A's Offense Can't Solve Chamberlain; Lose 8-3

by baseballgirl on Jul 24, 2009 7:24 PM PDT

Buy tickets to AN Day - August 22!

Well, it looks like taking Holliday out of the lineup did not, in fact, improve the A’s offense. (In case anyone cares, he has 3 hits and a stolen base in his Cardinals’ debut so far.) The extent of tonight’s offense was this: Orlando Cabrera doubled in the first inning and stole third; doing everything he could to put the A’s on the board. Hairston obliged with the sacrifice fly and the A’s had the early 1-0 lead. That would be the only run they would score against Chamberlain. They would pick up two garbage runs in the ninth on a double by Suzuki and a wild pitch, ultimately losing the game 8-3.

Anderson started the game in the most promising of ways; he struck out the side in the first. He breezed through the second inning as well, but ran into trouble in the third. After Cano singled to start the inning, Swisher popped up, and Melky Cabrera doubled to put runners at second and third. Jeter singed in the tying run and Damon knocked the second run in on a ground out, putting the Yankees ahead 2-1.

Anderson had no trouble at all in the fourth inning, and the A’s best scoring chance followed soon after. With one out in the fifth, Sweeney and Barton both reached on walks and were advanced to second and third on a wild pitch. The A’s had a chance to at least tie the game, but both Mark Ellis and Eric Patterson struck out to end the threat. The A’s would put two more runners on in the eighth down 4-1, but were unable to score. By the time the runs came in the ninth, the game was over.

Anderson pitched into the seventh, allowing two more runs (giving him 4ER total), but I thought he looked fairly sharp and pitched much better than his line will show. He was the victim of a hitters’ park, a great opposing lineup, and some defensive miscues; Hairston lost a ball in the lights. Springer followed Anderson to get out of the seventh, but the blowup belonged to Breslow and Casilla, who allowed four more runs to score in their inning.

All in all, it was a boring loss. There isn’t much else to say.

I do have one last question. I know he does it all the time, but how in the world can a major leaguer in an 8-1 game, stand at the plate and take a thigh-high fastball right down the center of the plate? Jack Cust needs to swing the bat.

We do it again tomorrow; 10:00AM! I bet you can’t wait.

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Comments

For those who missed seeing the game,

Anderson pitched a lot better than his line — 4 infield hits, two chopped off the plate. He’s a real bright spot in a torturous season.

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 Jul 24, 2009 7:28 PM PDT reply actions

Absolutely....I was trying to say that. he did pitch well.

"Bobby Crosby at third is a bit of an adventure. And not like, here’s some hidden treasure, what fun. More like, gah! poison ants!" --alea iacta est

by baseballgirl on Jul 24, 2009 7:29 PM PDT up reply actions

+1

and against this offense it’s no small feat. once he left the flood gates completely opened.

by RollingWave on Jul 24, 2009 7:30 PM PDT up reply actions

And the double that Hairston lost

Anderson is a good one.

I would take away about 6 hits there that could have been outs

My favorite team is a fucking embarrassment to all true A's fans and they make me sick to my stomach on an almost daily fucking basis. But being a true fan, I will ride this pathetic bunch of losers out and hope that they get better in 2010

by Trainman on Jul 24, 2009 7:40 PM PDT up reply actions

any more excuses you wanna throw out there

by granja on Jul 24, 2009 7:48 PM PDT up reply actions

....

I ran out of gas. I, I had a flat tire. I didn’t have enough money for cab fare. My tux didn’t come back from the cleaners. An old friend came in from out of town. Someone stole my car. There was an earthquake. A terrible flood. Locusts. IT WASN’T MY FAULT, I SWEAR TO GOD.

…and now I may go back to my old avatar….

A real Poppy Palace would have a lot more chocolate, and a moat with otters. -Poppy

by Leopold Bloom on Jul 24, 2009 9:54 PM PDT up reply actions

if i were carrie fisher...

by Future Ed on Jul 25, 2009 8:55 AM PDT up reply actions

She told me she was 18.

"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."

by mikev on Jul 25, 2009 8:11 AM PDT up reply actions

yeah

seemed like the 4 runs they got off him were “small ball” type runs. Would have only been 3 runs if Hairston actually caught that A-Rod double instead of getting all scurred!

Sugar ... water .... and, of course, purple.

by Dub_TC on Jul 25, 2009 6:50 AM PDT up reply actions

Hey this is my 1,000 comment

Do I get a prize?

by sirbed on Jul 24, 2009 7:54 PM PDT reply actions

No.

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 24, 2009 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Aw shucks I was hoping for something shiny

by sirbed on Jul 24, 2009 10:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Okay.

