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Open Thread: Game 93 - A's at LAAoAAAoA (cont.)

3-0 A's at the stretch. Now it's Harden vs. The Rally Monkey.

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Korach caught that with his bare hand!
I think he might have saved Bill...
CG SO?
or is that even a jinx these days?
I guess we'll find out now.
btw...
I've never noticed anyone but Kotz looking stoned...who else does? <curious in a strange sort of way>
Haren. Zito. Byrnes did at times.
lol...
Haren's not surprising, except I just think he looks slightly...deranged.
The first time I saw Haren's picture
after the trade, my first thought was: "Oh god. Not another stoner-guy!"
I saw him pitch...
In the WS last year and thought he looked like a fish with his mouth hanging open the whole time. Now I just think he's deranged.
Scutaro has that dreamy look
Swisher looks a bit crazy sometimes, so does Kielty.
Mark Bellhorn
OMG
YES, he TOTALLY does. Good to know I'm not the ONLY one who thinks that.
Well, Zito for one. Haren for another.
Chavvy sometimes. Rincon.
Sometimes Harden.
Harden?
For some reason...I can't see him looking stoned. Just slightly cross-eyed on occasin. :D
I don't need a SO
I'll settle for a win, any way possible
K!!!!
Too many fouls
Finally. Struck him out!!!!
Wow
That ab took a little too long.  If you are watching on TV, any action in the pen?
not even at 80 pitches
he's cruising mostly
He's at 84...
Harden is nasty so filthy tonight!!
Ritchie we missed you for those 7 weeks
Korach talking about Braden
cool
wow
Harden is just plain locked in.  He's making me just as happy on the mound right now as any cy young caliber month from any member of the Big Three.  And I don't think I'm exagerrating.
Emotion
has anyone ever seen Harden show any, god i love that guy
Only after the game is over.
it's funny
the only expression i ever see on his face is the smirk. either the "great play" smirk or the "i'm going to go break someone's head" hockey player pissed off smirk.

the guy is INTENSE on the mound.

Man what I wouldn't do for an arm like Harden's.
What he lacked last year was control.  He's really worked on spotting his fastball and keeping his offspeed down in the zone. He holds runners on base effectively now too.  Ritchie is now a complete pitcher.  
Question:
How many pitches in the next inning can Harden afford to pitch if we're going to send him out there for the 9th?
CG
I've been away the last couple of days - I know the results, but not what pitchers are fresh.  At this rate, will Macha take him out after eight innings, or if he's over or around 100 after eight, send him back out to pitch the ninth too?

Thoughts?

Everyone got MAIMED
in that 14 inning game. I think Macha'd probably try to get Harden out there in the 9th if the Angels' half of the score remains the same, let the 'pen get one last day of rest. Since Texas may tax our bullpen this week.
I agree
The A's have to go another eight games without a rest. Not THAT long, but who knows when we'll need to use the bullpen again?
I like how he just confidently jogs off the field.
Jon Garland has that cocky slow walk to the dugout.  
is it anything like
Swisher's slow crawl from the batters box?

:)

Peralta likes to give up the gopher balls.
he only went 81 last game
he can go 9 i think.
A perfect game
would be a good centerpiece for a Harden campaign for Cy Young, but Halladay is just so good.
Halladay?
he's out for like a month. it'll probably be garland, as much as i hate to see that. maybe buerhle.
Halladay is injured
Who knows if he'll regain form when he comes back...

How long will he be out for anyways?

Let's get a few more runs and show these Angels!!
the time missed to injury will hurt his candidacy
but i'd vote for him...
That offspeed pitch looked juicy
Ball three Chavez
Ball four Chavez
New nickname?
Dan Johnson= Prince DJ
Yes, or dumb?

Sweet HR

Nooo...
That would mean he's the heir apparent to Rich's throne.
Yeah... true
Just DJ then :)
DanJo!
i just finished reading Harry Potter
and Prince reminds me of the book, which made me cry. So, I don't think it'll work out because DJ makes me happy.  
Chavy is having a horrible night
at the plate.

