Down But Not Out
Don't get me wrong, I don't like going down 2-0 at home. The A's are now officially the underdogs in the series no matter how you slice it, having simply been outpitched, outhit, and outfielded in two home games, off to face their nemesis, Kenny Rogers, in less friendly confines.
But tonight's game was a microcosm of why there is hope for the series as a whole. Tonight, the A's looked like they were cooked only to rise up and get Milton Bradley to the plate representing the tying run, only to go a step further and get Frank Thomas to the plate representing the winning run. Perhaps the series will follow the same script and the A's have some rising yet to do.
Tonight, it was April and May, with Frank Thomas juuuuuust missing pitches he knows and you know he can drive, stranding runners who could have been tying runs and winning runs. Perhaps the series will follow the same script and the June-September portion of the series is still ahead.
Right now, I feel like 10 really smart guys sat in a room over the weekend and outsmarted themselves, chickening out on throwing Harden twice and then planning to do it anyway, opting to relegate a "big-game pitcher" to only one guaranteed start, and going with the "known quantity" in Esteban Loaiza, who is mostly known for two things over his career: a lack of consistency and a lack of comfort under pressure or in the spotlight.
The bad news is that 10 really smart guys may have outsmarted themselves and helped to put the A's in a 2-0 hole (they had plenty of help, as the players did their part). The good news is that Rich Harden and Danny Haren pitch the next two games, and I feel good about that duo in any park.
The A's are down, but they're far from out. Frank Thomas hasn't hit his last high fly ball yet. Let's hope his last one has the distance.
0 recs |
294 comments
Comments
Clap, Clap, Clap....
by capper3 on Oct 11, 2006 8:43 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
NEVER GIVE UP
by interior decor on Oct 11, 2006 8:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
maybe the first AN reference...
"Please, Frank Thomas, YOUUUUUUU ARE OUR LAAAST HOPE!"
We've got what we need to win. We've seen it all season. We just need it now.
by roysteelefan on Oct 11, 2006 10:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
This will be an exciting series.
Harden is the key.
Frank Thomas will get a key hit sooner or later and Milton will continue to be an ideal #3 hitter
by Erik being Erik on Oct 11, 2006 8:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Agreed
by Smartball on Oct 11, 2006 8:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
PS......
by capper3 on Oct 11, 2006 8:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Get ready for a beatdown, Roaster.
by jeepers on Oct 11, 2006 8:48 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
A's in 6
by twofootslim on Oct 11, 2006 8:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
That'd be a sweep
by achiappanza on Oct 11, 2006 9:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
great post Nico
by pickinmachine on Oct 11, 2006 8:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Ditto...
Goodnight all, it starts Friday....
by OaklandInvader on Oct 11, 2006 8:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I know baseball
by Salvatore on Oct 11, 2006 8:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I have no idea
by senork on Oct 11, 2006 8:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with Nico's sentiment.
I can't believe my optimism right now...
by capper3 on Oct 11, 2006 8:49 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
1/4 of an inch
-2 outs
-Bottom of the ninth
-Home team down by three
-Bases loaded
-The team's big slugger at bat
Thomas had the chance to end the game in a way that (I am quite positive) everyone has dreamed of. He also had the chance to do his best Casey impression. You all know which happened.
I won't be watching the game on Friday. I've seen or listened to the last eight A's games and I've seen all the playoff games that have been on Fox, and I need a little bit of a break. Also, the teams that I've been rooting for are on a five-game skid, so maybe a change of pace will help.
by senork on Oct 11, 2006 8:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Disagree -- Pujols vs. Lidge last year
by Nick on Oct 11, 2006 10:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can't believe nobody is blaming D'Angelo Jimenez
by Sashulia on Oct 11, 2006 8:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I could not agree more
by Vegas Bettor James on Oct 11, 2006 8:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
By god,
by bluelightrain84 on Oct 11, 2006 9:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The A's always have to do it the hard way
A couple quick thoughts...
- Mr. Harden, Friday night would be a good time to become the pitcher so many of us hope you will become.
- Not to start a fight with you Nico, but you for got to add "out-managed" to your "out" played litany.
by grover on Oct 11, 2006 8:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Seconded on point 2.
by capper3 on Oct 11, 2006 8:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
blah
Come on Oakland. Don't go out this easy.
by drmmerchk on Oct 11, 2006 8:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah
by bluelightrain84 on Oct 11, 2006 9:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh God, I can't believe..
A's better start playing a "better brand of baseball" if you know what I mean or we will be watching the Tigers in October if you know what I mean...
"The sea will crowd us with lovers at night".
by Sheldon72 on Oct 11, 2006 10:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nice Post
KEEP THE FAITH!
by swisherroks33 on Oct 11, 2006 8:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
It IS a great season...
..."A New Hope".
by roysteelefan on Oct 11, 2006 10:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Please
by CyberFT on Oct 12, 2006 1:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Game 3 is the series
and big frank going 0-5 with 3 K's is VERY alarming, its too bad he is becoming the goat of the series but no real fans will dog on him, he had a helluva year and it aint over yet
also swisher and scutaro looking awful isnt too good either, time to man up and show the sorry haters whos boss
go A's
by AsFanTexas on Oct 11, 2006 8:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
As posted by NorthDakotaSomethingOrOther...
It really is obsurd and absolutely highlights the ineptitude of Macha. Does Macha do ok sometimes? Yes, but Macha is terrible. Flatout. How does your starter give up 7 runs in a almost 'must win' game? Please help me.
With that being said, let's take this thing on Friday despite our pussy of a manager.
by capper3 on Oct 11, 2006 8:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I thought...
by OaklandInvader on Oct 11, 2006 9:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Trying to catch my second wind after that ninth!
by capper3 on Oct 11, 2006 9:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
that still stuns me...
I'll also note that Leyland made multiple trips to the mound over the last two games, while Macha sat on the bench chomping gum. Great motivator.
by coffee roaster on Oct 11, 2006 9:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm convinced that
by Salvatore on Oct 11, 2006 9:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Will somebody please tell Macha
For the Love of God, this is a best of 7 series, not a freakin 160 game season!
Ok, rant over, I'm off to bed.
by polytician on Oct 11, 2006 9:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Now I Understand
Brilliant!!
by ChucklesSD on Oct 11, 2006 9:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I heart AN
by Erik being Erik on Oct 11, 2006 9:04 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
street
haha i have faith believe it or not...
by Nickathleticsfan on Oct 11, 2006 9:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Macha and BaseballGirl....
by capper3 on Oct 11, 2006 9:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I'm here!!!
by baseballgirl on Oct 12, 2006 9:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
re
by 31Boots on Oct 11, 2006 9:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Down 2-0 Sucks
by natsirt on Oct 11, 2006 9:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
nice!
by Nickathleticsfan on Oct 11, 2006 9:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Where is everyone?
by capper3 on Oct 11, 2006 9:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree Nico
by bart on Oct 11, 2006 9:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
okay, that was a game
I remember in 2004 I was convinced that Boston was going to win the whole ball o' wax, then New York got up 3-0 and yet I still had the same feeling though my head was asking what was up with that calm feeling? WTF?
But just getting Big Frank up to the plate with the bases loaded was a great baseball scene. Tiger fans must have been sweating, we were delirious with stolen hope. Baseball, alas, breaks your heart. And as Bart Gaimatti said, it's designed to break your heart. But I don't have that heartache yet...
Go A's
by jakarta on Oct 11, 2006 9:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I'M STILL PRETTY BUMMED THOUGH
by bart on Oct 11, 2006 9:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
grover, I didn't forget to rag on Macha,
The decisions that have hurt the A's the most were the decisions about the rotation (not Macha's). The on-field actions that have hurt the A's the most were Zito and Loaiza not having good starts--and no, you don't just yank a guy automatically after 3 runs--Chavy not making plays he usually makes, and all the hitters combining to be Antonio Perez with RISP.
Blaming the manager is easy, but not accurate. Leyland has done a great job; that doesn't mean Macha has done a bad job. And if I were a Tigers fan, I would have been screaming for Jamie Walker to face Chavy to lead off the 8th, followed by Zumaya to face Bradley and Thomas. What did Rodney do? He struck out the side. Great performances make for "great" managers. The players have to own the first two losses.
by Nico on Oct 11, 2006 9:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Nico...
Further, will someone answer me this: Why pinch hit Melhuse in the post season, but only put him in that situation throughout the season, what, 5 times?
by capper3 on Oct 11, 2006 9:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
My feeling tonight is that
And if someone wanted to see Duke in the 4th or something, then we're just not on the same page because I don't know any manager, myself included, who would do that. Sometimes as a manager, you just have to hope that your guys perform--and when they don't you have to accept that they just didn't perform.
by Nico on Oct 11, 2006 9:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nope
by mikeA on Oct 11, 2006 9:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Interesting point, MikeA--
by Nico on Oct 11, 2006 9:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I have transported myself to yesterday
by ak_A on Oct 11, 2006 10:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Also, as I replay everything
by Nico on Oct 11, 2006 9:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Because
Additionally, Haren's MO of throwing lots of straight fastballs in the zone seems ill-suited against the Tigers.
by mikeA on Oct 11, 2006 9:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's not really true, though--
In other words, yes, Loaiza has pitched better than Haren over the last two months, but I trust Haren more in a big game.
by Nico on Oct 11, 2006 9:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not saying
Color me unimpressed with your "big game" and "spotlight" analysis. That stuff only applies to Jeter.A few sucessful appearances out of the bullpen is hardly a "track-record" of LCS/WS success. Also, I thought Loaiza looked better against Minnesota.
by mikeA on Oct 11, 2006 10:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
well
by johnspaz7 on Oct 12, 2006 8:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not the 4th....
by capper3 on Oct 11, 2006 9:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't agree; I think it was lost
In the 6th we trailed by 2. If we keep the deficit to 2, and the game progresses as it did, there's no reason to think we ever would have taken the lead. We would have had a better chance, but that's it.
by Nico on Oct 11, 2006 10:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
But that's the point....
by capper3 on Oct 11, 2006 10:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sure,
And people were making fun of Leyland before the series started for going Roberston-Verlander-Rogers-Bonderman. He's so dumb.
by rfloh on Oct 11, 2006 9:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I still think, and I'll continue to think,
If Robertson had gotten shelled--as he well could have--and if Zito and Loaiza had been on their game--as they were in the ALDS--who would look good and who would look bad?
The A's pitched and fielded like crap in the 4th inning. That's one of the main reasons they lost. And the manager's job in the first 4 innings of a game is generally to sit on his hands, because unless you want to overmanage (like much of AN), the right move is usually to make sure you're sitting in your "lucky seat" as you hope for the best.
by Nico on Oct 11, 2006 10:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't disagree about your 4th inning analysis.
by capper3 on Oct 11, 2006 10:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
My personal opinion is that
And anyway, had Kennedy come in to face Gomez, apparently what would have happened is that Gomez would have hit a routine chopper to second that Jimenez booted.
For which, of course, Macha would be blamed. :-}
by Nico on Oct 11, 2006 10:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Logic when it's convenient....
by capper3 on Oct 11, 2006 10:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Playing devil's advocate:
- ELo was only at 84 pitches and had settled down prior to the Monroe double.
- Guys like Gaudin, Kennedy, Blanton, and Saarloos are not really an upgrade.
- Even in a 7-game series, if you use Calero, Duke, and Street in the 6th inning of games you're trailing, you are likely to find them unavailable in the 7th, 8th, or 9th inning of games you're leading.
by Nico on Oct 11, 2006 10:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Remember ...
by Eck on Oct 11, 2006 10:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Those are regular season reasons. -Tupac.
by capper3 on Oct 11, 2006 10:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Are you saying
by Salvatore on Oct 11, 2006 10:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's not what I'm saying,
by Nico on Oct 11, 2006 10:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I can think of 2 reasons
Would you consider Leyland to have overmanaged? Not just in this series, but also in the Yankees series, and throughout the season? Because Leyland has shown throughout the season a willingness to do the things that Macha doesn't like / want to do.
