A's Tie Game in the Ninth, Promptly Roll Over, Lose 4-2
by danmerqury on Jul 5, 2011 10:20 PM PDT
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PrintThe beginning of this game didn't exactly have that much going on, as Felix Hernandez held the A's to one run in eight innings, striking out ten and walking none. Trevor Cahill had allowed two runs, and the A's were en route to mirroring their 2-1 loss last night.
And then the bottom of the ninth happened.
It all came down to Oakland's catalyst as of late, Jemile Weeks. Weeks led off the inning with a booming ground-rule double. He moved to 3B on a sacrifice bunt, then Coco Crisp lofted a shallow fly ball that was just out of the reach of a sliding Carlos Peguero. And just like that, the game was tied, and the A's, rejuvenated after being held down by Felix Hernandez, came back up to send this into extra innings.
And unlike in previous extra-inning affairs, manager Bob Melvin made the right call and sent his best reliever out for the tenth inning, Andrew Bailey. With the A's in good position to win the game, they were hit by one of the worst, most deflating runs of luck and bad defensive play in a long time.
- Franklin Gutierrez hit a slow groundball that was angled just enough to go past a diving Cliff Pennington.
- Andrew Bailey struck out Greg Halman. One out.
- Franklin Gutierrez stole 2B, after a bad, bad throw from Kurt Suzuki that bounced on the grass.
- Andrew Bailey intentionally walked Ichiro Suzuki.
- Brendan Ryan hit a tailor-made double play ball. Jemile Weeks fielded it and flipped it to Pennington at 2B. Ichiro Suzuki slid into Pennington (even though Pennington was far away from 2B at that point) and airmailed the throw to 1B, allowing the run to score.
There was no argument by the coaches on the possibility of a runner's interference call on Ichiro Suzuki, but both of the A's TV announcers cried foul as soon as they saw the replay. The official rule states that the runner must be able to touch the base as he's sliding. Was he close enough to the bag? See for yourself. It sure doesn't look like it to me.
Jamey Wright came into the game and threw a 1-2-3 bottom of the 10th to seal the win for the Mariners. Some losses are met with apathy, some with anger, but this one? This one's gonna hurt.
Current Series
Mariners lead the series 2-0
| Mon 07/04 | WP: Michael Pineda (8 - 5) SV: Brandon League LP: Brandon McCarthy (1 - 5) |
1 - 2 loss |
| Tue 07/05 | WP: Brandon League (1 - 4) SV: Jamey Wright LP: Andrew Bailey (0 - 1) |
2 - 4 loss |
|
Seattle Mariners Wednesday, Jul 6, 2011, 12:35 PM PDT Jason Vargas vs Guillermo Moscoso Sunny. Winds blowing out to center field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 80. |
||
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Comments
Games like these mean its not our year.
Time to sell. You win these games if you are having everything go right.
Double play call determined the game.
That’s a massive failure on Weeks and Pennington for not pointing it out, and for Melvin for not arguing the call.
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
the throw by itself should have clarified that something was wrong. what's sad is that the umpire is right there staring at the play. how can he not make the call by himself?
the artist formerly known as inbillywetrust
by stm72 on Jul 5, 2011 10:26 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
What's odd is that Ichiro's slide didn't actually cause the bad throw
That’s probably why Pennington didn’t argue. It’s kind of hard to get yourself to scream, “Hey I know our catcher and I can’t throw within 30 feet of the target, but technically….”
I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal
That's what is really mind boggling though.
You’d think he’d be doing everything he could to divert attention AWAY from his horrific throw.
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
well, anticipation of getting hit might have been a factor
But yeah it’s hard to call interference when Pennington threw the ball before Ichiro reached him, and it didn’t look like Ichiro even made contact!
yeah the throw was so terrible. One thing to pull the guy off the bag, another to not even give him a chance to catch it.
by Billy Frijoles on Jul 5, 2011 11:03 PM PDT up reply actions
to add to that...
On a double play ball at 2nd I have never ever seen a call for sliding too wide.
Also it’s on Penny to make that throw…or hold the ball. Or at least throw it in the vicinity of the bag so the runner can’t go home.
by Billy Frijoles on Jul 5, 2011 11:29 PM PDT up reply actions
Yeah
Penny said that he never got a good grip on the ball. Well in that case don’t throw it. At least keep Gutiérrez from scoring.
by OaklandSi on Jul 6, 2011 4:41 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
Pennington hasn't had "a good grip on the ball" all season ...
come to think of it, I can’t remember the last time I saw Suzuki make a throw to second base without airmailing it into center or 4-hopping it to the bag. We have a team of guys who struggle to play catch.
I needed a team so I wouldn’t turn into one of the eighty million pink hat-wearing Bud Light-drinking mulleted idiots at Fenway.
he apparently tried to hold onto the ball but couldn't which is why the throw west wide and not with his normal velocity
the artist formerly known as inbillywetrust
Jamey Wright's 500th career appearance...
