Papi Delivers; Sox Escape with 8-5 Win
by 67MARQUEZ on Jul 30, 2009 2:07 PM PDT
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PrintLong flight home indeed, Nico.
Just when it looked as if the A's might leave Fenway with a most impressive series win, reality checked into the game. David Ortiz struck the big blow, a 3-run homerun in the seventh, and the A's missed a chance to return to Oakland with a 4-4 record at the home parks of the beasts of the American League East.
Gio Gonzalez who wiggled in and out of trouble (the "in" part courtesy of 4 walks, the "out" part thanks to 8 strikeouts), could not produce a shutdown inning after being staked to a 4-1 lead in the sixth, and an overused bullpen was no match for Boston's robust lineup.
The A's were held in check by Jon Lester through five, and trailed 1-0 before breaking through with four runs. Tommy Everidge hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly to drive home the first run, and Bobby Crosby and Rajai Davis joined the party with RBI-hits to send Lester to the showers.
Boston chased Gonzalez in the aforementioned bottom-of-the-sixth with a pair of runs to make it 4-3, then forged ahead after the stretch, this after an Everidge run-scoring single increased the A's lead by one. Michael Wuertz walked Jason Ellsbury to start the inning, which is usually a bad thing, but he was quickly erased on a 4-6-3 double play off the bat of Dustin Pedroia.
Then it happened. Jack Cust misplayed a Kevin Youkilis fly ball into a double, and Jason Bay walked. Exit Wuertz, enter Craig Breslow. Enter Papi, exit ball.
For kicks the Sox added two runs in the eighth off Santiago Casilla, and there would be no ninth-inning tease on this day.
Tough one to lose.
Well at least we don't have to go back to work. Oh wait.
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I realy dont like Cust this year.
"Their Triple-A rotation, led by Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson, could be better than some big-league rotations; Michael Ynoa is the best Latin American prospect of the decade; 2008 draftees Jemile Weeks and Rashun Dixon bring much-needed tools to an advanced group of hitters." - BaseballProspectus.com
postives?
Gio pitching a pretty solid game.
some good offense and some solid defense…except for the play that opened the door to a Sux win.
Rajai looking pretty good
On the telecast they were talking about Rajai talking to Rickey Henderson and experiencing the HOP induction. I think it rubbed off on him, especially with his aggressiveness on the basepaths. It begs the question why Rickey isn’t standing off the basepaths instead of Gallardo.
Green and Gold Lantern Corps
by oaklandSMASH on Jul 30, 2009 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Hall of Pfame.
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 think they gotta let anyone into the IHOP.
A real Poppy Palace would have a lot more chocolate, and a moat with otters. -Poppy
by Leopold Bloom on Jul 30, 2009 3:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Didn't the UN put IHOP Sanctions on Iran?
They don’t want Iran using blueberry syrup as a weapon of mass stickiness.
Not anyone....
Oh wait. That’s Denny’s.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
HOF and Gallego
Thanks a lot, typo nazi! :p
(grumble, grumble, grumble) :)
Green and Gold Lantern Corps
by oaklandSMASH on Jul 30, 2009 5:39 PM PDT up reply actions
and...um...if you want to coach base stealing
it would probably make more sense to coach first base, not third base (as Gallego does)
(By the way, “Gallardo” is a real name…I have friends with that last name)
I'd just appreciate Rickey as A coach
I’ll take what I can get
Green and Gold Lantern Corps
by oaklandSMASH on Jul 30, 2009 5:59 PM PDT up reply actions
Rajai could be so fun to watch
It’s been way too long since I’ve seen one of our players put pressure on a pitcher b/c of speed. Now if he could just keep putting the ball in play…
Wait'll you see Corey Wimberly
You’ll go head over heels for this guy. Well, one of you will 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
Context, please
Not sure how you can write this summary without reference to the biggest story in the sport today— namely that Ramirez and Ortiz were both on the list of 104 positive testers from 2003. The fact that Ortiz hits a game winning home run later that same day is somewhat relevant, IMHO.
Better than the Chronicle's summary
which doesn’t even mention Cust’s misplay………
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/07/30/SP2K191IJ0.DTL
Im blaming Nomar.
For even being on the team. Not allowing Cust to DH.
"Their Triple-A rotation, led by Trevor Cahill and Brett Anderson, could be better than some big-league rotations; Michael Ynoa is the best Latin American prospect of the decade; 2008 draftees Jemile Weeks and Rashun Dixon bring much-needed tools to an advanced group of hitters." - BaseballProspectus.com
Agreed.
