Kudos to Scott Hatteberg and the A's for their timely offensive resurgence. For those who worried that Hatty was done, remember that only three things in life are certain: death, taxes, and Hatteberg will hit around .277. And that's exactly where he is after a 3-5 night at the plate, featuring a single, double, homerun, and a slide that would make Jeremy Giambi proud (or at least make him go, "Hey, you're allowed to do that?").
Haren, bothered by spotty command and the worst home plate umpiring this side of Angel Hernandez, still managed to shut the Yankees out for 6 innings, with back-end relievers handling the final nine outs. Now if Saarloos can just match Aaron Small for 5 innings tomorrow, options abound for Macha, who should have Duke and Street available for up to 2 innings each, plus Witasick and Calero at the ready. For the first time, it really feels like "crunch time," that (shorter than most fans think) period where you pull out all the stops to win a key series, or to keep pace or stay ahead. Crunch time: I think we're finally there.
One other note. Yes, the Angels won but was it possibly at a cost? Mike Scioscia chose to use K-Rod for a 4th consecutive day, even though the Angels had a 3-run lead going into the 9th. Let's watch how K-Rod looks the next couple of weeks, while appreciating the sensible approach the A's take with their golden arms.
0 recs | 56 comments
the juan cruz fan club
has been vindicated!that guy should have been called up weeks ago.
xbhaskarx - September 2, 2005
Um...
How guys pitch in 12-0 games does NOT speak, one way or the other, to their ability to pitch in 2-0 games. His fan club has been neither vindicated nor silenced. He pitched 1.1 innings, got some work in, that's it.Nico - September 2, 2005
Don't Tell Poochini!
But the guys Cruz faced were a "walkie" in the park!louismg - September 2, 2005
cruz
well, the a's have been in plenty of 9-0, 10-2, 11-1 games over the last few weeks.i'm not saying he should replace duke, but surely he would have been more useful than any one of rincon, yabu, ginter (pre-crosby injury).
and if he pitched like he did at the beginning of the season, send his ass back down to sacto again.
what's the harm? big potential reward, low risk.
xbhaskarx - September 2, 2005
The risk, quite simply,
is lowered trade value. If you feel sure that the A's have Cruz in their long-term plans, then the risk is less.Nico - September 2, 2005
Getting my magic marker
out and writing CRUZ RULES on a T-shirt. (hmmm, got the old white t-shirt out of the closet where the arthur rhodes shrine used to be.)ak_A - September 2, 2005
okay, one eye
pbruins92 - September 3, 2005
Angels
I was thinking the same thing about K-rod. What the hell? Can't Donnelly protect a 3-run lead against the Mariners. And its not like Rodriguez has looked particularly strong. Well, whatever, if they want to ruin their pen, its fine by me.Oh, and great game, glad I didn't miss the first two innings:)
Alien @ Athletics Nation - September 2, 2005
such symbolism
This game is a great depiction of the whole David vs. Goliath battle raging on between small market clubs versus the Evil Empire.Though, I suppose David left his slingshot home in favor for a rocket launcher tonight.
interior decor - September 2, 2005
Of
"...in favor of."I'm so effing OC about my grammar.
interior decor - September 2, 2005
Nothing more fun than tonight's game.
And I yelled loud in the game thread about the use of K-rod.That moved STUNNED me.
baseballgirl - September 2, 2005
that giambi play...
is so painful even now. and on top of the fact it happened, i have to watch all the "top plays" lists with giambi not sliding on it because of jeters little flip. jeter is made out to be a hero, but all jeremy had to do was slide and nobody would be talking about it.karate explosion - September 2, 2005
No way...
Jeremy should have slid...but that was an all tiem exceptional play by Jeter...All World.OaktownPower - September 2, 2005
Tonight's Game's ERA Impact
If the data I have found is right, then Al Leiter's ERA went from 4.35 to 5.33, and Cruz went from 8.49 to 8.03...louismg - September 2, 2005
how about Kendall's OPS...
it must've doubled in the first inning.Brian in 317 - September 3, 2005
Back-end relievers?
