A's Beat Greinke Behind Gonzalez's Strong Start
by baseballgirl on Jul 16, 2010 7:52 PM PDT
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PrintDespite only managing seven hits, the A's capitalized on sloppy Royals' defense and pounced on Greinke early to take the first game of the series by the score of 5-1.
The very first play of the game was a wild one, as Coco Crisp smacked a ball down the line that drew chalk (ish). Unfortunately, it also nearly smacked the umpire, as well, and he incorrectly called the foul ball. However, after an umpire meeting, Coco Crisp was awarded second base, something you don't see very often, and certainly not a break that usually goes the A's way. Could things be turning around in the second half?
Barton did NOT bunt Coco to third, but that's probably because he worked a 3-0 count and eventually walked. Suzuki would ground out to move Coco to third, staying out of the double-play. Cust--on the first pitch, no less!--hit a sac fly to score the first run of the game.
The Royals would tie the game on a double-play in their half of the first, but the A's would come right back with a leadoff double by Kouzmanoff in the second. A sac bunt combined with an error would score him.
Gio helped himself in the second inning, throwing a runner out at second on a weak ground ball, so when he allowed a hit after that, the runner only advanced to second instead of scoring.
The A's put the first two runners on in the third inning. No, that is not correct. Let me fix that. The Royals put two A's runners on in the third inning (botched double-play). And with runners on first and second, it's like waiting for a car crash after you hear the squeal of tires--when Barton is up, it virtually guarantees a bunt.
If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times; it's an idiotic baseball play and for our announcers to be praising the bunt every time it happens really makes me question how much the team in general understands about scoring multiple runs. Again and again, they take the bat out of our best hitter's hands and waste outs. Greinke was on the struggle-bus from the get-go tonight, and to help him out by GIVING him an out isn't smart baseball. And the A's almost paid dearly for it. Suzuki would walk to load the bases, bringing up Cust, who popped up for the second out. What did the bunt do? It put a runner on third, who didn't even score with less than two outs, and it cost the A's an out. It also could have left them with only a one-run lead against a struggling Greinke (who predictably would later settle down).
But this is a new start to the season. The baseball gods continued to smile down on the A's, as Kooooooouz came up big with a two-out, two-run single, staking the A's to a 4-1 lead. They would score another as Suzuki hustled to score just moments before Kouzmanoff was tagged out at third, trying to grab two bases on an Ellis single.
In stark contrast, the Royals, who would put their first two runners on in the fourth, did NOT bunt, and instead ended up with a single to load the bases with nobody out. But unlike Greinke, Gonzalez got the impossible job done. Despite everyone in the park looking first-pitch fastball, it was still popped up for the first out. Gonzalez K'd the next batter and a great play by Kouzmanoff and an even better tag by Barton at first (who tweaked his wrist on the play, but stayed in) got Gio out of the inning unscathed.
Mark Ellis made his first error in 52 games in the sixth inning on a routine ground ball, but his timing was impeccable; there were two outs, and Coco made a nice sliding catch for the third, so no damage was done.
Gio would finish with 7IP, 7 H, 1 ER, 1 BB, 3 K in what was a pretty great pitching performance. He should get all the credit in the world for settling down and pitching well, even in trouble. Breslow pitched a perfect eighth (2 K's), and Wuertz a perfect ninth.
And the A's win! We'll see you tomorrow!
Current Series
3 game series vs Royals @ Kauffman Stadium
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Oakland Athletics Saturday, Jul 17, 2010, 4:10 PM PDT Mostly clear. Winds blowing from out to right field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 90. |
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| Sat 07/17 | 4:10 PM PDT | |
| Sun 07/18 | 11:10 AM PDT | |
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OH, and Raj beat out a pitch-out in the seventh. :-)
"Oh who am I kidding? The A's and Giants could stage a pillow fight, and I'd still care who wins." -67Marquez
Pssst...Gio struck out 3
And GOD HATES BUNTING!!!
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 HAD that at 3...so weird! :-)
I fixed it…thanks!
"Oh who am I kidding? The A's and Giants could stage a pillow fight, and I'd still care who wins." -67Marquez
by baseballgirl on Jul 16, 2010 7:58 PM PDT up reply actions
I went to the Giant's game thursday
too much bunting, but oddly it did not cost the Giant’s the game.