…and 1st save.
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 we're going to squander this grade A pitching
we might as well aim to get a top 3 pick.
Beane needs to sell his mistakes and bring up some of the youth and let them take OJT from here on out.
I was pissed about the IBB
really, Ichiro is not so untouchable this year.
Gotta say, I would have walked him too.
He’s the consummate singles hitter (highest career BA at the Coliseum of any player, just as a little “fun fact”), and Ryan and Kennedy were next.
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
wait,
I thot Swingles held that title..
by sf drift king on Jul 5, 2011 10:46 PM PDT up reply actions
Another heartbreaking loss because their fielding is terrible
Every fan knows the A’s can’t hit worth a lick, but how many losses because their fielding is absymal? The A’s lose by two, and once again the margin of defeat are unearned runs. How many times has that happened?
The Mariners are not very good, but they have moved well past the A’s, and there is no indication that we can finish any place other than last.
Team with the worst record against SEA since 2006?
Your Oakland A’s!
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
when did we go like 20-2 against them?
"Caring about stuff binds us to the other people that care about stuff, and that creates the communities that makes life worth living."
That would be 2006
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton
Funnily enough, 2007 was when King Felix started dominating.
Would help not having to face him seemingly 100 times a year….
paper bags come out if the A's go 10 games behind, watch.
Hello? You play to win the game!
Wait, we're gonna have fans at the games?
COOL!
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
It was soooo empty tonight.
It’s getting pathetic.
"Caring about stuff binds us to the other people that care about stuff, and that creates the communities that makes life worth living."
um, why?
A Kouzmanoff for the rest of us!
by OptimistPrime on Jul 6, 2011 1:32 AM PDT up reply actions
Seriously?
How can anyone hope that any player gets beaned?
by OaklandSi on Jul 6, 2011 4:36 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
Oh my goodness, now we're gonna get all sensitive again ...
no reason to “hit Ichiro tomorrow” – hitting guys intentionally/randomly is weak. But there are also many other occasions in baseball when it is entirely appropriate to nail someone – let’s not get all PC about it, because it’s a part of the game, like it or not.
I needed a team so I wouldn’t turn into one of the eighty million pink hat-wearing Bud Light-drinking mulleted idiots at Fenway.
so not advocating "beaning" (hitting a player in the head deliberately with the pitch)
is “PC”? (whatever that’s supposed to mean.)
brushing back a hitter to take control of the inner part of the plate is part of the game
so is hitting a batter in retaliation for one of your batters getting hit deliberately.
Beaning a player is not acceptable.
I always thought "beaning" simply meant hitting someone.
Yeah, if we’re talking about a head shot, it’s never a good thing. But again, if you told me, “Weeks got beaned last night,” I’d just assume you meant he got hit with a pitch. I certainly hope DaPorts isn’t advocating a head shot.
“PC” is my way of describing an over-exuberance from many people to never say or write anything that could be misconstrued or found offensive in any way, shape, or form … which eventually just means “don’t say or write anything” because we’ve become so over-sensitive that just about anything can be called “offensive”.
I needed a team so I wouldn’t turn into one of the eighty million pink hat-wearing Bud Light-drinking mulleted idiots at Fenway.
I've always heard that "beaning" was hitting in the head
as opposed to aiming anywhere else on the body. In fact, there can be legal consequences if a coach orders a pitcher to aim at a batter’s head.
Yes because 70s baseball was so boring
Everyone is a as soft as butter these days. I hope Ichiro does not get in the head, but I’d love to see him take one right between the numbers.
Don't you realize
you could end somebody’s career that way?! Imo, back bruises are quickly becoming as serious as concussions. Not to mention the damage it would do to Ichiro’s self-esteem — everybody knows this kind of thing could force him into a shell from which he may never return, leading not only to attempts at taking his own life, but the alcoholism that would invariably result for Ichiro and generations of children to follow. Gawd, it never ends – we’re so soft now, it’s embarrassing. Thank you Dr. Spock (not you, Leonard Nimoy) and the rest of the quacks who brainwashed the naive.
I needed a team so I wouldn’t turn into one of the eighty million pink hat-wearing Bud Light-drinking mulleted idiots at Fenway.
Reported for taking my lords name in vain!
Well, not really.
Just being sarcastic, obviously
didn’t mean to offend you …. wait, isn’t that my point?
I needed a team so I wouldn’t turn into one of the eighty million pink hat-wearing Bud Light-drinking mulleted idiots at Fenway.
Conor Jackson vs RHP this year: .215/.285/.285
Conor Jackson vs RHP, career: .264/.338/.392
WHY IS HE PLAYING
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
Because Barton can't even hit AAA pitching right now.
in 30 AB, .167/.359/.200.
