An Absolute Gem

by Tyler Bleszinski on Aug 23, 2006 7:10 PM PDT in News

Esteban Loaiza possibly pitched the best game by an A's pitcher in 2006 this evening. Who would've thought that we'd ever be saying that in April? I know I didn't. I tried to exercise patience when it came to Loaiza, especially when it was clear that he was hurt at the beginning of the year. He now has a 1.77 ERA in August and has emerged as a stud when the A's needed it most. You can not overestimate the beauty of this evening in the fact that the A's bullpen now gets two days off heading into a key series with Texas in Arlington.

I don't know how long Loaiza will pitch like this, but enjoy the ride. And what exactly is it about the A's and their fourth starter every season?

Last season, Joe Blanton finished August with a 1.17 ERA for August and he was essentially the A's fourth starter that month. Going back a few years, Cory Lidle had the lowest ERA in Oakland A's history over any one month. August 2002 Lidle posted a 0.20 ERA. Ted Lilly absolutely sparkled in 2003.

When people ask why the A's seem to awaken every year in August, one of the things you can point to is having a fourth starter who pitches like an ace. The A's are now getting that out of Loaiza. And truthfully, I don't think anyone could've ever expected it.

As for the offense, you can call it a Billy Beane two-fer night with both Thomas and Bradley accounting for five of the six runs. Oh, and Jason Kendall drove in the other one.

If Loaiza can continue pitching like this, I believe the A's will be playing in October. Whether he can or not is another question, but I'm just glad that a guy who was beaten around more than a pinata at a stickball convention is finally proving his worth.

It was a great night north of the border, let's just hope the Red Sox can win a game tonight for the first time since 2004...or something like that.

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Comments

i admit it

i almost posted a diary in late june demanding that loaiza be removed from the rotation. i just didn't think our starting pitching would be good enough to compete with the angels starters.

7 earned runs in 36.2 innings in august. only three walks and one home run allowed. could loaiza be player of the month?

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Aug 23, 2006 7:14 PM PDT reply actions

Yeah, funny that our rotation

is now better than the Angels.

I'd take ours straight up without a doubt. Haren, Zito, Loaiza are all very good. Blanton is solid. I'll take our 5th against Joe Saunders or whoever.

I'm guessing that our starter ERA is better in August. And if it's not, that's just due to two games.

by RLangford on Aug 23, 2006 8:02 PM PDT up reply actions

i'd still take theirs over ours

but not by much, whereas in july it wasn't a very close call.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Aug 23, 2006 8:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Your not dealing with how bad Lackey has been

And Weaver can only pitch one of the five games.

by RLangford on Aug 23, 2006 8:10 PM PDT up reply actions

You're not, that is

by RLangford on Aug 23, 2006 8:10 PM PDT up reply actions

One thing about Loaiza, though--

This April/May was an aberration, but over his whole career he has a pattern of being inconsistent. He only sustained excellent numbers over one season (2003), but has had many, many stretches, when healthy, of being great/awful in unpredictable spurts.

Even sans Colon, the Angels' rotation is pretty damn solid. Right now, I'd say it's a dead heat between the two rotations. Add Colon or Harden and that team's is better.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 23, 2006 8:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Give him is due

today. Of all days, he deserves it.

Teeth? What teeth? <raises eyes> Oh, those teeth! Eh, not so much, really. --McFood

by eshock on Aug 24, 2006 12:06 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm still not sold on Colon

I think adding Harden is way bigger jump for us than them adding Colon. Bartolo had one hell of a fluke year as well for the Angels.

"It is like Menudo, where guys reach a certain age and are kicked out of the band. And they go on to be Ricky Martins somewhere else." -Billy Beane

by WhiteElephantGuy on Aug 24, 2006 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions

Big Papi!

2-0 Sox

"You are not very good, Dad. You always lose." --Dylan

by dylantravis on Aug 23, 2006 7:16 PM PDT reply actions

And you're right, Blez

Best pitching performance of the season. Just amazing.

"You are not very good, Dad. You always lose." --Dylan

by dylantravis on Aug 23, 2006 7:18 PM PDT up reply actions

Blez has simply transcended

into sports blog nirvana with this write up.
Elucidating the correlation of the performance of our 4th starters and our dominance in August. Insightful.

Teeth? What teeth? <raises eyes> Oh, those teeth! Eh, not so much, really. --McFood

by eshock on Aug 24, 2006 12:37 AM PDT up reply actions

Agreed

Never saw this correlation mentioned before in the past, by anybody... Very nice!!

by Sixto on Aug 24, 2006 5:31 AM PDT up reply actions

Why shouldn't he continue?

Given that his velocity has returned to the low 90s, earlier in the season was the anamoly, not this current run.

by calvin @ Athletics Nation on Aug 23, 2006 7:17 PM PDT reply actions

Slow down with that

If this isn't an anomaly, then he's the best pitcher in all of baseball. He can't keep doing this.

by RLangford on Aug 23, 2006 8:03 PM PDT up reply actions

This is the Loiaza

that everyone was expecting when he came over here. He's been great the last few starts, and has really helped out.