PS- Lincicum is a good pitcher too, got a hit, and nearly a second.
Its funny that I read that the A's had 7 hits against Greinke
and thought WOOHOO we got 7 hits against that guy!
Then the opening sentence says:
Despite only managing seven hits
I guess I have low expectations for the offense against the leagues best SPs! lol
-Yeah, I just posted that, but my opinion is apparently "wrong" a significant portion of the time though, so take it as you will.
I think she meant despite only getting 7 hits we scored 5 times.
A lot of times we will have 6-8 hits and not score.
WTF GEREN?!?!?!
Yay! A’s beat a team they’re supposed to beat! Always nice to start the second half with the Royals!
Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tweet Tweet.
Which two Red Sox OFers collided and lost consciousness?
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
Apparently no outfielders were harmed in the completion of this
Say what you will about the cycle being overrated, but when a guy like Bengie Molina does it, it’s news.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Well, the news is that Molina hit a triple.
Once the triple is set aside, I think the fact that he hit a grand slam is more interesting than the fact that he hit a HR, a double and a single.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
The odds of him hitting a triple in the first place are pretty rare
The odds of him doing it to complete the cycle must be astronomical.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
He had 5 in his career before this
So, its not as rare as you think. He hit one last year too.
-Yeah, I just posted that, but my opinion is apparently "wrong" a significant portion of the time though, so take it as you will.
Before last night's, he was averaging one every 1,000 PAs
And he had 2 in one season when he was 25. So no, this isn’t exactly common for him.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Anything Bengie Molina does less often than he walks
is rare.
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
Hell, even Rafael Bournigal homered about once every 250 PAs
Though Kendall’s was once every 538 games with the A’s.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
The outfielder dropped the ball. That should be an error.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
What was that outfielder's name again?
sock puppets have never successfully defended castles, except when working with squirrels, which would never happen because squirrels know better than to trust sock puppets, except when their nipples have magical powers. -nm
by Leopold Bloom on Jul 17, 2010 3:54 AM PDT up reply actions
Neither do I.
"Oh who am I kidding? The A's and Giants could stage a pillow fight, and I'd still care who wins." -67Marquez
by baseballgirl on Jul 16, 2010 7:58 PM PDT up reply actions
WHAT THE HELL IS THAT
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 Jul 16, 2010 7:59 PM PDT up reply actions
Sounds like it came at a price, though
The plot thickens: Bengie Molina pulled from game, clutching at leg after hustling for triple that gave him the cycle. Wishing best for him.
http://twitter.com/MLB/status/18736135472
Last of the Ninth - Photography
After bengie molina burns fat for his triple, buffets in Texas raise prices.
News at 11.
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 Jul 16, 2010 8:18 PM PDT up reply actions
he was at fault for the double and the triple
though, amusingly, one of the highlights from that game is titled ’Patterson’s strong throw’.
Uh, what?
I suspect that you think tilting at windmills means something other than what it does.
The ninth fastest thirty year old in San Francisco
Only in Boston
@MAD_Marvin
The FairWeather Channel - Sports Comics and Bandwagon Forecast
by Hit4TheCycle on Jul 16, 2010 8:05 PM PDT up reply actions
Ummmmm....
Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tweet Tweet.
by ZeroIndulgence on Jul 16, 2010 8:57 PM PDT up reply actions
When I was a kid, I loved all mythology stories
especially Finnish Kalevala. I would often bug my parents by asking them to tell me what would happen if two characters from different stories with special, yet opposing powers would collide. Last night was a little bit like that.
.
What happens if Bengie Molina hits a fly ball to Eric Patterson?
.
Can Eric field it so lame for Bengie to have no other option but to make it to third base, or can Bengie run so ultra slow to force Eric to throw him out? There can be only one, and Eric The Terrible prevailed.
Beauteous!!
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
Maximus!
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 Jul 16, 2010 8:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Today's meditation is: "They will have pants in heaven"
Therefore, those of you who have fears of only being allowed to wear robes in heaven need not be concerned.
Saint Peter will measure your inseam, and you will have your choice of belted or elastic waistband. (Spandex costs extra)
Don’t be concerned by the wicked down below, because placards will let you know where to spit.
BTW, apparently you people know Kay as GS, and GS says hi.
Just think of me as a clone of Chazbfree, except I haven’t been fed my fish heads in a LOOOOONG time.
by baseline_replacement_commenter on Jul 16, 2010 8:15 PM PDT reply actions
Chazzy sez hi
he and I watched the unintentionally hi-larious seamy gay-knife-killer Pacino flick “Cruising” together last night.
Hello, I'm Vince Cotroneo for the Marmaduke B. Mushmouth School of Public Speaking...
by emperor nobody on Jul 16, 2010 11:20 PM PDT up reply actions
Quiz
Which is funnier?
(1) People in Heaven get to spit on people in Hell below.
(2) People in Hell get to look up the robes of people in Heaven above.
(3) St Peter will “measure your inseam”.
There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy.
3, by a lot.
sock puppets have never successfully defended castles, except when working with squirrels, which would never happen because squirrels know better than to trust sock puppets, except when their nipples have magical powers. -nm
by Leopold Bloom on Jul 17, 2010 3:56 AM PDT up reply actions
One crappy iPhone pic
<img src=“”http://s51.photobucket.com/albums/f370/kleiker/?action=view¤t=44299ecf.jpg" target="_blank">
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Spending time with my nephew and the AN Crew on July 10th...PRICELESS!
by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 16, 2010 8:52 PM PDT reply actions
Smoke on the Water
@MAD_Marvin
The FairWeather Channel - Sports Comics and Bandwagon Forecast
by Hit4TheCycle on Jul 16, 2010 9:17 PM PDT up reply actions
Justin Smoak just crushed a Weaver offering for a 2 run blast
to cut the lead to 3-2 Angels. Lets go M’s!
Fuentes shaved the porn stache
I don’t like that guy! So, Braintrust, who do the A’s trade Ellis, Sheets, and Gross for? Sheets because we don’t need him and others do, Ellis because we have Rosales, and Gross because he’s another EPat. Thoughts?
"I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way." -Jessica Rabbit
by A'sfansince1970 on Jul 16, 2010 9:29 PM PDT reply actions
Where is the CT thread?
It’s hard to find things on this website! Why the change? Money makes the world go around. Oh well.
"I'm not bad, I'm just drawn that way." -Jessica Rabbit
by A'sfansince1970 on Jul 16, 2010 9:34 PM PDT reply actions
Hah
Bengie Molina cycle is as good a reason as any to point out that in 340 PAs Jason Kendall doesn’t have a triple OR a home run
http://twitter.com/JPosnanski/status/18745306229
Last of the Ninth - Photography
must be from here
Hoping to get Sweeney back in the lineup Saturday. Batting order doesn’t feel right without some ringing Swingles out of the 3-hole. Go A’s!
There's no crying in baseball!
by gigglingone on Jul 16, 2010 10:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Swingles?
Yep. Has to be one of us.
She lives by the wall, and waits by the door.
She walks in the sun, to me.
OMG that hi-farkin-lariosity
Hello, I'm Vince Cotroneo for the Marmaduke B. Mushmouth School of Public Speaking...
by emperor nobody on Jul 16, 2010 11:22 PM PDT up reply actions
I have a few guesses
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
I know the All Star Game already happened,
but did the A’s not even consider this start of Gio?! It shoulda got SOME mention. Palease.
Keep in mind, of course, that "the best defense of Derek Jeter's life" ranks somewhere in between "the best fiscal responsibility of Mike Tyson's life" and "the best not-getting-assassinated-ness of James Garfield's life." -FJM
I'm not wearing any pants.
sock puppets have never successfully defended castles, except when working with squirrels, which would never happen because squirrels know better than to trust sock puppets, except when their nipples have magical powers. -nm
I nominate this
as the headline for tomorrow’s game recap, no matter what the game result is.
Hello, I'm Vince Cotroneo for the Marmaduke B. Mushmouth School of Public Speaking...
by emperor nobody on Jul 17, 2010 4:48 AM PDT up reply actions
nothin' but sarongs for Flashie, huh?
