DeJesus' 1000th Hit Leads The A's Back Over .500
by Nico on May 14, 2011 4:13 PM PDT
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PrintIt was Mark Ellis Bat Day on the day Ellis played his 1,000th game at 2B for the A's. However, Mark Ellis Bat Day is kind of like Helen Keller Eye Chart Day, so someone else had to step up and produce with the actual bat. That was David DeJesus, who kept the "1,000th" theme going: His 1,000th career hit was a two-run triple in the bottom of the 5th as part of a three-run rally that chased starter Gavin Floyd and gave the A's a 5-0 lead.
Oakland scored two in the 2nd when Kevin Kouzmanoff doubled and came home on Cliff Pennington's seeing-eye single through the right side hole. Gordon Beckham knocked it down on the outfield grass but looked right as the ball trickled to his left, and an alert Kouzmanoff scored. Pennington came around when Coco Crisp singled him to 3B and then Daric Barton drove a sacrifice fly to CF.
DeJesus' two-run triple and Kurt Suzuki's ensuing RBI single -- Kurt leads the league in "parent RBIs" -- gave the A's their 5-0 cushion as Tyson Ross cruised. Ross struck out a career high 8 in his 7.1 IP and kept the White Sox off the board until two outs into the 6th inning, when Paul Konerko's two-run HR, the first HR all season off Ross in now 36 IPs, cut the A's lead to 5-2.
The bottom of the 7th was interesting, as the A's added on. With DeJesus at 3B and one out, Kouzmanoff hit a fly ball to medium-shallow RF. Personally, I thought the A's should send DeJesus because Carlos Quentin has a very unreliable arm, but DeJesus came 30 feet down the line to draw a throw and then stopped. However, Quentin indeed airmailed the throw to the plate, forgetting that there isn't actually a 3rd-and-a-halfth base (if there were one, it would likely have 4.5 sides), run down by the pitcher (Tony Peña), as DeJesus alertly restarted and trotted home.
With the Angels scoring a run in the 9th to edge the Rangers 3-2, the A's and Rangers are back in a flat-footed tie for 2nd place, both 1.5 games behind the Angels. There's some intense mediocrity going on in the AL West right now and if you're looking for a team that is unbelieveably .500-y, you'll like the way we look: I guarantee it.
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I'd like to think I'm his muse.
...being a role model I probably wouldn't recommend eating dirt. But at the same time, I'm not trying to be a role model. I'm just trying to eat some dirt.
How is Braden going to break into this staff?
Or do we just let McCarthy walk? We have 6 very very good starters right now. Plus Harden FWIW.
We have 5, not 6.
And since you really need about 7, Braden will have a place if he can come back effective.
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
Neither will Harden.
I'm beginning to believe that Bud Selig wants to die of old age before he has to make a decision regarding Oakland vs San Jose.
We have an abusive relationship with .500.
We need to quit it.
"Nah, you look like Elijah Wood." - danmerqury
by OldhamA on May 14, 2011 4:18 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
"I think I want to see other winning percentages..."
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
by Nico on May 14, 2011 4:20 PM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
It's not me, it's you.
...being a role model I probably wouldn't recommend eating dirt. But at the same time, I'm not trying to be a role model. I'm just trying to eat some dirt.
In the related fanposts for the second game thread there was one titled "Ellis hit home run of the day".
It was dated 3 years ago.
...being a role model I probably wouldn't recommend eating dirt. But at the same time, I'm not trying to be a role model. I'm just trying to eat some dirt.
Did you see the size of the bats they gave away?
No wonder he can’t hit the ball
I got nothin'
by OptimistPrime on May 14, 2011 4:30 PM PDT up reply actions
Hah. At least they weren't mini bats.
...being a role model I probably wouldn't recommend eating dirt. But at the same time, I'm not trying to be a role model. I'm just trying to eat some dirt.
Way out west...
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
Way out west!
There’s a story told.
"Whether they find life there or not, I think Jupiter should be called an enemy planet." - Jack Handey
by bluthbanana20 on May 14, 2011 5:45 PM PDT up reply actions
It's not the size of the bat, it's the motion in the ocean.
Wait, what?
"Nah, you look like Elijah Wood." - danmerqury
May 14th
Still a game and a half ahead of the Red Sox for the Wild Card!
2011 Oakland Athletics: We have Cy Young pitchers and make yours look like it, too
Hey: Tied with Texas 1/4 of the way through the season
Probably ahead of what we might have projected. Yes I know they’ve had injuries, but who knows what the near future holds?
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 wonder what the Royals demanded for Callaspo last year.
I thought we were going to get him.
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 know, but you KNOW he wouldn't hit that well here.
The Angels make a living out of turning crappy hitters into irritatingly good ones (or at least ones with high averages).
"Nah, you look like Elijah Wood." - danmerqury
He's always been a high average hitter, though.
And his style wouldn’t be too subject to being suppressed by the Coliseum. He’s kind of what Cardenas will be if he succeeds.
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
Do you mind making a CT thread? Sorry if I'm being pesty.
I really need to take my pants off.
...being a role model I probably wouldn't recommend eating dirt. But at the same time, I'm not trying to be a role model. I'm just trying to eat some dirt.
I don't do CT threads.
It’s a Leopold Bloom, danmerqury et al thing. We’re profoundly departmentalized and the bureaucracy for exemptions is extreme — I don’t think I could get the paperwork filled out before the end of the month.
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
Damn. The Man is always keeping us down.
...being a role model I probably wouldn't recommend eating dirt. But at the same time, I'm not trying to be a role model. I'm just trying to eat some dirt.
(but thanks anyway)
...being a role model I probably wouldn't recommend eating dirt. But at the same time, I'm not trying to be a role model. I'm just trying to eat some dirt.
Wasn't the rumor like Gio + Sweeney?
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
If so, then good call not pulling the trigger!
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 remember it being pretty outrageous
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
That's what the Pirates wanted for LaRoche
As I recall, the A’s managed to pick up Andy a little cheaper than that a year later.
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton
that might have been it
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
CT is on. Aners are there. Drinks are flowing. (hint, hint)
...being a role model I probably wouldn't recommend eating dirt. But at the same time, I'm not trying to be a role model. I'm just trying to eat some dirt.
Compliant Pork will there too!
...being a role model I probably wouldn't recommend eating dirt. But at the same time, I'm not trying to be a role model. I'm just trying to eat some dirt.
work. the bane of my existence. i hate working the weekends.
I got nothin'
by OptimistPrime on May 14, 2011 4:30 PM PDT up reply actions
I feel for ya. On the other hand, how much work is it to make a CT thread? ;)
...being a role model I probably wouldn't recommend eating dirt. But at the same time, I'm not trying to be a role model. I'm just trying to eat some dirt.
Aww, MarinThor wants CT to go to her (his?) Little League games.
...being a role model I probably wouldn't recommend eating dirt. But at the same time, I'm not trying to be a role model. I'm just trying to eat some dirt.
If he does, it will either be really cool or really creepy.
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
He was offended that the kid played his game instead of showing up at the bar.
...being a role model I probably wouldn't recommend eating dirt. But at the same time, I'm not trying to be a role model. I'm just trying to eat some dirt.
Wants CT to?
At least someone else asked Brandon Phillips to go to some youth league game, and he did.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Hi from Tucson!
Nice win boys!
"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 May 14, 2011 4:55 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
The Diamond Sports Bar is packed
The hotel folks have been scurrying for chairs. Half of us are sitting in the lobby. Some White Sox fans are staying here and looked terrified as they scurried through the lobby.
Help the A's help Japan. www.oaklandathletics.com/japan
by Englishmajor on May 14, 2011 5:10 PM PDT via mobile reply actions 1 recs
Question:
What happened to Tyson’s sinker? Today was all four-seam/slider, aside from three pitches or so (sinker and changeup). Why?
Maybe he didn't have a feel for it today?
Or what he was throwing was working well enough as it was?
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Maybe.
Just seems a little odd. His fastballs have been split about 50/50 between four and two-seam so far this season until today. And the changeup thing is weird. He’s been working on it for a while…and he threw it twice. Because as great as he was today…a two pitch four-seam/slider pitcher is a supersized reliever. And I wouldn’t count on it working too often the third time around the lineup.
The one Dunn roped into the RF corner for a double
was off a changeup. Maybe Ross felt he would throw too many like that, and if so he was smart to stay away from the “silver platter ball”.
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 think you should trust pitchfx very much in distinguishing four seam/two seam
Probably wasn’t getting as much downward movement as usual because who knows. Re: changeup, not sure about Ross specifically, but a lot of pitchers use changeups primarily against opposite-handed hitters; only two in yesterday’s lineup, one of whom was Pierre, and the correct strategy for him is probably just throwing fastballs down the middle.
With stout hearts, and with enthusiasm for the contest, let us go forward to victory. ----Hero Defector Montgomery
"Helen Keller Eye Chart Day"
Dang, that’s cold. But, sadly, true.
Sweet is the lore which Nature brings; / Our meddling intellect
Mis-shapes the beauteous forms of things:— / We murder to dissect.
Buddy of mine said earlier:
“On Mark Ellis Bat Day, I’ve seen a 6-year-old do more damage with a Mark Ellis bat than Mark Ellis.”
Last of the Ninth - Photography
I think that the A's should
give Ellis until the end of the month, and if he has not started to hit over the .200 mark then you have to call up Weeks or Cardenas and either make Ellis the backup or DFA him. This may seem a bit harsh, but Ellis seems to have lost what little power he had. His “line drives” hang up in the air now for the outfielder to catch it perhaps indicating that Ellis just can’t hit a sharp line drive anymore. As stated before, Ellis would not be “the first 33 year old second baseman to suddenly lose it.” Personally i think that Ellis should be the backup, and then BB should try to work out a trade for David Wright, and make whoever is left over from that trade, either Kouz, Laroche or Rosales, the backup third baseman.
Booting him from the starting role after 2 months of the season and hitting under .200 isn't harsh at all
It’s purely his defense and his ties to the organization that is keeping him as the starter now. Kouz looks like he might be coming around offensively, but if not, we should probably bring up Cardenas to play interim 3B. As far as backup goes, Ellis can pretty much only play 2B, so it’s either starting or DFA. There’s no point wasting our only backup infielder spot on someone who can’t play SS and 3B.
To me, Kouz doesn't look like he's coming around offensively
in that he is still flailing at many bad balls (sliders) and has an approach that somehow manages to combine pulling off pitches with lunging at them and tying himself up — a remarkable combination, yes, but also a very bad one.
So he’s gotten a few hits by way of getting good pitches to hit (why, I don’t know), or happening to find a hole, but I’m not encouraged overall.
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
The past 2 or 3 games he's actually gotten to play in he's had a good plate approach and has laid off of a lot of bad breaking balls, etc.
It might be a small sample prize, but he’s certainly improving. We’ll have to see if it will only boost his average slightly, or if he’ll actually put up half-decent numbers. He only has 1 strikeout in his last 15 PA, which is remarkable for him
He's hit a lot of balls off the end of the bat, though, after pulling off the pitch --
two of which he’s been strong enough to parlay into sac flies, but they weren’t good ABs.
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 agree that Ellis would not be a good backup 3B or SS
but he could platoon with Weeks, I believe that Weeks is a switch hitter, and Ellis could help get Weeks acclimated to playing second base at the MLB level. Also, platooning with Ellis may make Ellis more affective if his body is wearing down, and it will take some of the pressure off of a player in Weeks who has not even played a full season at the AAA level. I just don’t want to DFA Ellis because he has been one of the only players to stay with the A’s for a substantial amount of time. Having said that, I would be okay with the A’s working out a trade for Ellis because there will likely be some team interested in him if the A’s place him on waivers, right?
by Rygoslinglover on May 14, 2011 10:19 PM PDT up reply actions
Funny you should mention 2B...
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
You're probably right
but maybe there will be more than one team wanting Ellis’ services. Maybe some competing team loses their second baseman to injury, that team may be willing to take on Ellis’ salary in a trade if that is what they must do to beat out the other suitor(s). That probably will not be the case, but I would not rule out the possibility.
by Rygoslinglover on May 14, 2011 10:41 PM PDT up reply actions
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
Good Win
Kudos to Tyson Ross, who has really stepped up and starred since Braden was injured. With Dallas likely out for the season, this is Ross’s big chance to prove himself, and he’s doing just that.
Thankfully, the offense came through as well. Well done DeJesus; getting 1,000 hits in the MLB isn’t easy, and your’s was an important two-run triple!
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