After he got that first ovation on the previous trip to Fenway would’ve been the perfect time to say “thanks, and see ya.”
The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus
by The Dogfather on Jul 30, 2009 2:36 PM PDT up reply actions
Well I would rather keep using guys like Nomar at DH than Cust.
Cust should be a platoon DH with a veteran. I think we should bring in a solid veteran to DH (however, they need to be able to play some in the field)
Thomas, Piazza could only be a DH. and now Nomar due to injury. I actually thought Sweeney was a good fit as he could go into the field and allow Cust to DH but got hurt.
I would actually rather have Buck or Cunningham on the team than Cust.
by Yellowhorse on Jul 30, 2009 11:11 PM PDT up reply actions
This proves it
Well I guess David Ortiz proves cheaters never prosper, oh wait. I didn’t get to listen to the game but I am curious what kind of reaction did Ortiz get his first time up? I wonder how many more names are on that list and I guess this blows a hole in the Mitchell Report not having any Red Sox in it.
Would have been great to win the series but a split isn’t bad at Fenway.
They gave him cheers.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 30, 2009 2:28 PM PDT up reply actions
The Giants will always cheer for Bonds
Same with Ortiz and the Sox, I suppose
Green and Gold Lantern Corps
by oaklandSMASH on Jul 30, 2009 2:30 PM PDT up reply actions
As would we if Ortiz hit a HR to give the A's the lead in the middle of a pennant race
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
And as we all did when Giamsorri came back.
The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus
by The Dogfather on Jul 30, 2009 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions
Good teams are involved in those.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 30, 2009 2:42 PM PDT up reply actions
You saw one today.
They were wearing red.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
To be fair, they were mostly wearing white.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 30, 2009 2:47 PM PDT up reply actions
I actually thought the A's played well this trip
3-5, yes, but in two of the very toughest places to win on the road, in almost every game, hitting, running, scrapping. No complaints here — just disappointment five times having to lose to entitled, rich crap.
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
Well, they played basically as well as they could have for a team with as much talent as they have.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 30, 2009 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions
I agree.
This loss was a little tough to take though. But still, all things considered, I’m happier with the team, post Holliday, than I thought I would be at this point. If Cust makes that catch, we win.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
I am not convince if cust makes the play the a's win
someone had to pitch the 8th and 9th. Its Casilla or Gonzalez. I like the odds for the red socks scoring at least one.
We'll never know.
But they would have had a three run lead at the end of the inning.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
Two run lead. It was 5-3.
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
Oh snap!
You’re right!
Still, the pen was overtaxed, so maybe a two run lead doesn’t hold up.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
That's the rub --
there was no getting around some combination of Springer, Breslow, Casilla for some key innings / outs and that’s hardly “automatic.” At least not in the good way.
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 a big surprise I guess.
Fans like to be loyal to their guys but more and more that Red Sox team in 2004 is looking like a team full of cheats.
Unlike the 1989 --
never mind.
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
Hey all fans are loyal
And there is no question that the steroid stuff was a big part of the 1989 team.
It's hard to win a game where your tired bullpen is asked to throw more than 3 innings
Problem #1) Gio only pitched 5 1/3 innings
Problem #2) Hairston is hurt, during a stretch of 28 consecutive games. If they suspected he was going to hog a roster spot without playing for a week, or close to it, they might have been better served DL’ing him and replacing him with a real outfielder
Problem #3) With Nomar DH’ing, Cust had to play the field, where he really shouldn’t be. EVER.
Problem #4) The bullpen was beyond taxed from the last three games.
Problem #5) Casilla sucks.
"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
Yet another game where it would have been helpful
to have a 2-3 IP reliever (like Saarloos and Kennedy were), instead of Casilla, in the pen. Instead of asking Springer, Wuertz, Breslow, and Casilla to try to manage 2.2 IP, the A’s could have gone to one guy who, if he’s on, gets you to Bailey. As it was, NONE of those guys was especially on in a situation where you really needed all of them to be on in order to protect a small lead.
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
+1
I’m not sure what the fangraphs WinExp says about this game, but today’s bullpen having to hold a 3-run lead in Fenway for 3 2/3 innings wasn’t such a great position to be in — even if Cust had made that catch.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
Similar to Braden's start in NY
Yes, the team had a lead but it was a one-run lead with 12 outs left to get. Hardly a “sure thing,” especially when the starter is only good for about 5 IP.
