Erik With A "K"

by Nico on Jul 20, 2007 10:06 PM PDT in News Comment 67 comments

Had the A’s recently won 9 in a row, you could view this game like it really was: simply a dominant performance by an opposing pitcher who would have beaten anyone tonight. Instead, tonight’s 3-hit, 13K outapalooza just reinforced that these days the A’s are lowly peasants living under the Futile system.

Against mediocre pitchers, and certainly against Erik Bedard, right now the A’s look more helpless than a frantic puppy thrashing around in Jennifer’s famous marinara sauce (it’s a nice image, and I want you to have it all night as you try to sleep). Meanwhile, tonight the A’s also didn’t so much field as play soccer (“Stewart to Swisher…goooooooooooooooal!!!”), and the pitching was bad enough for there to be a—hide the children—Kennedy sighting, which may, these days, be the only thing more gruesome to watch than seeing Swisher squish himself into a cardboard cutout against the CF wall. Though watching Suzuki block pitches in the dirt…

At least the A’s had a reasonable excuse tonight, as Bedard leads the league in strikeouts and hasn’t allowed a run in 3 starts. Tomorrow, the A’s get a journeyman who has been on the Disabled List with a strained ass. “For it’s glute, glute, glute for the home team…” Yes, it’s true; I’ve gone completely insane. It’s the only thing that’s keeping me sane right now.

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Suzuki

Would Jason have caught all those passed balls? And would our offense be any better?

How do you rescind a Mohawk? Bill King.

by theshopper on Jul 20, 2007 10:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Suzuki's catching

When I saw various replays of him (different days) trying to block balls, he often would start reaching for the ball one way, then realize he had to flip the glove down fairly late.

Seemed to not recognize early that the pitch was off-target. So yes, I think a more experienced catcher would get more of them.

by MobiusKlein on Jul 20, 2007 10:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Suzuki is clearly over his head

His at bats are weak and his defense is far,far below what I expected.
Melhuse was a far better alternative--but he got flushed earlier in the year cuz he was unhappy backing Kendall who is now gone.
IF this was the plan it was not well scouted.
The gap between AAA PCL and major league play has widened over the past five years--I am not sure why unless it is really a shrinking pool of MLB level talent-----the AAAA tossed about in the media is really the old AAA
Guys coming up from AA almost seem to do better because they have to be very superior to the talent pool to give someone the courage to make that move.

by Aparicio11 on Jul 21, 2007 8:38 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really hope it's nothing with Swish...

but I have a horrible feeling he really hurt himself. It's not like it takes us out of the chase...that happened long ago, but I hate to see him get hurt.

"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on Jul 20, 2007 10:09 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

So...

anyone seen any good movies recently?

"He did a great job. It was hot." -- Bob Geren on Dan Haren

by oblique on Jul 20, 2007 10:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Oceans 13

Live Free or Die Hard was a lot of fun.

Yep. Warm and fuzzy... that's me.

by grover on Jul 20, 2007 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was surprised

at how good Transformers was, in addition to those two.

by IndianaAsfan on Jul 21, 2007 2:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Forget it, mkt

...

Forget it Stomper...it's Oaklandtown.

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jul 20, 2007 11:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, you're right.

"He did a great job. It was hot." -- Bob Geren on Dan Haren

by oblique on Jul 21, 2007 9:03 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No, I meant

"Forget it, mkt...it's Chinatown."

I've been kind of obsessed lately.

Forget it Stomper...it's Oaklandtown.

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jul 21, 2007 12:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

We lost tonight and I'm okay.

It's finally easier for me because I held onto "hope" much longer than most.

*****BREAKING NEWS- the season is over from a playoff standpoint. Obvious, right? It just feels good to just say it and start the healing process before October.

"No comment."

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 20, 2007 10:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You know you're in trouble

when a 20-game winning streak would probably still leave you short of first place.

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 Jul 20, 2007 10:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And yet the radio ads

still assure me in all sincerity that a 2007 partial season ticket plan will guarantee me postseason rights.

Forget it Stomper...it's Oaklandtown.

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jul 20, 2007 11:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

And the San Ramon Surgery Center

has done wonders for Rich Harden, at least according to his testimonial in radio commercials.

by Ray of Lite on Jul 21, 2007 8:06 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's ok.

Any preferences for the American League champions?

by IM4Oakgal on Jul 20, 2007 10:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Go Mariners!

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 Jul 20, 2007 10:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Definitely over the Angels!