"PECOTA can pretty much kiss my ass."-Nico
What he means is that he usually takes playing time away from Sweeney and now Carter.
by Rio on Jul 6, 2011 7:00 AM PDT up reply actions
Well, a 2-4 with a double game would spike those numbers, for the record.
But point taken.
"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
Why is Pennington playing with that OPS he's sporting???
Doesn’t he have a sub .300 OBP???
Every man for himself...
You want Rosales?
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 6, 2011 7:07 AM PDT up reply actions
I think Rosales should get half the starts there now
"Once you go Bed....everything else is dead." - Bed
"So you're saying we should skin the Rangers and wear them as uniforms? I’m down." - Kyli
by cuppingmaster on Jul 6, 2011 7:09 AM PDT up reply actions
I'd be fine with that, or if he got all of them
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 6, 2011 7:21 AM PDT up reply actions
Evolving Lineup
This is the lineup I want to see post-DL Willingham:
Weeks – 2B
Sizemore – 3B
Willingham – LF/DH
Matsui – LF/DH
Carter – 1B
Crisp – CF
DDJ – RF
Rosales – SS
Suzuki – C
"Once you go Bed....everything else is dead." - Bed
"So you're saying we should skin the Rangers and wear them as uniforms? I’m down." - Kyli
by cuppingmaster on Jul 6, 2011 7:23 AM PDT up reply actions
That's got a pretty good chance of happening, I'd think.
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 6, 2011 7:35 AM PDT up reply actions
He is? How?
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 6, 2011 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions
I believe Penny is probably better.
But Rosales should be given a chance.
by Billy Frijoles on Jul 6, 2011 10:25 AM PDT up reply actions
look at the options...
therin lies the answer.
Yeah, don't let the best power prospect in the system play.
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
against a guy that will make him look like a chump? have to say, if I'm melvin
and i am still trying to contend, I would not be trotting Carter out there against Felix. Even if i have given up on contending, King FeFe probably be one of a few guys I still wouldn’t have Carter play against. Confidence can be easy to lose and tought to get back
yea, and telling a guy "you're not playing because these guys are too good" is GREAT for confidence?
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
He's the best pitcher in baseball
Carter going 0-4 with 3 K’s can’t be much better
"Once you go Bed....everything else is dead." - Bed
"So you're saying we should skin the Rangers and wear them as uniforms? I’m down." - Kyli
by cuppingmaster on Jul 6, 2011 8:22 AM PDT up reply actions
or there's the chance he guesses right on a 95mph fastball and hits it 430 feet.
Conor Jackson CAN NOT do that.
Did you miss the HR he hit on Sunday? It was hot out, middle of the afternoon, and he fucking crushed it, like it was a one of those balls when he made contact I went “Oh damn that is GONE.”
and it barely landed on the ledge for a HR. He put everything he had into that and it was only a HR by like a foot.
For all the pissing and moaning about Barton’s lack of power, people being OK with an equally powerless first baseman is just ridiculous.
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
Who's ok with it?
Seems like the one thing we all agree on is that Conor should not start against a RHP.
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
Really? You don't think there were more complaints about Barton?
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
I just haven't seen the "Conor should play against RHPs"
I saw plenty of “Barton’s good” along with “Barton sucks” but haven’t seen much support for Conor vs. RHPs.
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
Fair, I just don't think being out one game is super terrible
The bigger problem is him getting sent down when Willingham gets back. Rather send down Godfrey.
"Once you go Bed....everything else is dead." - Bed
"So you're saying we should skin the Rangers and wear them as uniforms? I’m down." - Kyli
by cuppingmaster on Jul 6, 2011 8:30 AM PDT up reply actions
don't put me in that camp, I loved the way
Daric Barton could muster the courage to take a hanging curve a half inch off the plate with two men in scoring position and a three ball count.
by Alvin Dark on Jul 6, 2011 8:31 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
people like you make me wish AN had an ignore feature.
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
by mikev on Jul 6, 2011 8:31 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Maybe the Athletics themselves need an ignore feature.
"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 Jul 6, 2011 9:37 AM PDT up reply actions
No argument here
Ive wanted Jackson DFA’d for months now. He’s a complete waste of a roster spot. Players like him (and Jake Fox) only exist on crappy teams, and we shouldnt strive to be that. Bring up Taylor, bring up whoever, just get rid of him.
I actually don't mind sitting him last night
Better for his confidence to play against pitchers he can hit and start to put up numbers that are a lot different from “0 for 33”. Let him mash Vargas and maybe look up at a 6 for 23 line rather than flail at the King at look up at a 4 for 23. He should play 90% of the time, but this is the right 10% IMO.
