Dust Off Your Brooms
by Zonis on Jun 18, 2011 10:35 PM PDT
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Tomorrow the A's go for the sweep, for they won today against the Tampa Bay Giants, 4-2!
The game started out with some high stress batters, as Moscoso struggled, but retired, the first two batters on ground balls to first base after some very long at bats. He then proceeded to play keep away in the top of the 2nd, as with two outs and a man on first, Cliff Pennington bobbled a grounder to short, and threw poorly to Weeks at 2nd. Moscoso walked the next batter, but got out of it when Stewart flew out to center to end the bases loaded threat. The A's decided to try to one up the Giants, but came up short, stranding two runners in the bottom of the inning.
Moscoso got out of a 4th inning, 2 on jam, but the 5th inning did him in. On a routine ground ball to third, Sizemore caught his cleat in the dirt (thank you U2) and botched the throw to first, allowing the lead off runner to get aboard. Torres walked, to make it first and second, and the defense demon hit the A's again. On a sacrifice bunt, Moscoso tried to rush the throw, and get the runner at third. He did beat the runner with the throw, but the throw was wide of third, allowing the runner to score. Another run would come around on a fly ball to Rosales in Left by Huff, which allowed Torres to score when the ball was cut off by Barton.
Staples would make up for it, however. In the bottom of the inning, the A's would have their revenge. Sizemore led off with a single up the middle. After a fly out, Barton hit a double to knock Sizemore in. A batter later, Pennington would hit a double to score Barton, and after a wild pitch moving Pennington to 3rd, a walk to Crisp and a stolen base, Hideki Matsui came through with his second hit, a single past the diving second baseman to knock in Pennington and Crisp. Matsui was stranded on second, but it was all the runs the A's would need.
The rest of the game went rather smoothly after an interesting 6th inning, involving Nate Schierholtz hitting a lead off double, only to get caught in between 2nd on a grounder to short. After Crawford singled to center, advancing Rowand to third, Joey Devine delivered two clutch strikeouts to end the threat.
And that really was that. Fuentes, after a leadoff walk, struck out the side in the 7th. Balfour, after allowing a single, cleared through the 8th, and Bailey faced the minimum, although with a GIDP to end the game.
So we head to tomorrow's game against the Gnats looking for the sweep. Oh, sweet revenge.
Current Series
Athletics lead the series 2-0
| Fri 06/17 | WP: Graham Godfrey (1 - 0) SV: Andrew Bailey LP: Tim Lincecum (5 - 6) |
5 - 2 win |
| Sat 06/18 | WP: Brad Ziegler (2 - 0) SV: Andrew Bailey LP: Jonathan Sanchez (4 - 5) |
4 - 2 win |
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San Francisco Giants Sunday, Jun 19, 2011, 1:05 PM PDT Sunny. Winds blowing from left to right field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 75.
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It's a nice bit of serendiptiy
that the Moneyball trailer comes out the same weekend that we potentially sweep the Gnats. Even if we only take 2 of 3, it’s a relatively high-profile series against the defending WS champs that a few extra eyes are probably looking at thanks to the trailer. Nice to pick up these wins.
Heh
Sizemore catching his cleat had nothing to do with the U2 concert. They kept the infield roped off.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
He also tripped over his own feet.
Not sure we can blame U2 for that.
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 always blame U2 for when I trip over my own feet
Spelling errors and embarrassing faux pas as well.
I blame U2 for when I hear music that other people really like, but I don't care for much.
"Some of us know him as the a-hole who piled into Ray Fosse in an All-Star game (it's why Ray is the way he is folks)" - OptimistPrime
I blame a different band for each thing wrong in my life
Things are so much better now that I know I’m bad with money because of Eighties pop sensations Fine Young Cannibals, and Grand Funk Railroad is responsible for my tendency to see conspiracies where sometimes mere coincidence will suffice.
"If we start getting into that sh*t, we might as well get out the plastic sheeting and have an orgy." --Gaijin Suketto
by emperor nobody on Jun 19, 2011 12:07 AM PDT up reply actions
It's not just you.
Everyone is worse off because of Fine Young Cannibals.