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
Yup
And I think it’s more allowable for Geren to send Braden out for another inning, since he’s older and more experienced (though still young and inexperienced compared to other #1 guys in the league).
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
#3 and #5
You’re dead on baseballgirl about these two problems. I have to wonder why is Casilla still on the team? There has to be someone is Sacramento who could be a better pitcher then this clown. As far as Cust goes I guess I missed a awful play on his part but I’m sure I’ll get to see something worse the next time he plays RF.
defensive replacement
This is my first ever post after being a long time follower. But while watching the game unfold, I wasn’t sure why they used Eric Patterson as the pinch runner. They could have used someone else to pinch run and put Patterson in the game as a defensive replacement. I believe he made an out and the odds were he wasn’t going to come back up again (even though he did).
Or just put Patterson in the field
Teams are, IMO, WAY too reluctant to give up the DH in situations like this. So you pinch hit for the pitcher in the 9th — you were going to go to Bailey anyway. What’s the big deal, compared to playing Jack Cust in the OF for another 1/3 of a game?
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
my thoughts
I said the same thing to a friend, I was watching the game with. Relievers are only going to pitch one inning. Look at Breslow, they took him out with JD Drew leading off the inning. He could have been left in and then go to Casilla if needed.
Cust COULD get a day off
I mean…if Nomar is going to DH, you don’t have to play Cust. He’s just not good enough at the plate to make up for his butchery in the field. Even David Ortiz sometimes gets a day off. Or you put Nomar at first base and sit Everidge. Or you move Everidge to third and sit Crosby and take that chance.
Jack Cust DOES NOT have to play every day. repeat
Jack Cust DOES NOT have to play every day. repeat
Jack Cust DOES NOT have to play every day.
I hate Geren.
I think Nomar is a better all around hitter than Cust
We are still trying to win games and Nomar is getting paid. Lastly. While Nomar does not appear to be part of the team’s future I am not so sure Cust is either.
by Yellowhorse on Jul 30, 2009 11:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Hmm...Cust offers about .050 points higher OBP
and more power, plus he can run the bases without risking injury every time he pushes himself. Not sure how Nomar’s the better hitter of the two at the moment.
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
Cust is part of the near-term future.
Two years, maybe. As soon as a big bat matures in a logjam position, Cust might be the victim.
by LoneStranger on Jul 31, 2009 8:22 AM PDT up reply actions
Bailey should not have come in this game
if the a’s planned on winning. He needs at least one day off.
Wait a second t-long
Your first post and it made sense. That’s not how you do it. My first post was on how Bobby Crosby is the greatest player of his generation and that Bob Geren was going to be a Hall of Fame manager. You need to start slow or people will have high expectations.
this really struck a nerve
I don’t get to watch the A’s on a regular basis (work 3rd shift in Ohio) so when I do get the chance it is very uplifting. This move or lack there of, really struck a nerve and decided to finally post. I get most of my information about the games from this site.
3rd shift
been there done that while working during my 9 years in college. Hated it as I was always tired.
Hah!
I worked nights for 19 consecutive years. I’d go back in a second if I could.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
And for some reason....
you view that as problematic?
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
You may be on to something alox
A class without students. It would give me time to put towards my true passion playing the tuba in a rap fusion band.
and I thought I didn't like you,
but you totally understand that tuba is the most undervalued/underrated instrument in hip-hop.
I’m going to have to re-evalutate now…
"Flea Markets aren't just for blind dates anymore!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Jul 30, 2009 4:24 PM PDT up reply actions
I believe they call that Skrap.
Part Ska, Part Rap.
by LoneStranger on Jul 30, 2009 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Cool....
Hey maybe you can join the band. Where going for the true street flavor that you can only get in the foothills. We’re calling the band the Yuba Tubas.
I think Cunningham would get the call before Buck.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 30, 2009 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions
I’m not doing anything this weekend beginning tomorrow. I’ll gladly take the call for the weekend series.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 30, 2009 3:05 PM PDT up reply actions
No, I can’t track a fly ball.
Maybe I can hold down things at second base or something.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 30, 2009 3:10 PM PDT up reply actions
If you want to play for the new A's
you need to weigh at least 3 bills so can you fit into the 4XL uni?
I’m actually pretty skinny.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 30, 2009 3:14 PM PDT up reply actions
I can’t be worse than Huff and Eugene, right?