Thomas and Bradley are working out pretty well I'd say.

Goliath, dissatisfied with his size advantage, decided to buy David's sling, which took steroids.

by TexasAsfan on Aug 23, 2006 7:22 PM PDT reply actions

Not for me

This is way better than the Loaiza I was expecting. Before the season, I was expecting an "eh" kind of starter who would eat some innings and pitch a good game once in a while. At the end of April, I was just hoping our offense would come alive enough to make up for Loaiza's poor outings. I wasn't even sure he was capable of pitching the way he has been lately.

Here's hoping he can keep it up.

Kettlecorn! Swishercorn!

by TurnTwo on Aug 23, 2006 7:46 PM PDT up reply actions

for those who watched tonight

how was loiaza's splitter moving? how about velocity? sounds like a dominant performance...and it seems more and more likely that his early season struggles were all about not being healthy. it doesn't seem like a coincidence that loiaza started pitching decently once his fastballs finally started hitting the low 90s.

"welcome to ME, motherf*^*er!" - tim hudson

by guy incognito on Aug 23, 2006 7:24 PM PDT reply actions

Movement

Great splitter, great cutter, great movement down and sideways, and most of all GREAT location and poundage of the strike zone! 0-2 on half the Blue Jays, it seemed.

Good pitching beats good hitting. And vice versa.

by TheBigO on Aug 24, 2006 9:06 AM PDT up reply actions

Actually, I don't think it was

the A's best pitching performance of 2006, simply because I don't think it was Loaiza's best performance in his last 3 starts! He was awesome against Tampa Bay and even better at Kansas City--and then damn good again tonight. It's nice to take a rested bullpen into Texas.

Also, it was so great when the A's had 2nd and 3rd with Bradley up and Thomas on deck, and I actually felt like the A's had a legitimate middle of the order because I was thrilled at the "pick your poison" choices. Keep those two guys and keep Chavy healthy, and 2007 looks just fine--especially if ELo can keep his ERA BeLo 6.00.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 23, 2006 7:25 PM PDT reply actions

I don't mean to...

...argue whether 99 is better than 98, but the Blue Jays is 2nd in BA in the MLB (they were actually number one earlier today), and is 3rd in OBP. Tampa Bay is dead last in both, while Kansas City is 14th and 15th. So shutting the Blue Jays out is quite a bit more of a feat, particularly when you consider that it was a CG, and only one runner ever got to scoring position tonight against Loaiza.

He was stellar.

by GlassHeart on Aug 23, 2006 7:53 PM PDT up reply actions

i agree

on the road in a hitter's park.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Aug 23, 2006 7:59 PM PDT up reply actions

You know, I think it's just how good...

his stuff looked in KC. Strangely electric. More so than tonight for some reason. But by results, tonight was the top game of the year for the A's, I think.

Bill James game score would be 86 for tonight for those of you who know what that means.

by RLangford on Aug 23, 2006 8:07 PM PDT up reply actions

What it means?

Only the 6th best performance by a starter in the AL all season.

by noava22 on Aug 23, 2006 11:37 PM PDT up reply actions

for further analysis

The way the BJI (Bill James Index - not the official acronym, just what I'm using here) works is as follows:

(per espn.com) "Start with 50 points. Add 1 point for each out recorded, (3 points per inning). Add 2 points for each inning completed after the 4th. Add 1 point for each strikeout. Subtract 2 points for each hit allowed. Subtract 4 points for each earned run allowed. Subtract 2 points for each unearned run allowed. Subtract 1 point for each walk."

With that in mind, here's the list of top games pitched this season. As of this moment, it hasn't been updated to include tonight's performances.

by noava22 on Aug 23, 2006 11:47 PM PDT up reply actions

Had a little trouble breathing

when I saw what the top game in the AL is. Ugh.

"The scrubs beat the Yankees!" -- Ronnie Mac

by day-to-day on Aug 24, 2006 12:03 AM PDT up reply actions

if you had been there

you wouldn't be surprised. A perfect game (after an initial double, I believe). I knew which game was going to be number one before I checked the link. Lackey was awesome that night.

by Brian in 317 on Aug 24, 2006 7:27 AM PDT up reply actions

I wasn't surprised

Just still annoyed that that friggin' mouth-breather was so good and that he shut us down like that. As you probably guessed, I really dislike John Lackey. :-)

"The scrubs beat the Yankees!" -- Ronnie Mac

by day-to-day on Aug 24, 2006 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions

#6

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/bestgames

Great Start by Loaiza. I said it earlier this month: I am more confident in Loaiza, than Zito.

