Suzuki Homers Twice, Allen (Almost) Homers, A's Win With Play At The Plate
by baseballgirl on Aug 17, 2011 6:38 PM PDT
Email
Print
I apologize for the delay in the recap; if you could have seen my day, you would understand. (In other words, stop being mean to me over text and email! ;-)) Anyway, if you went to only one A's game this year, this would have been a good one to make. A thriller of a game was played this afternoon as the A's squeak out a win and take 2 out of 3 from Baltimore.
I'll start at the end of the game, since obviously, that's the play that mattered. Ironically, in the play-by-play on MLB.com, the ninth inning has this listed: Defensive Substitution: David DeJesus replaces left fielder Josh Willingham, batting 4th, playing right field. If you missed the last play of the game (which you should really watch), you would know that Bailey struck out the first two batters before giving up a double and a single, putting runners on first and third. Our defensive replacement was about to be called into action. Bailey gave up one more single, the O's closed the gap to a one-run deficit, and David DeJesus flat out missed the ball and the runner from first tried to score. However, DeJesus did throw the ball home, Suzuki did catch the ball and tag the runner, and the A's won in the most dramatic way possible on defense.
Suzuki also hit two homeruns in the game and threw out a runner stealing. Go figure. Have a game, kid!
The A's trailed this one by two runs in the top of the first inning (McCarthy would pitch an okay-at-best six innings, and the A's did rescue the win for him), but they would tie the game and take the lead in their half of the inning. Weeks led off with a single, Coco walked, Matsui singled to load the bases and Willingham doubled two of them in. Everyone's favorite hot commodity, Brandon Allen, would sac fly the third run in.
Suzuki would homer in the second to give the A's a 4-2 lead, and in the third, Brandon Allen hit a ball deep to center field, just missing a real homerun. He would score in an attempt at an inside-the-park homerun, but it was ruled a triple and an error. It didn't make it any less exciting. The A's would now lead 5-2.
The Orioles hit a homerun in the sixth, and Suzuki would match that with his second homerun of the game, making the score 6-3. The O's would add another run in the seventh, and you all know how the ninth ended.
Wild, exciting, A's baseball over here, and a long-overdue good game for Kurt Suzuki.
We do it again tomorrow; this time A's vs. Jays. See you tomorrow night!
Current Series
4 game series vs Blue Jays @ Overstock.com Coliseum
|
Toronto Blue Jays Thursday, Aug 18, 2011, 7:05 PM PDT Clear. Winds blowing out to right field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 70. |
||
| Fri 08/19 | 7:05 PM PDT | |
| Sat 08/20 | 6:05 PM PDT | |
| Sun 08/21 | 1:05 PM PDT | |
123 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
When Brandon Allen hits a triple
He doesn’t stop at third. He keeps running. He expects to score.
In related news, MLB has renamed Home. It’s now Brandon Allen’s Home.
I'll see your .500 and raise you a game!
by eastcoasta'sfan on Aug 17, 2011 6:47 PM PDT reply actions 2 recs
BBG, great job as usual.
This was one of the best games I’ve ever been to. After Game 20 and 2003 Game 5, this was my favorite. I won’t soon forget the electricity going through the crowd when Allen hit his ITPHR (yeah, I said it). Suzuki had probably his best game of the season. And the final out was absolutely phenomenal. Everybody left feeling good. Good to be on the right side of the luck differential for once. The weather was beautiful. Spectacular day all around.
by player20 on Aug 17, 2011 6:54 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
NEWS FLASH from the river cats game
the A’s have a new pitching prospect. in todays game Andy LaRoche, yes THAT Andy LaRoche, got the win in todays game. Not only did he get the win but he scored the tying run shortly before Taylor scored the winning run.
LaRoche’s line for the day: 1IP, 2H, 1BB, 1ER.. ok, maybe not so good but it was presumably his first time out on the hill
ya never know… maybe he would be good outta the pen during the interleague games as he is a 200+hitter
They had LaRoche pitch in a close game? What's that about?
by player20 on Aug 17, 2011 7:12 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
13 inning.... forgot to add that
4 to 3
by heartstopper on Aug 17, 2011 7:13 PM PDT up reply actions
his dad was a great reliever
We yet enjoy little to be envied, but endure much to be pitied.-Thomas Dudley
on another note
outman 5BB in 2.2, devine 3Ks 0H 0BB in 1IP
the albequeque team (the isotpes whatelse?) actually have a pitcher named bastardo. that must be one mean bastardo. personally i would rather have the name outman, heck i would even rather have the name balfour.
by heartstopper on Aug 17, 2011 7:12 PM PDT up reply actions
cease and desist! you can’t say that. i have the copyright. on that particular trademark and related variants:
— the babe ruth IV.