I grew up a Tiger fan so go Tigers! The AL Central should be quite a race to the finish.

by Wolverine on Jul 20, 2007 10:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That's my choice too.

and they are so close! It gives us a reason to get excited over the upcoming series against the Halos.

by IM4Oakgal on Jul 20, 2007 11:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

absolutely

to the Mariners fan who sat next to me at a Giants game last May, and spoke so enthusiastically about the A's:
I'm rooting for your team this October!

by OaklandSi on Jul 21, 2007 12:35 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Indians. I'd like to see them win a WS.

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin, Seattle Mariners

by Helloooo 1st on Jul 20, 2007 10:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That works for me

I find it easy to root for Sabathia and Sizemore, to name two.

Forget it Stomper...it's Oaklandtown.

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jul 20, 2007 11:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Me, too.

Kettlecorn! Swishercorn!

by TurnTwo on Jul 21, 2007 9:20 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Rangers 4 games behind A's.

At this point, I just hope the A's can finish ahead of the Rangers. I know it's World Series or bust, but damn, I don't want them back in that West cellar.

by greala on Jul 20, 2007 10:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah

How humiliating.

by IM4Oakgal on Jul 20, 2007 10:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just got home

Knew it was over after the 2nd. That's really sad to say. Bedard was definitely dealing though. We just started drinking a lot and I felt much better once Ellie homered.

"Who is Danny and why are we eating his cake?" -Jennifer's mom

by pam5981 on Jul 20, 2007 10:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

One positive tonight...

Dan Meyer, in Sacramento's 11-1 win:

6 IP, 1 hit, 1 ER, 3 BB, 11 K (102 pitches, 63 strikes)

Daric Barton went 3 for 3.

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 Jul 20, 2007 10:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Qualified numbers

I was at this game. Numbers were good but reality was something a little different. He was hit hard but some great D and several atom balls saved the no-no until the 5th.

by Mrspeeb2 on Jul 21, 2007 8:08 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

102 pitches

in six innings is almost Zito-esque. I'm still not convinced he's all the way back from his injuries yet...

by IndianaAsfan on Jul 21, 2007 2:28 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

minors

The only real positive for me now is some of the play by our minor leaguers. Barton had a nice night and Dan Meyer was almost lights out. Hey, how about bringing him up and shipping Kennedy? Not bad, but Pennington and Petit might push for infield spots this year. This and shipping off some of the veterans would be good just overhaul this roster more. Hey, that's the one difference between us and the Giants, even in a worthless season like this we'll see young faces get a chance.

by oaktown89 on Jul 20, 2007 10:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I actually like that the A's

are keeping Meyer at AAA, presumably for the rest of the season. He has shown some great promise--especially the strikeout numbers--but the pitch counts, BBs, and inconsistency all suggest he is still figuring out how to pitch as Dan Meyer v2.0. I'd love to see him as a front runner for the #5 spot in Spring, 2008 (like he was supposed to be in Spring, 2005) but I'm not keen to see him rushed to Oakland right now.

I'd like to see Barton called up Sept 1st to get a taste of the major leagues, and for him to be at 1B opening night 2008. I think he'll be ready.

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 Jul 20, 2007 10:49 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree. Let Loaiza look good so he can be dealt

keep Meyer on the Rivercats. I didn't see the game. I'm glad. It's nice that it's not such a priority anymore. I still hold onto hope, though.

by A'sfansince1970 on Jul 20, 2007 10:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Somewhat agree

I think Meyers has been a little too inconsistent for anyone to rely on him starting next season in the majors in '08. I could definitely see him reaching that point, but I'd see him more mid-season '08 than opening the season as the #5.

Barton on the other hand very well could be ready by opening day. If he keeps up the numbers he's posting (or at least doesn't drop off too much) then when the Cat's season is other, he'll get his cup of coffee and some playing time al la Swish during September. My only complaint right now of him is that he's had only one good month at AAA (huge) surrounding it with 2 average months and the rest hasn't been anything to write home about. But it's hard to argue with a .315/.406/.480 hitter after +350 ABs. I'd just hate too see that one great month overshadow his true readiness as a whole.

In search of a new signature. Say something funny and you may see your comment here!

by DMOAS on Jul 21, 2007 12:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not Much to Cheer For Tonight except

Ellis comes through with the HR
Swish gives it his all in CF. Nice to see someone still giving 110%. Hope he did not hurt himself though.
Dude in about section 122 made a nice double clutch catch on a foul ball early in the game.

As for the young guys...

Let's hope Suzuki spends the rest of the season working on his technique behind the plate. He was just brutal tonight.
I like the way Brown deals. Does he remind anyone else of Goose Gossage with his delivery?