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 30, 2009 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Mike Mitchell should be starting.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 30, 2009 3:22 PM PDT up reply actions
All anyone ever says is that he hits hard.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 30, 2009 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions
That's what they say.
I can’t say I saw much Ohio University football to know if that’s true but all we can do is hope for the best.
Just to focus on #1 and #4 for a minute
One reason that the bullpen is so tired is that the A’s haven’t had a day off since the All Star Break. Another reason is that the A’s have the least experienced starting staff anyone’s seen for a generation or so — not just one time through the rotation, but for the entire season. Those young guys are the future of the team, and Geren is rightly reluctant to make them pitch lots of innings.
So Gio only pitching 5 1/3 is a predictable part of the way the team is structured this season, and is not, in and of itself, a bad managerial decision. But if you combine that incredibly young rotation with no days off for a month (and a bullpen with 2 bad pitcher and a closer who’s also a rookie)…well, you’re going to have games like today.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
I hope Duke can come back
and they go to the 6 man rotation for the rest of the season.
"Flea Markets aren't just for blind dates anymore!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Jul 30, 2009 4:25 PM PDT up reply actions
Good points I agree.
However, the horrendous performance of Casilla and Springer are part of the problem as well. I don;t think that the manager trusts to put them in any close game which has resulted in the overwork of Zieg, Wuertz, Bailey and Breslow.
by Yellowhorse on Jul 30, 2009 11:19 PM PDT up reply actions
From someone who saw the game (I couldn't),
how did Gio look, process-wise? Specifically, throwing strikes, using all his pitches, generally being in command?
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 wasn’t paying attention to the specific pitches, but for the most part, he was around the strike zone. A lot of pitches that were called balls could have been called strikes.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 30, 2009 2:53 PM PDT up reply actions
Angel Hernandez, is that 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
I hope not.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 30, 2009 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions
This last crew sure had a strange little strike zone...
"Flea Markets aren't just for blind dates anymore!"- The Reverend Billy Lard
by Gaijin_Suketto on Jul 30, 2009 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions
That’s definitely true, but I’ve got to say that Red Sox fans also have a terrible idea of the strike zone. There were a couple of balls that they groused about that weren’t that close.
I told you that I am Bobby Crosby.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 30, 2009 3:10 PM PDT up reply actions
I dislike the Red Sox quite a bit.
A real Poppy Palace would have a lot more chocolate, and a moat with otters. -Poppy
I like you quite a bit, though.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 30, 2009 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions
Please take that picture down. He doesn't deserve publicity.
McGwire belongs in the Hall so put him there
by streetisclosedin08 on Jul 30, 2009 3:21 PM PDT reply actions
Because he's a piece of crap
McGwire belongs in the Hall so put him there
by streetisclosedin08 on Jul 30, 2009 3:25 PM PDT up reply actions
I think he’s just mad about his speed.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 30, 2009 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Three legged race?
Two of the Molina bros. vs. Powell and Ortiz?
Sadly, I’d have to go with the Molina team.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 30, 2009 3:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Cust
This guy is the second coming of Herman Munster in the OF. Why Geren would have him out there (esp in the later innings) is a mystery to me.
Does anyone else hate Red Sox fans as much as I do? They are the most obnoxious tools in sports.
In fairness to Geren,
I don’t think taking Cust out (especially with Hairston unavailable) was a no-brainer. The right call? Quite arguably, but in a 5-3 game against the Red Sox you’re not going to be too quick to yank your only real power threat from the lineup. For example, Cust did come up in the 9th. Had the score been 6-5 it would have been unfortunate to have to pinch hit for the pitcher at that moment.
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
Cust didn't have to play today
repeat: Cust didn’t have to play today.
Or you bring in a pinch runner for Nomar after his third hit, and then you use Cust as DH after that.
No you can't
You can’t move someone from the field into the DH slot; once the DH (Patterson at that point) goes out into the field, he still hits in that spot in the order (#3 spot in this case) and the pitcher hits in the other spot (Cust’s spot in this case). There’s no way around that if you want Patterson to play in the field.
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
Jesus
I didn’t say that before, and I’m not saying that now.
START THE GAME WITH PATTERSON. Give Cust the day off. After Nomar goes out, bring in Cust as DH. DO NOT PLAY CUST IN THE FIELD.
Why can’t people read what I’m fucking writing?