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 obviously haven't seen me play throughout the East Bay
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
agreed... it wasn't just roped off
it was fenced off and the fence was well into the outfield actually,not just the infield.
also, sizemore was on the turf i believe not on the dirt
by heartstopper on Jun 19, 2011 6:57 AM PDT up reply actions
But otherwise...!
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
Half empty / Half full:
The A’s continue to make baffling errors on plays so routine you know you’re just watching a bad team…The A’s bounce back with remarkable resilience to “get up off the deck” and overcome almost immediately. Strange.
I think too much is being made of Barton cutting that throw off. The throw was fading and I think Torres would have beat it pretty easily; that’s why it was cut off.
The A’s are now 2-0 when Moscoso fields a bunt and fires it towards the randomly placed chair.
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
Also, it's Suzuki's call on the cutoff.
I dunno if he actually called for it to be cut, but it’s another likely possibility.
"Some of us know him as the a-hole who piled into Ray Fosse in an All-Star game (it's why Ray is the way he is folks)" - OptimistPrime
I'm thinking that as far from the plate as Barton was,
and with a (for a change) loud, sold-out crowd, it’s likely Barton couldn’t hear any instructions from Zooks.
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
like what... 70 feet
that was close enough to hear
by heartstopper on Jun 19, 2011 6:59 AM PDT up reply actions
A little more than that, but yeah
Even with a sold out crowd in New York, I’m sure the catcher can be heard shouting what to do in that spot.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
you can key into the voices you are familiar with
and hear those above background noise
by heartstopper on Jun 19, 2011 11:55 AM PDT up reply actions
You can certainly try.
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????????
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
I SAID YOU CAN CERTAINLY FRY
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
also if the throw is off line he is supposed to cut it off. and there was a possibility of getting the runner at 2nd.
Put a bird on it
not much of a possibility...
he didn’t throw it because there was no play. and if he did throw it 50/50 it would have been in the outfield.
by heartstopper on Jun 19, 2011 7:00 AM PDT up reply actions
the two errors were preventable by the ball receiver too
Weeks and sizemore could have done better. Well, good defensive players could have done better, they could not.
Put a bird on it
With Weeks, are you talking about the one where he got pulled off second base completely by the throw?
I’m not sure what else he could have done there.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Somehow, Ellis would have anticipated exactly what was about to happen and made the play
But a mere mortal couldn’t be expected to do much.
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 Jun 19, 2011 9:34 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
And he had his left shoe on his right foot.
(And his socks were untied.)
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
byrnes (on the giants cast)
or fosse (on the a’s cast) talked about it. weeks was straddling the base like one would to turn a DP. however, since it would have been the 3rd out he shoulda been playing it like a 1st baseman with toe on bag and ready for the stretch. i could see ellis actually doing that
by heartstopper on Jun 19, 2011 11:58 AM PDT up reply actions
Well played.
The A’s are now 2-0 when Moscoso fields a bunt and fires it towards the randomly placed chair.
Yay!!!
Love wins! More, please! :)
"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 Jun 18, 2011 10:52 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
They have plenty of time to lose when I'm 44
So I say, no losies while I’m still 43! Sweep the Giants, sweep the Mets, and go into Philly on an 8-game winning streak, and you have yourself a baseball season again.
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
+1
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 Jun 18, 2011 10:58 PM PDT up reply actions
The Half-Full route is a happy one right now, and, despite the sloopy play
is seeming more realistic. I remember around this time last week I commented a few times about how Interleague play followed by our last 7 games v. Seattle and Texas right before the break, will likely determine our season. I’m happy to see that we are getting WINS, despite the errors and the starting pitchers we have displayed over the last 2 games. If we can continue to take 2 out of 3 in the next few Interleague series while we wait for the return of Ross, McCarthy, and (cougggh cough cough cough cough, yawn, sneeze, oh excuse me) Rich Harden, I think we will make things really really interesting in the AL West by the All-Star break and the trade deadline! What a revival! Let’s see if Cahill can get his control and confidence back. TOMORROW would be a nice time to start.
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 Jun 18, 2011 10:56 PM PDT reply actions
McCarthy might get 1 start before the break, right?