Not much else to say about tonight..except this is now nine games in a row the A's have lost that I have attended.

Tomorrow is another day and let's hope our young guys continue to learn and get better..and no I don't plan to attend any more games this weekend.

by EastbayBen on Jul 20, 2007 10:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Brown's got the stuff to be a late-inning guy

97 mph heat, at least 2 breaking balls that he can throw for strikes-- it's just a question of whether he can put it together. I could see him becoming another K-Rod, in a way, where he actually works the fastball as a change from the offspeed stuff-- it might help him cut down on the walks.

He's good though. Definitely not a bag of baseballs.

by PaulThomas on Jul 20, 2007 11:14 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He seems to me like a young Brendan Donnelly

deceptive motion and throws harder

by GusanoQuemador on Jul 20, 2007 11:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Any guesses about tomorrow's lineup?

I have Swish, Stewart and Cust all on my fantasy team. I am assuming Swish won't play. Do you all think the other two will?

by IM4Oakgal on Jul 20, 2007 11:16 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Three A's hitters on a fantasy team?

Not the line up I would want to throw out.

by Oregoneon on Jul 20, 2007 11:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I drafted Swish

and added Cust...and quite recently added Stewart. I dropped Jason Bay for him. and Cust hurts me with his BA but he helps me because he does get homeruns.

by IM4Oakgal on Jul 20, 2007 11:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh and we have 12 people playing.

That also hurts in finding good players.

by IM4Oakgal on Jul 20, 2007 11:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

38268.

"He did a great job. It was hot." -- Bob Geren on Dan Haren

by oblique on Jul 20, 2007 11:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

+1

???

"...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 Jul 20, 2007 11:48 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

October 9, 2008?

Forget it Stomper...it's Oaklandtown.

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jul 21, 2007 12:09 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's just a matter of time

before this squad gift wraps some fortunate pitcher a no-hitter. This lineup couldn't hit their way out of a paper bag. Sad really...

I think religion is a neurological disorder that prevents people from thinking on their own.--B. Maher

by sf drift king on Jul 21, 2007 12:52 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Caption this!

"When they start the game, they don't yell, 'Work ball.' They say, 'Play ball.'" ~Willie Stargell

by alamedagirl on Jul 21, 2007 1:10 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Wher DA ball? Wher DA BALLL!!!?

"He did a great job. It was hot." -- Bob Geren on Dan Haren

by oblique on Jul 21, 2007 9:05 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

"Dang, where's my bat?

Looks like a perfect pitch to swing at! Whoops, it bounced."

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 Jul 21, 2007 9:21 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just back from the game

....and from the postgame trip to In'n"Out featuring in-car dining for your convenience, to the accompaniment of the Technical Difficulties Edition of Extra Innings, featuring Robert Buan as the man who never knows when his mic is open....and the post-postgame trip to Codys Books to get my copy of Harry Potter and the Nine-Game Losing Streak Followed By A Win and a Loss You Really Can't Feel Too Bad About Because Erik Bedard Is A Hell of a Pitcher. Half of Berkeley was crammed in there (including a colleague of mine from the electron factory and Apricot, who had been sent out on orders from Mrs, Apricot). It was incredibly hot and the line took forever. I bought a copy of Game of Shadows and then it turned out I was in line next to a bunch of Gnats fans including a kid in a Bonds jersey. So I tried to conceal the cover to keep his simple faith alive.
What? Oh, the game....well, we had a nice time as always in the left field bleachers. The weather was good. Bobby caught Ellis's home run about a foot away from me. Duke did an excellent job on the drums accompanied by apprentice Ron and the AN All-Amateur Percussion Volunteers who I hope were not too much off the beat. A nice Orioles fan who now lives in Berkeley joined us. Duke wrestled with the moral dilemma of whether to play Jay Payton's beat even though he is no longer an Athletic, and finally decided that it couldn't jinx the game any further, as long as everyone understood that no precedent was to be implied herein. When Payton heard it, he turned around and waved. That was nice. Bad baseball is better than no baseball, and even bad baseball is good when you're in the left field bleachers. And now if you'll excuse me, I've got a book to read...

At Badger Nation Magazine, our goal is for fans to trust and rely on our information, and feel if they aren't subscribing they are out of the loop.

by Englishmajor on Jul 21, 2007 1:13 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

thanks for the report

I'm out of the country til mid-August (but yes, I have tickets for when I get back, including all three games the last weekend against the Angels, ha ha).