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
for discussion purposes
I don’t think with the angle he was going he had a chance of touching, but oh well.
it really wasn't close. He was in the basepath and then went AWAY from second base when he slid.
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
yea thats why I tried to add multiple cuts to it
to show his path going away from the bag. You see one pic and you might think he could reach it, but not when you realize the path he is taking away from the bag.
by Athletix Man on Jul 5, 2011 10:48 PM PDT up reply actions
i'm tired
of watching a team that can’t hit… why the hell don’t i just become a god damn giants fan? went to sf for july 4th – man what an awesome baseball atmosphere. too bad i can’t bring myself to make the switch.
it's the giant baseball glove in left field isn't it?
The A’s drive away fans, and the giant coke bottle/slide drives them right back.
your tired of watching a team that can't hit so why not become a giants fan??
ummm so then you could watch a team that can’t hit?
by Athletix Man on Jul 5, 2011 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions
fuck. that.
I am tired of watching crappy baseball, but you are not really a fan of a team if you bale when times are tough. I would say the Gnats are a good destination for you perhaps.
A Kouzmanoff for the rest of us!
by OptimistPrime on Jul 6, 2011 1:34 AM PDT up reply actions 2 recs
Says the man who eloquently became a Giants fan on April 1
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 6, 2011 7:01 AM PDT up reply actions
Hay, when you bale, you bale.
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
Hee
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 6, 2011 8:42 AM PDT up reply actions
Although what this horrible failure of a season is making me realize
is that I care more about a small market underdog team winning the World Series than I care about the A’s being that particular small market underdog team.
If the Pirates or Rays were to win it all this year, I would be 95% as happy as I would be if the A’s were the ones to do it.
"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 Jul 6, 2011 9:39 AM PDT up reply actions
They play in a crappy league, thats why they win and we lose.
Their offense is as good as ours….think about that.
just got back from the game
I was happy they at least made it a game.
How many unearned runs can we give up?
If we can’t support our pitchers with much hitting, can’t we at least give them some defense?
First time seeing Weeks in person. That kid is fun to watch…the double was outstanding, then he’s clapping furiously standing on 2nd, the crowd was going wild, good times. He knew he was gonna score.
Great bunt by Sizemore. Nice to have at least one guy in our lineup that can calmly lay down a bunt in a critical situation on a 97 mph fastball.
Whaaa he wasn't close enough to tag the bag whaaaaa!!!
Plays like that happen all the time and RARELY do they get called for runners interference. Whine about a legit blown call next time.
go back to LL.
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
by mikev on Jul 5, 2011 11:22 PM PDT up reply actions 7 recs
I normally just check out what the other guys have to say and not comment.
But this ‘blown call’ is pretty lame. It was a ‘blown throw’.
You realize that both are possible, right?
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
what's this Gray think you keep talking about
there is only black and white.
This is the A's blog for A's fans
Loser Landing is for Mariners fans, I suggest you troll in your own backyard
A Kouzmanoff for the rest of us!
by OptimistPrime on Jul 6, 2011 1:30 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
time to be positve...
Michael Choice 4 straight games with a HR….5 for 6 today with 5 rbis, 2 2b’s and a HR…….20 jacks!!! weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
by JimBarnett2KevinGarnett on Jul 5, 2011 11:22 PM PDT reply actions
21 HRs tyvm
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton
ya ur right....
he also had a stolen base to make it 9….40/20 season???
by JimBarnett2KevinGarnett on Jul 5, 2011 11:39 PM PDT up reply actions
Jermaine Mitchell has had a hot start at AAA too.
Opening day 2012?
1B: Barton
2B: Weeks
SS: Pennington
3B: Sizemore
C: Ortiz
LF: Taylor/acquisition
CF: Mitchell
RF: Choice
DH: Carter
AJ GRIFFIN OPENING DAY STARTER
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
Yes, because that has never happened.
You guys know that players get rushed, right? And that things dont go the way YOU expect them to! It actually happens!
He's always going to be a high K guy
Luckily he plays the OF and does everything else well. He’s a top 10 draft pick for good reason.
His K rate has also been dropping like crazy lately….mostly because he has officially owned A+, time to get him at AA.
I'd rather take a run at Pence/Bourn
And have Choice ready to roll in the bigs by 2013.
"Once you go Bed....everything else is dead." - Bed
"So you're saying we should skin the Rangers and wear them as uniforms? I’m down." - Kyli
by cuppingmaster on Jul 6, 2011 9:59 AM PDT up reply actions
I also get the feeling that you guys are making fun of AJ Griffin, who is our #1 prospect btw, because I hyped him before anyone else.
Which is boring and meta and lame. Accept the fact that he’s awesome and you should be stoked we have him and yes, he most likely deserves a crack at the 2012 rotation.
He's gotta beat out the little 3 plus Braden/McCarthy/Ross
No chance.
