Sorry Boston, But THIS Is Beane Town

by Nico on Jun 6, 2007 9:50 PM PDT in News Comment 51 comments

Like I said, starting pitching will keep you in a lot of games. As long as the A's keep getting great efforts from their starting pitchers they will stay in the race. And while two front-end pitchers, Haren and Gaudin, have turned it up a notch to surpass even our wildest dreams, two back-end pitchers, DiNardo and Kennedy, have also been better than anyone could have dared to hope. Tonight, Kennedy not only put up good numbers--again--but he actually looked outstanding, commanding his fastball, curve, and changeup to set-up hitters and put them away.

And let's hear it for June's Jack Cust: Santiago Casilla. His emergence-for-now as a quality major league reliever with dominant stuff, has been promised for four years and two names, and could not have come at a better time. Neither could a calm Bobby Crosby staying back and keeping the swing short and quick to provide insurance runs that would prove to be the difference in the game.

For some reason, I've had a feeling for a while that the A's would take three out of four from the Red Sox in this series and now that's the worst they can do. The A's are 5-1 in June and they have proven to themselves--as well as to the competition--that they can take any 25 warm bodies and figure out how to win. Who cares if the back up closer to the back up closer is too tired to pitch? We'll just turn 8 double-plays in 13 innings and Casilla in the win column.

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Just saw this in the Giants wrap

"I won't go on the DL," Bonds said. "Don't count on seeing me on the DL -- ever. I won't let myself. I will work hard. I will play through it."

It made me think that he is the anti-Milton. And by the transitive property of my addled brain, that makes Milton the anti-Bonds.

And that made me feel a lttle, tiny, itty bit better about BraDLey.

''Certain types of players are born for the dramatic, and Marco Scutaro is one,'' teammate Nick Swisher said.

by fridaynightfan on Jun 6, 2007 9:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Amen

At least the cold sweat from watching Dinardo last night has finally subsided. Hell, it was almost relaxing watching JFK...whoda thunk it?

by 510inDenver on Jun 6, 2007 9:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

It's tantalizing to think/hope

that if the A's can keep the pace and the Angels falter just a bit longer....we could be in first place this time next weekend. Happy thoughts.

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

by alox on Jun 6, 2007 9:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree completely

Kennedy was OUT STAND ING tonight. He didn't need DiNardo's lucky shamrock. He just ROCKED! He wasn't the Joe Kennedy of even last week. To say I was amazed would be an understatment. Castilla was great, again. The A's continue to be the anti-Sox/Yankees. They march on despite being hurt and they go out to win. I'm so impressed by this little team who can. But I still want to see Melhuse in the lineup once a week.

"If I'm an 8 or a 5 on a scale of 1-10, what is Eric Chavez?"-Drunk guy. "A 15" his seat neighbor.

by mlleaimee on Jun 6, 2007 9:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Nice win!

Kennedy is amazing and my friend who's a Red Sox fan is freaking out! I LOVE June! Go A's! I hope Casilla keeps it up so Harden can maybe someday start so we can then TRADE HIM!

by A'sfansince1970 on Jun 6, 2007 9:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh, and Nico,

I would have considered it a succes to split the series and you insisted that success could only be considered if we took three. I now know I was wrong and am left to hope that you too are wrong after tommorrow!

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

by alox on Jun 6, 2007 9:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Don't worry--I'll still consider

it a success if we win four!

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 Jun 6, 2007 10:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

How come Blanton never gets any love?

Mention the rest of the starting staff except Blanton.

"Macha hates you"- Tacoma fans heckling Kielty

by zaniac75 on Jun 6, 2007 10:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Cupcakes doesn't need our love

He a Man apart. And a Man and a Half.

by MobiusKlein on Jun 6, 2007 10:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Blanton has pitched very well

but I couldn't say that he had surpassed my wildest dreams. Haren has a 1.70 ERA and Gaudin has remained 3rd in the league in ERA--that's a whole different level of good.

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 Jun 6, 2007 10:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

amazing, huh?

aside from some know-it-alls around here (not me, i was busy regretting the loss of saaarloos), who woulda thunk it? going in, it looked like haren, harden, loiza, blanton, and kennedy. windsor, braden and others were figuring to get the next shot if (ha ha) one of them went down. so guadin was probably our 8th starter back in spring training. i think it's easy to say that all five have exceeded expectations. but poor Joey Blanton was having great success in Nico's wildest dreams (available on pay per view, i believe). so, he hasn't, ahem, topped that.

