To The Spoilers Go The...Vics?
by Nico on Aug 15, 2009 4:00 PM PDT
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PrintOK that headline almost kind of worked. The A's these days are relegated to the role of "spoiler," which is kind of like being "the other woman" -- you keep hearing that you're building something for the future, but at the moment your success mostly involves making others miserable.
But at the same time that the A's are trying to make life miserable for teams, like the White Sox, who are scratching and clawing for a playoff spot, Oakland is also sending young pitchers out to the mound daily -- guys like Gio Gonzalez, who by the nature of their youth and ability will be sometimes inconsistent and at other times brilliant. We saw evidence of that again today.
Offensively, as you watch the games in this series you can't help but notice a sharp contrast between these two teams, with the White Sox sporting several hitters -- Thome, Dye, Konerko, Quentin, Rios, even Alexi Ramirez -- who would be the A's #2 HR threat if not their main one, while the new "runnin' A's" scratch and claw their way around the bases in a way that is "fun to watch but not so efficient." Of course with enough of a relentless "ground game" sometimes the rabbits outlast the mashers, but it's still hard to overlook the fact that the rabbits have to work a lot harder to accomplish what you can get done in an instant with one thunderous swing of the bat.
OK, time for me to come clean but then you need to be honest too. This was a test, kind of for fun and a little out of necessity. Unable to be around to hear the game or be sure of getting a recap up promptly, I decided to make lemonade out of lemons and run a little experiment. The question isn't, "Did the recap seem a bit odd?" but, "As you were reading, did you specifically guess or figure out, before I told you in this paragraph, that I wrote this last night?" I hope we won!
UPDATE: We didn't. :-(
(Gio Gonzalez walked 6 batters in 5+ IP, and the A's conducted a strandathon that got only 1 run out of Adam Kennedy's 5 for 5 day leading off, as the White Sox won handily, 8-1.)
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That game so totally sucked.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Aug 15, 2009 4:01 PM PDT reply actions
It could have made the thread more enjoyable, perhaps.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Aug 15, 2009 4:04 PM PDT up reply actions
That's right, because we can enjoy disaster
as long as it’s in glorious HD!
by ElQuesoCapitan on Aug 15, 2009 4:05 PM PDT up reply actions
They’re all mine.
I’m not even giving any to Fosse.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Aug 15, 2009 4:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Fail.
I’ll chew on my dippin’ dots then.
by ElQuesoCapitan on Aug 15, 2009 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions
Bengie Molina
who was drilled by Johan in retaliation for Cain drilling David Wright in the helmet, just homered in the top of the 10th to give the Giants a 5-4 lead. (In the 7th inning, after Wright was hit, Johan threw one behind Pablo Sandoval. Sandoval homered 2 pitches later. Molina was hit on the next pitch.)
The artist formerly known as HigherPie.
Worst part: Santana wasn't ejected for the HBP, even though both dugouts were issued warnings after the throw behind Sandoval.
That ump is spineless.
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
Either that or he really didn't believe that was intended to be near Molina.
It looked like a two-seam fastball intended for “in on the hands” that just happened to get away at an inopportune time. Of course, Bengie should have gotten even by stealing second in which case he’d be arriving right…around…Now.
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
OK, just got back from dinner.
Now.
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 all are way too early
he’s not there yet, but I see him in the distance…
I said "Why not baseball?" He said he hated baseball and demanded we NEVER speak of it again. He then, oddly enough, walked repeatedly into my fists and feet. So weird that he would do that! - TwistNHook, CGB
Oh I see him!
No wait, that’s continental drift. There he is!
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 that I don't buy that (a pitch got away)
but regardless of that – if you throw behind a guy (obvious retaliation), both benches are warned, two pitches later the same guy homers, and THEN you drill a guy with an up and in 2-seamer, you should be ejected.
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
I blame Al Davis.
Raiders win, A’s loose two- anyone?
In play, tease(s)? by ElQuesoCapitan on Aug 15, 2009 3:27 PM PDT
Just win, baby!
