthrie was hiding an injury coming into today's game
I was in section 107 and got to see him warm-up up close. He never looked comfortable, loose or fluid. I figured it was just my imagination, but the results certainly suggest it’s possible.
Only thing is, he was throwing hard
Could be mechanical, and that as a result he has lost the sinking movement he relies on so heavily.
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 interview
The word fearless is said alot about way he pitches but the way he handles the interview is like a 10 year vet. The way he handles himself off the field is not like any 26 year old pitcher. He looks like a leader for the pitching staff. Kind of how Dave Stewart was in the 80’s.
It's been awhile since I've had as much fun at a game
I can’t recall any game that I’ve been to, in recent years or deeper in the past, that’s been as blissfully stress-free as this one was. Granted, I only became a RAF in July of 2007, but it still seems as if when I’m in attendance, the A’s eek out 6-4 wins. Tonight was an exception. A wonderful, and often wondrous, exception. I’m glad that it was.
Some stray thoughts….
- Like CityplANer above, I was incredibly impressed with Braden’s lack of fear out there. It was such a thrill to watch him challenge the Orioles bats and while part of me was worried that the O’s would put a few more runs on the board, I still loved to see him going right after the hitters.
- I may be late to the party with this one, but can we give it up for Curt Young? I was one of Peterson’s biggest fans back in the early part of the decade (he was, after all, the source of my sig line), but I’ve truly grown to appreciate Curt these past few years. His ability to work with Suzuki and the pitchers in formulating game plans is paying some pretty nice dividends these days. And let’s not forget that last year, when we did have Eveland for a full year (to say nothing of Smith), the guys still had the fifth best ERA in the American League. All told, I’m inclined to give Curt a lot of credit for these past few days.
- CityPlANer was also quite right about Cust’s homer. That ball hung up forever, but man was it fun to watch it fly. It was classic Cust (if a guy in his third season of regular playing time can have classic attached to any of his feats).
- Does anyone else think that while Rajai looks wretched coming in on balls, that he’s damn smooth going from side to side? I don’t have Comcast so my impressions are admittedly limited to what I see in person. Nevertheless, I never worried about him at all when the ball was smoked to his left or his right tonight. I did, however, groan when he seemed to misplay Roberts’s single in the first.
- LongTimeFan and SkiGurl are good company. To say nothing of Gigglingone. But you all probably knew that already.
All told, it was a great night. Here’s to many more over the next few months.
In God We Trust....All Others Must Show Data
didn't Luke Scott's homer look preposterously effortless, though?
I mean, Holliday heaved his a long way, but Scott’s was just a flick of the wrists.
Also, pretty impressed by the Orioles SS Andino
Yes, it was a damn pretty swing
It didn’t look like he manhandled the ball. It looked like he squared it up perfectly and let the ball do the work for him. He just got all of that pitch, 100% of it.
Mazzaro World: where the A's are awesome
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 5, 2009 11:46 PM PDT reply actions
That sounds like an AIM nick for The Dugout.
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
Just read Holliday's blog
He seems like exactly the kind of guy you’d want to sign an extension for. Probably won’t happen though.
I’d say this rotation is as exciting as any I’ve ever seen with the A’s from front to back. Some more positional players and this could be a consistent playoff team again.
RIVER CATS: AAA CHAMPS!
...Holliday has a blog?
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 6, 2009 12:19 AM PDT up reply actions
probably?
Unless we win the WS I’d say the chances sit at zero percent.
by yo on Jun 6, 2009 2:13 AM PDT up reply actions
agreed...
if Beane were able to sign Holliday, I would give his boy (Geren) another chance to do his thing and wipe the slate clean!
I would not tolerate re-signing Crosby.
"Where's the beef?"
I wouldn't brake if I saw Geren crossing the street,
let alone wipe his slate clean…
This club is winning in spite of Geren, not because of him…
"Ascending the pop charts in Belgium, everyone loves Quality Jones. He's got a falsetto voice, and pants full of dirty socks"- The Reverend Billy Lard, from '(Get To Know) Quality Jones'
by Gaijin_Suketto on Jun 6, 2009 8:16 AM PDT up reply actions
Braden looks like a true #3 ;
lets hope he keeps improving…
Do we dare send Anderson and Cahill down to gain another year of control with their contracts? I don’t really understand how their contracts work.
If anyone can explain to me how the A’s control their prospects contract, I would greatly appreciate it.
"Where's the beef?"
not 100% positive
But even if you send them down now, you won’t save any amount of control on their contracts. We started their clocks when they broke with us to start opening day, I believe…
No, I think the issue is the number of days on the 25-man roster
If each of them were to spend a month or so in the minors this year I think he’d lose a year of arbi eligibility.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
Curt Young
Give the guy his due. Last year he took spare parts Smith and Eveland and made them into OK pitchers this year he is given raw talent and building them into starters. Face it Braden was never considered more than a 5th starter but is now a solid #3.
Agree
And I think we also owe some credit to the A’s organization philosophy regarding young SPs. I know a lot complain on here when a guy like Outman is taken out after 6 great innings and 95 pitches, but I think we really do a good job of giving guys positives to build on and keeping them out of real high pressure situations.
It’s just a little confusing that we can’t get Gallagher going…and with Mazzaro up, I’m wondering if Gallagher and Gio ever get another significant chance.
Solid points all around...
You have to wonder about the futures of Gio, Gallagher, and Eveland?
"Where's the beef?"
He's a solid 3 through 1/3 of the season....
let’s not get too excited yet.
"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra
No, he's a solid #2 through 1/3 of the season
In what way hasn’t he at least been 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
To me
There isn’t much difference between 2 and 3. Neither guy is your ace, but both a 2 and a 3 are expected to give the team a chance to win every game out, and be able to flat out win a game for you once in awhile.
I feel like as pitchers go, you’ve got your #1s, then 2/3’s, then 4/5s…
Yes, I'll agree with you on that...
he’s been a solid #2 so far.
My point isn’t that he’s going to fall off the face of the earth or anything. BUT… I am saying that it would be pretty remarkable and pretty lucky for him to be a #2 for a whole year.
"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra
I agree that he won't sustain the ERA, but
if he continues to get deep into games, consistently going 6-7 IP, often allowing 2-3 ER and rarely allowing more than 4 ER, it’s not a stretch to think he could be considered a #2.
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's a number two on grit alone. Not to mention scrappiness.
"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 6, 2009 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions
And he has Pepe.
Inherent advantage there.
Nico: Okay. We have twelve hours to make a really big pickle.
I can't argue with that...
he looks like he’s actually pitching with a purpose. He’s obviously focused. He has a plan. Right now he’s executing. He’s been much more than anyone thought.
If he has become a legitimate 3.75-4.00 ERA type of guy, the A’s will be much more successful in the near future.
"I'm not going to buy my kids an encyclopedia. Let them walk to school like I did." -Yogi Berra
Hats off
to these boys who broke a 4 game friday night losing streak… Maybe we’re getting close to prime-time. With June here, I guess it’s time to stop procrastinating and get to work. Well, they have a four game losing streak going on Saturdays, too. So, here’s to ending that streak as well tonight. GO A’s!!!!
Optimistic...
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Athletics Nation
Related FanShots on Athletics Nation
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Baseball Nation Recent Stories
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Get a grip: Reds’ Todd Frazier loses bat, still connects for home run (Video)
- Eric Hosmer redefines the Baltimore chop with infield double (Video)
- College player makes impossible over the fence catch to save tournament game (Video)
- Security!: Camden Yards guard collides with Royals’ Mike Moustakas
- The Juice: Nelson Cruz matches career high eight RBIs, Pujols stays hot in Seattle