COME ON, OAKLAND, COME ON!

by Colorado Fan on Aug 24, 2006 3:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Weird

Toronto had three of the top ten pitched games against them. They are definitely one of the best offensive teams, yet they seem to go to sleep on certain games. What is up with that. Do they simply swing for the fences every pitch?

by Hang Man on Aug 24, 2006 9:22 AM PDT up reply actions

No doubt, GlassHeart--

If the standard is "impressive results," then tonight takes the cake. I just thought in terms of how well he threw, against TB and in KC he was really dealing--had a better fastball, especially in KC--and would have shut any team down. But he pitched a two-hit shutout tonight (hits by Reed Johnson don't count because they're automatic--I mean, c'mon, the guy is Reed Johnson).

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 23, 2006 8:06 PM PDT up reply actions

I was 1:44 behind you (see above)

by RLangford on Aug 23, 2006 8:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Just consider mine

a "presponse".

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 23, 2006 8:10 PM PDT up reply actions

And we should acknowledge that...

tonight he likely made fewer mistakes. He was just hitting every spot. Though, then again, he got kind of lucky with some of those balls hit to right.

I don't know: Both dominant outings. As confident as I've been about any pitcher this year in both starts.

by RLangford on Aug 23, 2006 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions

The Jays chased a lot

of bad pitches, which is either a testimonial to how much Loaiza's cutter was dancing or to the Jays just not having a great day at the plate. Or both.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 23, 2006 8:15 PM PDT up reply actions

All I saw

was the MLB.com replay of his strikeouts, but it seemed most of them (well, 4 or 5) were called strike threes; he was fooling the Jays, with perfect placement. I didn't actually watch the game, of course, but on what they showed, his location was flawless.

"The whistles are woooooooo" - Bubb Rubb

by Philip Christy on Aug 24, 2006 1:01 AM PDT up reply actions

As far as, "Tonight he made

fewer mistakes," I feel it's still too early to say that. He hasn't even gotten onto the freeway yet.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 23, 2006 8:17 PM PDT up reply actions

Back in Nashville, TN...

I could only listen to the game tonight on XM. You know it's great when it's the Blue Jays radio feed and they have to pass the time by telling all sorts of stories that have no relation at all to the game action on the field. I don't know where Loiaza has come from, but I'll take back my harsh words and tip my cap. Unbelievable...This has been one hell of a fun summer, eh?

by willcmatthews on Aug 23, 2006 7:28 PM PDT reply actions

Is anyone really worried

About a playoff rotation of Zito-Haren-Blanton-Loaiza right now? Doesn't sound too bad; neither does a Zito-Haren-Loaiza 3-man rotation. It's nice to know that we've gotten dominant stretches from all 4 of those guys and that they are capable of playoff-caliber pitching.

by baseb3383 on Aug 23, 2006 7:28 PM PDT reply actions

I'm more worried

about finishing off this division.

by sprtsnwyn on Aug 23, 2006 7:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Blanton

Kind of weird, but I would almost rather be the away team in a 5-Game Playoff Series - That way, Zito and Haren pitch on the road...and Loaiza and Blanton get to pitch at home.

Blanton seems to pitch much better at Home.

COME ON, OAKLAND, COME ON!

by Colorado Fan on Aug 24, 2006 3:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Don't forget..

Aaron Harang.

Joe Blanton had a pretty amazing start against Seattle early this year...

by BleacherDave on Aug 23, 2006 7:29 PM PDT reply actions

Just call him Lo-wow-za

A's fan from over the hill (Reno, NV)

by spovich on Aug 23, 2006 7:32 PM PDT reply actions

Hmmm

I was always telling myself, "you know AK- A, most of your compatriot AN'ers are wrong (this was probably in May), but I won't rock the boat and tell them he will come around and get better and better and then pitch a gem going the distance in August"

I just never cared to share these thoughts til now.

the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005...and in 2006 don't make me sick.

by ak_A on Aug 23, 2006 7:33 PM PDT reply actions

it appears

that Loaiza's spring training is finally over (e.g., his performance immediately after the injury was more of a warm-up). as they always say when the season starts, the pitching starts slow / the bats hot, then the reverse settles in. seems like loaiza's time is now!

"I find A's-Mariners games a lot more tolerable if I become a temporary A's fan." by Deanna (LL)

by ST on Aug 23, 2006 7:34 PM PDT reply actions

It appears that Kelvim Escobar

has turned into April Loaiza!

4-1 Boston in the 2nd!

Beware the Reverend's rancid carne asada!

by BruceBochte on Aug 23, 2006 7:36 PM PDT reply actions

I like that phrase...

...You can say things like, "Wow, Danny Haren really April-Loaiza'd it for a couple innings, but then he really settled down."

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 23, 2006 7:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Whereas Vikings' wide receiver Koren Robinson...

...really June-Loaiza'd it last week.

"I'm getting smarter. I finally punched something that couldn't sue me." -- Billy Martin, after breaking his finger punching a piece of furniture in 1982.

by GreenNGoldSooner on Aug 24, 2006 8:33 AM PDT up reply actions

5-1 Boston

by sprtsnwyn on Aug 23, 2006 7:38 PM PDT reply actions

Whooo!!