Hi ho.

by danh on Jun 6, 2007 10:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah! Kentucky Joe rocks!

He should be number 3 behind Haren and Gaudin. That's what I think. Nice post, Nico.

by A'sfansince1970 on Jun 6, 2007 10:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

As someone who still doesn't like

Kennedy as a starter, this was by far his best start as an A. He still had some smoke & mirrors working tonight but very few balls were smoked off him tonight which has been my biggest concern when he pitches. He made a lot of great pitches at the right time and got the job done, an all around good job.

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

by DMOAS on Jun 6, 2007 10:13 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Ie the triple.

That was spanked.

by MobiusKlein on Jun 6, 2007 10:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

YAY!

Superfantastic Win!! Glad June is here!

Baseball, it is said, is only a game. True. And the Grand Canyon is only a hole in Arizona. -George F. Will

by Bak2bakJack on Jun 6, 2007 10:14 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

having suffered through

some humiliating losses (and series sweeps) to Boston at the Coliseum, I have to say that taking three of four isn't quite good enough.

by skutch on Jun 6, 2007 10:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Red Sox fans after game 1:

"Well, Danny Haren versus our #5 - seriously, you're surprised? Tomorrow you have to go against Dice-K!"

Red Sox fans after game 2:
"Well, Dinardo is an ex-Sox player you stole from us... plus, you guys were lucky. We'll still split the series."

Red Sox fans after game 3:
"Does anyone know the score in Baltimore?"

Red Sox fans after tomorrow:
"I've always really been an Angels fan."

The Kendall Shift: 6 infielders and 2 catchers.

by Ozzz on Jun 6, 2007 10:20 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Soxers were noticeably quieter last night ...

... than Monday. And I think we Oaklanders finally found our voice. It sounded like a home game, and when they did get a "let's go red sox" cheer going, it was quickly drowned-out and converted.

They do seem to get very excited every time a ball clears the infield on the fly.

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Jun 7, 2007 8:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Nice

Angels are playing out of their skulls, but were unable to extend 1st Place lead over the past week.

Beating Santana (MIN) + 3 games vs. Boston is HUGE. What! Go A's!

by Colorado Fan on Jun 6, 2007 10:22 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Fun, isn't it!

And without so many injured players still! The Angels must be scratching their butts and their heads!

by A'sfansince1970 on Jun 6, 2007 10:26 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

SANTIAGO CASILLA!!!

Just got back from the game.

those many double plays made by the A's are such things of beauty!!

and I just loved shutting down and shutting up Red Sux Nation!!!

Finally the A's win on a night that the Angels and Mariners lose.

by OaklandSi on Jun 6, 2007 10:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Jairo/Santiago

If some guy comes to this country with false papers, doesn't that make him an illegal immigrant?

If so, isn't/wasn't this guy an illegal immigrant?

"it's like an alarm clock, WOOT WOOT!" -Bubb Rubb

by secret ASian man on Jun 6, 2007 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

he's not an immigrant

he comes here to work every year, but goes back home after the season...and he fixed it.

You might surprised at just how many immigrants have come to the US over two centuries using fake names and documents.

by OaklandSi on Jun 6, 2007 11:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I know...

...they're called paper sons. Someone in my family sold their papers granting entry to the US for lots of money back in the day in China. I don't know if that person ever made it to this country.

I'm just making a dumb point, I would be the last person to call La Migra on this guy. ~~Jairo Garcia~~ Santiago Casilla is my favorite illegal immigrant and Oakland is a city of refuge, whatever that means.

"it's like an alarm clock, WOOT WOOT!" -Bubb Rubb

by secret ASian man on Jun 6, 2007 11:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Paper son

My father's father was a paper son, making that branch of my genealogy a dead end. My father's mother is well documented though. That branch has roots in California that predates most white folks'. Pre-railroad.

"...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 Jun 7, 2007 2:01 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

TGIJ

Thank God It's June!
Now, let's play some baseball :)

by streetfan on Jun 6, 2007 10:29 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I'm really surprised

to be really honest. I didn't think the A's had it in them. At least in their current state.

