The Ole Switcheroo
by Tyler Bleszinski on Aug 1, 2006 9:42 PM PDT
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PrintThe Oakland Athletics have the best defensive team top to bottom in the American League. They've proven it all season long with key plays and have nearly gold glove quality defense at almost every position when the team is healthy.
The Angels, well, they do not. They have the second most number of errors in baseball with 82 and have routinely given opposing teams more outs.
For one night only, the A's switched jerseys with the Angels and gave the team not one, but two unearned runs, which turned out to be the difference in the game. Listen, both these teams are so evenly matched with their offensive flaws that you know that most of the time it's going to be a low scoring game when these teams match up. Both teams have very good to great starting pitching and bullpens, both have mediocre offenses (although Anaheim has been very good in July in large part because of the monster known as Juan Rivera) and one of the great divides between the two teams this season has been defense.
Blanton pitched wonderfully, if only he could've made better plays in the field. The good news is that Joe has pitched extremely well three of his last four outings. If Haren and Blanton can continue and Zito remains consistent, this team should be fine. Although...the team goes into a game tomorrow with Loaiza and his nearly 7 ERA against Escobar and his sub-4 ERA.
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aggrevating game.....
It seems like every game with the angels
by jme on Aug 1, 2006 9:50 PM PDT reply actions
By the way
by Tyler Bleszinski on Aug 1, 2006 9:50 PM PDT reply actions
I can't give him huge props
but his bat made up
Aggressive Angel baserunning and A's infield defensive miscues (Blanton's ill advised throw of Guerrero's chopper, Kendall's poor throw on a steal attempt, etc) cost the A's this game
I'm fine with Loaiza tomorrow
You nailed it Blez
I wonder just what will happen with Swisher. there are 4 outfielders consistently outplaying him and outhitting him, but do we really want to see Kotsay at first?
If we bring DJ back up play first and bench swisher, a relief pitcher must be sent back, which i would guess would be Flores.
But with these offdays and the rotation stabilizing some, i wonder if it isn't the right course of action. With Chavez still not 100% and Crosby and Ellis struggling, can we afford to have A firstbaseman hitting .200-- which has been Swisher's record for two months now??
I think not. Bring DJ back.
I'm thinking maybe consider putting
by Tyler Bleszinski on Aug 1, 2006 9:53 PM PDT up reply actions
That's a good idea
Amen 'toon.
Sit the Swish!
by The Dogfather on Aug 1, 2006 10:02 PM PDT up reply actions
To me, the difference
and kendrick
Funny thing is
Tough crowd around here.
Swish is great at first ...
And the whole Kotsay-at-1B thing is perhaps the single dumbest move I've seen A's management make in the last 10 years.
Blanton Needs Fielding Drills
we'll start off
Purity Of Essence
by FreeSeatUpgrade on Aug 1, 2006 10:43 PM PDT up reply actions
This was one heck of a game
I just wish it wasn't Loaiza going tomorrow. I have faith in Blanton to give us a good game, and he gave me that tonight with his brilliant performance. I have faith in Haren and Zito for the same reasons. But I have little, no, NO faith in Loaiza. I am very nervous.
Oh yeah, and I hate K-Rod. I hate seeing him celebrate himself on the mound like that.
But other than that particular moment, this was a very well played game. I hope OUR defense returns to fighting form tomorrow!
by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Aug 1, 2006 9:56 PM PDT reply actions
As if Loaiza's season ERA
Are you kidding??
It would be hilarious if it weren't true
Don't remind me
You left out
Echo the K-Rod h8tin
by FreeSeatUpgrade on Aug 1, 2006 10:47 PM PDT up reply actions
is it just me, or ...
I guess
And we've got the RUBBER STOPPER Loazia tomorrow.
REJOICE!!!
Along with the aggravation
- Perez, even as your last infielder, would still stay in the game (as DH)
- Melhuse is your last catcher, so same difference on the "I don't want to use my last _" concern
- Even if Scutaro or Ellis got hurt and you had to give up the DH, that spot wouldn't come up to hit until the 11th at the earliest (and for sure never, if you don't score)
- We had already had someone thrown out at the plate on a play where the difference between Melhuse's and Perez' speed was key
I also hate K-Rod.
Melhuse vs. Perez
Erstad would have done it.
(Oh, and it was four consecutive strikeouts, when you get down to it!)