Let's go Bos-ton!

"It's never 'just a game' if you're winning" - George Carlin

by bluelightrain84 on Aug 23, 2006 7:39 PM PDT up reply actions

Nice win, bitches!!!

I'll try not to swear.

by Tony on Aug 23, 2006 7:43 PM PDT reply actions

I think three exclamation marks

is excessive.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 23, 2006 7:44 PM PDT up reply actions

Really?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"I almost landed in some lady's lap, which was kinda fun.'' -- Swish

by Sharon on Aug 23, 2006 7:47 PM PDT up reply actions

Yes. It's too many. Got it??

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 23, 2006 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions

The exclamation marks are fine!!!!

You just want to avoid teh ones!!!111!11!!

"I'm getting smarter. I finally punched something that couldn't sue me." -- Billy Martin, after breaking his finger punching a piece of furniture in 1982.

by GreenNGoldSooner on Aug 24, 2006 8:34 AM PDT up reply actions

No it's not

Considering that's exactly how I do it every time, and we're onlike a .800 streak since it's started, I'm going to go ahead and exclaim thrice.

Or, if it bothers you, I could stop and then we'll probbaly never win another fucking game all year!!!

Your call, homes.

I'll try not to swear.

by Tony on Aug 23, 2006 7:52 PM PDT up reply actions

In that case, carry on my wayward son.

I'll do my part -- I even went to work naked!

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 23, 2006 7:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Don't you cry no more

Sometimes a few must be hurt for the greater good. Thanks for your patience!!!

I'll try not to swear.

by Tony on Aug 23, 2006 8:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Keep doing it

It is the poorman's version of "We are Family" for the AN faithful.

I look forward to it after every win.

by DKNJ on Aug 23, 2006 7:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Poorman's in the sense that...

...unlike "We Are Family," this doesn't come with cocaine?

"I'm getting smarter. I finally punched something that couldn't sue me." -- Billy Martin, after breaking his finger punching a piece of furniture in 1982.

by GreenNGoldSooner on Aug 24, 2006 8:36 AM PDT up reply actions

Psst Tony

I think he was being sarcastic!!!

Beware the Reverend's rancid carne asada!

by BruceBochte on Aug 23, 2006 8:04 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm slightly superstitious

Some things are joke-proof.

I'll try not to swear.

by Tony on Aug 23, 2006 8:06 PM PDT up reply actions

And, thankfully,

some things are 80-proof.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 23, 2006 8:07 PM PDT up reply actions

I was!!!

Or was I???

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 23, 2006 8:06 PM PDT up reply actions

Shouldn't this be...

An "Absolut" Gem?

More ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/ | Archive

by louismg on Aug 23, 2006 7:47 PM PDT reply actions

Only if you are talking about

Bombay sapphire!

Beware the Reverend's rancid carne asada!

by BruceBochte on Aug 23, 2006 7:49 PM PDT up reply actions

No, you forgot the e

It should read "An Absolute Gin"

by Hang Man on Aug 24, 2006 9:28 AM PDT up reply actions

Favorite stat of the day

I was listening to the game in the car while driving home from work and Korach said that our series record in August was 5-0-1. Now we can add another one to the win column.

I'll try to remember to look at the big picture the next time we lose a game.

Kettlecorn! Swishercorn!

by TurnTwo on Aug 23, 2006 7:56 PM PDT reply actions

Uhhh, okay...

Now what?

"And Julio Franco is batting right-handed!" -- Wayne Hagin, A's radio play-by-play, mid-80s

by Nick on Aug 23, 2006 7:58 PM PDT up reply actions

Omigod!!!

I think I see Shari's house!!!

-Cindi.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 23, 2006 8:08 PM PDT up reply actions

That's not really the big picture.

A "big picture" would be more like 1600 x 1200 pixels. Seriously...

More ANtics: http://www.louisgray.com/live/ | Archive

by louismg on Aug 23, 2006 8:13 PM PDT up reply actions

Pluto

I think I see Pluto...oh wait, no I don't.

Downgraded: http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory?id=2353457

COME ON, OAKLAND, COME ON!

by Colorado Fan on Aug 24, 2006 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions

The Most Beautiful Moment....

...was when Bradley hit his HR and, of course, knew that it was gone, and disdainfully watched it go. Followed by a funny moment when, as I suppose he usually does, he sped up rounding third on his HR trot, and almost ran down Ellis. Ellis was forced to speed up so that he wouldn't be run down by the train called Bradley. I also liked the Swisher/Bradley histrionics in the dugout. All that jumping and bumping and giving each other five---I like it more than the usually glum, business as usual game face stuff that accompanies a HR or a good play. A bit excessive and theatrical, but fun.

"It's a cookbook!"---The Twilight Zone

by Buck18 on Aug 23, 2006 7:58 PM PDT reply actions

Bradly HR act

You know, I hate it when other teams' players showboat on home runs (see Brett "Bat Flippin'" Boone). But I have to admit that I absolutely love Milton's home run act. First the disdainful way he dumps the bat on top of home plate and glares after the ball like, "How could they possibly throw me that weak-ass sh*t." Then the slow trot and the sprint around third. Classic, and uniquely Milton.

He's soooo gonna get drilled by somebody...

by LoveDemAs on Aug 23, 2006 10:33 PM PDT up reply actions

A lot like Milton's reaction to his HR's ...

is my reaction, which is a scream of agony best likened to a severly sprained ankle, if anyone has had the misfortune. My neighbors must be getting tired of it, but I assume just get kicked out of my place for it. Hopefully that will require a good ten more horrific, high-pitchied outbursts, highlighted with me holding a "World Champs Fan Will Work For Food" sign sometime in late October. Though, that may be getting ahead of myself.

PS - I think all will agree that Bradley's RH homers are funnier.

http://www.myspace.com/ryanmac10

by RyanFromBonas on Aug 23, 2006 11:11 PM PDT up reply actions

Confession of a non believer

As many of us have found out tonight Loaiza can pitch like an ace. He stepped up tonight and shut down the Blue Jays as effectively as anyone. They have been one of the top hitting teams in the league and Chacin was 6-2. Nice work. Surprise me the rest of the way into October....
Angel's are sucking tonight 5 -1 finally..

Morada Mudshark

by Morada Mudshark on Aug 23, 2006 7:59 PM PDT reply actions

and great, TO is injured again

so more ESPN coverage of stationary bike riding no doubt...oh boy.

the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005...and in 2006 don't make me sick.

by ak_A on Aug 23, 2006 8:08 PM PDT reply actions

The NFL regular season

hasn't even started and I'm already sick of T.O.

"The scrubs beat the Yankees!" -- Ronnie Mac

by day-to-day on Aug 24, 2006 12:39 AM PDT up reply actions

A perfect storm of sorts

Sometimes players you like end up on teams you hate (Giambi + Yankees, for instance). This can create brief pangs of regret, before the overarching hatred of the team in question takes over (sorry, Giambi).

But sometimes, the Sports Gods load up teams that you detest with people you despise. The Cowboys...coached by the Tuna...with TO in uniform (if not playing)? Just perfect! Now I can only hope they lose, lose, lose.

"I'm getting smarter. I finally punched something that couldn't sue me." -- Billy Martin, after breaking his finger punching a piece of furniture in 1982.

by GreenNGoldSooner on Aug 24, 2006 8:40 AM PDT up reply actions

Uniform log updated through today

Excel File.

"No, I haven't been drinking or taking Ecstacy... " ~ Poppy

by eamb on Aug 23, 2006 8:17 PM PDT reply actions

I still say the A's should always

wear the throwbacks they wore agains the Giants. Those were hot and we are undefeated in those. Small sample size be damned! :D

"I think every memeber of AN should send every memeber of LL 20 bucks." ~ Goose on LL

by AsGirl on Aug 23, 2006 8:20 PM PDT up reply actions

I couldn't agree more....

Those were the sweetest throwbacks since those gold '72 unis we wore four years ago.

"hunting for fresh meat"

by Masaryk on Aug 23, 2006 9:33 PM PDT up reply actions

Amazing thing is the A's have

almost equalized the record of the ChiSox in the wild card race. So much for a mediocre ALWest this year...

Beware the Reverend's rancid carne asada!

by BruceBochte on Aug 23, 2006 8:19 PM PDT reply actions

And STILL nobody's noticing!

I was watching Mike and Mike this morning on ESPN2 (how's that for a bad habit!), and Golic basically admitted this. Both Mikes were saying that the AL Wild Card was the only real race in the league at this point. Golic noted the A's record in August, said they seemed to be in the driver's seat for the division ttle, and then basically said that he'd been paying no attention to the AL West so he couldn't be sure.

ESPN must have some kind of corporate policy that teams in the AL West can only be discussed for 30 seconds a night unless they're a) playing the Yankees, b) playing the Red Sox, or c) punching each other.

"I'm getting smarter. I finally punched something that couldn't sue me." -- Billy Martin, after breaking his finger punching a piece of furniture in 1982.

by GreenNGoldSooner on Aug 24, 2006 8:44 AM PDT up reply actions

Remarkably, people whose job

revolves around baseball, and who have only 6 divisions to pay attention to, can't seem to find the motivation to follow all of them.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 24, 2006 8:51 AM PDT up reply actions

Red Sox being the Red Sox

Now 5-3.

Oh, but wait. There's that dominant Sox bullpen. Can their closer go 4, ala Rollie Fingers tonight?

by RLangford on Aug 23, 2006 8:22 PM PDT reply actions

How 'bout the game between

Cleveland and Kansas City? KC put up a 10-spot in the 1st inning (bye-bye Byrdie), and Cleveland just tied it at 13-13 with a 4-run 9th. Wowza. No lead is safe this week!

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 23, 2006 8:36 PM PDT reply actions

Good times.

Indians should be good as long as Carmona stays away from the mound.

Stat Wonk Futurist

by salb918 on Aug 23, 2006 8:43 PM PDT up reply actions

i was going to respond

that it's a battle of who can suck less, carmona or burgos.
but then i looked at the box score and although they both sucked, burgos sucked much less yet the royals still lost.

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Aug 23, 2006 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Wow. What a game for Loaiza.

Of course, because of a silly thing called a job, I only heard the last half-inning, but what can you do. At least it put me in a good mood for my drive home.

And did anyone else happen to notice Mulder's first start off the DL against the Mets tonight? 3 IP, 9 ER. Or something horribly not good like that. And the Cards didn't come back to get the win, either, although they were close. Just thinking about that kind of Mulder start gives me painful flashbacks to the end of '04... nooooo...

by whiteshoes40 on Aug 23, 2006 8:42 PM PDT reply actions

Whereas it gives Cards fans

flashbacks to...pretty much all of 2006 so far. :-(

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 23, 2006 8:56 PM PDT up reply actions

Oh Loaiza. We've had some good times.

You've pitched on many of my Sunday games, leaving me to find creative ways to talk about your performance. Then, last week, you caused me to say, HELL in caps and bolded about the HELL of a pitching performance you turned in. And tonight? You were awesome.

Thank you for stepping up when we need you most! Hugs, kisses, Lo-WOW-za (tm jdell)!

"Why won't everyone do what I want???" ~SportySpice

by baseballgirl on Aug 23, 2006 9:01 PM PDT reply actions

Some stat fun:

Over the last 30 days:
Barry Zito: 5.89ERA/13BB/25SO/1.72WHIP
Dan Haren: 3.02ERA/06BB/36SO/1.08WHIP
E. Loaiza: 3.06ERA/03BB/23SO/1.21WHIP
Joe Blanton: 2.81ERA/09BB/19SO/1.53WHIP

Knowing that your "Ace" who will be leaving after this year has been the worst pitcher on the team during the team's most dominant month in the season: Priceless.

by Threepwood XX on Aug 23, 2006 9:08 PM PDT reply actions

haren's not going anywhere

can that be right?
haren gives up nine runs in his last start, and still has a better whip over the last month than loaiza, who pitched great and only walked three?

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Aug 23, 2006 9:18 PM PDT up reply actions

Crazy isn't it.

Just think of what Haren's stats must of looked like before his last start!

If he had been pulled in the 2nd inning his stats would be nowhere as good though. Going 4 shut out innings after giving up the nine runs not only help his team out, but help his stats out also.

by Threepwood XX on Aug 23, 2006 9:29 PM PDT up reply actions

28-7

Is what they'd need to win 100 from here!

by baseballbill on Aug 23, 2006 9:35 PM PDT reply actions

many will be happy with 20-15

92 wins = $$$

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Aug 23, 2006 9:48 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm also on the 92 win watch

"I try to figure this team out, and if I could, I'd be a genius," Mark Ellis

by Little Lebowski Urban Achievers on Aug 23, 2006 10:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Thank you Esteban....

I'm sorry I was so brutal to you at the beginning of the year....

Sincerely,
Masaryk

P.S. Tell Billy sorry too!

"hunting for fresh meat"

by Masaryk on Aug 23, 2006 9:35 PM PDT reply actions

Dear Mr. Loaiza,

I'm really sorry for giving up all confidence in you in early May. That was dumb of me.

Sincerely yours for as long as you pitch anywhere near this level,

Ryan

PS - Will I get to see this in October? Being a Scorpio, I'm more of a autumn man. Thanks.

http://www.myspace.com/ryanmac10

by RyanFromBonas on Aug 23, 2006 11:21 PM PDT up reply actions

brad penny

this guy has more rage than john gibbons and john lackey combined.
once he blew up when pulled from a game, once he got into it with kenny lofton, and now tonight.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/photo?slug=8a977dc6753249c5a64058bcd0664f94.dodgers_padres_baseball_cali 109&prov=ap

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Aug 23, 2006 9:52 PM PDT reply actions

lol

shouldnt it be bad penny

by smasfan on Aug 23, 2006 9:55 PM PDT up reply actions

He was traded

for my thoughts, but the deal fell through when my thoughts didn't clear waivers.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Aug 23, 2006 10:12 PM PDT up reply actions

My thoughs failed the physical.

Kettlecorn! Swishercorn!

by TurnTwo on Aug 23, 2006 10:27 PM PDT up reply actions

Gracias Esteban Loaiza

I always have negative feeling when he listed as the starter, but right now he is proving me wrong. Keepin' on rollin' A'S!

LET'S GO OAK-LAND!!