"Burt Reynolds witnessed the conception of his own dad, and frankly, that's what's wrong with him."- TPDMTD!
by Gaijin_Suketto on Jul 17, 2010 1:12 PM PDT up reply actions
update on free MLB.tv and gameday audio fwiw
I mentioned last week that I had MLB.TV for free until July 20, so I’ve been watching the A’s games on my laptop instead of only listening. Since I much prefer the radio broadcasters it was suggested to me that I put the Gameday audio on and mute the sound for the TV broadcast. I can certainly put up with the lag time between the two. However, I’ve been finding that this will cause the TV broadcast to freeze quite a bit. Last night the Gameday audio also quit while leaving the TV working. Finally I just quit the Gameday audio and dealt with the TV announcers during the game. At least then I had no more freezing problems with the telecast.
After July 20 I’ll just go back to Gameday audio.
Gio, beating down the bad teams again.
He’s pretty much your atypical 3-4 SP right now: will look real good against the teams that are 10 games under .500, but will shit the bed against the Yanks. I hope this is a learning curve he’s having this season and will start being good against the elite teams next year.
-Yeah, I just posted that, but my opinion is apparently "wrong" a significant portion of the time though, so take it as you will.
I'm happy to have a guy like that in the rotation. Especially considering our lack of funds.
He’s a very valuable piece – as you so eloquently put it, we expect him to keep us in games against teams we should be beating. Nothing wrong with that from a pitcher.
"You see, in this world there's two kinds of people, my friend: Those with loaded guns and those who dig. You dig."
FWIW
KenKo and VC didn’t send any praise Barton’s way after the stupid sacrifice. They commented that he had 11 (emphatically) sacrifices this year, may have said something about it being no surprise, and then moved on.
I take it the TV guys liked it?
When you hear about the "league leader in sacrifice bunts,"
your first thought isn’t, “He probably has a .377 OBP.”
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
ugh.
The funny thing about baseball is that people will believe what they want to believe. -Joe Posnanski 8/29/09
This is probably the thing Geren's most guilty of doing nothing about
There is no reason for Barton to be bunting as often as he is, as early as he is. Someone like that, you tell him, “No more bunting unless I call for it. You’re good enough with the bat that you can either try to hit to the right side if you really want to advance him, or just try to reach base yourself and make the chances for a big inning even better.”
That’s what a good, intelligent manager would say.
Not our Bobbo.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
The radio guys have criticized him before for bunting.
And my read on their commentary this time was that there was no praise involved; if anything they were holding back from further criticism by just “stating the facts” somewhat pointedly.
Thus my assumption about BBG’s mention of the announcers referring to the TV guys.
Sweet post
Like the play-by-play… IMHO, It makes a little sense to play the small ball against a pitcher like Greinke. So whatever Bob wants to do there… I don’t care. Just don’t make stupid lineups and dumb moves with pitchers late in the game and your doing ok.
Optimistic...
"It makes a little sense to play the small ball against a pitcher like Greinke"
Maybe in like the 7th innig or later. Not as early as Barton does it though.
WTF GEREN?!?!?!
I didn't think this particular sac bunt was as dumb as most of his,
in that there were two on, nobody out, DP in order, and a chance to “add on” 1 or 2 against Greinke. That being said, it was dumb — just not as dumb as some others.
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
Pisses me off too sometimes
But, there’s just certain things I’m going to waste my time being pissed about.
Optimistic...
Like tonight
when they put Rajai at the back of the bus batting .320 vs. LHP, that’ll make a little sense. In other words, it’s stupid. We don’t want to be like Tampa, batting Carl Crawford second. Too much speed up front can’t be a good thing, and Daric Barton is such a good bunter. Makes good mid-game play though… pure sarcasm.
Optimistic...
For instance
Rosy .304, Kouz .301, Barton .307, Coco .389, Rajai .320, vs. LHP and tonight this lefty has a .333 OBA vs. Lefty & .300 vs. Righty. As long as those guys play we would have given it our best shot. Win or lose. Later in the game, when the pitcher comes out, if there is extremely good odds on pitcher/batter matchups switch up.
Optimistic...
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