There is no "i" in Teamocil. At least not where you'd think.
by GreenNGoldSooner on Aug 15, 2009 4:21 PM PDT up reply actions
Incidentally, how old is Al Davis?
Has he ever been photographed around mirrors, garlic, or crosses?
There is no "i" in Teamocil. At least not where you'd think.
by GreenNGoldSooner on Aug 15, 2009 4:22 PM PDT up reply actions
In my continuing effort to talk about anything except the A's game today
Mauer just homered. Finishes the day 3 for 5, and raises his average from .375 to .378.
The artist formerly known as HigherPie.
Today, two teams played baseball around the bay area.
One team lost and another team won.
by ElQuesoCapitan on Aug 15, 2009 4:33 PM PDT up reply actions
Good thing he's on my fan...
…er, nevermind.
Last of the Ninth - Photography Site / jamesvenes.com - Blog
Great Pre-Cap! Ha ha ha!
I didn’t catch it til you let me in on the joke.
X-tra base hits accounted for only 3 of the 11 CWS hits, and the HRs accounted for (only) 3 of 8 runs. Not bad, seeing as the As scattered the same 11 hits as the Sox to a very different line. The first HR, in the 3rd, came by Nix, who you didn’t name, but who has 9 HRs in 160 ABs.
I didn’t hear most of the first 5 innings, so I can’t vouch or unvouch for Mazz’s day, though apparently it was 2 BBs that brought him out. But reading the line – 5IP, 6H, 6BB, 2K (regardless of the actual number of runs scored, happened to be 6) – doesn’t make me think you were at all far off.
Now. Can you write a Pre-Cap for tomorrow’s game in which we win?!
It works -- I can't vouch for or unvouch for Mazz's day.
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 had some good accurate elements, no?
Like the A’s getting so many baserunners and only one run; of course I totally hedged by bets with Gio (my analysis would have made sense no matter how he pitched).
If you read it again, knowing that it was pre-written, you can see how I made “good bet” guesses and hedged to make some things make sense no matter what actually happened.
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
Yes, sure,
but think of the ways you could have gone wrong for sure -
Gio pitches 6.2 innings of 5 hit, 1 run ball;
Hairston and Cust Everidge go long, A’s up 4-0
CWS get two runs in 8th on a BB, single, and base clearing double;
Bailey gets the S.
I know -- that's what made the risk so exciting.
Though I would have been ok with Gio: “guys like Gio Gonzalez, who by the nature of their youth and ability will be sometimes inconsistent and at other times brilliant. We saw evidence of that again today.” The only thing that would have bitten me there is if Gio had been incredibly average, e.g., 6 IP, 7 hits, 3 ER, 3 BB, 4 K.
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 jut looked up his game logs...
… and he has only two starts that fall in the “incredibly average” category of 5+ innings 3 runs. His first start this year had that line, but w/ 4 BB & 1K, so maybe that one falls in " pretty average," and I’ll call 6IP, 2R, 1BB, 8K a “good sight better than average.” Otherwise, it’s either feast or famine. So, it turns out you were pretty darn safe!
What's sad and not easy to do.
Is have 5 hits with no runs and no rbi’s
cbs
Kennedy had four singles and a double while going 5 for 5 for the second time this season. He joined former A’s third baseman Sal Bando as the only players in franchise history to have two five-hit games in the same season. Bando did it in 1969.
Another thing that’s sad and not easy to do is to have five hits and not score even once.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Aug 15, 2009 4:55 PM PDT up reply actions
When Crosby hits for Cust you know
he must currently dogshit with management.
Actually Crosby could probably hit the ball better than Cust at the moment (and he struck out) as could the 7 year olds who are playing outside next door to me.
Anyway, tomorrow is another day. Let’s hope we can get 1 win out of this series and Cahill pitches a good game tomorrow.
be
should be inserted between currently and dogshit
I would have thought that between "currently" and "dogshit"
you should find “Crosby’s OPS.”
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
Your wife is correct.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Aug 15, 2009 5:31 PM PDT up reply actions
Well, we could have Brad Lidge as a high-priced closer
I see he just blew another save. And got his fifth loss against no wins.
Threw away a sacrifice bunt, to bring in the tying run. Had the bases loaded, no outs. Basehit with one out won it for the Atlanta Braves.
"It is the mark of a truly intelligent person to be moved by statistics. " GB Shaw
by One won lost won on Aug 15, 2009 5:18 PM PDT reply actions
What a difference a year makes
Horrible. K-Rod is becoming horrible rapidly considering the league he’s in. I love to see that clown give it up even if it is the Giants that benefit. K-Rod’s ERA of late is nice to see.
Alexi Ramirez
I know this guy is good, but, he is really good against the A’s. Is he another Polanco or is it my imagination? Also, Melky Cabrera, Joe Maurer and Mike lowell are on my all opponent team.
Alexei's one of those guys who's good enough against everybody
that I’d be willing to take him off the White Sox’ hands if they so much as asked politely.
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
Maybe they still want Gio back.
Gio for Alexei, one for one.
I’d be down.
Ooh, they've gone a full year without trading for Gio or trading Gio away, haven't they?
I think you’re onto something.
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
Didn't they give him up to get Gavin Floyd?
They could have them in the same rotation! It’d be like magic!
no, I think they acquired him WITH Floyd
for freddy garcia.
No?
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
TLTGI
To lazy to google it. You might be right. I just remember associating his name with Floyd’s.
From Floyd's BBRef page:
December 6, 2006: Traded by the Philadelphia Phillies with Gio Gonzalez to the Chicago White Sox for Freddy Garcia.
"I’m Joey Devine, I’m what Joba Chamberlain would be if he was good and nobody had ever heard of him."
Cheater. Searching for things. That's like taking the easy way out.
Me? I pounded my head with a board for a few minutes until I couldn’t remember what I was trying to remember.
Kuroda hit in head by line drive
Screaming line drive hits him square on head.
Medical personal out on field
Hope the guy is OK
Crap -- how bad is it?
Any word?
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
No word yet
I am here in the living room and listening for an update on the radio
I didn't see the game
But I feel it necessary to tell you, Nico, that your simile in the first paragraph belongs in your highlight reel.
Thanks! :-)
It’ll be a short reel.
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
BACKFLIP ALERT!!!!
Corey Wimberly: 4 for 5 today for Midland, now at .302/.375 for the season. Love me some Corey!
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
Interesting how you left out his slugging percentage...
"True fact: In a global thermonuclear war, the only human who would survive would be David Eckstein" -PT
So it's lower than his OBP. Big deal.
double take Uh, wait, what?
Ya...
I still love you Corey!
"True fact: In a global thermonuclear war, the only human who would survive would be David Eckstein" -PT
Amazingly, he's only had one season where his SLG > OBP.
That’s gotta be really, really hard to do.
Tyreace House
another A’s prospect (kinda not really) is slugging the same as his average. That’s impressive as well.
"True fact: In a global thermonuclear war, the only human who would survive would be David Eckstein" -PT
I think
Rich Harden and Joe Blanton will lead the A’s to the World Series this year because we all know that Bob Geren has proven to be the best hire Billy Beane has ever made and when you have a rock at 3B like Eric Chavez you can’t fail.
This post was written in 2006****
Today is going to be a great day (Not)
My roomy who I have mentioned more than once, is a drunk and has decided to stay home for the day instead of going to the racetrack. He thinks they are cheating him out of money (LOL) because his horses are not winning. The guy gets more delusional every day.
Anyway , the reason today may not be a good day is He is going on about his Yankees being the best in baseball and his other “adopted team” the slegnA have just taken the lead and all I hear is how good they are.
I would like to zap a rocket and aim it at the Baltimore pitcher, Guthrie who absolutely sucks beyond sucking.
Imagine what I am going to hear when the Yankees are in town to play us?
An A’s victory or 3 will go along way to shutting him up
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