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A'S SWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!

Baseball_tiny by baseballgirl on in News

CHAVVVVVVVYYYYYY IS BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!!!!!!

Okay, now is the time to jump up and down and cheer, and celebrate the fact that even though the Angels so far have taken 2 out of 3 at Yankee Stadium, we still hold a 4.5 lead in the West.

Kudos to Esteban Loaiza, who pitched a HELL of a game today--hitting his spots while throwing in the mid-nineties, going eight strong innings; three hits, one run. He pitched one of the best games by an A's pitcher all year, and just flat-out bested Corcoran.

As it so often happens in this 2006 season, the A's offense took advantage of the D-rays' defensive miscues, while the A's defense (Call me, Milton!), remained rock-solid from the first out of the game, to the last, even in the tough sun.

And don't look now, but our franchise player hit his first homerun in nearly a month, and it absolutely could not have come at a better time, sending the A's from a disheartening 1-0 loss, to a win, and a series sweep.

However, some credit is due for the managing today. When your team doesn't hit well (and we don't), it is vital to pick up some bases in other ways. The A's used walks, errors, steals, and even bunt attempts, to try to manufacture some runs, and they were finally rewarded in the bottom of the eighth with the insurance run. From top to bottom, the A's offense was stifled, stymied, and shut-down for most of the afternoon, with the exception of two back-to-back hits from Thomas and Chavez in the bottom of the seventh. When you get a pitching performance like Loaiza turned in today, sometimes two well-timed hits are all it takes, which is a good sign for our offensively-challenged Oakland Athletics.

Huge win today, preserving the 4.5 lead over the Halos, and doing what we have to do to win it all--beating the teams we are supposed to beat.

Some upcoming A's dilemmas:

-What to do about Bobby Crosby when he comes off the DL?
-Do we see Dan Johnson up again soon? (maybe sooner if Swish is still hurting)
-How do we successfully play the game of 'shuffle the pitchers'?
-<whispers> Rich Harden?

Until then, enjoy this moment. The A's could not have had a better weekend, and are now playing better than any team in baseball right now. Take that, Dodgers!

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Jew-Lie, IN-sure-rinse
RIP mAC dRe and biLL KiNg

by jme on Aug 13, 2006 3:17 PM PDT   0 recs

Sorry.
It's how Ray Fosse says July and Insurance.
RIP mAC dRe and biLL KiNg

by jme on Aug 13, 2006 3:21 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

ask mel gibson
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 13, 2006 3:24 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

hah
RIP mAC dRe and biLL KiNg

by jme on Aug 13, 2006 3:25 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Cotroneo called Chavez' HR
Korach said he'd like to take Vince to Vegas...

by OaklandSi on Aug 13, 2006 3:20 PM PDT   0 recs

heard that
about that time i posted that chavez would have to hit frank in

by smasfan on Aug 13, 2006 3:23 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

big games for all four pitchers
corcoran got his era under 4, meadows got his era under 4, street got his era under 3, loaiza got his era under 6.

the a's offense didn't hit well or draw many walks, but on a positive note, only two Ks.

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 13, 2006 3:20 PM PDT   0 recs

A's need to keep it going against M's
And M's need to take care of Texas tonight.

A's have earned a lot of respect with their play since the all-star break. 65-52 means that the A's are 42-23 since the season's low point. That's incredibly impressive without Harden and with the injuries to Bradley and Chavez during that stretch.

This is a different team than the 00-03 bunch, but one that has maybe been more amazing in what they've overcome and what they've done with what they have.

Last point: The manager deserves some credit for this.

by RLangford on Aug 13, 2006 3:25 PM PDT   0 recs

NEVER THOUGHT
about it until they mentioned it on radio. eric chavez backpack day he got only home run for a's

by smasfan on Aug 13, 2006 3:25 PM PDT   0 recs

Nice win, bitches!
I'll try not to swear.

by Tony on Aug 13, 2006 3:26 PM PDT   0 recs

Time to go to camp
Camp Crosby - Entrance with bigger than life billboard with Bobby welcoming you to his camp....but you get distracted by starring too long at the board and miss the gate and end up in the ditch with a sore back.

Camp Scoot - Not a very appealing entry way but before you know it, your in the compound with quaint cozy cabins...a real value.

the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005...in 2006?...prove it.

by ak_A on Aug 13, 2006 3:26 PM PDT   0 recs

I'm in Camp A-Rod at 2nd...
...but in real-land, I'm in Camp Scutaro.
"Please cue the duck"

by baseballgirl on Aug 13, 2006 3:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

see you at the campfire tonight
for the sing-along.
the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005...in 2006?...prove it.

by ak_A on Aug 13, 2006 3:31 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

talking to eric
now on radio. buan will talk to dave henderson on extra innings later

by smasfan on Aug 13, 2006 3:27 PM PDT   0 recs

as in Hendu?
the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005...in 2006?...prove it.

by ak_A on Aug 13, 2006 3:27 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

yes
was there for game

by smasfan on Aug 13, 2006 3:28 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

did the M's fire him?
he was not too popular on LLanding....preponderunce of obtuse comments on Hendu's part.
the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005...in 2006?...prove it.

by ak_A on Aug 13, 2006 3:29 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

no
thats why hes here

by smasfan on Aug 13, 2006 3:35 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

have not seen him on M's
tv for a while...the one's that i've watched.
the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005...in 2006?...prove it.

by ak_A on Aug 13, 2006 3:36 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

will let you know if
they mention him not on

by smasfan on Aug 13, 2006 3:38 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

listening to bruans show now on mlbaudio
the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005...in 2006?...prove it.

by ak_A on Aug 13, 2006 3:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

really on our station its
macha talking

by smasfan on Aug 13, 2006 3:49 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

hes talking
so soft and slow

by smasfan on Aug 13, 2006 3:53 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

funny
buan taking on calls from listeners

by smasfan on Aug 13, 2006 3:57 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

hendu
was there for a's fantasy camp today

by smasfan on Aug 13, 2006 4:58 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

RE: Loaiza
http://athleticsnation.com/comments/2006/8/13/02034/2014/63#63
Rickey: What's up Gwynn? Tony Gwynn: you can call me Tony. Rickey: OK, Gwynn.

by Erik being Erik on Aug 13, 2006 3:32 PM PDT   0 recs

good 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 13, 2006 3:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

haha Erik..you are the man!
"Be in first place, then come and talk to me!!!" Erik being Erik to Angels fan at Anaheim Stadium.

by Amnesiac727 on Aug 13, 2006 3:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

right on.
the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005...in 2006?...prove it.

by ak_A on Aug 13, 2006 3:36 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

way to go
erik i love it when you are right

by smasfan on Aug 13, 2006 3:36 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Oh yeah?
In the battle of who could get on the Loaiza bandwagon first, I submit this note from August 2.

http://www.athleticsnation.com/comments/2006/8/2/04240/86911/5#5

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

by louismg on Aug 13, 2006 3:47 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Stop being enablers
Way too many comments on AN are inspired by the desire to say, "See, I predicted that".  It's tiresome, and it goads people into saying crazy things.

I'm not saying to be mean to people, but don't indulge them by giving props when they guess one right.  It just encourages the "look at me: I predicted that" attitude.

"...but we're also always open to hearing about other sandwiches if it can make our lunch better." -- Nico, channeling Billy Beane

by iglew on Aug 13, 2006 8:49 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

i don't think you can generalize like that
some predictions may be interesting and are supported by actual stats or analysis.  

and even most of those that aren't, like "loaiza will pitch well today" or "watch payton hit a home run here" seem rather harmless.  

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 13, 2006 9:04 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

clearly wong predidictions, should
subject the posters to proscription.
the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005...in 2006?...prove it.

by ak_A on Aug 13, 2006 9:24 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

A's will win the WS!!!!!!!
Everyone save this link!!!!

by mikeA on Aug 13, 2006 9:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

radio is talking to
loaiza now

by smasfan on Aug 13, 2006 3:40 PM PDT   0 recs

Run Differential Fun Fact
Last 7 games for A's:

Runs Scored:   35
Runs Allowed: 36

Record: 6-1

Let the good times roll.

by RLangford on Aug 13, 2006 3:41 PM PDT   0 recs

They put up playoff information
on HH's site.

