A's, Wuertz Hang On For Dear Life
by Nico on Jun 6, 2010 4:04 PM PDT
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PrintWith Andrew Bailey unavailable and the A's clinging to a 5-4 lead in the 9th, Denard Span hit a rocket that looked, off the bat, like it might decapitate Wuertz and leave him clinging to life. That, however, turned out to be "Wuertz-case scenario," as the A's slider specialist -- who had just fanned pinch-hitter Justin Morneau after an epic slider-fest -- calmly reached the glove up above his face and snatched victory from the jaws of {something clever}.
First things first: Gio Gonzalez came up huge today in a game the A's really needed. He threw strikes, ignored multiple early cases of shoddy defense and seeing eye hits, and limited the Twins to just 2 runs in 7 innings. Gio threw a career high 117 pitches, 79 strikes. This was a "carry you on my shoulders" effort to be proud of.
In contrast, Nick Blackburn probably won't be bragging about his 2.2 IP, 10 hit performance, but his bullpen kept him in the game with 5.1 IP shutout innings, and when Delmon Young {shakes fist at nemesis} clobbered a two-run HR in the 8th off of Tyson Ross, it was a one-run game with no Bailey in sight.
Enter Wuertz for the 9th, armed with the slider we saw in 2009. He got Punto -- imagine that, throwing Punto strikes -- and then struck out Morneau -- imagine that, pitching to the guy with one out and the bases empty -- and took matters into his own hands, instead of his face, and for that we're all grateful.
With the Rangers losing and the Angels winning (as of this writing), there's a logjam developing atop the AL West and the Angels are coming to town for a 4-game series. I LEEVE FOR THEES!
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Did they say why Bailey was unavailable?
I didn’t have the sound on…Hurt or just resting?
Bring back Hammer.
Probably just a rest thing.
17 pitches two days ago, and 33 the day before that.
You don't form in the wet sand.
You don't form at all.
Talk on the radio was that
the coaching staff had already discussed wanting to give him two days rest. I didn’t catch the details, but evidently it was the plan all along and not some unexpected setback today.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Gave us good cause for freak out in the 9th.
Phew.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
Wuertz
No glove, no love.
@MAD_Marvin
The FairWeather Channel - Sports Comics and Bandwagon Forecast
now THAT is a Happy Recap
Love the caption there, well struck N!!
Hello, I'm Vince Cotroneo for the Marmaduke B. Mushmouth School of Public Speaking...
just keep repeating
SAM DEMEL SAM DEMEL SAM DEMEL SAM DEMEL
and maybe it will happen.
Hello, I'm Vince Cotroneo for the Marmaduke B. Mushmouth School of Public Speaking...
by emperor nobody on Jun 6, 2010 4:11 PM PDT up reply actions
EN
Please call CT and tell him to write an email to Beane saying that there’s a relief prospect in AAA named Sam Demel who’s pretty good. Thanks.
Isn't it a reasonable assumption that the word from Sacramento is
“He’s not ready, despite the numbers”? I mean the A’s know their bullpen is thin and that Demel has terrific stats. Is it possible that AAA manager/pitching coach feedback is “No”?
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
Plus, Demel isn't on the 40 man roster
And I can’t imagine where the A’s could find the room to change that.
The monster at the end of this blog.
I think that's the answer
…but I’ve come up with a solution.
DFA Patterson.
another solution…
DFA Patterson.
DFA Fox was already taken
Zombie Eric Chavez is next in line for DFA, but we fear the mummy’s curse.
Isn't Chavez to the 60-Day DL more likely?
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Jun 6, 2010 6:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Unfortunately, it sounds like he plans to be back with the team soon...
If I heard CT correctly, Chavy is hoping to head out on a minor league rehab assignment when the A’s head out on their next roadtrip at the end of the week.
How on earth will the A's survive if one (or, god forbid, BOTH) gets claimed by another team?!
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Jun 6, 2010 7:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Well coughing finished off Crisp.
I can’t imagine what a fit of laughter would do to the rest of our roster.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
We'll find out if they ever see it.
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
A Yeah Well Battle
Geren and Bochy are having a “Worst Manager Manage-off.”
Bochy: “I’m gonna keep playing Molina because I have this feeling he’ll get hot soon.”
Geren: “Yeah well I’m gonna walk a guy who’s sick with the flu with no one on and the game tied.”
Bochy: “Yeah well I’m gonna bat Sandoval 8th for some reason.”
Geren: “Yeah well I’m gonna pitch Tyson Ross in a high leverage situation even though he’s made it abundantly clear he’s not ready for MLB yet.”
Bochy: “Yeah well I think Rowand is due and plus I bet his feelings will be hurt if I sit him.”
Geren: “Yeah well I think Ziegler is just the right guy to face a bunch of lefties.”
And so forth.
Although FWIW, I think Bochy is a bigger idiot than Geren.
Great win though!
Good
Michael Wuertz has made a little adjustment with his wrist in his set-up and he feels (and looks) more back to his old self.
http://twitter.com/susanslusser/status/15587570205
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Memo to Ziggy and Ross:
Please adjust your wrist, kthxbai!
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
Minors Note:
Grant Green staying red hot in A+ ball. 4-4 so far with 2 dbls.
"Carter's 25-game hitting streak isn't any normal streak. He's 46 for 97 (.474 average) during the run, adding 16 walks and compiling 81 total bases in the process. I'm out of superlatives for what he's doing." - Kevin Goldstein
Another minors note
Rashun Dixon went 3 for 4 with a 2B and a HR today. Also, McPherson started for the RiverCats today.
Also, we need to figure out how to trade for this guy — who would the Rays want in exchange? He’s probably way too talented for Tampa to get rid of him, but anyone with that name belongs in an A’s uniform.
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
His last name should be Matilda
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
Unless the Rays think John Jaso is the answer, they need catching pretty bad.
I thought this article was interesting today. Nick Cafardo says Kurt Suzuki may be the Red Sox biggest target this offseason.
If you think Billy Beane is a bad GM, I hate you and find you stupid.
The Jays desperately need short relief.
If you wanted to get bold, you could think Bailey to Toronto for one of their many sluggers. If only Devine were healthy…
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
What do you think would be a realistic return for Bailey?
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
No idea. Someone actually good, though.
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, maybe we could get Brett Wallace back...
If you think Billy Beane is a bad GM, I hate you and find you stupid.
I read that too.
Blech.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
I love that.
Let them want one of our guys for a change. It’s good for them.
I trust Billy not to make a bad trade for Kurt. Either we get a huge return for him, or (more likely) the Red Sox pout with disappointment. It’s good either way.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
There's absolutely no reason whatsoever to trade Suzuki unless they're getting a Haren-esque return
But I’d hold out for even more. If the Red Sox really want them, I want future all-stars.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Jun 6, 2010 7:00 PM PDT up reply actions
If the Red Sox want Suzuki...
I want the player of my choice from their farm system as the key to the deal. If they balk, they can fuck off.
The monster at the end of this blog.
Yeah, I would've started the conversations with Westmoreland, but the phrase "cavernous malformation" just scares the crap out of me
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Jun 6, 2010 7:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Iglesias would be a good start. Kelly sounds pretty good too. Throw in Reddick
and we’ve got something.
That sounds like some sort of sexual metaphor. - iglew
by WaddellCanseco on Jun 6, 2010 7:40 PM PDT up reply actions
Maybe get them to throw in Lars Anderson.
If they have soured on him.
"Carter's 25-game hitting streak isn't any normal streak. He's 46 for 97 (.474 average) during the run, adding 16 walks and compiling 81 total bases in the process. I'm out of superlatives for what he's doing." - Kevin Goldstein
Red Sox Nation
Free Agent or Non-Free Agent… The Chowds should be able to get whoever they want, right?
Very interesting line from Anthony Capra.
3.1 IP
2 H
1 R (1 ER)
6 BB
1 SO
That’s eight baserunners in 3.1 innings, allowing only one run.
If you think Billy Beane is a bad GM, I hate you and find you stupid.
He was just, uh, testing himself with runners on base.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jun 6, 2010 7:13 PM PDT up reply actions
What the line doesn't tell you is that some of those were all intentional walks with nobody on base
I hear it’s the new organizational philosophy.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Jun 6, 2010 7:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Then they should practice pickoffs
That sounds like some sort of sexual metaphor. - iglew
by WaddellCanseco on Jun 6, 2010 7:41 PM PDT up reply actions
Nice little fluff article on Gio from USA Today
Linky — complete with misnaming an A’s player (Brian Anderson instead of Brett Anderson). Oh, national media, why do you fail so much? (Speaking of fail, Rotoworld seems to think Gio’s a righty.)
Besides fishing, what is your other favorite hobby? I like to paint. My dad (Max) was a billboard artist. I paint using a Picasso kind of idea where faces are broken into pieces. I do cartoon ones — like a Popeye or Goofy and (have) actually given a few away as gifts.
Oooh, I want one.
Best part about playing in Oakland? You can’t ask for a better fan base. When we played the Giants, it felt like a dream. To win in front of them is always a blessing.
We love you too, Gio.
Gio, I know you said you love the fan base,
but you can’t expect us to take this in stride.
Favorite ballpark: Anaheim (Calif.). The atmosphere is unbelievable. The weather is beautiful.
You don't form in the wet sand.
You don't form at all.
Yeah, I decided to ignore that part.
Sure, the weather’s nice, but the rally-monkey atmosphere is “unbelievable”? Silly Gio.
Maybe by "atmosphere" he means, literally, the atmosphere
Like he said, the weather IS beautiful.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Jun 6, 2010 7:02 PM PDT up reply actions
Then he's wrong again.
The weather is beautiful, but the atmosphere above Orange County? Bleh. Cough.
I’ll take Petco, on both counts.
You don't form in the wet sand.
You don't form at all.
Ha, fair enough. I've never been there, so I forget the air is cancerous.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Jun 6, 2010 7:09 PM PDT up reply actions
It's pretty bad.
Anytime a sports telecast shows a wide view of the area outside the stadium, you can see the haze.
You don't form in the wet sand.
You don't form at all.
Maybe he likes rats...
"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s
During any poor outing by Gio
We must consider how difficult it is for a RHP to face first base before each pitch.
So, um, I dunno if anybody posted this:
BrettAnderson49
Washing clothes…funnn about 2 hours ago via Echofon
Now I understand the jokes.
www.zekeishungry.com
by thejd44 on Jun 6, 2010 7:14 PM PDT reply actions
Ha!
Yeah, we saw it in the CT thread. But it still doesn’t beat
BrettAnderson49 Best nap ever 5:46 PM May 21st via Echofon
http://twitter.com/BrettAnderson49/status/14462867995
You don't form in the wet sand.
You don't form at all.
BrettAnderson49
darks or lights hmmm this is tough 1 hour ago via Echofon
Wuertz was scratched from a minor league game on Wednesday, but bounced back quickly on Thursday, throwing mostly fastballs and sliders, although he did mix in three sliders. -Rotoworld
by ElQuesoCapitan on Jun 6, 2010 7:19 PM PDT up reply actions
BrettAnderson49 hey my washer looks like an mri machine about 5 minutes ago via web
You don't form in the wet sand.
You don't form at all.
I think he's on to us
BrettAnderson49 kinda hot in these rhinos…4 minutes ago via web
It's the fans that make the game fun. -- Rickey Henderson, July 26, 2009.
I'm trying to learn how to post FanPosts.
HTML is fucking confusing.
Wuertz was scratched from a minor league game on Wednesday, but bounced back quickly on Thursday, throwing mostly fastballs and sliders, although he did mix in three sliders. -Rotoworld
Ooh, Ryan's little brother might be drafted this week.
Linkage. And another, from their local paper.
Kellen, an infield prep prospect out of Cedar Rapids, Iowa, has already committed to the University of San Diego. However, he could see a change of plans if drafted near the top — a situation similar to that of Ryan, who was taken out of high school by the White Sox in the second round of the 2003 Draft.
Aw, look at the wittle Baby Sweeney.
He looks 12
That sounds like some sort of sexual metaphor. - iglew
by WaddellCanseco on Jun 6, 2010 7:42 PM PDT up reply actions
Rage!
Kellen was in Los Angeles and Houston last week to work out privately for the Angels and Astros, respectively.
Wuertz was scratched from a minor league game on Wednesday, but bounced back quickly on Thursday, throwing mostly fastballs and sliders, although he did mix in three sliders. -Rotoworld
by ElQuesoCapitan on Jun 6, 2010 7:45 PM PDT up reply actions
USD?
Psssh. The redheaded stepchild of San Diego universities.
You don't form in the wet sand.
You don't form at all.
That's UCSD
or do D II schools not even count?
You might have Sweeney overload this week.
If I recall we’re really bad at drafting the relations of people already in our system. We drafted Crosby’s brother afterall!
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
No sweep! Glad we were able to take one- missed the game and threads, so:
Any word on when Coco is coming back?
Ken said July.
Wuertz was scratched from a minor league game on Wednesday, but bounced back quickly on Thursday, throwing mostly fastballs and sliders, although he did mix in three sliders. -Rotoworld
by ElQuesoCapitan on Jun 6, 2010 7:53 PM PDT up reply actions
No way
Barring another injury he’ll be back within a week.
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
Not according to Ken
“He’s not close…No timetable for going out on a rehab assignment…”
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
Then that's news that Ken has
That nobody else does. Everything I’ve read from Lee/Slusser is that he won’t be ready by Tuesday, but that he won’t be too far behind that date.
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
To prove I'm not crazy
Here’s Lee’s report from today
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
Hmm, dunno -- just know what I heard on the broadcast...
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
(twiddles thumbs)
Wuertz was scratched from a minor league game on Wednesday, but bounced back quickly on Thursday, throwing mostly fastballs and sliders, although he did mix in three sliders. -Rotoworld
NEW POST UP
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
golf clap
Nico,
If I were a betting man I’d give you the over on 10,000 hours of this “writing” thing…
Wormburner
by GusanoQuemador on Jun 6, 2010 10:49 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Yikes, scary thought. Thanks.
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
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