— the bambino intra-veeno.
— the call-your-homerun-shot shot.
you know, for when steroids become legal, because i wanna be well positioned, product-naming-wise.
Mine was the Roman numeral IV. Simpsons reference.
by player20 on Aug 18, 2011 10:12 AM PDT via mobile up reply actions
The Phillies have an Antonio Bastardo on their active roster.
I think we faced him this year.
The Albuquerque one is Alberto Bastardo. There’s also a Luis Bastardo in the Boston farm system.
Being wrong about something you’ve worked on is a blessing, not a curse, and people are so invested in being right that that gets lost. —Graham MacAree
Which begs the question....
who is repsonsible for these bastards?
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
Daddy Bastardos, clearly.
Being wrong about something you’ve worked on is a blessing, not a curse, and people are so invested in being right that that gets lost. —Graham MacAree
We know who the mom is, but
not the dads
"Trying not to rec a "Fuck the Giants" post is like trying not to look at boobs."
That game was weird as hell.
Rivercats had 9 hits, all singles. Carter went 2-3 with 3 walks and a SB. Outman started and couldnt get into the 3rd. Devine threw 1 inning and struck out all 3.
great. Mock me for having tickets and not being able to go
We yet enjoy little to be envied, but endure much to be pitied.-Thomas Dudley
Also, the scoreboard had a nice shout-out to AN.
And YOU missed it.
by player20 on Aug 17, 2011 7:13 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
*kidding about the shout-out.
So apparently, they won’t sell dollar dogs anymore. I guess I’ll have to take a 12-pack of soft tacos (baseball food) to the games now.
by player20 on Aug 17, 2011 7:18 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
It sounds like they are saving them as giveaways for the Thursday games.
by player20 on Aug 17, 2011 7:21 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
there is one free for thurdays game, yes
We yet enjoy little to be envied, but endure much to be pitied.-Thomas Dudley
well technically only for the first 10,000
Oh, yes, everyone, probably twice.
FYI, Brandon Allen's combined season line coming into today
.286/.412/.571
That’s a 15 game, 42 at-bat example. After today his OPS is nicely over 1.000.
Leave him in the bloody line-up!
Q: Who is playing you in the movie about the ESPN book? I think it should be Adam Sandler — you both peaked 12 years ago.
— Timmy, Winchester, MA
- Simmons Mailbag, 8/5/11
by Dr. Handsome, D.D.S. on Aug 17, 2011 7:24 PM PDT reply actions
If they take him out of the Lineup for Jackson
that tells me the A’s have the shrewdest marketers ever.
They are going to FORCE hundreds of Diamond level ticket sales to give all of us a chance to punch new bob in the throat.
We yet enjoy little to be envied, but endure much to be pitied.-Thomas Dudley
I often imagine I have equivalent counterparts in other cities.
As often as I complained about Andino (and he was EVERYwhere), “Player83” in Baltimore is alternately complaining about Brandon Allen. And being stuck in the AL East every season.
by player20 on Aug 17, 2011 7:29 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions
He's also got a .6 WAR in those ABs
If Fangraphs is right…that’s pretty ridiculous.
by guy incognito on Aug 17, 2011 9:12 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't get WAR
so I’ll just take your word for it. :-D
Q: Who is playing you in the movie about the ESPN book? I think it should be Adam Sandler — you both peaked 12 years ago.
— Timmy, Winchester, MA
- Simmons Mailbag, 8/5/11
by Dr. Handsome, D.D.S. on Aug 17, 2011 9:18 PM PDT up reply actions
Oh... okay.
I mean I don’t get the whole WAR thing. And I think I’m okay with that. :-P
Q: Who is playing you in the movie about the ESPN book? I think it should be Adam Sandler — you both peaked 12 years ago.
— Timmy, Winchester, MA
- Simmons Mailbag, 8/5/11
by Dr. Handsome, D.D.S. on Aug 18, 2011 7:49 AM PDT up reply actions
It's really quite a simple idea.
When you’re ready, the answer is out there.
by LoneStranger on Aug 18, 2011 10:03 AM PDT up reply actions
Absolutely nothin....
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
Yep.
It’s the equivalent of what Lance Berkman and Miguel Cabrera have done this year. (in a small amount of time, obviously)
0.1 WAR per game played.
I don’t see why BA won’t have 16 WAR next year.
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
DURRRR THEY’RE TOO OLD, BABIP IS TOO HIGH, TOO MANY Ks, DURRRRRR
they'll eventually rename it WBBA
“Wins Below Brandon Allen”
by guy incognito on Aug 17, 2011 10:14 PM PDT up reply actions
It would be fun
To name WAR after a player who had a long career but was replacement level for his entire career.
“Wins above Mike Blowers” or something like that.
Jack Cust: Nothing but true results…. career .813 OPS
by Athletics fan and runner on Aug 18, 2011 6:40 AM PDT up reply actions
6.0 career WAR
So he was 6.0 in career WAR (most of that in 1993 alone) but the point remains the same.
Jack Cust: Nothing but true results…. career .813 OPS
by Athletics fan and runner on Aug 18, 2011 6:45 AM PDT up reply actions
Robb Quinlan
Seems to be the guy. I did the last 10 years, most plate appearances with 0.0 WAR and he has 1196 all to end up at square one (or I guess, square zero-point-zero).
Visit my blog the Todd Van Poppel Rookie Card Retirement Plan!!
So if a guy offers nothing
We can call it a Q-Squared. Quintessential Quinlan.
Visit my blog the Todd Van Poppel Rookie Card Retirement Plan!!
Wins Above Quinlan. I like it.
The fact that we have slegna to thank for that guy makes me happy.
Jack Cust: Nothing but true results…. career .813 OPS
by Athletics fan and runner on Aug 18, 2011 5:56 PM PDT up reply actions
Is that guy still around?
"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin
by Helloooo 1st on Aug 18, 2011 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions
Angels fans hope not.
They used to call him Scioscia’s son to try and explain why he got so much playing time.
Oh, sorry slegnA fans. I have to try and get used to that.
Q: Who is playing you in the movie about the ESPN book? I think it should be Adam Sandler — you both peaked 12 years ago.
— Timmy, Winchester, MA
- Simmons Mailbag, 8/5/11
by Dr. Handsome, D.D.S. on Aug 18, 2011 4:41 PM PDT up reply actions
baseballreference
has him at 1.7 WAR for his career. Did you use fangraphs?
Jack Cust: Nothing but true results…. career .813 OPS
by Athletics fan and runner on Aug 18, 2011 5:57 PM PDT up reply actions
BRANDON ALLEN
He scored on that play because the centerfielder couldn’t pick up the ball at first… it was still white-hot from BA’s bat touching it, apparently.
"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 Aug 17, 2011 8:23 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Thanks for the recap BBG
I was in fact lucky enough to have been at this game today. It was the day of our reunion game for Fantasy Camp, so it was Cadaret and a bunch of us from the camp in January. We watched the game, then after everyone left, Clay Wood and Co. got the field prepared for us and we played on the field for two hours. I was a day all around!
A Kouzmanoff for the rest of us!
Oooh, that sounds like FUN!
I hope you had a great time!
Hey dad, I got this guy's autograph, Rollie
Fingers. Who's he?
Big game for Suzuki
on Tuesday night, his last ab looked very good when he hit the long sac fly
I am excited for this team next year
I think BA and Weeks are the young infusion of talent this team has been missing offensively. If our pitching can replicate the first half of this season next year I think we have a legitimate shot of contending. Melvin has honestly done something to get this team excited to play and that is a good sign of things to come.
assuming Melvin is hired as the official (not interim) manager
I’m expecting a rigorous training – and weeding out – of infielders in spring training. Pitchers also are going to practice PFP over and over again.
And going 1B to 3B, he said after Sunday's game
(when Kinsler deked DDJ).
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 just wish
I still lived in San Jose and was able to attend games. It has been far too long since I have gone to an A’s game and this team (as they have been currently playing) are beckoning a visit
No more Connor "Pipp" Jackson, por favor
There is no justification for Jackson to start another game at 1B. If they insist on playing him, put him back in the OF rotation. Honestly, I’d just like to see 6 weeks with Allen, Taylor, and Carter in the lineup every day. If Carter continues to flail or stare at Strike 3 when he is guaranteed a spot in the lineup for the rest of the year, then I will begin to give up on the guy. But I really don’t think he’s had a fair shot.
by boilerdan on Aug 18, 2011 6:40 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs
I tend to believe....
that starting with Ellis, no one is “guaranteed” a starting position. If someone else comes along and produces in your spot, then you’re ass out. That’s the way it should be.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
I agree
At first however I misread this and was like, dude, pretty sure Ellis does NOT have a guaranteed starting position next year… haha
Visit my blog the Todd Van Poppel Rookie Card Retirement Plan!!
Jackson my well get playing time....
But I don’t think it will be at Allen’s expense.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer
considering Jackson is really more of an outfielder
and Allen’s position is primarily at 1B, i really prefer not to see them each playing out of position.
And of course, the priority is Allen. Jackson is not part of the A’s future.
Let's go.
From this point forward, in order to make the playoffs we can not lose another game. Gotta go 39-0
M Go Blue
Lars Johnson
is a lawyer in Alaska.
Jack Cust: Nothing but true results…. career .813 OPS
by Athletics fan and runner on Aug 19, 2011 1:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Bill Johnson
is a restauranteur in Arizona.
by LoneStranger on Aug 19, 2011 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions
the Lars Johnson
lawyer in Alaska happens to be my little brother.
Jack Cust: Nothing but true results…. career .813 OPS
by Athletics fan and runner on Aug 19, 2011 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions
I was wondering about that.
They might try him in the outfield. He seems like a really natural fielder and he has the speed to cover a lot of ground. I wonder if he has an arm?
Q: Who is playing you in the movie about the ESPN book? I think it should be Adam Sandler — you both peaked 12 years ago.
— Timmy, Winchester, MA
- Simmons Mailbag, 8/5/11
by Dr. Handsome, D.D.S. on Aug 18, 2011 4:41 PM PDT up reply actions
The two triples he's hit, he's moved around the bases pretty well.
He might be a Kyle Blanks type guy, who’s a good athlete that isn’t necessarily trapped in a “bad body,” like Brett Wallace, but just a huge body.
i don’t know where to stick this one. should go in the umps/robots debate, but that’s a bit buried now.
so, how willful are umps when they really really want to get it wrong? now, don’t get me wrong; I’m stoked it was this non-run that eventually cost the yankees their game. but still… the umps went in, looked at the vid, and STILL didn’t see what everyone else could…
http://mlb.mlb.com/video/play.jsp?content_id=18148531&topic_id=&c_id=mlb&tcid=vpp_copy_18148531&v=3
Where is the home run mark though..Is it the wall, is it the rail…
Its kinda of like at O.co if it hits the scoreboard its in play, but if it hits the top of the scoreboard its home run…
Tell me why a railing is there, because the ball hit the top of the wall then bounced back due to the railing..If the railing wasn’t there, it would have gone in the stands..
Founder of team Omté Caspeen
yeah, that’s the question that nobody seems to answer.
during the broadcast they say that bouncing off the padded railing is not a HR but bouncing off the blue metal one directly behind that is. and i took the announcers as knowledgeable of the ground rules. so on TV, they imply the call is about, did it bounce of the padded one or the blue one? (the ball did not reach either railing, BTW.)
however, there is mention in a NYT piece that after the game the umps went to the wall and discussed the rule and there is mention that just getting it over the wall is a HR, even if it doesn’t clear the railings. so, OK, maybe the umps didn’t get the call wrong. but maybe they didn’t understand the ground rules. is that even worse?
And that’s the issue with every park is they all have their nitpicky stuff with home runs that barely clear the wall or dont…Honestly there needs to be a standard height with a bright red line/top of a wall saying if you are this tall you may ride the homerun train…I know not every stadium is ever gonna be a like but this is one thing that would save a lot of the issues from coming up
Founder of team Omté Caspeen
nah, i’m OK with that kind of park individuality. but the HR line should be immediately obvious to anybody. like the foul pole—doesn’t matter if it’s 300’ or 410’ to the pole, but everyone knows what it means when someone hits it.
Yeah
I don’t think you can standardize the outfield.
the protective railing in KC seems like a good thing, keeping people from Jeffrey Maiering a home run. The question is going to be whether the protective railing is in play or not.
We yet enjoy little to be envied, but endure much to be pitied.-Thomas Dudley
Ground rules state
That if it doesn’t go past that first railing then it’s in play.
"BA doesn't stand for Batting Average. It’s Brandon Allen, as in the percentage of a hitter’s worth compared to Brandon Allen. Ted Williams, at his best, was only 4/10th of the hitter Brandon Allen is today." - YonYonson
I was more addressing the standardization issue.
If there is a second railing, there should be one standard throughout the league
We yet enjoy little to be envied, but endure much to be pitied.-Thomas Dudley
looking on the KC site....
ground rule for homerun is not spoken about other than in regards to a foulpole : above surrounding fenceline is a home run. Below surrounding fenceline is in play. maybe this could be extrapolated to the outfield fence in whiich case it would need to be determined IF the cyclone fencing above fence but behind railing is above the fence OR below it. seems murky at best.
since the cyclone fencing is behind the railing and it would assuredly deflect (minimally) when hit by the ball becoming even further behind the railing then the ball had left the park and came back in. hence… a homerun
by heartstopper on Aug 18, 2011 2:18 PM PDT up reply actions
looking on the KC site.... ground rule for homerun
is not spoken about other than in regards to a foulpole : above surrounding fenceline is a home run. Below surrounding fenceline is in play.
maybe this could be extrapolated to the outfield fence in which case it would need to be determined IF the cyclone fencing above fence but behind railing is above the fence OR below it. seems murky at best.
since the cyclone fencing is behind the railing and it would assuredly deflect (minimally) when hit by the ball becoming even further behind the railing then the ball had left the park and came back in. hence… a homerun
Lineup is posted on Slusser's Twitter
Matsui not playing, with Willingham DH, CoJack in LF and Allen at 1B (good job, NewBob). It was reported last week that Matsui has cleared waivers. So is it a day off or is there a trade in the works. He could be very valuable to a few playoff teams – especially the Phillies.
I think they're probably set in the OF with Pence, Victorino, Brown, Mayberry, and Ibanez.
Official Athletics Nation Rotating Tagline Editor - Pam liked my old sig better.
My thoughtful watermelon is easily mistook for an early American catapult.
DURRRR THEY’RE TOO OLD, BABIP IS TOO HIGH, TOO MANY Ks, DURRRRRR
Dom Brown's in AAA right now.
MLBTR says they’re looking for for a left-handed bench bat. Matsui fits that bill, though the fact that he’s a Type B might make it difficult to reach an agreement.
lol Ibanez is terrrrrrrrribly awful
they can release him and his negative WAR
they can give us Brown for Godzilla+Genius.
Wait, has Breslow been called Genius on here yet?
He is called that with all my friends IRL and I. He should be called that here. Or even GZA. Thoughts?
LOL you going to Rock the Bells next weekend?
Gza performing the liquid swords album.
by Billy Frijoles on Aug 18, 2011 4:57 PM PDT up reply actions
Rock the Bells this year is one of the best lineups I've ever seen, for anything.
And I live in fucking Illinois! I wish they’d do something in the Midwest, rather than just two shows on each coast. I’ve seen most of the essentials, though. Nas, Wu Tang and Talib. So I’m upset, but I’ll live.
If MF Doom and Lauryn Hill actually show up (they’re notorious for skipping shows), it’ll be incredible. Well, it’d be incredible regardless.
There are good acts and bad acts.
I saw Wu Tang in Chicago at a real theater, and it was incredible. They were all on point, everybody did their thing, and it was fun as hell. Then I saw Raekwon by himself at a small bar here in town, and it more or less just fell flat.
The Roots are one of the best live acts I’ve ever seen. Period.
Looking at our minor league system is so depressing.
You see a guy like Josh Whitaker, a 22 year old with a 955 OPS at A ball and think “Oh, there’s something!” then you click on his page to find out he’s a terrible defensive 1B.
Then there’s guys like Anthony Aliotti, a 23 year old at A+ who draws tons of walks, has a snazzy OBP with little power, who’s numbers would be perfect for a 3B or CF…and click on his page to find out he’s a terrible defensive 1B.
Its also angering knowing how easy it was to get Cameron Maybin, Jesus Guzman and Mike Napoli.
We need to be lucky like that.
We had Guzman
in our minor league system back in 08
"The whole world is fueled by bullshit… What? The kid asked me for advice on his science fair project so I’m giving it to him." - shitmydadsays
I know...
So bummed he’s replicating his AAA numbers at the big league level with decent playing time.
Whats worse is he’s technically a 3B, or at least could hold it down. We should get him again if SD dumps him for Rizzo.
He's definitely not a third baseman.
He’s also doing much better than he’s ever done in the minors. He’s a backup at best.
So, Matsui rumors heating up
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 Aug 18, 2011 5:18 PM PDT reply actions
oh, hay, there is a game tonight. boy howdy, hope i can catch a few innings
later this evening.
ack-A
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
Related FanPosts on Athletics Nation
Related FanShots on Athletics Nation
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
Baseball Nation Recent Stories
In Association With
Big League Stew - MLB - Yahoo! Sports
- Barry Bonds thinks it will be ‘very sad’ if he doesn’t get into the Hall on his first try
- Chris Johnson’s glove webbing had a Spidey sense at Coors Field — for one play, at least
- Jonathan Lucroy breaks hand after suitcase falls during search for sock
- The Juice: Long Adam Dunn homer punctuates Chris Sale’s 15 Ks, Mark Trumbo goes deep after Jered Weaver goes down for Angels
- Leyland begs media to make umpires ‘accountable’ for bad calls (VIDEO)