"Once you go Bed....everything else is dead." - Bed
"So you're saying we should skin the Rangers and wear them as uniforms? I’m down." - Kyli
by cuppingmaster on Jul 6, 2011 9:53 AM PDT up reply actions
He could also be too advanced for single A and was therefore dominating.
He has to prove himself on every level. Contrary to Cahill and Anderson he wasn’t a high profile draft pick.
I really like it that he is so good this year. But I don’t expect a #1 or #2 out of him just yet.
That's basically what Lockard said.
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 6, 2011 10:14 AM PDT up reply actions
It's not because of when you hyped him
But rather the unrealistic speed at which you want to rush a guy who had no real reason to be moved that quickly, just because he started pro ball a little older than others. He certainly wasn’t expected to be as good as he’s been so far based on his draft position.
He’s hardly even faced any adversity yet in pro ball, which you need to learn from.
I’d LOVE to see him keep doing what he’s doing, but to call for someone to go from Low-A to the Majors within one calendar season is nuts.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
That, and I think last night might show why we don't want Ortiz as C
6 steals against him without a CS
Don't you realise you'll find next monday or next Tuesday/Your golden shoes day
by PDXAthleticsfan on Jul 6, 2011 9:29 AM PDT up reply actions
I was going to ask how he was defensively, I honestly don't know
Was that against a team with really great basestealers? If not, ouch. He hits like a champ though….
4 of them came from one guy, so I'm going to assume he's really good. Not sure about the other two guys.
Don't you realise you'll find next monday or next Tuesday/Your golden shoes day
by PDXAthleticsfan on Jul 6, 2011 9:32 AM PDT up reply actions
Actually, the entire team had stolen all of 27 bases in 81 games previous
So, I’m guessing, yeah, Ortiz ain’t the greatest at throwing out runners.
Don't you realise you'll find next monday or next Tuesday/Your golden shoes day
by PDXAthleticsfan on Jul 6, 2011 9:34 AM PDT up reply actions
BA says he "moves well behind the plate and is an above-average receiver"
It calls his arm “average” but he’s recovering from surgery.
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 6, 2011 10:13 AM PDT up reply actions
Which is enough cause for concern
I’d prefer to give Donaldson or Recker a shot before we rush Ortiz up.
Don't you realise you'll find next monday or next Tuesday/Your golden shoes day
by PDXAthleticsfan on Jul 6, 2011 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions
Or both
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 6, 2011 10:19 AM PDT up reply actions
serious question
Are there never any instances of hitters jumping from A or AA to the majors?
I believe Choice is definitely going to be moved up to AA before the year is out. Could he be a september call up if he is mashing in AA? Could he then get a spring training invitation and win a job next year?
Does this ever happen?
by Billy Frijoles on Jul 6, 2011 10:54 AM PDT up reply actions
Travis Buck went from AA to the majors.
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
injuries, etc.
but it turned out pretty well until his body broke down.
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
I'm sure it does, but it's very rare and probably a bad idea unless someone is a top pick and just killing it
Choice will likely be in Midland before the season is over. I don’t expect him to go any further prior to 2012.
For him to be an Opening Day starter in 2012 he’d have to have a dominant spring and the A’s would need to be thin in the outfield (which, at least, is possible).
Last of the Ninth - Photography
I remember when Choice was drafted a lot of people thought he would have to move to a corner outfield spot
He’s still at centerfield. Is the new consensus that he can stick?
When it works, it's usually with someone known to have that kind of potential
Bob Horner, Dave Winfield, etc. — great players everyone figured would be great.
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
Add Will Clark and Albert Pujols
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 6, 2011 12:30 PM PDT up reply actions
No, it was not bush league
Ichiro is one of the best players in the game today, and you slide like that every freaking time to break up the double play. Let the umpires call it or not, but you bust your balls to bust up that play, and take your chances with the umps. I tip my cap to him, and admit I hate the play because he did it to us as opposed to us doing it to them.
A Kouzmanoff for the rest of us!
by OptimistPrime on Jul 6, 2011 1:27 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
and by best players in the game, I mean his career, as clearly he is on the backside of his career
A Kouzmanoff for the rest of us!
by OptimistPrime on Jul 6, 2011 1:35 AM PDT up reply actions
I don't fault him for trying
You take your liberties when you can. I fault a bad umping job on that. I’ve seen lesser out-of-baseline calls for interference before.
"Once you go Bed....everything else is dead." - Bed
"So you're saying we should skin the Rangers and wear them as uniforms? I’m down." - Kyli
by cuppingmaster on Jul 6, 2011 7:12 AM PDT up reply actions
Really?
There is actually a rule that the baserunner has to try to slide to second base. Ichiro was trying to slide into to Pennington, who was definitely off-base. It also surprising that a guy like Ichiro, who is a fantastic player, would do something like that.