Macha is a great manager. -Ron Washington

by pachydermOAFC on Aug 23, 2006 10:01 PM PDT reply actions

Lesson learned

"No, I haven't been drinking or taking Ecstacy... " ~ Poppy

by eamb on Aug 23, 2006 10:19 PM PDT reply actions

What???

What happened here?

by Harry on Aug 23, 2006 10:31 PM PDT up reply actions

fan

ran out on field after the game ended

by smasfan on Aug 23, 2006 10:32 PM PDT up reply actions

lol

Don't you just love how his stomach is poking out of the jersey? Crazy, crazy people.

by whiteshoes40 on Aug 23, 2006 11:15 PM PDT up reply actions

Did John Gibbons

mistake him for one of his real players?

"The scrubs beat the Yankees!" -- Ronnie Mac

by day-to-day on Aug 24, 2006 12:00 AM PDT up reply actions

Obviously not.

If Gibson had, he's also have a broken nose.

"I'm getting smarter. I finally punched something that couldn't sue me." -- Billy Martin, after breaking his finger punching a piece of furniture in 1982.

by GreenNGoldSooner on Aug 24, 2006 8:46 AM PDT up reply actions

Best perforrmance

The best performance by an A's starter this year was Haren in LA eh Anaheim about 5 weeks ago. 3-2 I believe his splitter was devasting.IMO

by Graybeard on Aug 23, 2006 10:19 PM PDT reply actions

I would disagree.

I was there for that game. Haren looked pretty pedestrian for the first 4 innings. His splitter wasn't breaking until the 5th inning. Most of the hits he gave up were on splitters he hung over the outside edge. He looked fantastic for the last 5 innings, but I was on pins and needles for the first 4.

He even said to fans there before the next game there how he was happy to get his splitter working late. I also got a signed ball there, I was stoked. Loiaza looked better IMHO, and he never got rocked in that game. I can't say the same for Haren's first four.

by darjeeling on Aug 23, 2006 10:34 PM PDT up reply actions

Loaiza was a nightmare as a pitcher.

Now he is pitching like a dream. I hope that all of the other was because he was hurting.

by IM4Oakgal on Aug 23, 2006 10:19 PM PDT reply actions

Just saw the condensed game on mlb.tv

Wow what a great outing. Lots of ground balls and pop fly's.

Also just saw the last out in Anaheim. Picked up a game on the Angels again.

GOOOOOO A's!!!!!!

by Harry on Aug 23, 2006 10:30 PM PDT reply actions

How would you abbreviate Kielty?

by Harry on Aug 23, 2006 10:55 PM PDT reply actions

kilts?

A's v Giants "is kind of like the difference between going to see the Ramones and going to see the Bee Gees. A's fans will go see the Ramones." -BB 07/27/05

by xbhaskarx on Aug 23, 2006 10:59 PM PDT up reply actions

You know what I can picture?

The crowd in Oakland chanting "E-Lo". Wow. I never thought I'd say it, and yes, doesn't excuse off-field actions, but MAN has he been lights-out lately!

"Why won't everyone do what I want???" ~SportySpice

by baseballgirl on Aug 23, 2006 11:17 PM PDT reply actions

P.S. Hire a driver.

"Why won't everyone do what I want???" ~SportySpice

by baseballgirl on Aug 23, 2006 11:17 PM PDT up reply actions

like the old 'T-Long!' chant?

by miguel on Aug 23, 2006 11:40 PM PDT up reply actions

On a different note,

Guess who apparently can no longer pitch:

Mark Mulder

3 IP, 9 ER, 4 BB

What in the world happened to this guy? Is he really this mentally fragile that in two separate seasons he completely tanked?

by Crosbino on Aug 23, 2006 11:45 PM PDT reply actions

Why

do you assume Mulder's struggles are due to being "mentally fragile"? Maybe he's been struggling with injuries that have affected his mechanics?

On Sunday, Minaya ticked off a list of candidates to join the rotation, and for once this season, none of them was Jose Lima.

by rfloh on Aug 24, 2006 10:44 AM PDT up reply actions

A's Draft Picks...

I'm too lazy to start a diary, and was wondering what has happened to Cahill et al. It said on MLB.com that quite a few haven't signed yet, but then i scanned the other years and it said Mazzaro hasn't signed yet, so I'm not sure what to believe.

"I see Milton Bradley being the Oaktown player that breaks out this year." breaks out... breaks out of where? jail?

by gdub171 on Aug 23, 2006 11:49 PM PDT reply actions

Cahill

Tever Cahill did sign, but the A's are taking it easy on him since he was evedently overused by his highschool last year.

He's currently on the roster of the Arizona Athletics, has pitched 3 innings, and has put up:
3ERA/3BB/4SO/1.0WHIP

by Threepwood XX on Aug 24, 2006 12:15 AM PDT up reply actions

Loaiza

22 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings by my count...not bad

by Eggman on Aug 24, 2006 12:32 AM PDT reply actions

The upcoming games against Texas are going to

be huge. I always worry about the hard hitting teams. Even if they don't have the best pitching that team can hit.

by IM4Oakgal on Aug 24, 2006 12:33 AM PDT reply actions

Mike Mussina

goes on the DL, meaning he won't face the Angels on Sunday. They get this guy instead.

"The scrubs beat the Yankees!" -- Ronnie Mac

by day-to-day on Aug 24, 2006 12:36 AM PDT reply actions

His eyebrows

are really smooth and such.

Let's hope he can pull out a smooth and succesful performance against LAA as well.

"And it is not a comeback when it is GIFTWRAPPED for you..." -Rev, referring to the A's comeback win on 8/22/06; Hilarious.

by Boonee on Aug 24, 2006 12:42 AM PDT reply actions

lol

about the eyebrows (they also seem huge) and your sig. I saw that post Monday night and couldn't believe what I was reading.

"The scrubs beat the Yankees!" -- Ronnie Mac

by day-to-day on Aug 24, 2006 1:28 AM PDT up reply actions

Remember when

Loiaza got the DUI and his ERA was about a 50.34 and we were all ready to crucify him? Well right about now he could kick an orphan in the face while stealing its candy and I'd probably be cool with it. Isn't that two complete games for him this year? Way to eat those innings, innings eater. Welcome to Oakland, Esteban. I will now say your name with a sexy latin accent. You've earned it.

by holyfreekinmoses on Aug 24, 2006 1:01 AM PDT reply actions

ANGELS

I love posting these pics...

"The whistles are woooooooo" - Bubb Rubb

by Philip Christy on Aug 24, 2006 2:19 AM PDT reply actions

Maybe when Estaban Spent the night in Jail....

There were a bunch of East Oaklnad gang members in the drunk tank with him, and they told him that unless he drops his ERA below 10.50, they were gonna shank him. So thats the reason that Loaiza is pitching so well right now. He knows that if he goes back to the pen pitching the same way he did in April, he would holding someones pocket for sure...

Bring back the Bash! Bring back the Mustache! Go A's in 2006!!!

Death To The Angels!!

by Shippee33 on Aug 24, 2006 3:05 AM PDT reply actions

The love for Loaiza has been a nice little change

But would it still be there if he, say, threw two clunkers in a row? After all, Loaiza IS a "disaster [and one of Beane's most] inexplicable decision[s]...What was he thinking?"

What will most of you be thinking if/when he has a bad outing or maybe two bad outings and they're not seperated by many/any good outings? Will the love continue from the WHYDFML crowd, then?

If you feel you're being called out then you probably are. Wear it!

4 8 15 16 23 42

by LowcountryJoe on Aug 24, 2006 4:32 AM PDT reply actions

It is unfair

to criticize Oaktoon for bashing Loaiza prior to his landmark formulation of the Oaktoon Theorem. After all, scholars of the Theorem were coolly waiting for Loaiza's stunning resurgence amid the paniced yelps of the riff raff.

by mikeA on Aug 24, 2006 7:34 AM PDT up reply actions

What's the Oaktoon Theorem?

That 2nd base is 127.27922 feet from the plate?

Oh yeah, that's the Pythagorean theorem. Sorry.

Gaudin's VOJFP, otherwise known as "Value Over Joel F---ing Pineiro" is very high. In fact, every pitcher's VOJFP is very high. Except for Mateo. -- LL

by Checkswing HR on Aug 24, 2006 9:48 AM PDT up reply actions

You know who Loaiza reminded me of last night?

A former A's pitcher who always seemed calm, cool, and in control. Who poured in strike after strike while maintaining low pitch counts, often winding up with a complete game. Of course, that former A's pitcher has been struggling mightily lately, and is no doubt having trouble dealing with lack of success for the first long stretch of his career. Who is that pitcher that Loaiza is emulating, and how is he doing it?

Well, ladies and gentlemen, Esteban Loiza has clearly stolen Mark Mulders mojo.

"the reason why hitting the ball on the "sweet spot" of the bat feels so good is that the ball is contacting at the bat at a vibrational node." - salb918

by McFood on Aug 24, 2006 8:37 AM PDT reply actions

And I agree with the others, Blez...

...I've never heard the A's 4th starter as a reason for their August surges...yet...that makes SO MUCH sense!

Brilliant!

"Why won't everyone do what I want???" ~SportySpice

by baseballgirl on Aug 24, 2006 9:08 AM PDT reply actions

Tino Martinez on BBTN:

"Zito RARELY misses a start."

Time to re-check your notes.

This was during a segment on the two top free-agent pitchers, Zito and Schmidt, and it reminded me of how you can only enjoy the misery of underperforming big-money teams like the Red Sox for a short-lived period, because they reload during the off-season with the best free agents.

Gaudin's VOJFP, otherwise known as "Value Over Joel F---ing Pineiro" is very high. In fact, every pitcher's VOJFP is very high. Except for Mateo. -- LL

by Checkswing HR on Aug 24, 2006 9:55 AM PDT reply actions