But I love surprises, especially when it means the A's are beating down the best team in baseball. I really felt like the pitching matchups favored the Red Sox. Thanks Lenny and Joe Kennedy. If only Blanton can beat blowhard Schilling tomorrow, then it will be one sweet week.

by Tyler Bleszinski on Jun 6, 2007 10:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Do the a-hole Red Sux fans...

only show up at the Coli? The Over the Monster game thread was pretty tame. (Nothing compared to AN when we're about to lose the 3rd out of a 4 game series.) Of course, they complained heartily about the HP umpire. And, IMO, with some justification.

Re: Open Thread: 6/6/07 @ Oakland
1B conversation:
Youks: "How much are you guys paying this ump?"
Cust: "I didn't ask. Just glad to be in the Majors."
Youks: "...fair enough."
by Allen Chace on Thu Jun 07, 2007 at 12:25:58 AM EDT

Look up "clutch" in the dictionary and you'll see Chavvy's picture next to it.

by FoolshGame22 on Jun 6, 2007 10:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Oops, I thought you said

Do the Red Sux's a-holes show up with e-coli.

"Isn't it hard to see finger in a crotch (no offense) esp. under A AA and AAA lights?" - fridaynightfan

by doctorK on Jun 6, 2007 10:57 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

HP Ump

Yeah, cuz' the HP UMP only made bad calls vs. the Red Sox.

Anyone see the DJ at-bat when every called strike was a ball, about 1 foot off the plate? Plus, the check swing (not a swing, strike)? DJ didn't go all aggro in the ump's face.

Except for the occasional Mitlon outburst, our guys are pretty tame when it comes to arguing strikes. Papi and Youk are borderline psycho.

by Colorado Fan on Jun 7, 2007 7:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

that was a HUGE strike zone tonight

not like i'm complaining, it isn't like the bosox don't get all sorts of crazy calls in fenway..

by notah8er on Jun 6, 2007 10:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

That ump would've called O'Dorney's ...

... one-hopper a strike.

I think some of our guys went up there expecting to strike-out -- DJ, in particular, looked completely out of sorts, as did MaEl. Buck and Cust, however, looked relatively comfortable and hit the ball hard. I think it must be hard to jack a 57 mph pitch, but somebody else probably knows the physics of that stuff.

Smart move to DH Cust, although we just hafta keep Swisher out of centerfield. Come on down, Milton!

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Jun 7, 2007 8:31 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

A's in '07: The Prestige

I've been something of a pessimist about the A's this year. And I'm not quite ready to fill out my credit union loan forms for postseason tickets. But man, this smoke-and-mirrors thing might have some legs. Kennedy did look great tonight, like a legit quality starter. With big time performances this series from people like him, Santiago Casilla, DiNardo, and the clutchier clone of Eric Chavez, who knows? Maybe they can keep up this magic act all season long. They've got the pledge, they've got the turn, and they sure as hell have the prestige. Man!

Watt Funk Staturist

by FreeSeatUpgrade on Jun 6, 2007 10:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

DiNardo was true smoke and mirrors

but Kennedy pitched a great game tonight.

by OaklandSi on Jun 6, 2007 11:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Smoke and mirrors critical

Smoke and mirrors is a critical part of great pitching.

Make the changeup look like a fastball.

Make 12-6 curveball look like a high fastball.

Sinkers moving just enough to be groundballs.

Knuckleball. Does not look like any other pitch but is smoke and mirrors in and of itself.

by Donner on Jun 7, 2007 10:51 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

ok. let me rephrase that

it looked to me like DiNardo wasn't throwing all that well. He benefitted from great defense and quite a bit of luck.

Kennedy, on the other hand, really threw well...and I've been pretty critical of his pitching over the last couple of years

by OaklandSi on Jun 7, 2007 10:56 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

ILJ

I Love June.

Every year, I go into June with doubts about our team. We can't hit enough. We're too injured. Our bullpen sucks. We have no closer. We're not clutch. Blahblahblahblahblah.

And yet, every year, this team finds a way to make baseball in Oaktown so cool. It's funny, but you'd think during this decade of success and postseason consistency we'd be viewed as the Big Boys on Campus. Yet we're always the little engine that could every single year. Every team over the past eight years has been different except for that philosophy.

This "gloating" is a little premature considering we haven't even swept Boston yet, but I keep waiting for this team to turn into Tampa Bay or Cincinatti or Colorado, and it just doesn't happen.

A's Baby!!!!!!

"i hate monkeys"

by BruceBochteBiyatches on Jun 6, 2007 11:04 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

If I ever become a father to a daughter...