And it’s not just Ichiro’s fault. You’re right: you try hard ot mess up a play like that. I’m also mad at the umpire for not noticing anything.
If we did the same thing to them, you arent calling it bush league.
bottom line. the umps screwed us, not Ichiro.
yup
Players try to win
Umps try to make it fair
Actually, I Would
I’m not exempting anyone from rightful criticism. For example, I hated the steroid era, and it really disappointed me. but that doesn’t mean that I forgive Canseco and McGwire for using ‘roids when they were with oakland. On the contrary, I’m especially disappointed in them because it means two guys from my favorite sports team broke the rules and used PED’s. If one of our guys had intentionally messed up a throw, I would point it out. But yes, I’m angrier at the ump then at Ichiro. I’m just pointing out the fact that that kind of play sucks (at least in my eyes).
This one hurt? This "one"?
The whole season hurts. This team is a sum of it’s parts, and in part, it is not very good. This season is a wash, with moments of brilliance mixed in to keep us tantalized, enticed. Sucks us in then kicks us in the balls. Weeks looks like a star in the making. Sizemore, I like the kid, he plays with grit and has a good approach at the bat. Apart from our pitching staff, the rest of the team is flotsam and jetsam, the dross, the kids no one else picked. It’s brutal, terrorizes the soul and deflating, this season. I heard Gio talking on the radio today and I love the kid, but the “the bats are going to start heating up” company tagline is just not cutting it for me anymore, and the “if the fans come out we play better” jingle is not luring me to the box office. It is simply painful to watch futility. I would not pay to watch someone take a baseball bat to a classic car, nor would I part with my hard-earned money to witness someone throw paint thinner on a Picasso, so why would I come out to see this pile of pablum, this Edsel of a season? It hurts too much. Dan, with all due respect my friend, it’s the same story game in and game out: a play didn’t go our way, it was one bad pitch, etc. The fact is much less complex than that; this team is not good at baseball. I stay because it’s baseball, it hurts because I remember a time when we were good, and I can’t live without baseball, good or bad. And brother, we are bad. Yeah, this one hurt.
A Kouzmanoff for the rest of us!
by OptimistPrime on Jul 6, 2011 1:24 AM PDT reply actions 3 recs
We're a .500 team that lost 10 in a row, basically
In terms of RS-RA, we’re still only -14, which is 1 or 2 under. We’re not an awesome team by any means, but we’re not 11 games under bad, either.
"Once you go Bed....everything else is dead." - Bed
"So you're saying we should skin the Rangers and wear them as uniforms? I’m down." - Kyli
by cuppingmaster on Jul 6, 2011 7:17 AM PDT up reply actions
Except for our annoying tendency to make the one play
that’s “just enough to lose”. At least we’re good at something.
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 think what makes this year so frustrating
Is that we have teams like the Mariners and Giants who have the same issues we face. No hitting all pitching. Yet they are cobbling together stuff. We meanwhile are 11 games under and well off the pace.
Visit my blog the Todd Van Poppel Rookie Card Retirement Plan!!
A lot of it is "execution"
Suzuki’s poor throw to 2B combined with Sweeney’s poor throw to the plate allowed the first run. Pennington’s inability not to throw a ball? Good griefers. God forbid Moscoso has to field a bunt today.
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
Suzuki's throwing is becoming Saltalamacchia-esque
"Once you go Bed....everything else is dead." - Bed
"So you're saying we should skin the Rangers and wear them as uniforms? I’m down." - Kyli
by cuppingmaster on Jul 6, 2011 8:21 AM PDT up reply actions
It kind of looks mental, actually
His throws to 1B on K’s in the dirt are fine. He had an odd grip on the last SB throw. Whatever’s going on it is NOT good.
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
yeah, because he can sort of take his time.
His quick release during an SB is all over the place
"Once you go Bed....everything else is dead." - Bed
"So you're saying we should skin the Rangers and wear them as uniforms? I’m down." - Kyli
by cuppingmaster on Jul 6, 2011 8:34 AM PDT up reply actions
I don't think a -14 run differential halfway through the season suggests being 1 or 2 under
I just checked. Close: 42-45 expected.
Last of the Ninth - Photography
we were expected to be -42 to -45 in RD?
"Once you go Bed....everything else is dead." - Bed
"So you're saying we should skin the Rangers and wear them as uniforms? I’m down." - Kyli
by cuppingmaster on Jul 6, 2011 12:14 PM PDT up reply actions
rec'd
Now Beane/Forst just have to be clever and pull the trigger on the right deal at the right time because it’s clear that we’re sellers…
Every man for himself...
And cellars.
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
We were always 2 800+ OPS bats away from being in a pennant race.
But Willingham+Matsui are not those bats, and neither are anyone else. If we had Matt Kemp, we are singing a vastly different tune right now.