I'm sorry, did Street get into the game when I wasn't watching?</dodging thrown fruit>
Nick - September 2, 2005
<SPLAT>
Gotcha.Nico - September 2, 2005
Little worried about Sarloos tomorrow
The last time out, he struggled on 4 days rest, perhaps he is a pitcher who needs more rest, well, will see tomorrow. If the A's score 10 again then I predict an A's win, unfortunately they can just as easily get shut out tomorrow, shhhhh!!!!!!did I say that?china bob - September 2, 2005
I think the key
for Saarloos is that he just has to be as good as Small. If the A's can squeeze a 3-2 or 4-3 lead out of 5 innings, they're in the catbird seat. But we'll see...Nico - September 2, 2005
Saarloos
I think Kirk'll be okay. The bullpen is well rested--they really only need 5 or so innings out of him.Alien @ Athletics Nation - September 2, 2005
a little OT...
How did our field look tonight? As in.. were conditions crappier than after the typical football game, or better?And were the yard markers in the outfield?
Jjjsixsix - September 2, 2005
Terrible!
I don't know how it looked live, but on TV it looked horrible! It was so depressing! CF is all brown and there is a big 50 right behind the mound. The beautiful checker board look is gone, replaced by football yard lines. The grass almost looked white or at least grayish green. I know the grounds crew works hard, but somethings just can't be saved. It was so sad!BobbyCrosbysGirl - September 2, 2005
bad, but not terrible
it will get worse.xbhaskarx - September 2, 2005
It was pretty bad.
I feel bad for the grounds crew with the ridiculously quick turnover, Fosse said that they took the bleachers off the field around noon. Looks just as bad as last season.Kyli - September 3, 2005
There were yard markers everywhere...
...painted green where they were painted white. They tried to hide them, but they failed miserably.Centerfield looked yellow on TV. There were brown squares where I guess the temp stands' posts stood.
FormerHuntsvilleStar - September 3, 2005
silver linings
Apricot - September 2, 2005
I had the same praise
for Kendall's bluff-bunt-crack double, and I don't even have the hots for Kendall (unlike Fosse, whose wife often interrupts Ray during sex with the question, "Huh? Who's Jason, honey?").Nico - September 2, 2005
Thank you, Nico
For a mental picture I really didn't need.Alien @ Athletics Nation - September 2, 2005
Fosse is to Kendall
as Smithers is to Mister Burnsrubin sierra - September 2, 2005
LOL!
indigo - September 2, 2005
Funniest comment I've read all week.
Thanks Nico. We also get tired of Fosse's love fest with Kendall.Pleasanton fan - September 3, 2005
Funny, yes!
But I have to admit (do I need to hang my head here?) to loving Fosse's love fest w/Kendall.P.S. I'm in Pleasanton, too...
indigo - September 3, 2005
I love Fosse, but
did anyone else used to notice how he'd react to a particularly perfect Ben Grieve swing? It was like he is with the catcher's now, only even more orgasmic.RLangford - September 3, 2005
let's all gloat, just for a little while
woo! Go A's!LLawbug - September 2, 2005
Just got home
That was truly awesome. Prior to game time I felt really apprehensive about our chances, and how the team would do in general with the injuries. Those first two innings felt really good. The shutout felt even better. Our fielding looked a touch sloppy a couple of times; hopefully that doesn't become an issue. The field only was an issue once, when Jeter's (I think?) double scooted past Kielty trying to slide for it (at least that's what I saw from section 316). My biggest worry was that Haren wouldn't be able to go five for the win!oblique - September 2, 2005
juan
cruz, didnt seem like he was getting anything called a strikein the 8th inniing, the singel would nvr have happened ifthe strike were called strikes. he's back and better that he was, alot better than ive seen him this yearDwainsays - September 2, 2005
My favorite moment:
When Slappy Mc Purple-Lips commits an error, classic. Haren struggled with his zone, and gave me flashbacks to May. However our feast or famine offense made me smile. Great game A's!!OAKobsession - September 2, 2005
Thoughts...
A few thoughts...-- Beating the crap out of the Yankees is always good.
-- Beating the Yankees by any margin is always good when you're in a pennant race with them.
-- Scoring lots of runs off a vulnerable pitcher, and then adding on, is always good.
-- Shutouts by our collective staff are always good.
-- This was always going to be the easiest game for the A's to win. Even Sunday's will be more difficult, because Chacon is pitching well.
-- Who ever thought we would be worried about Aaron Small?
-- Nico is correct. Saarloos doesn't need to pitch great; five innings and a couple of runs would work for me.
-- Scioscia really has lost confidence in anyone in his bullpen outside of Rodriguez and Shields.
-- Cruz looked fine, but let's not get too excited yet.
-- Macha has no confidence in Rincon. It seemed a bit much to pull him with two outs in the eighth with a 12-run lead, but that's where we're at. (This situation does argue for putting Kennedy back in the 'pen as soon as possible, because he's the only lefty Macha is willing to use.)
bear88 - September 2, 2005
Macha pulled Rincon
to keep his pitch count down but still give him a little work according to King and Korach. Not because he didn't pitch well.WaddellCanseco - September 3, 2005
thank you
OaklandSi - September 3, 2005
I had fun
I got there at around the time Ellis hit his triple, then I said the A's scored in the 1st and then I thought, if only they can bust out 10 more runs. Hatteberg is the man and whenever he is slumping he has a big game in between that slump. BTW, I was in the plaza outfield and these people gave me some free tickets to a Twins game, are they legiate?doublehustle22 - September 2, 2005
Anonymous generosity...ain't it grand?
Season tix holders givem away often. And even if you show up and theyre no good, a great bleacher seat won't break your bank account as a backup.Also, the car ahead of me paid my bridge toll on the drive home. His good deed for the day. I guess I'll have to pay it forward myself one day.
Life Lesson: Slaughtering Yankees makes the world a better place.
BleacherDrummer - September 3, 2005
Just back from the game too
First of all, great crowd tonight - it was nice to see the blue and pinstripes absolutely disappear an inning into the game, drowned out by Oakland cheers that had more than touch of Bronx resentment.A few days ago I was thinking to myself how irritating it is that wherever the Yanks travel they have a ton of fans. And then when they're at home they get to bask in the Yankee Stadium mystique. They just get the benefit of the doubt way too much, especially when I don't associate them with being contendors. I associate them with the AARP.
Point is, the Green and Gold energy tonight made me proud. This was our house and we made the other guy feel awkwardly out of place.
Lastly, though minor, Juan Cruz seems to be raising a lot of buzz tonight. Popular or not - risky or not - his stuff is electric. He could really be a wildcard as a No. 5. Or a nice trade carrot. Hitters just can't want to face this guy.
Anyway, I'm still glowing so here's to fluffy posts without facts. Living pitch to pitch every other game merits such a day off.
BleacherDrummer - September 2, 2005
Mmm, I like winning.
Dan Haren impressed me tonight. His stuff was off, the strike zone was inconsistant, but he got the big strikeouts and the big outs when he needed them. I didn't expect six scoreless from him after those first two innings, it was great to see him battle through a lot of 3 ball counts with a cool head. Just the kind of practice he needs for down the stretch.I love beating the Yankees so very, very much. I know that with our ridiculous offense it can turn on a dime and we could be in the opposite chair tomorrow, but damn, this was fun.
And Hatteberg! Dad's slide was pretty sweet to see, just good baserunning. And nothing says 'Oakland' like a three run homer. I love Hatty, it was nice to see him have a good game. I'll take a .277-to-the-end-of-time guy on this roster, no doubt.
And now we know what event it takes to get both Yabu AND Ginter in a game. My god, it was pleasant to see Ginter again. Probably because seeing him means we're really, really winning or really, really losing.
Hopefully, Saarloos will keep us in the game tomorrow, I have a lot of trust in him. He's done well in day games, I think he'll help the team out -- if the offense can remember what they did today, tomorrow will be fun!
All the Kielty fans in the crowd that they kept going to cracked me up. That was awesome.
I'm bummed by the condition of the field, though, it makes me sad this time of year -- I just HATE that this is what's being seen on national broadcasts this week, that the freakin' Raiders had to come back NOW, right when we're in a series that's gonna get some attention to the A's and the Coliseum. Our playing surface is so amazing for most of the season, I hate to see the A's look shoddy like this, it's such an unfair image.
Kyli - September 3, 2005
I hope we didn't use all the offense up tonite...
cuz we're gonna need it the rest of the series. Awesome game tonight. I didn't get to see much of it, but I've watched the highlights, and this is the team I love. I'm now very pissed I ended up not going to the game tonight. We're gonna have to keep the heat on because Anaheim isn't going to let up anytime soon.Keep cheering on those A's for me! When I get more free time, I'll start posting more again! Take care all...
ZeroIndulgence - September 3, 2005
Not woofing
But honestly, the Yankees are just not a very impressive team, and I really want to sweep them. The A's, Angels, and Indians are all unquestionably better, and if the Chacon/Small magic has run out that will become more and more apparent.Their defense, barring the left side of the infield, is ridiculously bad, probably the worst in the league. And even the lineup has holes. Soft schedule the rest of the way or not, they should be had before it's all said and done.
RLangford - September 3, 2005
their pitching is in a sad state
but that lineup is very dangerousOaklandSi - September 3, 2005
Colorado Fan
I'll be in Section 108 tomorrow - Row #2. Flying in from Denver in 4 hours...I'll be the guy w/ a yellow A's Hat, rooting the A's on.Cheers,
CF
#207 - OG
Go A's!
Colorado Fan - September 3, 2005
This win is great, BUT.....
It's just one victory. We all remember the 22-0 loss the Yankees sufferred last year to Cleveland. We laughed. We dismissed the Yanks as done. Adn then they squeak out two victories to take that series. They may have well lost that first game 50-0.These guys are resilient and there lineup is still scary. You know they're looking forward to feasting on Sarloos, who has a history of not performing well on 4 days of rest.
Prove me wrong, A's!!!! No let down, please!!!!!
BruceBochteBiyatches - September 3, 2005
wow, we won!
Despite pitiful umpiring and....to make it that much worse..We won with Hank Greenwald in the booth! That man has been a curse for us this year...my wife was asking we why I hate him so much (many of you met her at AN day, she is very preggo so she doesnt tolerate much bull$hit)
So we watched the first five innings, and she orders me to turn it off an listen to KFRC. "If I hear one more story about his youth not related to the game, we are driving to the Coliseum to shove those blue blockers...." it degraded from there.
Glad to see the bats woke up!
BTW. where was baseballgirl at the Angels series? I was sure she would get some TV time!
sactowncharles - September 3, 2005
I was there!
You could probably hear me, if not see me!:)
baseballgirl - September 3, 2005
I really think
Haren was less inconsistent than his stats would suggest, and it was the ump who was inconsistent. Two of Haren's walks came on pitches that were so good I wasn't even sure which way they had been called balls. ("Was it too low? No? OK, too high?")The Yankees scare me every game, every inning, but at the same time if the A's were ever going to knock them down with a sweep this could be the series. Personally, as someone always urging fans to look ahead as much as at "today's game," I give Macha my blessing to pull out all the stops today and tomorrow. A sweep would leave the A's in a terrific position, a series win would leave them in a pretty solid position, and a series loss at home would leave them in a pretty vulnerable position.
Nico - September 3, 2005
Twins
It would help if the Twins could beat the Indians a time or two. I hope Santana is pitching one of these games.Larry E - September 3, 2005
Santana is pitching today
AsGirl - September 3, 2005
Is anybody else
watching James Blake vs Rafael Nadal at the US Open? Blake is having an awesome match versus the number 2 Nadal. Blake has been incredible in the fifth game of the fourth set.salb918 - September 3, 2005
I'm watching it.
Awesome game. I was watching yesterday's match with Federer and some guy who's name I cannot remember right now. That was a great match. really exciting.GreenNGoldGirl - September 3, 2005
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