Melhuse has been out-OPS'ing (to coin a phrase)
I prefer to insert a sub with adequate speed and a better bat.
by Checkswing HR on Aug 2, 2006 7:39 AM PDT up reply actions
Pinch runner issue
by Morada Mudshark on Aug 2, 2006 7:56 AM PDT up reply actions
Didn't Art Howe
Do you remember the season?
Found it
A-ha!
"I'm halfway down the second and I remember who is behind the plate," [ed note: Pudge Rodriguez] he said. "If I go in feet first, I don't think I make it. My instincts just kicked in, but I thought I could hear the whole stadium laughing at me."
That's right, Hudson slid head first into second base.
I thought I remembered that
'Fraid not
Could have been just like last night
quote from idiot, nieve angel fan
"I still cannot get over the fact that the A's somehow win baseball games. Their team is full of a bunch of shitty nobodies..."
by wolffpackdavid on Aug 1, 2006 10:23 PM PDT reply actions
Loaiza is...
by As89 on Aug 1, 2006 10:28 PM PDT reply actions
Come on now...
I wouldn't mind
Ummm...
by FreeSeatUpgrade on Aug 1, 2006 10:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Macha failed to do his job again
What Blez has said is technically correct (2 errors led directly to 2 unearned runs) but it overlooks the most crucial element of the game... the winning run scored against a pitcher who had no business being on the mound at that point.
After 4 months of baseball, certain factors have to be considered trends. I can't tell you why, but for whatever reason Joe Blanton loses all effectiveness after 90 pitches.
Pitches 91-105: 13.0 IP 17 H 9 ER 0 HR 6/5 BB/K rate 6.23 ERA 1.77 WHIP
Blanton entered the 7th inning having thrown 88 pitches. I wasn't following the game but I know that by the time Joe was facing Cabrera he had thrown at least 93 pitches. He was on borrowed time going into the inning, and now he was red lining against a guy who had already gotten two hits off him already.
Just a little more statistical info here. Last year Blanton owned Cabrera to the tune of 154/214/231 in 13 AB. This year, prior to the 7th inning, Cabrera had gone 2-3 with a double and two walks against Blanton. I got all this stuff off the Yahoo Sports site, so its not like we're talking classified info here.
Macha should have seen this coming. He should have looked at the Angels' line-up card and looked at Blanton's pitch count and told himself that, whatever happened, he was not going to let Blanton face Cabrera again. He could have had Duke warming up after the Kennedy strike out, knowing if nothing else he'd need a fresh arm to start the 8th.
But under no circumstances could he let Blanton face Cabrera again. Dan Haren gave Macha a full bullpen to use tonight, there was no reason for the manager to try and squeeze out any extra pitches from his SP. A proactive manager would have anticipated the problem and planned accordingly. That is not how Ken Macha managed the 7th inning tonight, he reacted to the danger only after it arrived at his doorstep and by then he didn't have enough time to do anything but hope that a tiring pitcher could get one more out.
I'm not saying that the A's were destined to win tonight and Ken Macha snatched a game from the jaws of Victory. Tonight might have ended up being Anaheim's night regardless of who was pitching to Cabrera in the 7th. The error certainly didn't do the A's any favors. But when you look at the numbers you can't help but conclude that at the most crucial moment of the game Ken Macha went with his weakest option.
That's not good managing.
I disagree entirely.
Macha also knew Guerrero was on deck. Blanton pitched him well all night and Macha had even said--before the game--that he didn't like the matchup of any of his relievers against Guerrero.
And if you like hindsight, Cabrera hit a weak seeing-eye grounder.
IMO, Macha did nothing wrong until he pinch ran Melhuse instead of Perez for absolutely no good reason.
Agree with Nico
Seriously though, Blanton looked good all night, there weren't many balls hit off of him (he easily could have put up all zeroes tonight) and Macha wanted to give him a shot at the W. It was understandable. Not a clear-cut mistake (like pinch-running Melhuse).
Actually, Blanton only
Cindi?
by FreeSeatUpgrade on Aug 1, 2006 10:52 PM PDT up reply actions
Me? No way!!!
-Cindi.
I'll give him this:
-Cindi.
The problem is the problem we have seen from
by theblackpearl on Aug 1, 2006 10:54 PM PDT up reply actions
Agree and disagree:
And if Garrett Anderson is in left field tonight, Kotsay scores. Grrr...