Maybe because starting Patterson against a tough lefty,
and benching the only real power threat on the team (especially with Hairston out) makes little enough sense that it didn’t occur to me that it’s what you meant.
Yes, they could have done a “go totally for OF defense” lineup, started Patterson, and given Cust the day off — in which case Cust doesn’t bat in the 6th, the A’s may not score at all, and there are no fly balls dropped … unless, of course, Patterson or Sweeney or Rajai lose it in the sun, or unless Sweeney and Rajai collide (like that would ever happen).
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 blunder wasn't Cust's only outfield mistake
A few batters earlier, he nearly bumped into Rajai Davis on another play. I understand starting Patterson against a tough lefty could be problematic, but Cust’s primary weapon is the walk, and Patterson could do that as well.
Putting Cust in the field is too dangerous, even if he is the team’s primary power threat. He’s just not good enough or consistent enough to go out and butcher balls on a regular basis.
The reality, though, is that you don’t play Nomar Garciaparra at all, or you bring him in as a pinch-hitter later in the game, or as a replacement for Cust as DH if the game is out of hand.
I have no problem with that, in that I would have liked
to see a “forced retirement” for Nomar and Giambi a couple months ago. But I do think it’s worth noting that Cust was a big part of the A’s 4-run rally (and no, it would not be fair to assume Patterson would likely have walked there) and that Nomar had 3 hits, so had Oakland gone with a super-ducky defensive lineup they might have just lost differently.
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
on the postgame show
it was mentioned that with nomar injury and pinch running patterson that basically took away their backup for replacing cust at the time
Unless they gave up the DH, which I think would have been smart.
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
or, Ellis could have been used to pinch run for Nomar
and remain in the game as DH (which stil would have given him some rest since he wouldn’t be in the field)…then Patterson could replace Cust in the field…although Patterson hasn’t exactly been known for his glove.
Ah -- I didn't realize a player was still available
I knew Hairston was not available, and that Crosby and Suzuki played, and forgot that there was another player on the bench besides Patterson. Then yes, pinch running Ellis would have made sense too — except for the important fact that Patterson did steal a base which led directly to a run, so he wasn’t just in there to be “faster than Nomar”; he was in to be a base stealing threat, which Ellis isn’t.
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
They didn’t have to use Patterson.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 30, 2009 4:30 PM PDT up reply actions
Who knows if Ellis or Crosby could not have scored that run?
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 30, 2009 9:38 PM PDT up reply actions
Ooh ooh, I do, I do!!!
They wouldn’t have.
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
Here's the thing: Every player who "shouldn't have been in there"
(Nomar, Cust, Patterson) did important things to contribute to the A’s success up to the bottom of the 7th. So as “bad moves” go, it’s hard for me to second-guess Geren for having those guys in the game when he did.
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
It may have taken two hits, but we don’t know for sure if they would not have scored.
I’m not second-guessing anything, but I was just bringing up a point that Patterson did not have to be used to run for Garciaparra.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 30, 2009 9:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Well no, he didn't HAVE to be used to run for Nomar
It’s just that if the plan was to try to score a run, maybe by stealing second and being in position to score on a single, Patterson was probably the better choice.
I mean yes, sure, Nomar could have stood at 1B and Everidge, inspired by Nomar’s “Nomarness,” could have HRed, for all we know. And if I just had some ham, I would have ham and eggs if I had some eggs.
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
Sigh.
I want eggs now.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 30, 2009 9:58 PM PDT up reply actions
If it helps, I've been referred to as over easy.
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’ve been called egotistical because I don’t like losing in video games.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 30, 2009 10:04 PM PDT up reply actions
Over-easy are my favorite style of eggs.
by LoneStranger on Jul 31, 2009 8:26 AM PDT up reply actions
Ha ha -- you misspelled "girls."
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
Question
When do the gates open Saturday? I promised a good friend a Rickey Henderson jersey and I want to be there to get it for him.
I heard 11am.
But if they aren’t, you can always have someone drop you off and you can walk up to get in line.
by LoneStranger on Jul 30, 2009 4:32 PM PDT up reply actions
It's a 6 pm game
I doubt if the gates open at 11 am.
It is a special day, though.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 30, 2009 6:24 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah
But that doesn’t answer the question. I’m going to go rummage through the A’s site.
A's website doesn't say
General information says that gates open 2 hours before game time, which would mean 4:20 pm, but there’s a caveat saying that special games are different. Maybe it’ll be on the website tomorrow. They’re only giving away 10,000 jerseys.