And I think Ross is expected to be back after the break. Outlook really isn’t that bleak….
you forgot
ahem ahem ahem…. clear throat
by heartstopper on Jun 19, 2011 7:01 AM PDT up reply actions
I don't watch enough Giants games to be sure,
but it looks like Sandoval put on a lot of weight from his stint on the DL. I think we at AN should get together some money, and like once a month, send him a nice food basket full of fresh Jack in the Box.
"Some of us know him as the a-hole who piled into Ray Fosse in an All-Star game (it's why Ray is the way he is folks)" - OptimistPrime
mmm Jack in The Box
The A's are a fairly quiet team, and then there's Ben Sheets. Sheets, as a kid, must have been thrown out of every library in Baton Rouge. ~ Scott Ostler
We could send him a "Gift Basket" like the one Gabriel Iglesias sent to a friend of his.
"You can attract a hitter but you can't make him hit" -Lou Wolff
by Geronimo Berroa on Jun 18, 2011 11:28 PM PDT up reply actions
actually i was watching the giants broadcast for part of the night
and they were talking about how panda had taken the time while injured to get into even BETTER shape … must have been hitting the weights and what you see is muscle.
actually i kinda thought the same thing as you mention
coincidentally enough… i STOPPED watching the giants telecast when they went up 2 zip and of course the A’s responded with 4. (the giants telecast was in high definition on directv while the a’s wasn’t AND there isn’t as much crowd noise either. Byrnsey was actually on with jon miller… they are better to listen to than fosse and kuiper though fosse does have some good insights (it was really apparent when comparing the two broadcasts… i just don’t like listening to him… or kuiper for that matter
by heartstopper on Jun 19, 2011 7:10 AM PDT up reply actions
I agree, I think he's put a little bit on in the face
And you don’t add muscle in your face so I think he’s eating too much again.
Still, he’s still down a lot from last season and he’s moving well out there.
About That Time
"You can attract a hitter but you can't make him hit" -Lou Wolff
by Geronimo Berroa on Jun 18, 2011 11:17 PM PDT reply actions
the illegitimate child under the rug.
"Some of us know him as the a-hole who piled into Ray Fosse in an All-Star game (it's why Ray is the way he is folks)" - OptimistPrime
by travdog6 on Jun 18, 2011 11:21 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Hahaha!! It's the maid's broom!!
"You can attract a hitter but you can't make him hit" -Lou Wolff
by Geronimo Berroa on Jun 18, 2011 11:24 PM PDT up reply actions
Arnold at a "Green Revolution" Rally....
“And if we can begin to start riding these brooms to and from home and work, we could save energy in KaLiForNYA”! “Now that I have made the maid, it’s time to Assist my ASSistant!” Conan the Governator! Go A’s !!
Another year, another chance to hope for the team !!
Um, so what do we do on tuesday when we have to go to NY
And the alts turn green? How does it work if we really want to keep wearing gold all year so we keep winning.
FIRE ILIKEIKE
I say wear the Gold ones all year
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Jun 19, 2011 8:12 AM PDT up reply actions
Normally, they wouldn't take the gold alts on the road.
However, since it would only be one extra trunk, and could be easily accessorized with the road gray pants and green hats, I’m sure Vuc would pack the truck if the A’s win today.
"I heard the reason Geren never played Powell was so he could have someone around to fetch him a cushion."- UrgentMirth
by Gaijin_Suketto on Jun 19, 2011 12:05 PM PDT up reply actions
pack the trunk... I'm having trouble typing today for some reason.
"I heard the reason Geren never played Powell was so he could have someone around to fetch him a cushion."- UrgentMirth
by Gaijin_Suketto on Jun 19, 2011 12:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Hideki Matsui singles in 2 runs to give A's 4-2 lead over Giants
Video I shot from the game: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-H9YqTvGbow
Giving you all the 49ers info you need at the San Francisco 49ers Examiner
That's my site. Check it out!
Face it
When one third of your defense is made up of River Cats, you are going to have errors, end of story. Lets hope we can be the Castro Street Giants one more time. Send those Holloween Colors back to the other side of the bay where they belong.
Hello? You play to win the game!
i hope you simply left out the "at" in beat
otherwise you just called us the castro street giants… YECH
by heartstopper on Jun 19, 2011 7:13 AM PDT up reply actions
oh jesus
Raiders fans do gay slurs against the 49ers, we A’s fans should be classier than that.
by vk on Jun 19, 2011 7:17 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
Seriously. We should do gay slurs against the SHARKS.
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
Oh, and I 100% agree with you, vk.
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’s the big deal about castro street? it’s basically just a frotage road for 980 northbound.
by AV on Jun 19, 2011 8:19 AM PDT up reply actions
LOL gnats R gay
May 29, 2010: Steven Revetria becomes Giants General Manager. The rest is history.
"118 elements, and still no stanfurdium"- carp, paraphrased
Bandwagons are fun- that's why people get on them in the first place.
by natteringnabob on Jun 19, 2011 8:29 AM PDT up reply actions
this comment
intended as mockery, if any question exists. I was at the screening of “Out” at the Castro Theatre, and the franchise acquitted itself well in discussing Glenn Burke.
May 29, 2010: Steven Revetria becomes Giants General Manager. The rest is history.
"118 elements, and still no stanfurdium"- carp, paraphrased
Bandwagons are fun- that's why people get on them in the first place.
by natteringnabob on Jun 19, 2011 9:23 AM PDT up reply actions
Thanks for clarifying.
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 didn't do it that well
I should have said “A’s franchise”, several of whom were interviewed in the film.
May 29, 2010: Steven Revetria becomes Giants General Manager. The rest is history.
"118 elements, and still no stanfurdium"- carp, paraphrased
Bandwagons are fun- that's why people get on them in the first place.
by natteringnabob on Jun 19, 2011 9:52 AM PDT up reply actions
Loved the documentary.
Turns out I know the filmmaker, which I didn’t even realize when I saw the film.
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
And flagged for the Castro Street insult
It’s completely unnecessary. Be better.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
BROOMS? We dont need no stinkin BROOMS!
I am just overjoyed that the A’s are starting to play some competitive baseball! You can see and feel the difference with Melvin at the helm. The players dont have that “Deer in the Headlights” look anymore in the field. And even though our defense is suffering with all these young hot bats we have playing in the field, those same young players are sparking rallies and making clutch hits to win games! I believe that the defense will improve eventually, but the A’s are so desperate for hits right now that defense has to take a back seat. The A’s pitchers MUST have some extra spring in their step knowing that the A’s offense has been found, dusted off, and is functioning just fine thank you. Sizemore needs a LOT more practice at 3rd to be a good defensive 3rd baseman, but other than that he is doing great! He seems to get timely hits and he seems like he is most at home at bat. Weeks has played well too, and I expect his hitting to start sparking rallies of their own! Weeks gets a single, steals second, steals 3rd, and comes home on a sac bunt. We can call it a “Jemile” run, because Ricky Run just dont seem to fit. I think Ellis and Kousmanoff are in serious jeopardy of losing their jobs. It was time to bring up the youngsters, and they have performed admirably. Now lets finish off the “sic” World Champion “sic” GNATS ! GO A’s !!!
p.s. BOBO wherever you are, stay away from your tv or the ballpark. The evidence is mounting regarding your incompetence as a MLB Manager. The better the A’s play, the bigger a fool Geren seems. WTF was Beane thinking every season running that AZZHAT Geren out there to screw up game after game? I have seriously begun to question Billy Beane’s judgment. Maybe Brad Pitt would do a better job??
Another year, another chance to hope for the team !!
don't look now but
kouz already lost his job
by heartstopper on Jun 19, 2011 8:05 AM PDT up reply actions
What encourages me about Sizemore is that his errors/mistakes are all
pretty directly the result of inexperience. He looks like he has pretty good hands, a very reliable arm, and a tendency not to panic, all good traits. He just needs to learn how to play the position and “should” be doing that out of our view in AAA — but we need his bat so he’s learning 3B in front of us. I’m cool with that.
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
Sizemore makes me happy. Nice pickup for the A's.
Melvin needs to keep up the trend of practicing infield fundamentals during the regular season.
Sizemore, Weeks, and eventually Carter will all need help, as well as McCarthy and Moscoso.
"I heard the reason Geren never played Powell was so he could have someone around to fetch him a cushion."- UrgentMirth
by Gaijin_Suketto on Jun 19, 2011 12:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Up to Cahill
The game depends on Cahill finding the strike zone. If he walks over 2 batters the A’s will lose. This will be the weakest lineup to face in a while.
Melvin is the man!
Too bad Melvin didn’t take over for Geren sooner. In 1 week he already has much better knowledge of how to handle this pitching staff. He is motivational. Love that he immediately made line-up changes. Straight shooter on slumping players and line-up weaknesses.
Its kind of cool we are getting McCarthy & Ross back.
And if Harden is “back” and we get 50-70 lights out innings out of him you all that a win. We might not be as bad as we were during that 1-13 run.
Last time Harden looked like a "lights out" pitcher was 2008
At this point I’d be happy with him just getting through a few starts without barely scratching the 5th because his pitch count is so high.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
So Ellis isn't learning another position????
Why doesn’t he play 1B in his rehab assignment? The worst thing the A’s could do is send Weeks down.
(My guess is that Barton goes down no matter what when Ellis comes back)
If Ellis is only gone a few days on the rehab and is back Wednesday, there's not a whole lot he's going to learn about a new position
My hope is that Weeks gets the majority of the playing time at 2B as long as he’s hitting well, with Ellis serving in a mentor role.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
Not only that it appears that Carter has been moved back to 1B no reason to displace him
once again even if it’s only for a handful of games.
A couple of days at 1B will at least famliarize him with it
Playing a new position in a game situation even once is better than not at all. I really can’t see Ellis staying on the team if he can’t play 1B and doesn’t have the arm to play SS or 3B. Unless the A’s plan to test him at SS to see if he can serve as back-up there as well as at 2B.
So they've said...
But there’s a disconnect between what the A’s say and what they do,, so who knows.
What are the chances that Barton is no longer an A next season?
"If you leadoff and you play every day, you’re guaranteed to bat with the bases empty at least 162 times."- Tim McCarver, July 8th, 2006
Dunno. He could be a Rivercat, no?
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
I dunno. The Pirates employ Lyle Overbay. They might take him. Texas has Mitch Moreland
and if they don’t get Pujols or Fielder, Barton is a decent option.
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Jun 19, 2011 1:07 PM PDT up reply actions
I'd say there's a good chance
It really depends on how he its the rest of this season and in spring training.
As good as a 1B may be defensively, it’s pretty tough to carry a 1B who hits in the 9 spot (on a team that isn’t that good at hitting anyway!).
I’d say if he doesn’t turn it around this season the As will evaluate some other 1B at spring training and if Barton can’t turn it around, he won’t make the roster.
I think he's gone
With Carter on the upswing and Doolittle still hanging around, there’s no point in carrying a .200-hitting 1B, even if he walks a lot and has a good stretch. He’ll flounce from team to team for a while, but unless he actually begins to hit the ball with authority (his double yesterday was the same crap we’ve been seeing, only in the gap) his career will be short.
Is it my imagination...
…or has Matsui’s name been much more prominent in game descriptions lately when it comes to key hits and driving in runs?
"If you leadoff and you play every day, you’re guaranteed to bat with the bases empty at least 162 times."- Tim McCarver, July 8th, 2006
The Melvin Effect
def. What happens to players when a team dumps an unsuccessful manager and replaces him with someone who can actually get the team to play better. Syn: Billy Martin Effect, the Jim Tracy Effect, the Clint Hurdle Effect, etc. Ant: The Geren Effect
hmmm..................
hits better vs leftires, righties not at all; i’ll bat him ONLY against righties til he gets it down so not to confuse him
by heartstopper on Jun 19, 2011 11:53 AM PDT up reply actions
The Melvin Effect... I like that. heehee
"If you leadoff and you play every day, you’re guaranteed to bat with the bases empty at least 162 times."- Tim McCarver, July 8th, 2006
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