A's Stumble With Pitching, Hitting, Defense. Surprisingly, They Lose.
by Nico on Jun 9, 2010 9:35 PM PDT
Email
PrintTonight's game is best summed up, I think, by extracting just a few key details that tell the story.
* In the top of the 3rd inning, with two on and nobody out, Erick Aybar lay down a sacrifice bunt and Kouzmanoff, who had a sure out at 1B if he fielded it, decided to let the ball roll foul. It didn't.
* In the top of the 6th inning, with Dallas Braden trailing 2-0 and runners at the corners, Braden threw a changeup that might have bounced had Robb Quinlan not hit a chip shot onto the green -- that would be the outfield grass in shallow CF -- to make it 3-0. It was a great pitch and with the switch-hitting Erick Aybar due up, Howie Kendrick on deck, and Braden at 92 pitches, I can't really think of why you wouldn't just go ahead and let Braden face one more hitter instead of calling on Brad Ziegler, whose performance against left-handed hitters has been getting steadily (and alarmingly) worse over the last few weeks -- and it was never that great to begin with. But Ziggy got the call, Aybar blasted a two-run triple high off the wall, and the rout was on.
* In the bottom of the 7th inning, with the A's trailing 5-0 they had their shot against Joe Saunders as Kouzmanoff singled and Rosales walked. It took Saunders exactly 2 pitches to get out of the inning: a Sweeney first-pitch 6-4-3 DP and a Fox first-pitch bouncer to 2B.
* In the top of the 8th inning, Juan Rivera hit a long drive to CF that sent Matt Carson racing back all the way to the wall. He caught it. The wall, that is, face first. Ouch. Oh, the ball was over the fence.
The rest of the league seems to enjoy Joe Saunders just fine. Saunders, when pitching against anyone else, sports a 5.49 ERA in 2010. Against the A's this year? 18 IP, 1 ER, and a pair of complete game wins.
167 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
You can't just have your characters announce how they feel.
That makes me feel angry!!!
@MAD_Marvin
The FairWeather Channel - Sports Comics and Bandwagon Forecast
yup
short turn-around
"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
Athletics Nation - WE'RE ALL GONNA MRIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!! - danmerqury
by cuppingmaster on Jun 9, 2010 9:38 PM PDT up reply actions
Great!
We get time-and-a-half!
It's the fans that make the game fun. -- Rickey Henderson, July 26, 2009.
15 hours or so.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
12 hours? God I'm tired.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
meeeeee tooooooooo
and SOCCER this weekend..(I know – total non sequiter)
"Are those new tarps? Or did they paint 'em?" Mark Ellis
Football.
And yes, USA v England on Saturday.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Don't get your hopes up.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
fuck, I forgot about that
"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
Athletics Nation - WE'RE ALL GONNA MRIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!! - danmerqury
by cuppingmaster on Jun 9, 2010 9:38 PM PDT up reply actions
the league seems to be figuring him out too
so yeah, expect a shut out.
"The ego, the super-ego, and the Ed" - dannycakes
I hope Kurt and Kust figure him out
They are 4 for 39 with a double off him.
If the hitters let Santana get strike one on them they are done like they usually are.
If they are aggressive, they will get in his head and fuck him up.
We will see tomorrow.
Go Trevor, we need a shutout from you for at least 7 innings.
I know you preach aggression a lot,
and for this afternoon’s game, I think I agree with you.
New mind-warping, stomach-churning Pilots songs are now online... follow the link if you dare (don't say you weren't warned!) NSFW!!!
by Gaijin_Suketto on Jun 10, 2010 6:50 AM PDT up reply actions
Geren seems to have a quick hook with Braden since the game after the perfect game
curious.
"The ego, the super-ego, and the Ed" - dannycakes
Giving up a zillion hits per game
Either he is not healthy. He had the sprained ankle and the flu or has Buerhleitis.
Getaway day?
Perfect game easily.
@MAD_Marvin
The FairWeather Channel - Sports Comics and Bandwagon Forecast
yep, the charter leaves
for san francisco at 5 PM tomorrow. I hope there aren’t extra innings.
"The ego, the super-ego, and the Ed" - dannycakes
The charter?
Isn’t it just like a bus ride away?
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
By car it's about 6 hours.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
Oakland to San Francisco?
I thought it was right across the Bay?
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Looking forward to your trip?
That sounds like some sort of sexual metaphor. - iglew
by WaddellCanseco on Jun 9, 2010 9:52 PM PDT up reply actions
I'm not enjoying how I'm paying for it, but yeah.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Oh sorry, thought you mean Oakland to LA.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
We're the ones playing the Giants aren't we?
Or did I imagine that?
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
yes. i'm just lost.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
Join the club.
But really, 6 hours? Man your state is huge.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
And that's just SF to LA, not border to border.
You don't form in the wet sand.
You don't form at all.
The furthest up I know without looking at a map is San Diego.
And if that’s not further up the state, then I don’t know California. =P
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Heh.
San Diego is the furthest south. San Francisco is probably 2/3rds of the way north.
You don't form in the wet sand.
You don't form at all.
See, I know nothing!
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Thats probably more like 14 hours? Guesstimating.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
Hmm. Maybe.
SF to SD is like 8-10 depending on what time of day. So…14-15 sounds about right.
You don't form in the wet sand.
You don't form at all.
gotta beat the la traffic
so 8-15 is really not a bad range
"The ego, the super-ego, and the Ed" - dannycakes
No, the traffic is dense
That sounds like some sort of sexual metaphor. - iglew
by WaddellCanseco on Jun 9, 2010 9:57 PM PDT up reply actions
What if you got a free run though?
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Courtesy of a Pennington throwing error, you mean?
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
North to south, it's about the same as Conneticut to middle of Georgia
The lowest and highest spots in the lower 48 states are less than 100 miles apart in CA.
The 20 lowest population states equal CA’s population
Big
But from Coast to Nevada
Probably like 3-4 hours in the summer.
@MAD_Marvin
The FairWeather Channel - Sports Comics and Bandwagon Forecast
by Hit4TheCycle on Jun 9, 2010 10:07 PM PDT up reply actions
I've never been that lucky
I’ve had times in the summer where it takes 3 hours to get to Livermore
Jake Fox: 3 at bats, 4 pitches.
I dislike that guy so much.
"We were shit, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
Seriously????
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
Dan. You have to stop mancrushing on Jake Fox.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
How much longer will it take?
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
He did make a nice throw though
That sounds like some sort of sexual metaphor. - iglew
by WaddellCanseco on Jun 9, 2010 9:53 PM PDT up reply actions
3 strikeouts and 2 first pitch popouts.
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 9, 2010 9:46 PM PDT up reply actions
To be fair, the rest of the lineup wasn't able to do anything against Saunders.
But he really needs tone done the batting aggressiveness.
You don't form in the wet sand.
You don't form at all.
THREE AT BATS, FOUR PITCHES.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
I'M AWARE OF THAT, PAMELA
But yeah. Stop sucking, Jake Fox.
You don't form in the wet sand.
You don't form at all.
ooh. Pamela.
Only my parents use that.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
Well, only my parents use Danny, so we're even.
You don't form in the wet sand.
You don't form at all.
I'll get them to start using dannycakes, somehow.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
But seriously, manage that one, and I'll be impressed.
You don't form in the wet sand.
You don't form at all.
Does she know where you live?
Even so………yeah it’d be a feat.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
I could do it.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
what does that mean
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
Hiring a private invsestigator
to do a little research into Dannycakes’ family so we can go to their house and encourage them to adopt the ’cakes suffix.
"The ego, the super-ego, and the Ed" - dannycakes
Hmm. I like that you just used "we"
partner in crime.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
Well if you're going down you might as well take someone with you.
That’s always been my motto.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
and Future Ed is a lawyer.
I got my bases covered.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
A lawyer from the future?
That’s a sitcom, right?
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
what's a skip trace?
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
its a search
using proprietary databases that help the user pinpoint the current address of the target person. Not much information is needed to figure it out either. Kinda creepy.
DOn’t know where the name comes from, the special lady friend used to do them all the time when she was a PI.
"The ego, the super-ego, and the Ed" - dannycakes
Seriously?
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
I figured they'd call you Daniel.
I’d probably call you Dan, Danny, or Daniel-san (depending on how recently I’d watched the Karate Kid.)
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
I am eddie to my family and
anyone who met me through my family
"The ego, the super-ego, and the Ed" - dannycakes
I had a girlfriend named Pam in the States once
and I, of course, called her Puh-Mellah in what she said to be “thick Slavic voice”
I'm imagining that with
a hint of palatalization after the M, and that low flat-tongue sound on the L. Yes?
Completely opposite of the delicate, front-of-the-mouth sound of a French “Paméla”.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
The tip of the tongue
taking a trip three steps down from the palate: Puh. Myeh. Luh.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
where the fuck is cust?
I’m looking at you, Geren
"fair"
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
I'm fair enough to say that the use of scare quotes there was, indeed, fair.
You don't form in the wet sand.
You don't form at all.
Or stop hitting the ball at people.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
I hope that's meant to be sarcastic.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
Table, chair, backstop.
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 9, 2010 9:47 PM PDT up reply actions
Of 141 players in AL with at least 100 PA
Jake Fox ranks 135th with 3.33 pitches per plate appearance.
Numbers 133 and 134, you ask?
Rajai Davis and Kurt Suzuki, thank you very much.
CT Thread
http://www.athleticsnation.com/2010/6/9/1510644/ct-thread-6-9
You don't form in the wet sand.
You don't form at all.
Braden pitched well
especially that one inning. Loaded the bases with no out and gave up one run. I really think Ziggy needs a few days off. I like Carsons attitude, he’s all out but seems more talented than Byrnsie. I like the look of Meloan, too, outside of the homerun. I HATE Eric Eybar and the rest of the Slegna, even Torii Hunter, who I liked as a Twin. Let’s hope for better results tomorrow. Night night!
"I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way." -Jessica Rabbit
CSN Mindi says Braden is very frustrated and stormed out of the clubhouse, will not be addressing reporters.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
He did NOT look happy coming out of the game.
But he needed to. It’s not like it was a really short leash or anything.
You don't form in the wet sand.
You don't form at all.
Probably more with Geren than himself!
That was a too fast hook. Geren’s an idiot, or at least we can say inconsistent. Last night brilliant, tonight an ididot. Urgh!
"I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way." -Jessica Rabbit
by A'sfansince1970 on Jun 9, 2010 9:50 PM PDT up reply actions
How is giving up 11 hits too fast of a hook?
Yes, Geren is an idiot but Braden did not have it. Geren was an idiot for bringing Ziggy in the face Aybar.
I agree. Braden was lucky to get into the 6th down only 1-0
His location was off way too many times; he can’t get away with that. He should have been given exactly one more hitter and then out, mostly because the reliever ready was Ziggy and you may as well let Braden face Aybar hitting RH instead of Ziggy have to face a LH. I wouldn’t have let Braden face Kendrick no matter what, though — he had very little tonight and got by on fumes/savvy, and that only lasts so long.
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 could understand taking Braden out at that point
but not putting Ziggy in to face a lefthanded batter.
Actual time of game: 2:26
What it felt like: An eternity
will crosby spread his legs so far apart at bat that the games will have to be rated nc-17 -- emperor nobody
We missed you again, Don.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jun 9, 2010 10:10 PM PDT up reply actions
And I threw no fewer than 6 tomatoes.
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 funny because I’ll have class and I’ll miss the first 75 minutes or so.
The Ultimate Opportunist
by Rated-R Superstar on Jun 9, 2010 10:24 PM PDT up reply actions
This is irrational, I'm sure.
But, I’m pretty much done with Ryan Sweeney. A man can only take so many tailor-made double play balls, and tonight was two over my limit. I realize there were many other issues tonight, but the DP after DP after DP killing off every potential rally is just destroying me.
by oblique on Jun 9, 2010 10:16 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
If it weren't for Ryan Sweeney, this team would be 10 games over .500
Why won’t they start Patterson in RF more???
But yes, DPs are frustrating. 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
What I didn't say was
“stop putting that guy on the field,” but thanks for the snark. All I’m saying is that I’m no longer buying any argument that anyone makes involving him being part of the future of a successful A’s team, and that I’m tired of watching him bat.
by oblique on Jun 9, 2010 10:22 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Did you miss the part where he's batting .320+?
You don't form in the wet sand.
You don't form at all.
I'm impressed his OBP is only like 40 points higher.
It’s like he’s allergic to walks.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Whoops
Somehow, yes, I seem to miss all his numerous hits. Maybe I should stop watching entirely, for his sake ;)
by oblique on Jun 9, 2010 10:30 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I know I'm probably one of the last ones to use batting average in an argument,
but while I wish that Ryan would hit with some more power, Ryan just isn’t one of our numerous, many problems.
You don't form in the wet sand.
You don't form at all.
why won't Geren have Sweeny bunt instead of Barton?
(sorry, I know that’s going to start a thread of pain).
heh
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
I'm not going to be able to
“defend my viewpoint” – I’m just a fan who’s sick of DPs. It’s not the most important factor in winning more games, but while we’re losing, it’s frustrating to watch.
by oblique on Jun 9, 2010 10:40 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
No argument there.
It was just sickening out there tonight.
You don't form in the wet sand.
You don't form at all.
He sucks against lefties
But he’s still better than most other hitters on the team.
You know who sucks against leftys?
Zukes. Good ol’ Geren…
Bad Attitude... or Pessimism or Realism
I think it might be Pessimistic or Realistic.
by Colorado Fan on Jun 9, 2010 11:27 PM PDT up reply actions
Thoughts, for what they're worth
(1) The A’s faced a lefty, so you knew to start with this was gonna be a tough row to hoe.
(2) Ziggy really can’t be blamed for his performance against opposite-handed hitters. This is sort of what happens with pitchers using his arm slot (normally, anyway). That blame goes to Geren. If Blevins and Breslow weren’t available… maybe Bowers should have come in at that point? I’unno.
(3) If the A’s can pull out a split with the Halos tomorrow, I won’t be all that upset.
"Smokey, this be not the foul jungles of the darkest East Orient. This be ninepins. We are bound by laws."
Agree
Half game behind them going into a three game series with the G’s. Nice!
"I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way." -Jessica Rabbit
by A'sfansince1970 on Jun 9, 2010 11:33 PM PDT reply actions
a crap game but a great time
We (Chicken Stanley, wacchampions and his friend Ralph) sat in the back row of 316 and took the piss out of the team and the game all evening… it was ridiculously amusing and about the most fun I have ever had at an A’s game where we lost so one-sidedly. Thanks to those three gents for the bestest time HUGS ALL AROUND… hey do any of you guys know where the smoking section is?
We are back out there tomorrow and I want the A’s to make Ervin look like Carlos, for once.
Hello, I'm Vince Cotroneo for the Marmaduke B. Mushmouth School of Public Speaking...
There's always something
Braden said he had some forearm tightness this week that he’d hoped would disappear with treatment, but the cold weather didn’t help Wednesday and he thought he wasn’t able to finish all his pitches.
will crosby spread his legs so far apart at bat that the games will have to be rated nc-17 -- emperor nobody
also the "slight problem"
that he sprained his ankle a few weeks ago…and he can’t feel his pushoff foot…
It's getting to the point where
I almost expect Dallas to reveal a previously undisclosed injury after every start.
Sigh.
by whiteshoes40 on Jun 10, 2010 7:35 AM PDT up reply actions
In the chair
My decision from the living room chair was to pull Braden on the first visit to the mound. It is very easy to manage from there, but for real, Braden was done already by then. We also made another average pitcher look like a first ballot Hall of Famer. Have we ever beaten that rag arm? I am hoping for the best again for todays game.
“Let’s go Oakland”
Wish I could!!!
I’m doin it tomorrow though. WORLD CUP BABY WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
SIG SPACE AVAILABLE FOR SPONSORSHIP. INQUIRE WITHIN.
True
I forgot about the time difference. During the one in Japan/Korea we had similar time difference here in Europe and my company was showing the games in the auditorium during business hours, so you could go watch a game if you wanted. It was pretty cool -sometimes a couple of hundred people would get together.
Watch it anyway.
It’s the biggest sporting event in the world.
You don’t even have to like soccer to get into it.
SIG SPACE AVAILABLE FOR SPONSORSHIP. INQUIRE WITHIN.
That's the Olympics, surely.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
I disagree with that.
That might just be my soccer bias, though.
SIG SPACE AVAILABLE FOR SPONSORSHIP. INQUIRE WITHIN.
I enjoy the World Cup more, but I'd argue more people around the globe are interested in
the Summer Olympics. There’s certainly more countries involved, and there’s more than one winner.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
Tough one to call
FIFA has more members than United Nations, and although a number of participating countries in the World Cup itself is lower than in Summer Olympics, don’t underestimate the level of attention it gets in the non-participating countries.
I mean even in the most obscure corners of Tanzania, little kids knew of Ronaldinho or Ribery.
I have no bias toward either, but
I’d agree with Mike. I think the World Cup is bigger.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Oh damn, now I'm changing my mind.
I do have a bias, and it’s geographical-cultural. Now that I think of China, I think Oldham’s right about more people interested in the Olympics.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
Jealous. Glad you're feeling better
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
no Matt Carson VS Wall animated gif?
Damn…I’d have settled for a still frame of his face when he was on his knees staring at the wall afterward.
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