Niiiice.

Meow!

"Please cue the duck"

by baseballgirl on Aug 13, 2006 3:57 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

went to that
i got a gift of a 12 pack for the a's and so about a week ago i got letter with all that info of playoff and world series games

by smasfan on Aug 13, 2006 4:00 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

that oakey chokey thing on HH
irritates me....guess it is supposed to.
the great playoff miss of 2004 followed by the good try of 2005...in 2006?...prove it.

by ak_A on Aug 13, 2006 4:01 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

A's Brand Baseball --
Putting the 'A' in "What?!"
"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."

by Kyli on Aug 13, 2006 4:06 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

lol!

by high street on Aug 13, 2006 4:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Haha
It's mostly skewed by the 14-0 Texas beating. But who cares, 13 games over .500 and counting!

by lenscrafters on Aug 13, 2006 4:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

ha ha
talking with loaiza and him and chavy got a wine trip in some auction

by smasfan on Aug 13, 2006 3:43 PM PDT   0 recs

As long as
Chavvy does the driving!

by Larry E on Aug 13, 2006 3:47 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

he he
maybe sauerbeck could go with

by smasfan on Aug 13, 2006 3:48 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

feeling good, feeling good
Angels still have another game against the Yanks tomorrow - theirs is a 4-game series in the Bronx, then they move on to Texas, who is really banging the ball right now. If the A's can continue the dominance of the M's early in the week, I think we can get those playoff dance steps outa the closet and start gettin' warmed up...baby!

by groversson on Aug 13, 2006 3:43 PM PDT   0 recs

Woofing Alert!
"Their team is full of a bunch of shitty nobodies pieced together from the moneyball scrap yard." -- Halos Heaven 7/31/06

by SportySpice on Aug 13, 2006 4:51 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

I hoping...
that Texas sweeps the Mariners just so they go into that Angels series hot.

by Threepwood XX on Aug 13, 2006 5:14 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

A seriously great weekend
Sweep.  Esteban.  Chavvy.  Scutaro.  Street.  I'm loving this team.

by sprtsnwyn on Aug 13, 2006 3:49 PM PDT   0 recs

asked macha if e-lo
best game and he said for velocity but good at giants game. twice ive heard speed gun is wrong both by managers

by smasfan on Aug 13, 2006 3:51 PM PDT   0 recs

WOW
been a month for chavy for a homer

by smasfan on Aug 13, 2006 3:52 PM PDT   0 recs

Chavez
I've been telling you guys all along "IT WAS JUST A MATTER OF TIME!" :-)

Just kidding -- Chavy, way to go bro'! Thanks for making those of us who doubt your offense to think twice!  Great win.

VacaAsFan

by Vacafan on Aug 13, 2006 3:55 PM PDT   0 recs

If Loaiza can be anywhere near what he was today..
for this stretch run, I'll be a happy man. Pitched brilliantly today, his best outing of the year with the possible exception of his comeback outing in Cleveland.

Deep thoughts:

  1. Good to see us running today. Looked like that was the game plan with Paul behind the plate. Corocan knew Payton was going and there was nothing Tampa could do. I  don't need us to be a running team, but I'm a big fan of keeping the opposition honest and knowing that we have guys - Payton, MB, Kotsay, Chavez, Kendall - who can steal a base.
  2. Huston came on and (yawn) did his job again today with an economic 10-pitch inning. Three saves in three days likely puts him on the shelf for tomorrow. An insurance run one of these last two days, in retrospect, wouldn't have hurt. For the record: I do not want him to pitch tomorrow.
  3. Speaking of Street, I'm not a fan of getting cute with the pen, but with two lefties due up for Tampa in the 9th, I wonder if Macha was at all tempted to save Street and opt for a southpaw followed by Calero. Probably not, but I wonder if Halsey would have put the closer-by-committee-for-a-day thought in mind.
  4. What bearing did me walking to a neighborhood store prior to first pitch to buy a bottle of glue to repair my Chavez bobblehead - which was broken at his forearm! - have on his performance today? Why did it take me so long to do this? Will he ever make an out again? These are questions to which only the almighty Baseball Gods have answers.
  5. Where's Mark? Since he's sat for two straight series, would it make any sense to bring him back against the lefty Washburn tomorrow? I'd say might as well sit him again, and seeing Kielty has made me long for Hiram Boccachica, let alone Dan Johnson.
  6. Speaking of DJ, we don't know if Swisher can play 1B, left alone LF. For the MLB Gameday audience, what the heck happened? Strained hamstring stretching for a throw? Day to day? How premature is it to think about Melhuse at 1B tomorrow?
Good week, good series and good day, AN. Go A's!
http://www.myspace.com/ryanmac10

by RyanFromBonas on Aug 13, 2006 3:58 PM PDT   0 recs

Is Swish really day to day?
It did look like he was laboring at first after that awesome stretch, though.........Man, I did not realize how flexible Swish really is!

Hope he is alright. Chavvy rocks out with his c%*k out!

by mrod on Aug 13, 2006 4:04 PM PDT   0 recs

When a man does splits like that,
he should get the damn call.

He definitely looked in some pain afterwards. :-(

...Can I offer to ice him?

"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."

by Kyli on Aug 13, 2006 4:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

and
apply it

by smasfan on Aug 13, 2006 4:52 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Finally!!!!
From Baseball Tonight:

<after complementing another 3rd baseman> "Chavez is going to win the Gold Glove, of course, Chavez deserves it, but he's pretty good."

"Please cue the duck"

by baseballgirl on Aug 13, 2006 4:08 PM PDT   0 recs

That play Lowell made, was not anything that
outstanding, Chavvy makes that 2 or 3 times a game.  

by theblackpearl on Aug 13, 2006 4:12 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Nobody does it better than Chavvy
except maybe 007..........wink!

by mrod on Aug 13, 2006 4:12 PM PDT   0 recs

Hey...did anyone know...
...that there's a big match-up on Sunday Night Baseball tonight?

It's barely been talked about! They certainly didn't mention it 17,000 times on Baseball Tonight and SportsCenter, and of course, they didn't interview Joe Morgan about it.

For the love! The nation has to hear that man for 3+ hours tonight; don't extend it!

P.S. They said 'butt' on BBTN.

"Please cue the duck"

by baseballgirl on Aug 13, 2006 4:27 PM PDT   0 recs

And have I gone crazy?!
Baseball Tonight just cited the Cardinal's defense as being worse than last year's because they "are on pace to turn 30 fewer double plays". Ummm...?!

Ummmmm....!??!??!

"Please cue the duck"

by baseballgirl on Aug 13, 2006 4:29 PM PDT   0 recs

Was at the game, and...
  • Loaiza looked terrific, and his fastball looked 93 MPH at times. Best I've ever seen him throw in an A's uni. Heck, 59 pitches in the first 6 innings tells the story--that's "Greg Maddux in his prime" territory.
  • Now IS the time to be cautious with injuries; hamstring pulls, like the one Swish suffered, have a way of getting reinjured (and coming back to 95% only to be reinjured again) if you try to play through instead of sitting out until you are 100%. I was actually ticked that nobody came out to check on Swisher and felt he should have been taken out of the game. Mark my words, "day-to-day" will turn into a DL stint if they try to bring him back a minute too soon.
  • Chavy is the man, end of story.
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 13, 2006 4:45 PM PDT   0 recs

Me Too and
Yes he did. It seems to me that Loaiza looks better with every game.  I was also a little peeved that no one came out to check on Swish.  I was right near first base and it was evident from the get go that he was hurtin'  Kept trying to stretch out that hamstring.  I think even the Ray's first base guy was concerned.  Eric's homer was such a blast!  Just a huge towering thing of beauty!  What a day!  Glad I was there.
Stomper is a badass!

by lynnzgal on Aug 13, 2006 6:34 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Sorry for the inaccuracy:
"Greg Maddux in his prime" should read "Greg Maddux tonight"--through 7 innings, Maddux has thrown 60 pitches.   !!!
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 13, 2006 6:46 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Which Barry will show up tmrw?
Horrible Home Zito or Decent Home ZitO?
"We are deep-sea diving in the Monongahela River after heavy rains in the western Pennsylvania area." - A's Fearless Leader

by Oaktownmagical07 on Aug 13, 2006 4:47 PM PDT   0 recs

Washburn goes tomorrow
which probably  means Kielty in left again, if Swish can't play Kotsay would go to first.  If Swish goes on the DL then DJ comes back.  I expect Swish to play however.

by china bob on Aug 13, 2006 4:58 PM PDT   0 recs

kotsay
is back?

by smasfan on Aug 13, 2006 4:59 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Fun, Fun Game
Some things that might not have been picked up on Gameday, TV or radio.

First, a little boy threw out a ceremonial pitch, then held up his glove because he wanted Swish to throw it back to him. So cute.

Then, the second oldest living Athletic (whose name I don't recall) threw out a pitch from his wheelchair. He basically handed the ball to Swish, but he is 96 years old.
Very touching.

At one point, I actually thought Loaiza would challenge Rich's record for the fewest pitches thrown in a complete game.

Loaiza got a loud standing ovation from the crowd after the 8th. After the game, when he finished his interview with the TV guys, he signed a bunch of autographs. A happy, confident E-Lo is very very good for the A's.

And finally -- cute kids running the bases after the game as Beach Boys music plays in the stadium.

The Best!!!

"Their team is full of a bunch of shitty nobodies pieced together from the moneyball scrap yard." -- Halos Heaven 7/31/06

by SportySpice on Aug 13, 2006 5:01 PM PDT   0 recs

radio
told us about guy who handed out the pitch but said he was 97. said he played for oakland oaks

by smasfan on Aug 13, 2006 5:03 PM PDT   0 recs

A's site says Philly A
http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060813&content_id=1607883& ;vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak

"First pitch: Emil Maiho, a former member of the Philadelphia Athletics, threw out the ceremonial first pitch before Sunday's game against the Devil Rays. Maiho played 21 games for the A's in 1936.

"At 96 years old, he is the second-oldest member of the Philadelphia A's alive today. He resides in Castro Valley, Calif."

by OaklandSi on Aug 13, 2006 5:05 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Thanks for the info
Were you there today?
"Their team is full of a bunch of shitty nobodies pieced together from the moneyball scrap yard." -- Halos Heaven 7/31/06

by SportySpice on Aug 13, 2006 5:15 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

no, I was out of town
all weekend (did catch Friday and Saturday's games on TV).

My season ticket package has all three Mariners games, so I'll be living in 226 M-W

by OaklandSi on Aug 13, 2006 6:07 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

Wonder if he can still play short...
his average has still got to be better than Crosby's.
"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on Aug 13, 2006 6:13 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

BBG has it right...
"However, some credit is due for the managing today. When your team doesn't hit well (and we don't), it is vital to pick up some bases in other ways. The A's used walks, errors, steals, and even bunt attempts, to try to manufacture some runs, and they were finally rewarded in the bottom of the eighth with the insurance run."

This is an important part of the game, should never be ignored and I predict will be used more and more as we near the playoffs.

by doubleplayer on Aug 13, 2006 5:13 PM PDT   0 recs

No Wave Today?
A Giants fans I took the game yesterday said, "That's all A's."

I don't think Giants fans are paying enough attention to start doing a wave.

This year's Peja-Artest, Willis for Zito! aim: encryptthisthat

by Hit4TheCycle on Aug 13, 2006 5:17 PM PDT   0 recs

They tried in the top of the ninth.
It was frightening and horrible. It died about halfway 'round the Coliseum, thankfully.
"This must be heaven," he says.
"No. It's Oakland."

by Kyli on Aug 13, 2006 8:58 PM PDT to parent up   0 recs

i hate the wave.
"I thought it was cute," Oakland's Nick Swisher said of Kotsay's blast with the petal-colored bat

by larrysgurl on Aug 13, 2006 10:50 PM PDT