...I'll name her June.

June is such a sweet, sweet month for the A's and their fans.

"it's like an alarm clock, WOOT WOOT!" -Bubb Rubb

by secret ASian man on Jun 6, 2007 11:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have an aunt named June

Then again, I another aunt name May.

"...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 Jun 7, 2007 2:04 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Call me a broken record...

but I still think the A's are due for more! I am loving this streak cause I just knew they had it in them for a while. Great job by Casilla, even with the hanging sliders. Francona got his money's worth and I can't wait to see what happens tomorrow. Schilling doesn't like Swish too much, will he hit him again? Whatev, this has been a brilliant series!
LET'S GO OAKLAND!!!!

Take my love, take my land/ Take me where I cannot stand/I don't care, I'm still free/You can't take the A's from me!

by OaktownRajah on Jun 6, 2007 11:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Something occurred to me tonight...

Prior to this series, it was written that while Haren's numbers were good, he just hadn't gone up against any good offenses yet, and he'd have trouble against the Sox.

Maybe, though, it's that their offense looked so good because it hadn't been HANDED THE SMACKDOWN BY OUR KICK A$$ PITCHING!! YEAH!!!!

Huh. I always thought that baseball's version of a home run is the motherf---ing home run itself. -FJM

by oblique on Jun 6, 2007 11:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Amen to that!

How many teams offensive slumps coincide with a visit to Oakland? A little credit where credit's due, please.

"AN: We breathe through our noses." -mikeA

by McFood on Jun 7, 2007 6:43 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Santiago Casilla

Three thoughts:

He hides the ball very well

His mechanics are very SLOPPY which probably explains his lack of control and #1

How did that ball Ramirez hit off of him in the 8th not carry farther? When he hit it and looked like he was going into his HR trot, I thought it was crushed. Glad it found the glove.

Good win tonight.

Signatures? We don't need no stinking signatures.

by jubjub on Jun 7, 2007 4:47 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

PS

the crawler on Sportscenter gave the save to Garcia.

Signatures? We don't need no stinking signatures.

by jubjub on Jun 7, 2007 4:49 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

when Manny hit that ball

I initially thought "uh-oh", but saw from the arc of the ball that it probably wasn't going to go out. (After years of sitting more behind the plate I've gotten used to the view from 226; one of the nice aspects is most of the time knowing if it's going to be a HR.)

I know Casilla's rep has always been "good stuff, bad control." But his control has looked pretty good during this latest callup.

by OaklandSi on Jun 7, 2007 5:22 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Arg!

Frackin wireless internet died last night. WOOHOO! for wins! And DPs!

Scheduling conflict: Draft and the A's game. MLB hates us. I hope they have Tracker again this year.... [swoon]

"Kots went yard. With a pink bat. Stud."

by Jennifer on Jun 7, 2007 7:12 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Loved this game...

LOVE this team...

Can they win one more today? :-)

Now we have 6 or 7 months to enjoy, to cheer, cry, and scream both in frustration and happiness. ~china bob

by baseballgirl on Jun 7, 2007 8:19 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Boston's pressing hard.

The frustration on Moo-klis' face when the ball hit first base, Ortiz' constant bitching -- I think these guys can be had again today if Joe keeps the ball down. The only guy who seems unaffected is Manny -- he may not have noticed yet. Maybe his imaginary friend will tell him.

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Jun 7, 2007 8:37 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Is it just me...

or did anyone else notice that if (or when) we beat the RS today we will have handed the best record in baseball....to the fricking Angels? Someone please tell me I'm wrong. I still want to win...but now it just seems so dirty.

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

by alox on Jun 7, 2007 8:39 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs

So much for the "weakest Division" argument.

I'm not convinced that the wild card won't come out of the west this year. And anyway, we have a ton of games left with that team down south; I think those games will tell the tale. I'm just as glad we haven't drawn them during their hot streak.

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Jun 7, 2007 8:47 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

No kidding about the weakest division

Overall that distiction has to go to the NL central. But in the AL it's the east that all have sub .500 records save one. Who would have predicted that at the beginning of the season? Your right, the WC could come out of the west, but I'm not quite ready to embrace that option. One nice thing is that perhaps we are cruelly offering the Yanks false hopes while simultaneously deflating the despised BoSox.

Man this has been a good week.

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

by alox on Jun 7, 2007 8:58 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs