Alexei Ramirez Crushes Oakland's Win Streak With Two Home Runs
by danmerqury on Apr 12, 2011 8:55 PM PDT
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PrintNeither starting pitcher lasted long, but Trevor Cahill was worse off, with big problems with the movement and the location of his pitches. A's TV color commentator Ray Fosse noted that he was blowing in his hands a lot, and hypothesized that the cold Chicago weather was causing him to lose grip. Either way, Cahill expended 56 pitches in the first two innings, and while he recovered admirably, his high pitch count caused him to be pulled halfway through the fifth. He allowed all of the damage in the second inning, mostly in the form of a three-run homer to Alexei Ramirez, his first of the night.
Of course, Alexei Ramirez would strike again, this time in the bottom of the tenth, with a solo walk-off home run to win it.
Lost in the Chicago celebration? A terrific outing by lefty Jerry Blevins, who recorded the last out of the seventh inning, throwing in two more scoreless innings for good measure. Blevins has had a terrific start to the year, enough to where Bob Geren might want to look elsewhere for a roster spot when (or if) Joey Devine and Michael Wuertz return to health. Daric Barton also had a fantastic night, going 4 for 5 with three singles and a double.
The A's attempt to win the series tomorrow morning and reclaim .500 as Brett Anderson takes on John Danks at 11:10 AM, PDT.
Current Series
3 game series vs White Sox @ U.S. Cellular Field
| Mon 04/11 | WP: Tyson Ross (1 - 0) SV: Brian Fuentes LP: Jesse Crain (0 - 1) |
2 - 1 win |
| Tue 04/12 | WP: Chris Sale (2 - 0) LP: Bobby Cramer (0 - 1) |
5 - 6 loss |
|
Oakland Athletics Wednesday, Apr 13, 2011, 11:10 AM PDT Partly cloudy. Winds blowing from right to left field at 5-10 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 60. |
||
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FIRE GEREN NOW
the decision to pinch hit for coco was weird
the decision to use cramer over balfour was silly
the artist formerly known as inbillywetrust
Coco was hurt
Tightness in back
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Crap
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 12, 2011 9:04 PM PDT up reply actions
SuSlu says he's 50-50 for tomorrow
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Please Fire Geren
I hate the man. It looks like he has found his Rincon in the form of Breslow. Can’t he go to the minors to figure it out? Is Geren the only one who can’t see he’s lost it? Or is he just trying to lose games on purpose. No excuse for putting him or Ziggy out there. Let Cahill and Blevins go longer. At least let Blevins go once through the line up. I think Bob has cost us 3 games so far.
by steeraw on Apr 13, 2011 5:55 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Some positivity
That even though Cahill started out rough, he got back on track. The pen for the most part did well too. I think that the situational hitting of moving runners over still needs some help.
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The reality is, we probably gained about 2 games in the standings today.
A disappointing day for the A’s but a really bad one for the Rangers.
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
Could be awesome for the Angels then
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 12, 2011 9:05 PM PDT up reply actions
In the longrun
The Angels will not be strong.
With out starting pitching…all we need is for our offense to get ignited (geren’s job/hitting coach’s job). We could easily catch the Rangers, and bypass the Angel’s.
C'mon Beane! Close off the bottom deck and reopen the top!
Maybe you could infuse some of that confidence to the team.
"We were shit, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
by lenscrafters on Apr 12, 2011 9:15 PM PDT up reply actions
probably more.
Hamilton out 6-8 weeks is huge.
"Life is a horizontal fall" -Jean Cocteau
by King Richard on Apr 12, 2011 9:15 PM PDT up reply actions
okay, not probably more. But it feels huge.
"Life is a horizontal fall" -Jean Cocteau
by King Richard on Apr 12, 2011 9:15 PM PDT up reply actions
What it also means is that the Rangers can't afford another injury
They could weather an injury in the rotation, for example, on its own — but coupled with Hamilton being out would be big. They just got worse, and they just got a lot thinner.
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
This
Nelson Cruz hasnt had a full season since the minors….coupled with their starting rotation being shaky (though thus far strong) i believe their team has weakened.
Hamilton is the MVP, when he goes down, the team obviously suffers
C'mon Beane! Close off the bottom deck and reopen the top!
This would assume the A's do not suffer a single significant injury until Hamilton comes back.
"We were shit, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
by lenscrafters on Apr 12, 2011 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions
You mean other than Coco and Clifton?
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 12, 2011 9:27 PM PDT up reply actions
For the A's to win the West,
they will have to out-health the Rangers. If they don’t, then they’re in trouble.
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
If neither team is healthy, the Angels are waiting
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 12, 2011 9:28 PM PDT up reply actions
That would be the Angels' opening
But I see the likeliest scenario for them being .500. Not getting Morales back was a huge blow.
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've got a certain pitcher who is 3-0= and just threw a CG 1-hitter:
Dan Haren
"Feel so bad, feel like a ballgame on a rainy day"-Lightnin' Hopkins
by justANotherAsFan on Apr 13, 2011 6:53 AM PDT up reply actions
Records don't mean much...
But he did pick up a junk win in relief the other day.
by Brett Narloch on Apr 13, 2011 6:54 AM PDT up reply actions
Which, I'm ashamed to say...
was awesome for my fantasy team.
Haren is awesome.
That the Angels were able to steal him away for virtually nothing is the only reason they’re even in the contention conversation.
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
At this point in the season...
…we are going to lose most of the games with similar storylines. Bullpen depth was supposed to be one of our strengths, but then Bailey, Wuertz, Devine, and Harden all imploded, so the remaining pitchers shift innings/roles. Ross and Fuentes were presumably unavailable for tonight’s game, and the starter couldn’t even go 5 innings. Although the decision to send Cramer out for the 10th was a poor one, in hindsight and in foresight, he would have eventually made his way out there anyway…once we get all our horses back healthy in the ‘pen, we’ll win a very high percentage of games that are close/tied going into both ’pens early…
P.S. I really think DeJesus might want to think about maybe getting a hit sometime, else he could end on the AN Shit-list along with Kouz…
This
Let carter start raking in AAA and Dejesus better keep his eye on the ball, or else I vote for a
Carter LF
Crisp CF
Sweeney RF
Willingham DH
or
Carter DH
Willingham LF
Coco CF
Sweeney RF
alternating Matsui in
C'mon Beane! Close off the bottom deck and reopen the top!
How did Sweeney sneak in there?
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 12, 2011 9:20 PM PDT up reply actions
Well if Dejesus loses his starting roll
And Carter steps in, Sweeney is the viable option in Right.
Carter, Matsui, and Willingham will have to share duties in the DH and LF position.
C'mon Beane! Close off the bottom deck and reopen the top!
Why can't Carter, Matsui and Willingham play and Sweeney be benched?
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 12, 2011 9:26 PM PDT up reply actions
Who plays right?
I dont trust Willingham’s defense in RF
C'mon Beane! Close off the bottom deck and reopen the top!
But you trust Carter in LF?
If you watch Carter play any OF, you pine for Willingham.
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
Right
Which is why I opted for a rotation between DH, LF, and a day off.
Even time at 1b, allowing Barton to take a day off or, even DH himself.
C'mon Beane! Close off the bottom deck and reopen the top!
You really don't want Carter anywhere near a major league OF at any point right now
If he’ll ever be able to play the OF, that day has not yet arrived.
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, I think, could happen soon.
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 know
But when our pitching staff loses 1-0 or 2-1 games, I bet they wish a bat like his was in our lineup
C'mon Beane! Close off the bottom deck and reopen the top!
His bat isn't even good right now.
It’s easy to become enamored with power but the guy has lots of stuff he needs to work on with his swing. And in any case, he doesn’t project to hit better than Matsui, DeJesus, Willingham, and Barton, the guys on the field playing his positions.
"We were shit, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
by lenscrafters on Apr 12, 2011 9:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Agree
Wish they would get Matsui out of there. So far he has choked in big RBI situations. Not doing the work we are paying him for.
by steeraw on Apr 13, 2011 5:49 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
I don't know if you saw last night, but he had their only hit with a RISP
He’s coming around.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Matsui's BABIP is REALLY low
If it were anywhere near normal he’d have not-great but not atrocious stats. I havent given up on him yet.
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which was preceded by a game where he homered
Matsui will be fine. He always starts off slow. He knows what he’s doing and he is damn good at hitting a baseball.
by Billy Frijoles on Apr 13, 2011 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions
you named 4 relievers that should contribute to the A's
but can’t because of injuries.
yet the A’s bullpen is decent in 2011 so far. That’s depth
Put a bird on it
I have no problem with Cramer there
The game had reached its “put your long guy in ’cause this could take awhile” phase.
What i do have a problem with is the A’s tendency to not respect hot and coldness (and i know, PT, it doesn’t exist.)
When Alexi Ramirez, a known streaky hitter, hit a screetching liner deep to left for his HR off Cahill, a guy who doesn’t give up many HRs, it tells you Ramirez is feeling good right now.
When Alexi Ramirez then, in another AB hits one just foul, it should give you something to think about.
So, when Alexi Ramirez is up, with 2 outs already, mind you, and nobody on base, with a 3-1 hitters count….WHY would you throw him anything to hit?! Geren should have said, through signs or whatever, "not going to groove one on 3-1 to this guy. Tip your hat, face the next guy with 2 outs and a guy on first.
The A’s do this too much. I know how formulaic folks are about never giving away outs, but i also felt the opposite factors were true earlier in the game (DeJesus, who has been not only cold, but clearly through his face and body language just not feeling good up there lately, was up with no outs, 1st and 2nd. Before he hit into the double play he hit into, my fear of him hitting into a double play was on much higher alert than normal. And, voila.)
I normally don’t like to give away outs either. But you can’t just ignore who is hot and who is not at that moment.
Heat and cold exist, and they matter. Should be factored in. It always depends. There are no formulas.
by supersugarCrisp on Apr 12, 2011 9:16 PM PDT reply actions
Cahill gives up plenty of HR - 46 in 2 years
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 12, 2011 9:22 PM PDT up reply actions
DeJesus's "face" looked fine to me.
"We were shit, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
by lenscrafters on Apr 12, 2011 9:22 PM PDT up reply actions
He's not smiling
Trade him!!!
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by Kelly on Apr 12, 2011 9:32 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions 2 recs
That was a facking horrible pitch. Right down the middle.
"I thought it was going in," Warriors center Chris Hunter said. "It looked like the invisible man tipped it away at the last second."
"He's chicken curry right now. He'll become beef curry a little later on."
-Keith Smart
I know I was rooting for a walk.
No matter what, the target should have been low and away — if you miss the target by 2 feet, then oh well, that’s why you’re a freaking substitute teacher.
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
As for the other comments.
1. You really don’t sense DDJ struggling? Really? So, instead you’re going to go the snark route? nice
2. OK, i stand corrected on Cahill (of course this will fuel the complete dismissal of the main point with many.) Point is, Ramirez IS streaky, IS hot, had shown it strongly already in 2 previous ABs, and all Geren had to do was give the sign, as Nico hints at, to make absolutely sure the pitch was nowhere near the zone, if he swings then things are different at 3-2.
I’ll wait to hear if it was just “we did that, but Cramer somehow threw it down the middle anyway.”
I doubt it.
Hot and coldness exist, they matter, and you can sense it.
by supersugarCrisp on Apr 12, 2011 9:33 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't pretend to "sense" anything about the psychological conditions of people that I'm watching through my laptop screen.
As a psychology major in college, the first thing they teach you is how this branch of pseudo-psychology is, quite frankly, complete and utter bullshit. And by “complete and utter bullshit”, I mean a heap of confirmation bias and projection. Next time you get one of your “feelings” about a certain player, think about all the other times you got a “feeling” about a certain something and the opposite occurred.
Hot and cold streaks are just our way of taking data we have a “feeling” about and manipulating the data in order to confirm whatever “feeling” it is we want to confirm. Safe to say, and as study after study (I would link to the appropriate chapter in The Book too but it’s not available online and it’s best if you buy it and read it for yourself anyways) has shown, trying to gain any predictive insight into this data is hopeless.
"We were shit, pathetic," Guillen growled early in spring training. "We hit too many home runs."
by lenscrafters on Apr 12, 2011 9:54 PM PDT up reply actions
hot or cold
you never want to throw that pitch to Alexei
by Oaktown Shutout on Apr 13, 2011 9:40 AM PDT up reply actions
ex-Zactly. It's not like you say,
“Oh, the guy is 1-for-his-last-22, so I can hang a slider or groover a fastball. Don’t worry, he’s cold!”
"It's too much, Cap'n! The engine canna handle such a heavy load!." - LB
Another reason to fire Geren
Good observation on Alexi. I see your point on Cramer. However, if our bullpen is thin shouldn’t the people who are performing go longer. You think Blevens was tired when they came and got him? Why was Cahill yanked after a guy reached on an Error?
by steeraw on Apr 13, 2011 6:04 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
THIS.
“So, when Alexi Ramirez is up, with 2 outs already, mind you, and nobody on base, with a 3-1 hitters count….WHY would you throw him anything to hit?! Geren should have said, through signs or whatever, “not going to groove one on 3-1 to this guy. Tip your hat, face the next guy with 2 outs and a guy on first.”
You had to pitch outside to him. I don’t remember what Suzuki’s call was, but whoever said to throw that pitch inside lost the game for us.
I'm all for firing Geren too
C'mon Beane! Close off the bottom deck and reopen the top!
story of the A's for the past few seasons
get ’em on, leave ’em there
I don't remember us getting people on.
Just leaving them on base.
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 don't remember a sac fly, and the box score doesn't show one. Can you clarify?
"It's too much, Cap'n! The engine canna handle such a heavy load!." - LB
You're right, there wasn't one last night
So I’m not sure what Future Ed is talking about.
After Barton’s double in the third he moved up a base when DeJesus flied out then scored when Matsui grounded out to the right side, but that DeJesus out isn’t a sac fly. Just a normal fly out.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Cool, thanks! (It's a GOG question, so I wanted to make sure.)
"It's too much, Cap'n! The engine canna handle such a heavy load!." - LB
Huh?
If DDJ would have bunted, it would have been recorded as a Sac Bunt.
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My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
And if you hit a no-out bouncer to the right side of the infield to move a runner from 2nd to 3rd,
that’s also recorded as an out. I guess there is something, according to the scorers, about “giving up” more explicitly in laying down a bunt that makes them not want to include it in that “all important” statistic, the Batting Average!
"It's too much, Cap'n! The engine canna handle such a heavy load!." - LB
but there's no such thing as a "sacrifice grounder"
but, apparently, a sac fly is only awarded when a runner scores.
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
And if there happens to be a guy on first and you hit the same grounder in a double play, no RBI for you!
RBIs being, apparently, the “second most important Batting Statistic”!
"It's too much, Cap'n! The engine canna handle such a heavy load!." - LB
Today was a clinic in what not to do when you're ahead in the count
A’s hitters need a serious talking to after this one.
I cannot believe some of the swings that were taken on 3 and 1, we gave this game away.
"Minutes from the last save opportunity...Balfour got 3 outs..."- Nico
Bright Spots and stuff
- Matsui is being a productive bat in the middle of the order. Being aggressive when the game calls for aggressiveness (Man on 3rd, 1 out)
- LaRoche made some tough defensive plays. He is filling in quite nicely.
- Kouz did something positive.
- Barton is driving the ball.
You could tell that Coco was walking gingerly after the diving catch in the 4th Inning. How do Fosse & Kuiper miss these things?
Critique: I would have liked to see Balfour pitch the 10th Inning, then give the game over to Cramer.
It’s a long, long season.
by Colorado Fan on Apr 12, 2011 10:27 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Geren, again, made a number of horrible decisions
the one I still can’t get over is pinch hitting Conor Jackson for Ryan Sweeny at that point in the game……As for Cramer coming in to face the heart of the Soxx order, well, I guess Geren had no other options???
Man, I can’t wait for Bailey, Wuertz, and Devine to be healty, maybe even Harden..
Barton was great, as was LaRoche and Matsui.
What Would DeJesus Do………Pop one up to the Center Fielder in a mens league softball game.
Tomorrows game should get us back on track. I’m always excited to watch Anderson do his thing!!
My mannerism a prism/ And it should shine
Light it if you would/ Be so kind, right now'd
Be A' Good Time
by DaRubiesSLOKingsA's on Apr 12, 2011 10:33 PM PDT reply actions
Not so fast on Matsui
One of his hits was a pathetic infield luck hit and he failed yet again when he had the chance to do some real damage.
by steeraw on Apr 13, 2011 6:07 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Not so fast on Matsui
One of his hits was a pathetic infield luck hit and he failed yet again when he had the chance to do some real damage.
by steeraw on Apr 13, 2011 6:09 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
You're off on this one
One failed AB with the bases loaded doesn’t erase that he brought a run home with a groundout and then singled in a run after a DeJesus GIDP.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
I loved that single! Salvaged a very important moment, I thought!
"It's too much, Cap'n! The engine canna handle such a heavy load!." - LB
The bright side:
I continue to be very happy with Andy LaRoche. He made some plays today at short that were pretty damn good. He got a hit and his last at-bat to draw a walk after being down 1-2 made we want to yell at Kouz and say, “Hey…are you taking notes about how to do this?”
*Although Kouz’s homerun was pretty huge.
In any case, all of the fanfare this off-season was centered around Willingham, DeJesus and Matsui. Those three are costing the A’s over $16 million plus several B-level prospects just for this year.
LaRoche and Brandon McCarthy are costing the A’s about $1.5 million this year – less than 1/10th of the other guys – didn’t cost the A’s any talent to acquire and can both be retained beyond this season for modest increases in salary…and oh yeah, they are both performing pretty damn well for this team so far.
I think over the next two months, with the Hamilton injury, this team has a definite opening to make the AL West a legitimate race. If the A’s starters stay healthy, I think that’ll happen, provided Bailey and Wuertz come back by the end of the month.
The offense will continue to mostly suck, I suppose. Whenever the A’s field a lineup with Suzuki, Kouzmanoff and Pennington in the lineup, it just seems like the bottom of the lineup is such a drag. Of the three, I think Suzuki might have a chance to rebound towards something like a .720 – .740 OPS or something if his liners start finding the gaps, but Kouz is just hacktastic and Pennington is a nice defender but really needs to overhaul his swing…
I am not sure what available remedies there are for the offense beyond hoping for the aforementioned Nuevo Trifecta to magically post the numbers of years past this year while hitting half the time at the Oakland Coliseum. I think that LaRoche should sometime this year usurp 3rd base from Kouz and Carter might be a nice boost in power later on in the year…but beyond that, there isn’t much to project…
I'm never gonna do it without the fez on!
What do you mean when you say McCarthy can be retained for only a modest increase?
Does he have another arby year left, or are you assuming that no matter how well he pitches this year, no one is going to offer him a big multi-year deal next year?
by Glorious Mundy on Apr 13, 2011 10:00 AM PDT up reply actions
Another arby year left...
He was at 4 years 122 days service time beginning this year…with a full year after 2011 he’ll be just short of the needed 6 full years to be eligible for free agency.
If he keeps pitching this way all season, he’ll probably get a bump to $3-$4 million for 2012, but he’ll be A’s property.
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with the fear of going overboard
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Put a bird on it
Beautiful
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@KenTremendous we should start a twitter war. I’ll play unlightened baseball idiot, and you can, well just be you. I can be your new MChass!
Last of the Ninth - Photography
awesome.
KenTremendous Ken Tremendous
@B__McCarthy You are one scrappy tweeter.
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by whiteshoes40 on Apr 13, 2011 7:11 AM PDT up reply actions
I think i guy to keep a eye is Cardenas
So far is hitting 444 and playing a good 3b. At this point were getting no production from the left side of the infield besides LaRoche.
these games are like playoff games in April
the tense, every-pitch-counts feel, runs hard to come by, every move dissected afterwards…. there’s an entire postseason vibe to it. It’s as if on an unconscious level, the A’s have internalized the preseason predictions that said they’d win the West and are now playing their playoff games in April as a result.
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by emperor nobody on Apr 13, 2011 12:33 AM PDT reply actions
I don't like the Cramer move.
I’m sure Fuentes was unavailable, but Balfour should’ve been in there. If putting Balfour in would’ve cost the bullpen for Wednesday’s game, then so be it. Chances are it won’t be a tied game in the later innings anyway.
I'm coming around on the Balfour vs. Cramer debate
I see better what Nico and others were saying about just getting to the next inning to give yourself a chance to score again.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
It was only the 10th, so it wasn't like everyone had been used up.
But Geren essentially said “well I guess it doesn’t matter if we win, because we might need these relievers tomorrow.”
And that’s dumb because we might be blown out today. We might blow them out. We might need Cramer to throw 4 innings today. Anderson might pitch a complete game.
There are just too many things that could happen today that it’s dumb to throw a game in the 10th yesterday.
by Brett Narloch on Apr 13, 2011 8:14 AM PDT up reply actions
Everyone basically had been used up, though
From what it sounded like, neither Fuentes (three games in a row) or Ross (three innings after not getting into a game for about 10 days) were available, so it was down to Balfour or Cramer in that spot.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
and how many innings was cramer + balfour good for
in the event crammer didn’t groove a 3-1?
Probably depends
If Balfour gets you to the 11th and the A’s score, Balfour probably tries to finish the game. If it goes to the 12th there, you go to Cramer.
If Balfour only pitches the 10th and Cramer comes in after that, then you figure Cramer can probably go 3-4 at least.
Combined, it’s likely they could have gone to the 15th or so if runs were kept off the board.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
I am not yet sold well enough on Balfour to feel like he couldn't give up a run to lose, either - especially to the White Sox!
So, I was ok with Cramer coming to pitch a few innings until the A’s could put up a run, then let Balfour close it out. It is too bad that he challenged Ramirez. I’d be interested in knowing whether that pitch ended up where he wanted or not, though we’ll probably never know.
"It's too much, Cap'n! The engine canna handle such a heavy load!." - LB
true...it's not like putting in balfour = guaranteed victory
Cramer made a horrible pitch and paid for it. Whatever. We win one game with a late HR, lose the next. Let’s get the series win, and get back here on a good note.
by Billy Frijoles on Apr 13, 2011 10:28 AM PDT up reply actions
I assumed he was saving Balfour for the save
no save situation, means Balfour is ready for tomorrow
I have no problem with this. If it was a home game, Balfour probably comes in, in the 10th. But the way it stands, If you use Balfour in the 10th, can he go back out in the 11th if we get the lead? Or do we bring in Cramer to close the game? Either way Cramer is coming in, so why not save Balfour for tomorrow.
I have no problems with putting Cramer in there in the 10th, and mostly he did a good job. No doubt he regrets pitching into Alexei now.
by Oaktown Shutout on Apr 13, 2011 9:55 AM PDT up reply actions
Calm down
The A’s are playing away games early in the season against teams that are above .500. teams. They have played well. Every game have been winnable. Cramer will soon be gone once Bailey is back or Weurtz. If the team can finish the month around .500 it will be a sucesss since a tough first month schedule and a large amount of away games. The only concern is Kouz looking like Crosby and Suzuki poor at bats. Once Rosales is back if Koux is not swinging he will be gone and LaRouche will be our starter.
First of all, I'm guessing Ross will be gone before Cramer.
It’s not that Cramer doesn’t have any value. He just shouldn’t be in the game in the 10th when it’s tied.
So far, LaRoche has looked awful against righties. And, while Rosales is useful because he can play all of the infield spots, he has done nothing to convince me that he should have an everyday job.
So… 1) I don’t think Kouz will be released… 2) I don’t think Cramer will be gone when Bailey gets back… 3) Suzuki looks awful and Powell should be playing way more… 4) I agree that there’s no reason to panic
by Brett Narloch on Apr 13, 2011 8:22 AM PDT up reply actions
I think, at least for a day or two, I want to lighten up on Kouz and Suzuki.
After all, they hit the key homers the last two days. Suzuki – at least as KenKo described it – blocked some very tough pitches across his body, and has yet to be stolen upon this series. Kouz remains error free in Chicago.
"It's too much, Cap'n! The engine canna handle such a heavy load!." - LB
Kouz making one pitch outs against struggling with command starter?
bad.
Yes, he hit a HR to go ahead.
But the total approach seems no good.
I'm not listening, I'm not listening!
{Claps hands over ears; shakes head vigorously}
"It's too much, Cap'n! The engine canna handle such a heavy load!." - LB
Is there ever any positive going on here?
I come on and all I see is FIRE GEREN, replace matsui, bench dejesus, play sweeney, kouz is awful, suzuki sucks, penny cant hit, cramer cant pitch, blah blah…how about not freaking out after 11 games of a 162 game season?
sorry
it’s all existential angst. Moving to a Country station does that.
We’re the EMOakland A’s
I'm actually turning optimistic, despite last night
1) A’s have had the lead at least once in every single game they’ve played.
2) Starting pitching – pretty damn good. Our worst outing (last night?) was only 4 runs.
3) uh… BASEBALL wooo!
It's true. Not many balls have to fall differently (or be pitched differently) for the A's to be 8-3.
"It's too much, Cap'n! The engine canna handle such a heavy load!." - LB
ya - last night i think was a jumpstart for the offense
at least i hope it was. seemed like they were all seeing it better. and the pitching isnt gonna stay at a 3.01 staff ERA all year, but if they are consistently getting good starts, the a’s gonna be juuuuuuuuust fine.
It's terribly frustrating to see so many men left on base...
The HR to Ramirez in the 10th didn’t really bother me at all. It was the seemingly dozens of opportunities the A’s missed.
by Brett Narloch on Apr 13, 2011 9:15 AM PDT up reply actions
The A's have been leaving men on base
For over a decade that’s baseball A’s style
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by Athletic on Apr 13, 2011 9:22 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
And to be fair, the other 29 teams leave a lot of runners on base, too.
"It's too much, Cap'n! The engine canna handle such a heavy load!." - LB
Doesn't make it any easier to deal with.....
Nights of 1-16, 1-14 with runners in scoring position are getting very VERY old, and those 42 games that are hanging in the balance every year, are going to go against you more times than not until this can change.
So Far....
4/1: 1-4 L
4/2: 1-8 L
4/3: 3-13 W
4/5: 5-13 W
4/6: 2-6 L
4/7: 1-8 W
4/8: 0-7 L
4/9: 3-11 W
4/10: 1-6 W
4/11: 0-5 W
4/12: 1-16 L
That’s currently 18 for 97, for a blistering .185 average with RISP. This doesn’t appear to be a regularly collected stat that I can find (trended at least) but I can’t imagine there’s many successful teams who fail to get a hit more than 80% of the time when they’ve got an opportunity to drive in a run.
Just for shits and giggles, here’s the Rangers comparison
4/1: 4-10 W
4/2: 5-9 W
4/3: 1-4 W
4/4: 2-9 W
4/5: 2-7 W
4/6: 2-11 W
4/9: 1-7 L
4/9: 5-9 W
4/10: 1-7 W
4/11: 2-4 W
4/12: 1-7 L
All of that equating to 26 of 84, or a RISP average of .310.
That’s the difference between a healthy hold on first place, and scrapping to be .500.
LOL
yeah, that .185 w/RISP is pretty terrible. I think it will get better though.
I feel like we really can’t afford to give willingham a day off.
by Billy Frijoles on Apr 13, 2011 10:30 AM PDT up reply actions
So the A's have had more runners in scoring position this season than the Rangers?
That’s positive at least. Of course, that doesn’t take home runs into account, which I’m sure more than make up for the difference.
by UrgentMirth on Apr 13, 2011 10:43 AM PDT up reply actions
Well, they had more at bats with runners in scoring position....
Not necessarily more runners. The A’s seem to rack all there’s up within just one or two failed scoring opportunities. Lead off double that doesn’t score is 3 failed at bats. Base loaded and 1 out and no one comes in is 2 added to the denominator. The Rangers consistently hit up and down the line up, and in scoring opportunities. The A’s seem to “set the table” but routinely fail to bring them in.
Ah, good point
Generally, more success with RISP = less AB’s with RISP. I didn’t consider that
by UrgentMirth on Apr 13, 2011 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions
Interesting lineup per SuSlu
#Athletics at #WhiteSox: DeJesus cf, Ellis 2b, Jackson rf, Willingham lf, Matsui dh, Kouzmanoff 3b, Suzuki c, LaRoche 1b, Pennington ss
Twittelator • 4/13/11 11:13 AM
"Hey anyone can join in...as long as they talk about me." - Mr. Bed
"So you're saying we should skin the Rangers and wear them as uniforms? I’m down." - Kyli
by cuppingmaster on Apr 13, 2011 9:28 AM PDT via mobile reply actions
because Geren likes sweeny so much
he doesn’t want him to get hurt.
Wait, LaRoche on first?
After Barton ripped the ball apart last night?
What's the over/under on games Crisp misses? 12.5?
Barton gets 4 hits last night and gets benched? Without Crisp, here’s what would’ve done:
1) Ellis 2B
2) Barton 1B
3) Jackson RF
4) Willingham LF
5) Powell C
6) Matsui DH
7) LaRoche 3B
8) DeJesus CF
9) Pennington SS
by Brett Narloch on Apr 13, 2011 9:33 AM PDT up reply actions
But he wants Matsui in there?
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Apr 13, 2011 9:44 AM PDT up reply actions
Barton is 5 for 11 off Danks.
Yeah, it’s a SSS. Geren is a total fucking moron
and Powell still in the shade
It’s a mystery.
by MobiusKlein on Apr 13, 2011 10:05 AM PDT up reply actions
Zooks must play!
It’s in his contract. He must play every day, ever.
"Nah, you look like Elijah Wood." - danmerqury
Seriously
I don’t understand how you mix together
A) a good hitter
B) coming off a four hit night
C) who’s done very well against today’s starting pitcher
and come out with let’s sit him tonight on the other end. People* need days off, but you can certainly pick your spots better.
*non-Suzuki category
by UrgentMirth on Apr 13, 2011 10:48 AM PDT up reply actions
incorrect.
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
I agree
after extra innings back to back nights, I thought Powell would be in there
But I guess Suzuki can rest when he’s dead tomorrow
by Oaktown Shutout on Apr 13, 2011 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions
I'm pretty sure I could be the backup catcher for the A's.
I mean, really – how often would I have to catch? Twice a season? I could muddle through that.
I’d even be a better pinch runner than Powell. Maybe I should give Beane a call.
"Nah, you look like Elijah Wood." - danmerqury
looks like Cliff is ok
Good thing he didn’t opt for the biopsy on his “infected sweat gland”
Maybe he took Braden’s word on that
by Oaktown Shutout on Apr 13, 2011 10:03 AM PDT up reply actions
Perhaps he should have his toes examined, too!
"It's too much, Cap'n! The engine canna handle such a heavy load!." - LB
that's a lot of righties
so much different than last year vs LHP
by Oaktown Shutout on Apr 13, 2011 10:07 AM PDT up reply actions
Bobby Boy
Geren is about as sharp as a load of bricks! I’ve seen better baseball heads on a beer than this dodo. Why Bean keeps him around is a wonder to me! He probably costs 2-3 games per yr. simply due to his idiot moves.
Geeze, my 13 yr. old son could manage better than him! Get him or dig up the bones of Billy Martin! Gimme a break. Bob should be working at a Burger King.
It ain't over till the fat lady sings...but she is on a diet now!
everyone complains about geren
fact is, hes an MLB manager, and no one on here is or ever will be. regardless of what you think, he knows more about baseball than you.
Or, at the very least.....
More about what Billy Beane looks like in his tighty-whiteys.
that may be true
but i still dont think spending time crying about geren will fix anything…instead of focusing on the negative, lets try and be positive for a day.
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