Pretty much the epitome of the season
Start out in a hole because the offense can’t score. Pull back to even with just enough hope that winning looks like a possibility. Then get a bad break, then another, then throw it all away. Add another insurance run on top just to make sure.
It’s fun at parts, especially a comeback, but ultimately it leaves you unfulfilled and realizing that with a better than league average offense, that the whole thing was winnable.
"Loyal? I'm the most loyal player money can buy." - Don Sutton
Can't complain about that play...
or we might as well complain about the Posey Explosey.
If baseball were a religion, it would be Shinto/Buddhist/Klingon Warrior… maybe I should just say Viking… - Gaijin_Suketto
To the Giants fans it was the same
The runner appeared to go out of the basepaths during the Posey play. While technically against the rules, this is hardly ever called on a runner headed for home. Similarly the “neighborhood play” at 2nd has been bitched and moaned about by fans for years, and it is consistently non-called. Like the Posey play, I got nothing against the Neighborhood Play because it is used by the A’s as well as everyone else. I have certainly seen the A’s get the benefit of this call a number of times. It’s not like Reggie Jackson sticking his butt into the flightpath of the ball.
If baseball were a religion, it would be Shinto/Buddhist/Klingon Warrior… maybe I should just say Viking… - Gaijin_Suketto
by fridaynightfan on Jul 6, 2011 11:20 AM PDT up reply actions
giants fans are lame. the runner in the posey play touched the plate when he fell after hitting posey. his right leg stayed over home plate. to argue otherwise is lunacy.
the artist formerly known as inbillywetrust
Boo frickin' hoo on that play...
How many times has Pennington, et. al, thrown the ball to the bullpen? Barton and Jackson aren’t hitting probably because their legs are so worn out from running to the bullpen 4 times per game.
Sometimes you just have bad luck… but when you find yourself saying “we just weren’t lucky” or “that ump screwed us over” after every freakin’ game… then there’s something more to it than that.
Ya I'm blaming Pennington more than the ump or Melvin for that
And I’m still not sure whether Ichiro could have touched the bag with his left hand or not
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 6, 2011 7:04 AM PDT up reply actions
My take: It was a wrong "non-call"
but not some blatant bad call. I can’t help but wonder how the play would have unfolded had Ellis been the 2Bman. Field it more clearly in the basepath, tag the runner, 4-3 DP? The guy’s a wizard; somehow I think he would have facilitated a successful DP.
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
Why bother? It was a taylor made DP ball. Pennington flubbed it and Ichiro slid out of the basepath.
That he wasn’t called out for interference is irrelevant to the fact that Pennington sucks at defense, but it’s still pretty relevant since that play ended up costing the game.
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
I've been an A's fan for 20+ years and it's unbearable...
I can’t watch this team. I have MLB.tv specifically to watch the A’s (I live in North Dakota) and I find myself watching other games until I see Weeks is up.
There’s no way I’d pay my hard-earned money to watch this team play. I feel for the season ticket holders.
by Brett Narloch on Jul 6, 2011 7:03 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
the losing has got to be in their heads...
The offense can’t even manufacture a run to save it’s life.
Time to admit that we’re sellers and hope to acquire enough talent to pull strong for 2012.
I hope Texas loses Young and Wilson to FA…
Every man for himself...
Young is signed thru 2013
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 6, 2011 7:05 AM PDT up reply actions
Actually, it seems as though they can manufacture a run... but that's it.
We need some dingerz!!
by Brett Narloch on Jul 6, 2011 7:11 AM PDT up reply actions
Well at least Cust is terrible this year.
I can’t even fathom what we’d be hearing from the zealots at this point if he got up to Seattle and went off.
It is time......we have been discussing it all year long here on AN
But it is time to part ways with some of our only desirable pieces….I’m talking every great good above average player on the roster who is not Gio or Cahill.
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 Jul 6, 2011 9:08 AM PDT reply actions
We have a few players who would be nice additions on already good teams
And actually, I forgot, Jemile Weeks is our future 2B. Save him. So, our roster would look like this…Save: 2B Weeks; 3B Sizemore; SP Gio; SP Cahill; and two RP’s of the talented bunch. Deal: DDJ, Sweeney, Conor Jackson, and Cliff Pennington for anything. Then, our relief pitchers which we could get some talent in return: Balfour and Wuertz. I’d like to keep either two of the three: FDLS, Ziggy, or Devine. Trade Breslow as well. Then, Kurt Suzuki, while being the object of much of our frustration this season, he would still net us a nice player in return. And finally, Andrew Bailey, who is our most valuable trade asset and who would definitely cost a “B+” prospect in return.
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 Jul 6, 2011 9:19 AM PDT up reply actions
Promote a few kids from A to AA, AA to AAA, and from Sactown to the A's
and split the 6 pack between Cardenas and Weeks
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 Jul 6, 2011 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions
I think the only thing that may bring us back some value is Brett Andersen and Trevor Bailey
And after Andersen comes back and starts to regain some value I am completely okay with letting him go.
Bailey can go now.
Hold onto FDLS, Balfour, and Devine and make the best one of the group the closer.
by Pop N' Locktapus on Jul 6, 2011 9:22 AM PDT up reply actions
haha
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 Jul 6, 2011 9:46 AM PDT up reply actions
Maybe Beane and the other A's front office personnel simply don't know how to fix the teams hitting issues/woes?
Given the current state of the organization, we might have to endure these circumstances for a very long time?
Pray for rain!
Every man for himself...
New hitting coach would be a start....
Considering everyone other than Frank Thomas has come here and underperformed offensively (well beyond park adjustment), and then seemed to get back on track once gone (Cust notwithstanding) there needs to be a change at hitting coach, and likely an adjustment in overall philosophy.
Gosh, why haven't we thought of that the last 5 years?
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
Because if recent history is any evidence
They will continue to grossly under perform once they put on the green and gold?
That's just not true.
"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
Who's come to Oakland in recent years and exceed expectations/pythag/whatever?
Piazza=bust
Holliday=Solid, but well shy of career numbers
Giambi’s return=bust
Garciappara=bust
Cabrera=bust
Matsui=bust
Dejesus=bust
Willingham=productive, but OBP and SLUG way off of career norms
Guys coming here and seemingly getting worse seems far more common than the alternative.
Well, thankfully half the team will be gone next year.
Jackson, Crisp, Willingham, Matsui & DeJesus will not be here next year, in addition to Ellis.
None will be missed (except Ellis, but Weeks is better than him so its a wash).
Only players worth keeping
2B Weeks; 3B Sizemore; SP Cahill; SP Gio; RP Devine; RP FDLS; and if we can’t get anything great in return: Andrew Bailey. I’d also be ok with keeping Crisp if and only if Michael Taylor isn’t getting a look by then.
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 Jul 6, 2011 9:23 AM PDT up reply actions
Hell yeah, he is on fire! I'm loving it. I liked the pick when we drafted him
and I’m still confident we will be a good MLB player
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 Jul 6, 2011 9:31 AM PDT up reply actions
Wait what?
only 3 games in AAA, older than Taylor, first time he’s really hitting – in a league 3 years younger than him
What exactly makes him better than Taylor now?
by Rio on Jul 6, 2011 9:54 AM PDT up reply actions
BECAUSE PL REALLY LIKES HIM DUH
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
Has anyone seen the latest Elias Rankings for American League Catchers?
It starts with the 2010 season and runs to present (or, well, July 2nd, 2011)
American League Catchers:
Victor Martinez Detroit A 88.265
Joe Mauer Minnesota A 85.714
Matt Wieters Baltimore A 79.592
A.J. Pierzynski Chicago A A 77.551
Alex Avila Detroit A 75.510
Russell Martin New York A B 70.663
Carlos Santana Cleveland B 68.622
Kurt Suzuki Oakland B 65.816
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/07/elias-rankings-update.html
So, a team like the Rays looking for a Catcher could do a lot worse. I really think we could get something nice in return for Kurt Suzuki (i.e., B.J. Upton).
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 Jul 6, 2011 9:45 AM PDT reply actions
really.
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
Damn, how do we get TB on the phone? Upton?! Shiiiiiiit, that would be sweet.
Doubtful, but sweet.
I needed a team so I wouldn’t turn into one of the eighty million pink hat-wearing Bud Light-drinking mulleted idiots at Fenway.
Today
Weeks 2B, Sizemore 3B, Crisp CF, Matsui DH, Carter 1B, Jackson LF, DeJesus RF, Suzuki C, Pennington SS, Moscoso P
Huh, no Landon Powell.
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
Suzuki has DINGERZ, mike
"Once you go Bed....everything else is dead." - Bed
"So you're saying we should skin the Rangers and wear them as uniforms? I’m down." - Kyli
by cuppingmaster on Jul 6, 2011 10:03 AM PDT up reply actions
I think he's being Scutaroed. Pennington is a #1 draft choice and Rosales is
being pigeonholed as a “utility” player.
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 6, 2011 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions
So we haven't learned our lesson from the Crosby Experience?
I vibrated with joy that join A's. -- Kim Seong-min
by WaddellCanseco on Jul 6, 2011 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions
would be nice to see him "utilized" more often
especially since Pennington’s play isn’t exactly winning awards…
Right now, with a couple of exceptions, no position player's job should be safe
Rosales should be given a fair chance.
Also Carter should be given a long (season-long) leash.
by Billy Frijoles on Jul 6, 2011 10:23 AM PDT up reply actions
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