If you want signs of weakening
A seeing eye single or a sharp knock to the OF, the result was the same... run scores and A's lose. There is nothing in his 2006 numbers to suggest any upside to keeping Blanton on the mound with a runner at 2nd and Cabrera at the plate. You want to toss up your hands at the situation and say "Oh well, nothing could have been done" but that's simply not true.
Macha should have had the bullpen ready to jump in at a moments notice in the 7th. Blanton has spent the last four months proving that he needs help after 90 pitches, at some point you have to adopt a quicker hook.
The numbers say as much.
100% of everything he's done
His walks are up, strike outs down, and his hits allowed outnumbers his innings pitched. All the available information indicated that Macha should have the bullpen ready in case Blanton got into trouble.
Look at it another way.
Macha chose to ignore Blanton's numbers last night and Joe gave up the winning run.
Or how about this.
What possible justification can you give me for letting Blanton pitch to a batter who already had two hits against him at such a crucial junction?
Hey, ask the 30 ANers I was with last night.
"I'm your huckleberry." ~grover
by baseballgirl on Aug 2, 2006 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions
Awwwww....
"I'm your huckleberry." ~grover
by baseballgirl on Aug 2, 2006 10:33 AM PDT up reply actions
Want to join my fan club?
"I'm your huckleberry." ~grover
by baseballgirl on Aug 2, 2006 10:36 AM PDT up reply actions
Thanks
(I got married in California and I don't feel like giving up half of all my stuff. I'm not saying my wife is the jealous type... just vindictive.)
And who cares if Vlad was on deck?
That puts the focus squarely on getting Cabrera out and the numbers say Joe Blanton should not have been the guy in that situation. I don't care if he looked strong. I don't know if it's fatigue or pitch sequencing or what, but Blanton has a poor success rate in this particular situation.
Likely enough scenario if Duke
Bottom line: The A's batted once the entire game without trailing, and that was the top of the 1st, because every inning we scored we immediately gave that run back.
We gave away 3 runs thanks to poor defense, and had one chance to take the lead--and yes, Kotsay's slide was terrible. If he slides to the outside he scores easily. Too many mistakes to win against a tough team. Leaving Blanton in to pitch was the least of our problems--in fact, having Blanton throw the ball to home plate was about the only thing we did well.
Magical pitch range?
Or are you saying that statistical evidence doesn't matter that much anymore? Do you agree or disagree that a 6+ ERA and 1.77 WHIP after 90 pitches is something to be worried about?
I'm not suggesting that Macha manage with his head behind a lap top, but this was a glaring warning that Macha ignored until it was too late.
Give Beane credit --Zero speed on this team
Even the Red Sox have a speed guy --it was Dave Roberts that turned the Yankee series. Speed and the threat of steals change the game from the pitcher on.
K-rod and the boys could rest easy and focus on the hitter with Melhuse as PR. What a joke.
Perez is a total waste of a roster spot -who does he have pictures of? Can't hit - can't be used as PR. There has to be someone better at Sacto.
The worst hitting team in baseball could use someone who could run occasionally.
by Carerra on Aug 2, 2006 8:44 AM PDT up reply actions
Good call--no argument there
The Angels run too much, but they also find ways to score while the A's find ways not to.
Speed in the Post Season
Illogically, I agree.
Having Blanton start the 7th...
I just hope that macha
I agree--normally, I'd say
Yeah Nico . It's such a shame that we paid all of
True--if we just had
I agree
I'm going to be upset if I don't see Halsey or Gaudin warming up by the fourth or fifth inning. I have no faith in Loaiza's ability to make it to the sixth inning without disaster.
Frankly, I'd go a step further:
wise guy hehe
well for once i'm actually glad that i'm
by larrysgurl on Aug 1, 2006 10:45 PM PDT reply actions
i just came from the game
let's take this b*tch tomorrow!!
by MisplacedOakFan on Aug 1, 2006 11:00 PM PDT reply actions
We heard you! It was awesome to hear
by gilaASfan on Aug 1, 2006 11:04 PM PDT up reply actions
yay!
we (whoever is there - i think there will be less of us, but we ended up drawing non AN A's fans to us tonight) will meet again during the 5th for more chanting.
GO A's!
by MisplacedOakFan on Aug 1, 2006 11:15 PM PDT up reply actions
Why didn't the A's start Gaudin?
Gaudin - Control Issues Early
Since June, Gaudin has started to get his control issues under control (He no longer pitches from the Wind-Up), and if I was in charge of this team (with unlimited pocketbooks), I would bring up Witasick, put Gaudin in Loiaza's place, and put Loaiza in the long-relief until he gets things back together, i.e., starts throwing 88-91, good command, etc...
We had a HECK of lot of ANers...
Seattle; you're up next!
"I'm your huckleberry." ~grover
Kotsay's slide was pathetic
by KCB on Aug 1, 2006 11:57 PM PDT reply actions
no big deal
nothing to complain about
I'd like to apologize.
My friends and I will be there again tomorrow... we made a "happy birthday Huston" sign and a "GO A'S" sign despite the fact that our seats are in the upper view level. I'm hoping for no sunburn and a nice A's win.
I Don't Want to let Advanced Metrics
according to Baseball Prospectus' Team Defensive Efficiency ratings...
the A's rank 5th in the AL-- though places 2-5 are a virtual tie.
The team that is clearly above the rest, and in fact leads all teamsd in both leagues, makes perfect sense: the Detroit Tigers.
And the 4 way tie features the Yankees, SWhite Sox, and.... oops-- the Anaheim Angels, all a slight bit higher than the A's.
A thought on the Angels
They should have their own game called something like nibbleball - 'cause they aren't playing baseball, that's for sure.
God only knows why people go to see a boring team like that!?!?!
Oh, and by the way: I sooooo agree with the people here who dislike the little monkey with the sunglasses - you know - the one that finished the game for them.....
by anAfromfaraway on Aug 2, 2006 4:45 AM PDT reply actions
re
a tale of two teams
BA .277 OBP .343 SLG .477
On the other hand....
Mark Ellis: BA .219 OBP .289 SLG .320
Bobby Crosby: BA .229 OBP .297 SLG .339
Marco Scutaro: BA .228 OBP .292 SLG .342
Why would Detroit demote a player whose numbers put the above three to shame, while we trot this gruesome trio out for game after game? Because they're playing for a championship. I honestly have no idea what the A's are playing for. 85 wins? Maybe.
Sean Casey as a better option?
Since Loaiza is pitching tonight
Yep, heard it, too.
that's it
check stebby's shoes
Everybody here is missing the point.
It just wasn't our night
I had no problem with Blanton pitching as long as he did. Izturis has an excuse me single to left field and then steals 2nd on a bad play by Swisher. Then scores on an infield single.
Just unreal. Blanton pitched well and made just one mental mistake this whole game.
I think we hit the ball hard for most of the night and disagree with Hudler that Saunders had the A's off balance. I think we had some pretty good at bats against him. The balls just weren't dropping or getting out of the yard.
I also agree with all of you that FROD is perhaps the most annoying player in the league. He wasn't near the plate with anything yet we managed to bail him out in the 9th. Home plate umpire was brutal tonight for both sides.
Too many wierd things went wrong for us last night.
I'm also curious why Ron Washington sends Kotsay home with just one out. Anyone else confused by that? And to finish this off, Rex Hudler is flat our horrible. I listened to the game in SAP last night.
Hudler is truly nauseating...
And that "Big Daddy Vladdy" shit has GOT to go, as well as "OC", "AK", "GA" and "Figgy". Is the attention span in SoCal so short that they need these ridiculous monikers? Their whole telecast is so child-like that the beach balls and the monkey fit right in.
by coffee roaster on Aug 2, 2006 8:17 AM PDT up reply actions
True
It made sense to send Kotsay from 2nd
by Checkswing HR on Aug 2, 2006 8:18 AM PDT up reply actions
3 Throws
It's totally illogical, but sometimes in sports little events give me the feeling that we'll win or lose, have a good year or not, etc. I was so optimistic yesterday about this series and the rest of the year -- until I read what Swisher said about the Angels. Since then I have this unrelenting feeling of doom for this team. It was a stupid, stupid thing to say. And I can't remember a time when a player on a team I root for said something like that and wasn't "punished" for it in the end. Karma's a bitch. Oh yeah, plus Loaiza's throwing today...
WhiteElephantGuy posted it yesterday:
Basically a bunch of bulletin board material for the Angels.
by peanut gallery on Aug 2, 2006 9:33 AM PDT up reply actions
re: You had never seen
Exactly!
by peanut gallery on Aug 2, 2006 9:42 AM PDT up reply actions
Blanton has had more hard-luck losses
But last night's luck was harder than the bedrock under the Montclair hills. Blanton gave up no earned runs, in my book, and yet he still got charged with a loss. There was the run scored on Payton's bobble, the run scored ultimately because of the failed pickoff move, and the error that wasn't recorded by the official scorer, namely Swisher's failure to catch the throw from Blanton and then throw home on Vlad's swinging bunt. Swisher should have nailed Cabrera.