Yikes.

yuck game for eric
at least the other guys picked him up!!
If he hadn't been injured...
Oh well. Next year!
Chavez is a good player but he hasn't developed as
the A's had hoped for his offense.  Look at his numbers.  He still strikes out way too much and his power number haven't been increasing over the years.  I think they initially thought he had 40 home run potential.  I love it that he has oppo power but he has way too many swing throughs for a guy that hits 25 to 30 home runs a year.  He's still young. He is still developing faster sooner than later I hope.
Hair Mojo
Ronnie Mac on second.
Payday is a stud!
Get the Klown home!
Swisher!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Walk the talk Nick!!!
Dude
The Glove just continues to impress me. _________________ This Post was brought to you by Gilette, the best a man can get.
who has the higher "ceiling"?
swish or DJ? for some reason, i cant help but think it's swish, no matter how solid/really good DJ has been.
definitely Swish
It will be
interesting to watch those two progress.  Swisher has more hype but I think DJ waited so long to get called up that he will make the most of his chance.  DJ might have a shorter shelf life but I think he will do better.
Go Nickey!1
I hope Nick gets the eye back that he had at the minor league level.  He had i think over a hundred walks.  
yup
103 last year to go with 109 Ks
Swish out...
Rich up for the eighth?
2 more innings to go
and we got this one baby! Ooooooooooyeeeeaaaahhhhh!
I would think Swisher has the higher ceiling. His
swing is much more compact with more power.  DJ is Scott Hatteberg on a little juice.  
King Richard
All rise.....Forthcoming, the honorable King Richard IV.
I am so happy
he's on our team.
So happy
The bullpen rests tonight
this is the type of game I love
watching the away announcers compliment our players.
has she killed you for your sig yet?
K!
All Hail King Richard IV!
BAM
ALL HAIL!
Bam again
All Hail!
HAIL!
Your majesty, how you work thy counts.
and i wonder if anyone brought this up...
front page of espn:

Rumours: Byrnes a Bomber? {in}

that would make me barf.

How come the TV doesn't have Rich's pitch speed?
prolly no socal hookup
chone is taking all the way
throw it down the middle he's taking
don't let this bugger on!!!!
96 mph
angels broadcast has that last ball at 96mph.  all hail ...
OK Rich
Keep Figgins OFF BASE!
Figgins is a pain.
I really hope we can have
the same type of confidence with Blanton and Haren in the next few years. Does anyone else feel like that's possible?
same as Harden?
I don't know...
I don't know.
Not the same as Harden -- I don't think that's possible. But close? Maybe. That'd be nice. :-)
not quite
Haren reminds me somewhat of Harden a year ago - great stuff, just needs to be a little more consistent with his mechanics, especially when he gets tired. I don't think he will ever be quite as good, but he will be close.

Blanton - not a chance.

Okay, no lips Erstad is up. Take him down Ritchie
Panty Prancer...
is on. Bets on how long it'll be before he steals?
Why do we walk this guy?
Is he a HR threat?  Jesus, we give this guy too much respect.....he isn't Vlad, he only wears his socks the same.....the bat isn't
did they all miss a memo?
the "dont walk figgins 2/3 times a game" memo?
Ack!
Stay awake this time Kendall! You know what he'll do
This time he won't go, they need a rally...
And Figgins on 2nd doesn't matter..
Way to be TALL, Dan!
will huston
FINALLY get another save opp?
i hope not
Um....
you aren't an Angels fan, are you? We've had some nasty people here rooting for other teams....
i hope not too
because I want Rich to stay in.
Oh, okay
That makes sense.
Hey look...
Panties didn't steal...and Erstad's out! Sweeet...

I love you, Rich!!!

I like Figgy as a player. The fact that he is an
Angel makes me sick.  He runs, plays 5 different positions and is so hard to strike out.  
So now's the time to
play manager: If it stays 3-0, with Vlad, GA, Finley due up, how do you play it. (Harden's at just over 100 pitches.)

For me: Let Harden go out for the 9th and face Vlad, GA, with Street up if needed after. No Rincon, no Calero, no Duke. You?

Sounds like the right plan.
exactly
trust no one else unless necessary, and hopefully save them all (including street) for tomorrow.
now this is tricky
Harden at 102 pitches.  If he does not start the ninth the Halos get boost cause they have not come close to doing damage tonight.  Yes or no?
Players win games, managers lose games
If Macha goes with Harden in the 9th and he's bombed everybody will ask why he didn't bring Street, and if he goes with Street and he's bombed everybody will ask why he took out Harden...It's not easy the Manager Job...
Lew Wolff and Billy Beane
had better start saving money NOW for the 'resign Rich Harden' fund for a few years down the line. Get that green and gold piggy bank started, men!
That's not even a question
There are a few things that are worthy investments for the A's. King Richard IV is one of them.
All hail the King!
Thy smirk is ever cute. ;)
With its golden crown :)
How can a smirk...
have a Golden Crown?
easy.
it's called photoshop.
Someone should photoshop
a crown onto a picture of Rich!
Umm...?
Maybe I meant his head?.... :)
oh....
I thought you meant his smirk. Pardon my ignorance.
oh wow.
i didn't realize you asked "how can a smirk have a golden crown?"
yes...
It was kind of silly, wasn't it?
I'm torn
I want Rich to get a complete game in and he's pitching so well... but I also want Huston to get the save. :\
well, then we'll just have to score more runs
that way it's no longer a save situation and you won't feel so torn...
Good plan! Hope it works out that way.
I must have missed...
the wedding while I was doing dishes. :D
Of course I want my husband to be happy
but... but... Huston...
Vancouver:
Duck RF: 3 run homer

Nice way to start your pro career.

I don't know why but
reading Duck keeps making me laugh really hard.

Way to go, Bucky!!!! :D

you mean "Ducky"
you know...from Land Before Time
I think of Ducky from
Pretty In Pink. But I've been calling him Bucky for a long time... I guess Ducky will work.
how could I forget that Ducky?!
Bucky is better...
Oh, awesome!
I like Buck... er, Duck, so that's fabulous to hear!
Agree Harden come out in the 9th. He can handle
the workload.  He had two months off basically.  let's go Ritchie!!!
plus 81 pitches last game
he's cruising. let him at least start the inning.
See Kendall lean in on that one? I like how he
does that.  Anything to get on.  
LOL.
My god, Kendall. The ump'll notice if you JUMP in front of the pitch, dude.
Hey! The A's are batting!
While we're going on and on about Rich.... who's in the dugout! :)
Heh...
Ellis is being a pest... I like it
Will Kendall hit a HR this year?
I think no.
i think not.
maybe he was on steroids...
nice DJ Picture from CBS
DJ really needs high socks.
Love it! Wallpaper here yo u go

Rich Harden only had 81 pitches last game and he
is well-rested because of the All-Star Break.  If he doesn't come out in the 9th the A's are just too damn conservative.  
i dont know what i would do
if kendall actually hit a HR this year.
Die of shock.
i think he would too
and then not be able to run the bases.
then take off for third.
Harden... Harden.... Harden.... Harden... Let's
do it guys.  Let's do it.  
Annoying Girl
Can anyone else hear that annoying girl calling out everyone whos on deck's name? She driving me crazy, shes probably an AN member
In Anaheim? How weird.
YES. AUGH.
I think
that REBUILD THIS should be the new AN Slogan. Anyone else agree?
YES!
COME ON RICH!!!
I am eager
for a pine tar-related chant when the Angels come to Oakland. There will be a little disappointment in my heart if the Angels leave Oakland without Donnelly flipping out and sobbing on the mound over the big-bad-Oakland fans taunting him.
that would be awesome
Donnelly is a big baby.
Can I get a HAIL
From the Court?
You guys hear that girl screaming in the BG?
She was saying, "KENDALL! APRIL SAYS HI!! KENDALL!! APRIL SAYS HI!!" I wonder who April is... She was also screaming at Kotsay [I'm guessing she was sitting close to the on-deck circle] but I couldn't quite make out what she was saying to Kotsay.
i went out and checked ...
kotsay and kendall's april stats.

they were good, so apparently that's not the taunt.

Har-den Har-den
Three outs. Three outs.
So...
Do I assume correctly the King has returned?

All Hail! And for good measure...I love you, Your Majesty.

Hail
to the sexy Canadian :)
Wow!!!
Thank you Vlad!
Swing on that first pitch... keeps Harden from working too hard
btw
If anyone wants a quick read with Rich, check out this article...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/players/07/18/questions0725/

Love it!!!!
one pitch one out
oooh...luck is ours
please strike out the side harden
otherwise you're hurting my fantasy team's k/9 this week (only bedard and k-rod have pitched).
3 pitch K!
I love His Majesty! All HAIL!
Ritchie has come of age fella's. I'm so impressed
with him.  
Harden
owns Anderson!
STANDS UP AND APPLAUDS
LET'S GO HARDEN!
HAR-DEN! HAR-DEN! HAR-DEN!
It's okay. Let's get Benjie!!
Oops...
He let Finley get a hit... doh!
DIE, Finley...
Get the next out quick, Rich...

HAR-DEN! HAR-DEN!

stupid Finley
Okay, that was weird.
totally...quit reading my mind! :)
STUPID FINLEY
:P's young enough to be your son
one more rich!
come on!!
Indefensible Difference
bear down Ritchie!!
Nasty pitch.  Just nasty
HAR-DEN (clap clap)
HAR-DEN (clap clap);
I think a 3 hit shutout complete game will do
Phooey
maybe time for Street?
Dang, I wanted the SO
ARG! ARG! ARG!
Oh noooo!!!!!
in the dirt. Splitter in the dirt
Prepare to Bow
All hail King Rich!
darn
  • I don't like them scoring runs
  • I wanted Rich to get another shutout
  • I wanted him to get the complete game, and I think that Street will come in now
NOOOO!!!!
Stupid Molina! Bad! Bad! Bad!
dang... Harden's starting to look tired
and I'm not saying that just because he gave up those hits.
EEEEEK There went the SO :(
good one
KICU jinxed it. Hell.
Okay, Huston. Time to be a man. THE man. Not quite THE MAN, since that's Richie, but close.
Saying the same thing..
Sometimes, I wish the announcers would just stop talking and let us watch...
Play by play?
What just happened?
Shit.. Should have been a splitter in the dirt.
Too good of a pitch to throw Benjie.  Fastball right down the middle.  
street's coming in
good game rich
I think Macha
played it right. Gave Harden a fair chance to finish while he had a shutout, is putting winning the game ahead of the CG.
so effing annoying
more reasons to loathe the angels.
Ny Times Article
Rich said if he wasn't a pitcher he'd be in the UFC. That's fucking awesome.
That's pretty badass. Rich!
Well, since my husband can't get the
compelte game shut out I guess my mister-ess Huston will have to get a save instead.
WAY TO GO RICH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
AWESOME MAN! ALL HAIL!
Now if
Molina steals second Kendall should hang em up
Slowlina
has been run for by Paul.  Think subbing Melhuse for Fasano.
Ritchie let Benjie off the hook with a fastball
Here's Huston!
Too bad about the SO. But let's hail the King for ANOTHER, yes, ANOTHER amazing performance.
HAIL!
HAIL
KING RICHARD IV!
Yeah, seriously!
Another dominating performance from Rich. AWESOME.
time to earn a save
this counts as a REAL save...
COME ON HUSTON!!!
STRIKE HIM OUT YOU SEXY THING!!!

Oh, um, I mean, um...

Just get him out!!!!

Let's end this
Time for Dead End Street
Hu-ston! clap clap
Eeeeeek. This tension scares me.
But mmm. There's Zito and my future husband as a distraction.

THROW SOMETHING BETTER, HUSTON.

Keep the ball low
Woot!
Not a bad game...
HUS-TON
CLAP CLAP
at least the halos fans...
didn't cheer that like it'd be the walkoff homer.

i know a team across the bay whose fans would do that.

peace out!
YESSSS!
VICTORY! Okay, the shutout woulda been nice, being the first A with back-to-back SHO since Mulder would be awesome, but damn. That was sweeeeeeeeeet.

Oh, how I love you, Harden-and-Huston!

This was SUCH A NICE WIN. Having Harden out there meant we HAD to, thank the baseball gods that we did!

Great job boys!
i'll take a 9 inning win ...
.. over an 8 inning shut out everytime.  GO A'S!! nice job fellas.
I hope I didn't miss anything...
...you know, like a dominating start by Rich Harden and an exciting save by Huston.  Yup, sure hope I didn't miss anything like that.
HUGE win. YES!
I'll fucking take it!
ZI-TO (clap clap), ZI-TO (clap clap)
Damn.
Rich was THIS CLOSE to having an ERA under 2. Oh well. Guess he'll have to live with 2.11. :-)
I'm sure he'll get that ERA
down and under control next time. No worries!
Awesome!
games like this make staying up till 12:30 worth it.  Also, it's nice to feel like part of the fan base while so far away.  GO A'S!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
the best thing
is seeing how zito and harden really seem to be feeding off each other!! that's a kick-a** 1-2 punch right there.

can't wait to see Z finish it off tomorrow!

Incredible
How does the King do it? Almost EVERY SINGLE start, he gives a quality performance. His ERA is 2.11. He nearly pitched a perfect game.
IS THIS GUY FOR REAL?

It was an amazing game - lowscoring and excellent pitching.

AND
finally a save for my fantasy team. can't argue with that. ;) especially since i also have harden.

oh, all is well!

Okay
both of us posting about his ERA at the same second? Creepy.
Long live the King
May he reign forever in Oakland!
May His Majesty
Live long and never lose thy cute smirk!
Second this notion.
All Hail King Richard!
What a game! Love beating the LAAAAAA! Take that Halos! Stupid fans! Rally Monkey this! Ha! Take it tomorrow, Z! Nice job boys!
I'm here!
what did i miss?
Harden owned = complete game summary.
I knew he'd make me feel better. . .
after last night's debacle. I not only love beating the Angels, I love that the A's have proved over the last month and a half that they can hang with (and beat) the best teams in baseball.

I'd hate to see Byrnes in pinstripes; it broke my heart when Giambi went there. From CBS Sportsline:

The Yankees would welcome a proven starting CF like Florida' Juan Pierre or Seattle's Randy Winn, says the New York Times, but with their reluctance to trade prospects, a more realistic acquisition could be a lesser outfielder like Colorado's Eric Byrnes or Philadelphia's Endy Chavez.

First time I saw it in print . . .
"Colorado's Eric Byrnes". Sounds wrong. Like when I read "Baltimore's Miguel Tejada". Just doesn't sound right.
better than the Big Three
I honestly don't remember any of the Big Three looking this dominant against two quality offenses back to back as we have just seen from Mr. Harden. In fact, the last time I truly remember an A's pitcher being this lights-outs dominant was Corey Lidle during the 20 game win streak. (Ah, the memories). Whatcha all think?

Go Zito!!!!!!!!

change up
anyone else out there gotta 87 mph CHANGE UP!!!!!
I'm a little late joining the celebration but
WOOHOO!!!

A'S BEAT ANAHEIM!!!!  I CAN SLEEP WELL TONIGHT!!

:D

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