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 24, 2009 11:55 PM PDT up reply actions

Ooo shiny thanks RRS

by sirbed on Jul 25, 2009 9:52 AM PDT up reply actions

Wow

Something to really brag about, must not have a life!!!!

by granja on Jul 24, 2009 7:56 PM PDT reply actions

on top of that an A's fan, thats the problem

by granja on Jul 24, 2009 7:56 PM PDT reply actions

I’m confused as to whom you’re talking to.

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 24, 2009 8:00 PM PDT up reply actions

I think that makes two of you.

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 Jul 24, 2009 8:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Great, now I’m really confused.

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 24, 2009 8:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Cust's strikeout

I’m in NY. The Yankees broadcaster (don’t know who it is) said that the only way Cust could’ve froze in that 8th inning strike out is if he was too busy guessing the pitch…fastball, curve, slider….He’s so busy trying to guess what the pitch is that if he’s wrong, he can’t do anything about it, and the pitch could well be a strike down the middle. The guy said there’s really no other explanation for the freeze.

I guess someone who has played the game at the minor league or major league level can say if this explanation makes any sense.

by richwol1 on Jul 24, 2009 8:19 PM PDT reply actions

it was

probably Paul O’Neil, though it could have been Al Leiter too.

by RollingWave on Jul 24, 2009 9:57 PM PDT up reply actions

It was Paul O’Neill.

He may have just been expecting a breaking ball. If he looked fastball all the time (as O’Neill suggested) I’d wager he’d strike out even more often.

Baseball isn't magic.

by rebus on Jul 24, 2009 11:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Who cares if we lost we got WALLACE

THUNDER THIGHS

HILLIS

by robbo650 on Jul 24, 2009 8:22 PM PDT reply actions

Yeah, Holliday had 4 hits

Don’t let the door hit you on the way out

"Bobby Crosby at third is a bit of an adventure. And not like, here’s some hidden treasure, what fun. More like, gah! poison ants!" --alea iacta est

by baseballgirl on Jul 24, 2009 8:28 PM PDT reply actions

He was fun to watch at the ballpark

But we cant afford him, at least we got a return on a rental for him

by hishnik on Jul 24, 2009 8:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Freaking National League player

Grrr.

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 Jul 24, 2009 8:50 PM PDT up reply actions

I beg to differ

But we cant afford him

We payed Holliday 13.5 million(actually less because we traded him. We also have Cabrera 4-5 million(right), Giambi 4-5 million and Nomar-about 3 million coming off the books. Put that together and it is about 21 million coming off the books after this season. I’m not saying we should sign him but we could if we really really wanted to.

HILLIS

by robbo650 on Jul 24, 2009 8:47 PM PDT reply actions

/response to hishnik

HILLIS

by robbo650 on Jul 24, 2009 8:48 PM PDT up reply actions

It would be somewhat awesome, in an alternate universe

where they actually wanted each other, for the A’s to turn around in the off-season and sign Holliday. You never see 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

by Nico on Jul 24, 2009 8:51 PM PDT up reply actions

They could feasibly do it

And that would be sooo cool if they did and 7 year 140 Million contract by the A’s… That would set an A’s record by ALOT.

HILLIS

by robbo650 on Jul 24, 2009 8:53 PM PDT up reply actions

But what about the supporting cast?

I’ve seen the Matt Holliday incarnation of the A’s. I wasn’t impressed.

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

by alox on Jul 24, 2009 8:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Just for fun/aggravation:

Weeks – 2B
Cardenas – 3B
Carter – DH
Holliday – LF
Wallace – 1B
Hairston – CF
Suzuki – C
Doolittle – RF
Someonecool – SS

Ruling the world in 2011.

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 Jul 24, 2009 8:58 PM PDT up reply actions

what happened

To cust in your lineup Nico?

by hishnik on Jul 24, 2009 9:01 PM PDT up reply actions

I think he left him out on purpose

by Trainman on Jul 24, 2009 9:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Looks Like Nico expects Carter to take over Cust's duties

as a DH

by Trainman on Jul 24, 2009 9:03 PM PDT up reply actions

Am I in the minority

Who thinks Cust has something to off the next few years???

by hishnik on Jul 24, 2009 9:04 PM PDT up reply actions

no, me too

whether he’s still around in 2011 is another question, I guess.

I’d imagine he’ll be the Short Stop.

by bobnothing on Jul 24, 2009 9:12 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm not anti-Cust, but by 2011

he’ll be 32 and he won’t be as dirt-cheap as he is now. I think if Carter progresses, he’ll simply edge Cust out of a job.

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 Jul 24, 2009 9:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Senator I'd like to go on record

I am Anti-Cust. Thank you for your time.

by sirbed on Jul 24, 2009 10:30 PM PDT up reply actions

I think by 2011, he's not on the A's

He’ll be passed up at DH by Carter, most likely, and by 2011 the A’s had better not have a team that is tempted to let him play the OF.

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 Jul 24, 2009 9:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Get it done Billy

He is hitting .800 wearin #15 this year… so change his # to 15

HILLIS

by robbo650 on Jul 24, 2009 9:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Didn

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

by Nick on Jul 25, 2009 9:42 AM PDT up reply actions

Sorry -- didn't the A's re-sign Rickey the offseason after trading him to the Blue Jays for Steve Karsay?

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

by Nick on Jul 25, 2009 9:44 AM PDT up reply actions

Yes, they did.

A real Poppy Palace would have a lot more chocolate, and a moat with otters. -Poppy

by Leopold Bloom on Jul 25, 2009 10:38 AM PDT up reply actions

you could afford him

but he’s not going to be the best bang for the buck FA ever.

by RollingWave on Jul 24, 2009 9:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Love checking in on the game from my phone tonight,

seeing Matt Holliday tearing it up for the Cards and the anemic A’s losing in NYC.

I’m glad we traded Holliday, and I’m we got Brett Wallace (plus), but MAN the rest of this season is going to be tough to stomach.

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

by pam5981 on Jul 24, 2009 9:47 PM PDT reply actions

we've officially thrown in the towel

but I’m feeling better too now that we have someone who can replace Chavez

Roy Steele is the voice of God

by cuppingmaster on Jul 24, 2009 9:52 PM PDT up reply actions

On all of these projections for the 2011 lineup, Wallace is playing first base.

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 24, 2009 9:54 PM PDT up reply actions

which could indeed be the case

but assuming chavez is chronically unavailable, 3B is a more immediate need. The cards aren’t exactly down on his defense either, they just know he’s not Brooks Robinson (or even Chavez) down there. AK was an absolute steal, but he won’t be here forever

Roy Steele is the voice of God

by cuppingmaster on Jul 24, 2009 9:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Wallace is more of a Kevin James type at 3B

by sirbed on Jul 24, 2009 10:34 PM PDT up reply actions

I want to see a few more trades go down by next Friday.

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

by pam5981 on Jul 24, 2009 9:56 PM PDT up reply actions

SS wondered aloud about Wuertz

you think him too?

Roy Steele is the voice of God

by cuppingmaster on Jul 24, 2009 9:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Wuertz has the demand going on him

Billy might fleece someone for a B prospect.

Cabrera is also gone, I’m guessing. That’ll be the end of the deadline I’ll wager.

Though don’t count us out in a threeway, we might edge our way in there.

"I feel like we are sending Danny Haren for Mulder all over again."
- Cardinal fan on the Matt Holliday trade

by Orodawg on Jul 24, 2009 10:59 PM PDT up reply actions

TWSS

"Gratuitous gesticulating together sounds even better"

by OmahaHi on Jul 25, 2009 1:01 AM PDT up reply actions

Julio Lugo hit a triple and hit a home run.

Ryan Ludwick continues to stay hot with a 2-for-5 night.

Rick Ankiel had three hits tonight. If he and/or DeRosa gets it going, wow.

The Ultimate Opportunist

by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 24, 2009 9:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Cardinals will be a fun team to watch

Just depressing that Holliday couldn’t turn it on for us.

"I feel like we are sending Danny Haren for Mulder all over again."
- Cardinal fan on the Matt Holliday trade

by Orodawg on Jul 24, 2009 11:07 PM PDT up reply actions

It wouldn't have mattered much with the way the rest of the team was/is playing.

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

by pam5981 on Jul 24, 2009 11:38 PM PDT up reply actions

And with all the injuries

Once Duke, Devine and Chavez (and then Outman) were lost for nearly the whole season, it wasn’t going to matter much what Holliday did.

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

by Nick on Jul 25, 2009 9:46 AM PDT up reply actions

he did turn it on for [the A's]

by Future Ed on Jul 25, 2009 9:02 AM PDT up reply actions

I agree totally. Posting/checking from the phone is indeed a blast.

Last time I was at a game though – I was bit distracted b/c I wanted to see what ANers were posting about the game I was watching!! Gotta love this community!!

If a woman has to choose between catching a fly ball and saving an infant's life, she will choose to save the infant's life without even considering if there are men on base. ~Dave Barry

by BERRYJO on Jul 25, 2009 12:14 AM PDT up reply actions

Tommorow's game is big

Gio Gonzalez needs to start proving he can perform at the major league level. I’d feel a whole lot better about our rotation going into next year if he reaches at least some of his potential.

Jack "The Must, Just has no Rust, ain't no Bust, after him the ladies Lust, turns pitchers into Dust, likes his pizza with no Crust" Cust

by FrankCohen on Jul 24, 2009 10:31 PM PDT reply actions