I hope they try the same insanely aggressive baserunning moves today, because any halfway decent defense should be able to get some easy outs from them.
by Checkswing HR on Aug 2, 2006 8:54 AM PDT reply actions
Agreed, but Blanton was
HAHAH!!!
by saint @ Athletics Nation on Aug 2, 2006 9:05 AM PDT up reply actions
Big Boy Blanton Blows One:
His in between pitch game was absolutely absurd.
The first run scored because he threw an ill advised ball to 1st.
You can even see him stall before uncorking the throw.
He should have just ate it.
His pickoff attempt that went astray led to a second run.
These are the plays that get magnified in the stretch run.
Blanton had better start making better plays and decisions or it doesn't matter what his WHIP is.
I could go off on Macha for letting Big Country face Cabrera again after Cabrera had laced him pretty well in his first tow AB's. Or for moving Chavy up to 5th and batting the White Hot Payton 6th.
I could get all over Wash for sending Kotsay and making the 2nd out at home.
But, all in all, it was the little mistakes that cost the A's last night.
I'm not going to complain about the game, really, as it is the nature of the best when you are in a dog fight for 50 games.
Let's go out there and get them today and this loss will pass gently into the 2007 Media Guide as just another one run loss!!!
Now, please hit Payton 5th Ken...PLEASE!!!!????
Go A's!!!!
by saint @ Athletics Nation on Aug 2, 2006 9:03 AM PDT reply actions
you left out ...
But you have to give him credit...
AN Cheers in LAAAA
Great idea to carry on for rest of season.
Thanks, BBG and other AN folks/friends, for the efforts - I am sure you had big fun, too.
Let's Go Oakland!
510, Mo and Others will be in SEA
by saint @ Athletics Nation on Aug 2, 2006 9:27 AM PDT up reply actions
For the Love of God PLEASE MAKE IT STOP!!!!
Loaiza hasn't started pitching yet
by AthleticsMojo on Aug 2, 2006 9:06 AM PDT reply actions
i saw
my theatre-instincts almost kicked in and i almost said "break a leg" - but he'd probably take that literally.
now that i think of it, why DIDN'T i tell him to break a leg, dammit!???
by MisplacedOakFan on Aug 2, 2006 9:23 AM PDT reply actions
bAnNed!!!!
"I'm your huckleberry." ~grover
apparently just a sad face isn't a subject :(
mostly because this is probably the last game i'll be at all season. :(
kendall is MINE tho... grrrrrr
by MisplacedOakFan on Aug 2, 2006 9:39 AM PDT up reply actions
At the Booster's Club lunch - Lachman
he said something like His car is too fast and his fastball isn't fast enough!
(not exact quote since I wasn't there...but a telling comment, no less)
Should have told him to break a leg...
That's a joke, people, I'd never wish injury upon any player.
Much.
talking about another thing
why not here, damn?
Swisher
by EckFan on Aug 2, 2006 10:10 AM PDT reply actions
We lost a one run game
There are a LOT of fickle fucking people on this site.
How the Hell
The best defense
by 3Chavy3 on Aug 2, 2006 10:30 AM PDT reply actions
Marty Lurie just reported that Thomas
Also, Bradley is not starting today. He's still not feeling well with a sore throat and feverish. Crosby of course isn't playing either.
Sooooo....
"I'm your huckleberry." ~grover
by baseballgirl on Aug 2, 2006 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions
Today is going to be tough...
I think for us to win today we will need to score early...which hasn't been something we do.
let's just hope he pitches
He has pitched decently in some of his games this season.
No sense being defeatist.
i almost hope
i think we're all missing the point here
today's lineups
Oakland
J. Kendall c
M. Kotsay cf
E. Chavez 3b
F. Thomas dh
J. Payton rf
N. Swisher 1b
B. Kielty lf
M. Scutaro ss
M. Ellis 2b
Angels
C. Figgins cf
H. Kendrick 1b
O. Cabrera ss
V. Guerrero dh
G. Anderson lf
J. Rivera rf
A. Kennedy 2b
R. Quinlan 3b
J. Molina c
kendrick 2nd?
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