Macha has made a habit of trying to squeeze the most possible out of his starters. This might be understandable, if he's been given Boston's bullpen. He also has been reluctant to platoon players when they should be platooned. Furthermore, he's reluctant to move players around in the rotation, even when they arguably should be moved.
by rfloh on Oct 11, 2006 10:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
"Dance with what brung you"--
by Nico on Oct 11, 2006 10:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I didn't say that was the only
And that was just a minor point in my post.
by rfloh on Oct 11, 2006 10:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
And you're taking
by rfloh on Oct 11, 2006 10:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I get that. My reply is that
by Nico on Oct 11, 2006 10:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Why does it have to be Duchscherer?
As I stated previously, Leyland doesn't have Macha's habit of trying to ride his starters until they blow up. He stated in an article that one of the ways that he uses to gauge if he pitcher is "done" is by watching the radar gun. When the pitcher's velocity drops noticeably, it's time to seriously consider pulling him.
by rfloh on Oct 11, 2006 10:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So we could have been down
by Nico on Oct 11, 2006 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
three problems with that argument
- With the bases loaded in the 4th, Loaiza did his job, getting a DP grounder that Chavez booted (OK, it was slow enough that it would have been tricky to turn 2, but that was 1 guaranteed out anyway)
- I think we have to assume that Duke was simply unavailable last night -- he never even stood up in the 'pen
- If you're willing to pull your starter with 1 out and the bases loaded in the 4th inning, then why in the world (if Duke had been available) wouldn't you use your best available pitcher in that situation? Bringing Gaudin in in the 4th (for a second straight day) is precisely why during the regular season starters are given more rope. Besides which, with Gaudin's control problems, I for one ain't comfy with him coming in with the bases loaded (nor am I comfy with Macha ordering Gaudin to intentionally walk anyone ever).
by monkeyball on Oct 12, 2006 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Boy, me neither
by baseballgirl on Oct 12, 2006 9:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Will Kielty start against Rogers?
by McBain on Oct 11, 2006 9:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Just got back from the game
I'm sorry, I'm spent...
by OaklandSi on Oct 11, 2006 9:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
not so good
by 3Chavy3 on Oct 11, 2006 9:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
chavez
by monkeyball on Oct 11, 2006 9:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Saying Melhuse would've made that play....
by capper3 on Oct 11, 2006 9:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He would have
by Nico on Oct 11, 2006 9:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Uh..
by mikeA on Oct 11, 2006 9:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That might have distracted Chavy--
by Nico on Oct 11, 2006 9:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was all the way in the center field bleachers
by DavidA on Oct 11, 2006 9:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agree and disagree
by dylantravis on Oct 11, 2006 9:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I agree--It was not only Chavy's ball,
by Nico on Oct 11, 2006 9:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Don't know how it looked on TV
by cynthia2003 on Oct 11, 2006 10:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
On television
by bear88 on Oct 11, 2006 11:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
or
by Cutthemullet on Oct 11, 2006 11:27 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
that's Chavvy's ball all the way
by Brian in 317 on Oct 12, 2006 7:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Chavez at the plate
by Pleasanton fan on Oct 11, 2006 11:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
There's only one thing left to do
by enz on Oct 11, 2006 9:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I dunno--I hear they're considering
Grrrrr...
by Nico on Oct 11, 2006 9:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
wait a second...
by guy incognito on Oct 11, 2006 10:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not quite, salarycap--
As I posted last weekend, I would have rolled the dice with Harden twice, and pitched Loaiza in Game 4. But I was ok with the conservative decision to pitch Harden only once.
But if Harden is going to be slotted for two starts, I am not ok with pitching Haren once and Loaiza twice, rather than the other way.
by Nico on Oct 11, 2006 10:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We're Getting A Little Ahead of Ourselves ...
by Eck on Oct 11, 2006 10:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
sarcasm, nico
by guy incognito on Oct 11, 2006 10:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry, I'm not familiar with sarcasm
by Nico on Oct 11, 2006 10:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
i usually don't, either
by guy incognito on Oct 11, 2006 10:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I like Harden, too
by Salvatore on Oct 11, 2006 10:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I wish I could tell
by PortlandPachyderm on Oct 11, 2006 9:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Tigers hitters actually have
by OaklandSi on Oct 11, 2006 9:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I kept hearing how the Tiggers
by PortlandPachyderm on Oct 11, 2006 10:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
When the Tigers came here months
by OaklandSi on Oct 11, 2006 10:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
There's only one thing left to do
by Vacafan on Oct 11, 2006 9:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Major League
by Erik being Erik on Oct 11, 2006 10:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Of course.....I need to pop that in
by OaktownPower on Oct 11, 2006 10:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let's Face it
... at the plate
... in the field
... with starting pitching
At least he A's bullpen has been fantastic.
The A's have been hard to figure out all year. They can be horrible for a week and then world beaters for a week. And nobody knows what flips the switch.
It's not beyond them to win 4 of the next five games ... it's just that we've seen no evidence that it's going to happen.
But this being the A's, you wouldn't expect to see signs of any magic before it's time ...
P.S. Nico, I think you're assessment of Loaiza was especially harsh. Essentially, you said he has a lack of consistency and lack of heart. Couldn't you say that about just all the A's starting pitchers? Which one can you TRULY count on in a big situation? I used to say ... Hudson.
by Eck on Oct 11, 2006 10:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Eck, I never said Loaiza
It doesn't make him a bad person or a bad pitcher, it just makes him not the best choice to pitch the most in an ALCS.
It has nothing to do with "heart". However, I'm not gonna go to bat for his liver...
by Nico on Oct 11, 2006 10:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
are you chirious?
by ak_A on Oct 11, 2006 10:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Would I kidney about a thing like that?
by Nico on Oct 11, 2006 10:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
cirrhrehis
by ak_A on Oct 11, 2006 10:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ok now you're just
by Nico on Oct 11, 2006 10:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sorry
Saying a guy lacks heart is more of a personal attack while saying he's not clutch is a more professional criticism -- if clutch even exists.
Sorry to put words in your mouth (or on your keyboard.)
by Eck on Oct 11, 2006 11:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
A's Attitude: Game by Game in the ALCS
Game Two: passive aggressive
Game Three: agghhh
Game Four: aggreSSIVE
Game Five: agGRESSIVE
Game Six: aGGRESSIVE
Game Seven: AGGRESSIVE!!!!!
by FanSinceKC on Oct 11, 2006 10:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The coolest part is when
by Nico on Oct 11, 2006 11:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
But where is VERRRRY agrresive?
by OaktownPower on Oct 11, 2006 11:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
if haren and harden are on
by guy incognito on Oct 11, 2006 10:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Mark my words
by waltweissforever on Oct 11, 2006 10:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I didn't get to see any of the game.
So on my way home, I'm excited that I can at least catch the last 3 innings on XM. Then, lo and behold, I get rear-ended. IN MY BRAND NEW CAR. Really bad, on the highway. Everyone involved is fine, but my car's pretty damn bad, and because I had to spend two hours on the side of the freeway waiting for the cop to do the accident report, I missed everything else too.
But you know what? IT CAN'T GET ANY WORSE! Friday WILL NOT be this bad. And I have a good feeling that the A's can't get any worse either, and they started showing signs of life in this game. If we can get a good pitching game out of Rich, I'm really liking our chances.
by sienna on Oct 11, 2006 10:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
So Sorry ...
If Karma has anything to say about it, you're in line for some good stuff ...
by Eck on Oct 11, 2006 10:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's what I'm thinking.
by sienna on Oct 11, 2006 10:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Most importantly...
by OaktownPower on Oct 11, 2006 10:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Just Got Home From The Game Tonight
by Shippee33 on Oct 11, 2006 10:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Respect.....
by capper3 on Oct 11, 2006 10:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
It ain't over 'til we say its over . . .
but Chavvy is hurting us in the field and at bat,
Swish is swinging so big (and missing) in virtually every AB,
and even the Big Hurt is not as compact as he usually is --
Thank God for Uncle Miltie and Kotsay giving us any chance at all!
Let's turn it around against The Gambler on Friday, then have Haren throw a gem on Saturday, and Zito achieve redemption on Sunday.
A's come back on Tuesday up 3-2 -- book it!
by millbraeforAsfan on Oct 11, 2006 10:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
sigh
You can't give up 8 runs in the playoffs and expect to win. We were lucky to have the shot we did in the ninth.
We had the shot in the ninth that we did largely due to the magnificent Mr. Bradley, who tried to take us home all by himself tonight. If I'm Beane I seriously consider a long-term deal and building my team around this man, who may have finally found a home and a degree of acceptance he's never had before and seems poised to take his already-tough game to another level. Without Milton we are waxed off the field tonight, plain & simple.
Now we have to go to Motown and play the game of our lives on Friday night. The hope (and, yes, there still is hope) is that Richie is Richie and brings his sick, "ghost pitch" game to the Tigers, and we can scratch and claw (claw? you mean like cats?) for a few runs off the Gambler. Hopefully the weather is OK and it isn't snowing and 12 below zero... if Friday can fall into place then we can get back out there on Saturday afetrnoon and take two from them before they know what the hell happened. That at least guarantees that we get to come back home for at least one game.
If this all sounds like fans grasping at straws, well, the way these Tigers are playing it well may be. I personally wouldn't be surprised if they won the remaining 6 games and ran the table right into November at this point, they are a deserving and damn good (and hot) team right at this moment.
But I also wouldn't be surprised if we won all 3 games in the Motor City, as insane as that sounds after what has just transpired.
Keep Hope Alive!
by emperor nobody on Oct 11, 2006 10:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Back from the game
- I can't put my finger on it, but there's something about the Tigers and their second at-bats against our starters ... like they've figured something out. That said, at least with Harden, they won't have much of a history to go off of. I'm not sure if it's a matter of Zito/Loaiza not hitting their spots or Kendall calling the wrong pitches.
- Like last night, the ugly spot unfolded much too quickly. Bases loaded, one out, 3-1 lead, I'd probably let Loaiza try to work out of. Shallow single, 1 run in. Then a grounder to Chavez's left that he couldn't quite handle and deflects out of Scoot's reach. 2 runs score. Sac fly, another run in. I'd be hard-pressed to say at any point there to pull Loaiza.
- That said, the right call for Macha would've been to pull Loaiza after the 2-out double with a lefty coming up. Instead, he let Loaiza try to finish the inning and oops! 2-run jack.
- Huston, Huston, Huston ... that solo HR was telling. Especially since Hurt wouldn't be able to tie it up with a base hit in the bottom of the ninth.
- Chavez and Swish still looking outmatched. Chavez ... 2 for 7 this series, 3 Ks ... Swish ... 0 for 6, 6 Ks. Whatever it is, they best snap out of it. And Chavez - I'm not too impressed by a solo homer.
- Bradley, Kotsay, Payton - kudos for stepping up this series.
- Losing Ellis created a subtle, but tangible difference. I think the defensive adjustments / compensations have directly led to a couple runs for the Tigers both nights. Perhaps with Ellis on the field, Scutaro could shielded a little more to his right on the grounder to Chavez and been able to field that instead of Chavez.
- Poor Scutaro, still hitless after 8 at-bats. And the pressure of the crowd on him each at-bat (albeit less so today). Don't get your hopes too high for Scutaro ... keep in mind, he's now batting .200 for the post-season. Maybe it's time for him to 'regress to the mean'?
- Time for us to make history ... no team has lost the 1st two at home in an LCS, and gone on to win the series. Hopefully being away from the Coliseum, and down 0-2, maybe the team can relax and just enjoy the experience and play loose.
- No ugly fries tonight, but the rally towels weren't much good either. Fewer fights in the stands, fewer ejections - although someone up in the plaza level outfield yakked on a couple chicks early in the game. Gross. All-in-all, the crowd seemed much more sedated. I'm also disappointed that the A's didn't do an ALCS coffee mug, instead, going with the cheapo plastic cups. I seem to remember them having the mugs for the ALDS in '02 or '03. I was looking forward to an ALCS version.
by Rickeyfan on Oct 11, 2006 10:12 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Great analysis all around,
by Nico on Oct 11, 2006 10:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
the yakking on a couple of chicks
by ak_A on Oct 11, 2006 10:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I could hear the girl scream
Felt bad for her.
But it was hilarious.
by booya on Oct 12, 2006 11:18 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good Points.
Huston hasn't looked good since ... I don't know ... pre-DL stint. Do you trust him in th game with it all on the line?
Swish is a fantastic guess/mistake hitter. He's easily overmatched by good pitching.
Say what you want about clutch hitting being a myth, but Chavvy is money when it's not on him to be the man. Even on defense.
by Eck on Oct 11, 2006 10:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
point 1
by emperor nobody on Oct 11, 2006 10:24 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
but teams have lost the first 2 at home
by OaklandSi on Oct 11, 2006 10:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was impressed with
by mikeA on Oct 11, 2006 10:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
yea
by Athletix Man on Oct 11, 2006 10:42 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
There is a precedent in a 7-game series.
Though winning four of the next five would be acceptable.
by Checkswing HR on Oct 12, 2006 8:58 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
yeah, my roommated brought that up, too
by Rickeyfan on Oct 12, 2006 12:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dont try to cheer me up sir!
OT: I just realised a while ago that the guy who plays Dr. House on the fox show House, is the same guy that played the stupid prince of wales in the black adder shows. Talk about a damn good actor!
by Amnesiac727 on Oct 11, 2006 10:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
My Starting Pitcher thoughts
If today was a must win, Friday is a MUST win. It would be sweet to see Harden put together a great outing, see Swisher, Frank or Scutaro get a hit, and win that game on Friday. If we win on Friday, Zito goes in Detroit Sunday, and we could take 2 of 3. If we take 2 of 3 in Detroit, we come back home with a chance to win the series...
by Eggman on Oct 11, 2006 10:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
E-Lo's #'s are much better at home.
by capper3 on Oct 11, 2006 10:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The future of the A's rotation
by PortlandPachyderm on Oct 11, 2006 10:30 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Somebody call the Royals
by PortlandPachyderm on Oct 11, 2006 10:21 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
On second thought...
by PortlandPachyderm on Oct 11, 2006 10:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Swish is downright horrendous right now...
Our Big and Little Hurts are really hurting the team right now. Both are 0-for ALCS.
The Tigers are relentless. Polanco's magic is the A's downfall. Bean him!
If Loaiza has a quality start then the A's win.
Great job Bradley, Chavvy, Kotsay, Kendall, and Payton, proving that yesterday was a little bit fluke-ish.
by OaktownRajah on Oct 11, 2006 10:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
agree with this except
by jakarta on Oct 11, 2006 11:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Anyone else see Joe Morgan at the BBQ Terrace...
by OaktownRajah on Oct 11, 2006 10:27 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
He walked right by me!!
by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Oct 11, 2006 10:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
yuck
by Brian in 317 on Oct 12, 2006 7:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Never Surrender
My only complaint has been the 4th inning of both games. The second run through the lineup is killing us! We win both games without that lapse. I'd like to see Macha be more aggressive with how he uses his bullpen/bench. Depth is one of our biggest pluses and I don't think we've taken advantage of it.
Kenny Rogers will be tough. Bonderman can be beaten. I wouldn't count on Robertson or Verlander to put together two quality starts in a row. If they could do that, they wouldn't have finished 19-31.
by Dann on Oct 11, 2006 10:28 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
There are two pitchers in this series
by Nico on Oct 11, 2006 10:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I Agree
by Dann on Oct 11, 2006 10:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd Like to See...
by Dann on Oct 11, 2006 10:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I hope the law of averages.....
by capper3 on Oct 11, 2006 11:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Do You Ever Want to See ...
by Eck on Oct 11, 2006 10:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Depends on the situation.
If it means scoring a running from third with less than 2 outs, then yes.
If there's a man on first, well, that's a toss-up.
by Rickeyfan on Oct 11, 2006 11:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good Points.
by Eck on Oct 11, 2006 11:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I Didn't Have Problem With Staring E-Lo ...
by Eck on Oct 11, 2006 10:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Anyone else think that....
by OaktownRajah on Oct 11, 2006 10:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Question
by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Oct 11, 2006 10:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Bottom 9.
by capper3 on Oct 11, 2006 10:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The way my brother explained it
It was as if you could feel it coming, it was in the air! I thought to myself during Kotsay's AB, if he gets on, Milton will, then we will have a Walk Off Grand Slam! I totally felt it coming! So did everyone else in the place! It was electric!
Even though it didn't happen, it felt like, just getting to that moment, feeling the posibilities right there in front of us, was just the thing that they needed to get them going in the right direction. Like, even through the loss, you can feel the ALCS victory on your finger tips! It was pretty damn awesome!!
by BobbyCrosbysGirl on Oct 11, 2006 10:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sweet...wish I was there. Thank you.
by capper3 on Oct 11, 2006 11:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe it really
by Salvatore on Oct 11, 2006 11:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
As a Fan ...
I felt the same way wen Frank was up.
by Eck on Oct 11, 2006 11:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
8 Teams
0 of them have advanced.
A's can be the FIRST!
ALCS Live was still a great experience, despite the losing effort.
by Hit4TheCycle on Oct 11, 2006 10:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Odds
Bob
by ogallalabob on Oct 12, 2006 7:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
From the mouth of a child...
by PortlandPachyderm on Oct 11, 2006 10:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
macha needs to be fired... RON WASHINGTON!
by jaacee007 on Oct 11, 2006 10:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Hmm, I'm not sure your glass
by PortlandPachyderm on Oct 11, 2006 10:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Haha..I have seen it all....
by OaktownPower on Oct 11, 2006 11:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well said...
by OaktownPower on Oct 11, 2006 11:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oops..replied to wrong post
by OaktownPower on Oct 11, 2006 11:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Rough Last Two Nights
There's a million ways we could point fingers, but simply said, if you were to say that Swisher and Thomas (and Scutaro) would be a combined .000 through the first two games, there really wouldn't need to be any more discussion. They look lost out there.
Milton Bradley and Kotsay were a lot of fun to watch, and I love watching the rare Chavez homer. He's come through twice in the last three playoff games, even if he is swinging and missing way too much. In fact, the whole team just K'd and K'd and K'd today. Yuck.
I think we had the lead (1-0 and later 3-1) for about 10 minutes in total. We were fighting from behind the whole freakin' time, and that gets old. But I can't wait for game 3 and Rich Harden to turn things around. I will always hope and never give up until the last out in the last game has been collected.
An unhappy season ticket holder tonight...
by louismg on Oct 11, 2006 10:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
You called it
I don't know about you guys though, but I'm much more calm now than at any point during the last few ALDs, even when we were up 2-0. Maybe it's an emotional letdown I'm experiencing after finally breaking through the first round. I hope the team isn't going through the same thing. We have virtually no room for error now. We need to play perfect baseball from now on.
by bigthree17 on Oct 11, 2006 10:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thomas
Bob
by ogallalabob on Oct 12, 2006 7:27 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
A's
Just keep rackin up the records.
by Athletix Man on Oct 11, 2006 10:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
K's and GIDP's
by Cutthemullet on Oct 11, 2006 10:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
hehe
by Athletix Man on Oct 11, 2006 10:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Y'all are a lot more positive than I am
by oblique on Oct 11, 2006 10:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Get some sleep?
by PortlandPachyderm on Oct 11, 2006 10:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nico...
http://www.athleticsnation.com/story/2006/10/8/191131/054
In case you (and others) don't want to click on the link and sift through comments, you were overall supportive of the decision...not only that, but you went as far as to say that Harden was the "riskier" start of the two. Now in this post-game wrap-up you question the A's decision on the basis of Loaiza's inconsistency...a point which I agreed with all along, but as of like 3-4 days ago you were saying the direct opposite of.
Let me repeat what I've said since the beginning of the series: Rich Harden is our best starter. Rich Harden is healthy enough to pitch playoff games. Rich Harden should have pitched Game 1.
I would be saying the same thing if Loaiza had come out and not allowed Alexis Gomez to be more than a 5 o'clock hitter today...we cannot afford to let our fate rest in the hands of mediocrity. It may have already cost us.
by Cutthemullet on Oct 11, 2006 10:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
No! No! No! My post assumed
I said, and still say, that I would have gone with Harden in Games 2/6, Haren in 3/7, and Loaiza only in Game 4, but that it would have been defensible to make the more conservative choice and pitch Harden only once.
The A's did something I feel is worse than either option discussed in my earlier post, and that is choose Loiaza twice over Haren. I would never support that and never did.
by Nico on Oct 11, 2006 10:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
well if the secret ballot...
My rotation would've been Harden, Zito, Haren, Loaiza, Harden, Zito, Haren/anyone who has anything left in the tank if needed early...
by Cutthemullet on Oct 11, 2006 11:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Loazia
But I think the major problem was Zito's outing after using all those guys the day before, Macha looked very hesitent in going to the pen to early.
by ogallalabob on Oct 12, 2006 7:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
D'Angelo Jimenez
by Cutthemullet on Oct 11, 2006 10:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Mike Rouse would of made all those plays!!!
by jaacee007 on Oct 11, 2006 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Randy J is done
by rfloh on Oct 11, 2006 11:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
just saying that he would of been
by jaacee007 on Oct 11, 2006 11:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Haha.,..meaningless?
by OaktownPower on Oct 11, 2006 11:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He stunk it up in the minors
by BubbaDude on Oct 12, 2006 2:11 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If only
by PortlandPachyderm on Oct 11, 2006 11:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bocachica @second???????????
Player AVG G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO
H Bocachica .326 77 291 61 95 15 3 19 60 173 43 55
by jaacee007 on Oct 11, 2006 11:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
check the detroit weather for
by ak_A on Oct 11, 2006 11:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
A"s r not a cold weather team.. rich h from
by jaacee007 on Oct 11, 2006 11:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
and Harden is from Victoria
by ak_A on Oct 11, 2006 11:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not like the Tigers are from cold weather places..
I dont think cold weather when I think of those guys.
by OaktownPower on Oct 11, 2006 11:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't think Rogers' is human.
by OaktownRajah on Oct 11, 2006 11:50 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
To the extent that
by mikeA on Oct 11, 2006 11:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dan Johnson in place of Swisher?
I also really miss mark ellis right about now. Really. A lot. A whole, whole lot.
by rocksolidrichharden on Oct 11, 2006 11:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
swish is killing us right now
by jaacee007 on Oct 11, 2006 11:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
How do you know that?
by OaktownPower on Oct 11, 2006 11:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Kielty at first
No.
by rfloh on Oct 11, 2006 11:54 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Agreed.
What the hell happened?
Macha needs to sit that kid down and have a talk with him about his approach -- we've seen him have good at bats and he needs to do that again. If he doesn't do it game 3, bench him for DJ. No questions, just do it. If the kid can't find his head in the game and stop trying to hit a HR every single pitch, he needs to sit and sort himself out.
"No. It's Oakland."
by Kyli on Oct 11, 2006 11:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Me three I agree
by Salvatore on Oct 11, 2006 11:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Bobby Crosby needs to stop
by jaacee007 on Oct 11, 2006 11:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
F it.. Mark Kiger @ 2nd! game 3..
by jaacee007 on Oct 11, 2006 11:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
breakdowns
by elfgirl on Oct 11, 2006 11:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
hope everyone can sleep tonight
by jaacee007 on Oct 11, 2006 11:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
lets go
by elfgirl on Oct 11, 2006 11:35 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
did u go to the both playoff games?
by jaacee007 on Oct 11, 2006 11:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
LINEUP GAME # 3
- marco
- kotsay
- m.b
- f.t
- jay pay
- big red b.k.
- eric chavez
- 2nd base.. jimenez, kiger, bocachica, crosby aka(vagina)
- jason kendall
by jaacee007 on Oct 11, 2006 11:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Why Marco and JK switched? I don't get it.
by capper3 on Oct 11, 2006 11:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
just feels better... i hate kendalls cheap swings
by jaacee007 on Oct 11, 2006 11:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
FWIW
Kendall - 19
Chavez - 19
Kotsay - 18
Scutaro - 16
Numbers go to show, that despite Scoot's memorable moments ... Kendall comes through more often. Tricky thing, memory.
Scutaro stats (avg/obp/slg/ops)
Bases Empty .287 .344 .421 .765
Runners On .237 .358 .365 .723
RISP .224 .362 .367 .730
RISP w/2 Outs .162 .392 .324 .716
Bases Loaded .125 .300 .125 .425
Kendall Stats
Bases Empty .261 .332 .303 .635
Runners On .347 .417 .402 .819
RISP .322 .415 .365 .781
RISP w/2 Outs .292 .433 .313 .746
Bases Loaded .300 .375 .350 .725
by Rickeyfan on Oct 12, 2006 12:48 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Chavy...
This team is a bunch of fighters. They win the series...I feel it in my bone. :P
by capper3 on Oct 11, 2006 11:37 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
yes
by elfgirl on Oct 11, 2006 11:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
elf girl, what do we do to change
by jaacee007 on Oct 11, 2006 11:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
imagine if we................
would of signed miggy to a big deal instead of chavez????????? wow! mark tehan would be our 3rd baseman, and miggy at short... marco @ second...
Player TEAM POS G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI TB BB SO SB CS OBP SLG AVG
M Teahen
KC 3B 109 393 70 114 21 7 18 69 203 40 85 .357 .517 .290
1. M Tejada
BAL SS 150 600 94 196 35 0 22 94 297 42 72 6 2 .376 .495 .327
by jaacee007 on Oct 11, 2006 11:45 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Down but not out
Let's Go A's!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
by theshopper on Oct 11, 2006 11:46 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Well. It had to be that way.
If nothing else, we're playing October baseball and it feels amazing. Still watching baseball at this point in the year... Man.
That last inning was spectacular to see. If Frank had hit that out, they'd have to come out on the field and give him his damn HOF plaque right there and then. No waiting, nothin'.
An ending like that... Man. Unbelievable.
I can't bear the thought of no baseball in Oakland next week, a Coliseum gone quiet except for the pounding of football. They've got a long plane ride to figure out what the hell happened, to regain their focus and get ready for Detroit.
Win two, bring it home, and take it to the edge.
We've still got a shot. If the Rich Harden we saw upon his initial starts off the DL shows up, we have a shot at winning our first game there. Taking a game in Detroit to start out would be HUGE. Kendall, Kotsay, Chavez, Zito... lay down some SMACK, boys.
We've been taken down in the ALDS with a two-game lead. You know what? These boys are freakin' DUE for some revenge, some comeback-kid mojo to take over and bring 'em into WS glory.
"No. It's Oakland."
by Kyli on Oct 11, 2006 11:50 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Word. Nice post.
by capper3 on Oct 11, 2006 11:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
During the ninth inning rally...
The building tension of an extremely unlikely rally.
The thrill that Bradley would get another at-bat, with a chance to tie the game, after Kotsay's single.
The giddy prospect of Thomas hitting it out.
I knew it was extremely unlikely. I knew it was almost certainly not going to happen. But I also knew that the possibility of it happening was so much fun.
It was the first time in the series that I wished I was at the game to share the moment, however fleeting, with everyone else.
by bear88 on Oct 12, 2006 12:24 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
the thrill of it all
by FanSinceKC on Oct 12, 2006 5:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Okay, just got home from the game after
- Come on Macha. 5+ out of Loaiza is the most you could ask for. Duke & Street haven't pitched since Friday and tomorrow is an off day - they could have gone two innings each. That HR just sucked the life out of everything - Employee #3 and Monte Poole's best client could have tied it but instead it was just out of reach.
- Leyland running out there on a 3-0 count instead of sending his pitching coach - the guy just has it, doesn't he?
- Rudy Stein would dig in against Todd Jones.
- Get it together Swish.
- Dear Rich: You have a lot to prove on Friday...don't let that space cadet/Joker grin creep in. Call Tim Hudson and ask him everything about the last game of the 2000 regular season.
- Dear Kenny: Billy Chapel was a fictional character. Ball 4.
- Dear Bobby: Don't flinch when Orange Julius announces Last Call.
- Jerry Crawford - the Leslie Nielsen of Sommeliers
- Hey Pudge, no matter what you do, even A-Rod laughs at the bronze statue in your yard that you commissioned while you were in your 20's.
- Trammell and Whitaker are offended by Scutaro and Jimenez.
- Don't get too comfy on the scorer's table Milton
- Who will be turn up first, Jimmy Hoffa or Bobby Higginson?
- Sorry Detroit, but Ben Wallace, Cecil Fielder and Barry Sanders are all unavailable to throw out the first pitch...how about a big hand for Eric Hipple?
by southofcruiseamerica on Oct 11, 2006 11:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I can't wait for friday.
by capper3 on Oct 11, 2006 11:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I can't wait either...
I hope we get to see the beginning of the great 2006 ALCS turnaround tommorow - when we have our triple digit pitcher on the mound, and give the Tiggers a little bit of their own medicine - straight gas baby... The A's in Six - Book It...
by SD Erik on Oct 12, 2006 12:16 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
We got em right where we want them!!!
Friday will be an exciting day!
Let's GO OAKLAND!!!
by OaktownRajah on Oct 11, 2006 11:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Afterthought...
People were taking this loss too seriously...
by OaktownRajah on Oct 12, 2006 12:11 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
idiots
by Brian in 317 on Oct 12, 2006 7:32 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was 3 rows behind that fight...
He wasn't doing much ass kicking with the Tiger's fan having him in the sleeper hold...
by BaseballplayersRHOT on Oct 12, 2006 8:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ah, yes...the Million Dollar Dream
by franks a lot on Oct 12, 2006 8:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not bad
by doublehustle22 on Oct 12, 2006 12:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
haren and harden...
by rocksolidrichharden on Oct 12, 2006 12:28 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Loaiza
I was ambivalent, seeing the logic of it (good at home, veteran, decent in his Minnesota playoff start, best pitcher down the stretch) while being concerned that, well, it was Loaiza.
It was a tough call. It turned out wrong, unless Harden and Haren are worse, but it wasn't some insane decision that only a moron could make.
Shoot, I didn't anticipate him giving up that hope-killing home run to a guy I'd never heard of. That was a horrible, horrible pitch.
Oh, well. No one will be able to accuse the A's of choking this series away.
by bear88 on Oct 12, 2006 12:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I hate
by day-to-day on Oct 12, 2006 1:42 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Alexis "F#?king" Gomez !!!
And my dislike for Placido Polanco grows by the hour.
ARGHHH!!!
Let's go boys, bring it back home for game six.
LET'S GO OAK-LAND!!!
by baseballnut020 on Oct 12, 2006 2:07 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Polanco has a weird head...
by franks a lot on Oct 12, 2006 7:25 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
tarps
by rickmonday on Oct 12, 2006 3:05 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Harden and Haren can do it.
by What Would Rickey Do on Oct 12, 2006 5:25 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
If Boston came back from being down 3-0,
If Rich Harden can get the win tomorrow, I really believe we'll win the next game, as well.
"No. It's Oakland."
by Kyli on Oct 12, 2006 7:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nico, I agree the 4th was critical
But the 6th inning was borrowed time.
Macha needed to have someone ready to step in if Loaiza got in to any trouble in the 6th, and Monroe's double constituted trouble. (Pardon the rhyme.) Macha had to do everything he could to limit the bleeding to 5 runs. He didn't. And even though the A's were able to tack on a couple more runs it didn't matter because the 2 run deficit had already doubled.
by grover on Oct 12, 2006 6:54 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I agree--again, I was telekinetically
by Nico on Oct 12, 2006 8:26 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Maybe
It just would have been nice to see Macha make the wise move.
And I agree with you on the Haren/Harden/Loaiza bizarro rotation. I've already expressed why I would limit Harden to 1 start in this series, but if you told me that Rich was going to get two opportunities and I had to choose between Haren and Loaiza getting only one start... Danny boy goes twice!
by grover on Oct 12, 2006 6:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Pitch count for Harden?
by franks a lot on Oct 12, 2006 7:32 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I flew up from Los Angeles
by Alejandro on Oct 12, 2006 7:49 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I have to disagree.
by Coach Cleats on Oct 12, 2006 8:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I was in Section 150
by Alejandro on Oct 12, 2006 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
section 135 was rocking
by OaklandSi on Oct 12, 2006 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Sucks to be playing from behind...
by calvin on Oct 12, 2006 8:01 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I mean within games...
by calvin on Oct 12, 2006 8:02 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Harden & the weather
by rageon on Oct 12, 2006 8:24 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Given Harden's luck/karma,
by Nico on Oct 12, 2006 8:28 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Actually, that would be fine by me
That would mean Rogers is out of the game.
And Harden wouldn't have a chance to hurt himself pitching in the cold.
by bear88 on Oct 12, 2006 9:40 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He's Canadian.
"No. It's Oakland."
by Kyli on Oct 12, 2006 11:50 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Hey...
by since72 on Oct 12, 2006 8:25 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
yes
by johnspaz7 on Oct 12, 2006 8:37 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
"Best loss this season"
What else could you want? Could've been that storybook walkoff that we'd watch replayed every highlight!
See you all Tuesday!
by LongTimeFan on Oct 12, 2006 8:49 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
The morning after...
I hate to say "happy to be here", but I'm looking at reality and the reality is that our 20006 A's are a decent team, but not a great one, and there's not much holding them together- a little duct tape and a whole lot of spackle. Say what you will about Macha- he's gotten this team further than they deserve to be on talent alone. That gets him a gold star in my book.
I'd like to see us make a decent showing in Detroit. 2 wins would be nice. Game 3 will tell all we need to know about Harden- but I don't think he's the savior, and I fear a Dravecky moment with him.
We're a non-2006 Eric Chavez, a 2005 Bobby Crosby plus potential realized, and a true leadoff hitter short of being a contending team. Anything we get from here on in is a bonus.
Having said that, when history judges this team, I think it'll be much more interesting if we come back from 2-0 to win the series than it would have been if we would have continued to roll.
More interesting, but maybe not so good for the health of AN'ers.
by mvk on Oct 12, 2006 8:51 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Loaiza / Macha
Loaiza shouldn't have been allowed to start the 6th inning.
And, ANYONE BUT LOAIZA (Kennedy) should have been in that game to face Gomez.
ANYONE!
by Colorado Fan on Oct 12, 2006 8:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Good point about 7 ERs
1.) Poor starting pitching
2.) Bad to horrific RISP
3.) Chavez's errors in key points of both games (neither of which is ruled an error).
Mark Ellis not being in the line-up may be in the top ten, but it is closer to 10 than to 4.
by Sashulia on Oct 12, 2006 10:46 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Nico...GREAT wrapup
I was REALLY depressed starting the ninth, but it did get better. I was almost...excited...there for a second. ;)
by baseballgirl on Oct 12, 2006 9:39 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Excitement
The A's have been down by multiple runs most of the time, have played poorly on defense, and have gotten two bad outings from their starters. The only time I really thought they could win was after Bradley's first home run that put them ahead 3-1. That didn't last long.
I don't mind losing. And this is better than having a victory snatched away at the end. But it would be nice to be ahead for more than ten minutes.
The Twins, of course, had it worse. They were never ahead.
by bear88 on Oct 12, 2006 9:45 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
well, this morning i took an attitude check
by ak_A on Oct 12, 2006 10:12 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
as depressing as it was
Marty Lurie -- who picked the Tigers to win in six before the series started -- has a very good article where he actually thinks the A's have a good shot at turning this around. <loveofthegameproductions.com>
by OaklandSi on Oct 12, 2006 10:15 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