Ahhh... gates to the STADIUM
I misunderstood.. I have been guessing 4:00 or 4:30.
As to the gates to the parking lot, I have heard 11am.
by LoneStranger on Jul 31, 2009 8:28 AM PDT up reply actions
Eh,
Cust dropped a ball. The pen stil had a significant lead, so I don’t think it’s fair to hang the entire loss on Jack. It’s still an aggravating loss to be sure, but we did split the series.
On to Oakland. We get the Yanks one more time at home so maybe we can return the favor for Boston.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
+1
I’d like to blame Cust, but I think the blame really falls on Geren for allowing him to play the OF. It’s been proven, he cannot do it. I like having Nomar start his final Fenway game. Just have Cust start on the bench.
"True fact: In a global thermonuclear war, the only human who would survive would be David Eckstein" -PT
I don't know. When I walk through it, I get that
none of this would have been a problem had Hairston been healthy. Then I look at the fact that Hairston will probably miss a total of 3-4 games but not more, and think that the A’s can’t really afford to DL him over 3-4 games. 6-7, maybe, but I think it’s pretty reasonable to play shorthanded for 3-4 games in order to avoid DLing one of your better (sadly) hitters.
So I don’t blame Beane for the roster decision and don’t blame Geren for being dealt a very poor hand with a 24-man roster.
Bottom line: A fly ball to Cust in the late innings of a tight game, that he loses in the sun, that is followed by a walk and a HR, exactly on one of the few days Hairston is not available? Kinda bad luck, really.
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 booted the ball, which is how Youkilis got to second
Literally - he hit it with his foot.
Maybe the A’s should trade him to a rugby team.
On DLing Hairston
The A’s didn’t hesitate to DL Barton, or Buck earlier this year. I think they’re making a conscious effort to avoid the endless 24-player situations they put themselves through over the last few years.
But each player, and each injury, needs to be evaluated individually. So if they genuinely believe that Hairston will be available tomorrow or Saturday, then keeping him on the active roster is the right move, as you say. It’s a 162-game season, the team isn’t that talented to begin with, they’re in the toughest stretch of a 28-games-in-28-days marathon…sometimes stuff like this will happen.
As you said elsewhere, there was no problem with effort of focus or anything today. They got outplayed.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
And pretty much, whenever your starter only goes 5.1 IP,
you’re going to have to get a couple innings out of relievers who aren’t your best guys. Against Boston’s lineup that can be disastrous — and it pretty much was.
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
It’s too bad Gonzalez didn’t at least finish the sixth inning. He was doing so well and he did finish the day with eight strikeouts. Maybe if the umpire hadn’t of been a bit stingy with the strike zone, he would’ve been able to pitch into the seventh inning.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jul 30, 2009 8:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Gonzalez is high-strung
Geren knew it, which is one of the reasons he had Springer ready to go. Gio has now taken the step of getting out of trouble when he has to. The next step is holding a lead and not tripping out over it.
I keep coming back to the fact that this is the team that Beane built, and it’s a team of mistakes - no veteran innings eater, no decent long reliever, one reliever (Casilla) who should be released immediately, starting the year with too many guys who would have to play DH, not enough quality fielders, etc.
Some of the problems are due to bad luck or simply the odds - Chavez, Giambi and Nomar having health issues; Eveland and Gallagher imploding; Duke, Outman and Devine vanishing. But the construction of the rest of the team has been problematic.
What really sticks in my craw is that these days, his mistakes (Zito, etc) and all, Brian Sabean is moving toward a better track record than Billy Beane.
listened in at work
I’m with you though, alox. Cust’s booting was significant, but I honestly thought the bullpen handling is where we failed. For once (though I suppose it’s been a trend lately), Springer looked solid. Considering the shape of our bullpen, I would have liked to see him go more than 0.2 IP and let Breslow and Wuertz rest if they could. Even after Springer was taken out, Wuertz was more frustrated than bad, and Ortiz isn’t the classic lefty when it comes to hitting lefties. Therefore, I would have left Wuertz in.
All water under the bridge, of course. Forget the Yanks, I’m just happy this east coast run is done. I’m tired of missing games because they start at 4.
"Do I talk to myself? No, I just remind myself of what I'm trying to do. You know, I never answer myself so how can I be talking to myself?" - Rickey
by cuppingmaster on Jul 30, 2009 6:19 PM PDT up reply actions
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