Glad to hear Duke is drumming...I didn't see him much in April or May....and I'm still a JayPay fan.

by OaklandSi on Jul 21, 2007 5:23 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

come on boys!

The boys gotta beat a dude coming back from a sprained ass!!!

On days like these I really miss "oaktoon".

by bigelephant on Jul 21, 2007 7:34 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

So....

i just we kinda suck.

I'm still waiting for the game we score 20 runs.

by chavyizdamn3 on Jul 21, 2007 8:07 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Bobby Crosby--did you see his last at bat?

Worst ever. The guy has no clue. He thinks if he swings more-and more wildly-he might make contact.

Please send him to AAA to figure out how to be a major league batter. He is so very painful to watch.

And a visit to the shrink, too. He has totally lost his focus.

by oaklandcrazy on Jul 21, 2007 9:41 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Gotta give Suzuki time...

I think he will be good. For him the learning curve is steep. He didn't get this far by being second rate. Piazza being back will be a huge benefit for him. Mike's catching days are long gone, old guys usually take pleasure in passing their craft along to the next crop of players.

"You may glory in a team triumphant, but you fall in love with a team in defeat."--The Boys of Summer

by alox on Jul 21, 2007 10:08 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Suzuki's D

He struggled with his defense in Stockton, rebounded the next year to rank as one of the top defensive Catchers in the minors. The skills are there and no one will out-work him.

He's probably feeling a bit o' pressure right now and pressing.

Yep. Warm and fuzzy... that's me.

by grover on Jul 21, 2007 12:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

He's in a position where he's trying to 20 things

at one time. I can't imagine the pressure he is feeling but we all need to be patient.

"No comment."

by ohtobe21likehuston on Jul 21, 2007 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nail has been hit on the head

He just looks like the weight of the world is on his shoulders. It's a big jump, and he's being thrown into the fire quicker than he, or anyone else, had anticipated. Once the game slows down a bit for him he'll be fine. Until then, it might be ugly for a little while. This isn't anything that most rookie catchers go through, and I don't find it particularly worrisome.

by IndianaAsfan on Jul 21, 2007 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Agree on Crosby

Among the problems is that Crosby stands so far away from the plate he can't cover a lot of pitches, so he often tries to make up for it by guessing and lunging at pitches. He also walks pretty infrequently. He's shown no ability to adjust and while it's possible one of these days everything will just "click," in reality, it seems pretty unlikely, since it's an overall intelligent approach to hitting that he's missing.

by SA on Jul 21, 2007 10:12 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

You guys are way to hard on Crosby!! Remember,

this season is like an extended spring training for him since he's been hurt for the past 3 years. So please cut him some slack and be awed by his '08 performance. Thanks.

by Bacon on Jul 21, 2007 10:17 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

just saw on MLBTraderumors

Yanks might swap Proctor to DRays for Wiggington. I'd love to see both guys on the A's next year, Proctor as a starter, Wiggington as infield utility bat. Wonder if Beane could wiggle into a trade like this somehow

Let's have our Piazza and eat the Cust too - SPWC

by closetasfan on Jul 21, 2007 10:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Proctor as a starter?

Why? I'd much rather see Meyer get a shot than give a spot to a guy that isn't even a decent reliever.
Now, if you're wanting a fire to roast marshmallows, I hear Proctor is your guy...

by IndianaAsfan on Jul 21, 2007 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just got wind of another trade rumor...Crsoby &

and Kennedy for "players to be nammed" and a "fistful of dollars"!

by Vegas Ace on Jul 21, 2007 11:34 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

When it comes to Crosby

A handfull of quarters would placate me.

Yep. Warm and fuzzy... that's me.

by grover on Jul 21, 2007 12:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

place to dump Crosby

I think is Red Sux

Give them Kotsay and Crosby see if you can get Jon Lester (I doubt it, but who knows with his cancer)

Let's have our Piazza and eat the Cust too - SPWC

by closetasfan on Jul 21, 2007 5:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

That would be the single worst trade in history

for the Sox.

I could see Crosby and Kotsay for Crisp, since Ellsbury will be their CF in 2009 anyway. But a good starter candidate? Dying or otherwise, that's a terrible deal for Boston.

by PaulThomas on Jul 21, 2007 5:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dunno about Lester--

I hear he's a cancer clubhouse.

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 Jul 21, 2007 5:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

But "worst trade in Red Sox history"????

C'mon, PaulThomas. This is the franchise that was haunted by the ghost of Babe Ruth. You think they'd be haunted by Lester?

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 Jul 21, 2007 6:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs