Say what you want about the Angels or the A's, you have to admit that when these two division rivals get together, they play some great games--and you never quite know how they're going to end.
The A's received a ton of walks (official conversion rate: 10 BB = 2,000 pounds), and one them was in front of Eric Chavez' key two-run HR. But the other walks played a huge part, and here's why. Tonight, Mike Scioscia faced the same problem Ken Macha kept facing in Minnesota. Scioscia just wanted to get Scot Shields (and then K-Rod) in while the Angels still had the lead. Scioscia came within one hitter, because Shields was poised to face Frank Thomas. But because of all the walks in innings 1-6, the batting order had rolled over to where the heart of the order came up before Shields could get in. And Shields never got in, because the HR takes managers out of a game faster than anything. Anything except running into outs that end the game, that is. Jeff Mathis: tough game a little?
Props to Rich Harden for going the extra mile (official conversion rate: 15 extra pitches = 1 mile) and making it possible. And props to Marco Scutaro for doing in his second at-bat what it has taken Crosby 47 at-bats to do: walk once in the #3-hole. And props to Eric Chavez for the clutchest hit of the season so far. And finally, props to me for resisting the urge to describe John Lackey's performance as "wobbly". Actually, truth be told I thought he got squeezed a bit. And truth be told, I'm not complaining.
0 recs | 138 comments
what is the problem with Crosby?
The injury, I mean...I'd title this game "Walking in Rhythm" with huge hits by Crosby, Ellis, kendall, and, of course, Chavy.
And Harden did just fine. Calero, too.
oaktoon - April 21, 2006
When you hold Vlad down like Harden
did, that's an accomplishment. I'm not sure I've ever seen Vlad struggle to catch up to a fastball like he did tonight.The concern is obviously Crosby. You know, the interesting thing about his double that scored a run is that Mathis was originally setting up inside when Lackey stepped off. They went out and had a conversation that was probably something like, "Crosby loves to pull the ball. I'm not comfortable going inside here."
Mathis went back and the next pitch was the double. To me, that's progress for Crosby. It's really a shame how injury-prone he seems. Yes, I'm officially breaking out the "injury-prone" label.
Tyler Bleszinski - April 21, 2006
blez....
what's the injury this time???oaktoon - April 21, 2006
Haven't you heard? ;)
Strained right triceps....Chavinator - April 21, 2006
My official diagnosis,
putting the RBI 2B to right-center together with the triceps injury, is that Crosby is severely allergic to success.Nico - April 21, 2006
Like I said in the other thread...
The Rev, with his usual class, notes that the Angels are going to face "two complete losers" that he titles "Drooling Dumb Haren and Esucking Loaizy." Can we please just win and shove it up you know where?Chavinator - April 21, 2006
Haren doesn't deserve that....
...but I sure to agree with the Loaizy assesment.Alameda Greg - April 21, 2006
Actually (and don't tell anyone)
So did I.But honestly, you just don't insult my guys like that. >:x
Chavinator - April 21, 2006
Haren was not a loser last year.
and Loaiza is another so-so pitcher. Neither are the bottom of the barrel.IM4Oakgal - April 21, 2006
"What ist dis for?"
Re: It's for sucking in air."It'z definitely sssucking."
capper3 - April 21, 2006
that brings kendall's
bizarre game ending plays total up to 3. and all against division rivals. i love it.xbhaskarx - April 21, 2006
Yes!
Who will forget the day K-Rod officially became E-Rod.Alameda Greg - April 21, 2006
i'll paste my comment in the game thread here
best way the game could have endedserously.
you have to love the bizarre play to end the game against a team in our division. it must get in their heads a little bit.
it's like duke's game ending balk against the mariners.
that's one thing kendall has brought to this team:
-kendall's amazing defensive play against the rangers
-the k-rod sulk off
-this latest heads up play by kendall
xbhaskarx - April 21, 2006
Not sure it was heads up..
What was he supposed to do but throw to 2nd? Just happened the dude got in the way...But you obviously throw there trying to get the last out.OaktownPower - April 21, 2006
He made sure
to make contact, and then appeal.green star oakland - April 21, 2006
I don't think the play was Heads up.
Just Angel interference. Mostly Kendall is known for not being able to throw out players.IM4Oakgal - April 21, 2006
mathis was out of control
he swung so wildly that his momentum carried him across the plate and into Kendall's follow-through.another bad day for the rookie...
yeswecan @ Athletics Nation - April 21, 2006
no he wasn't
he was in control then started walking to dugout like an idiot.homerozzieandthestraw - April 21, 2006
No he wasnt..He fell to his right...
He wasnt walking yet.OaktownPower - April 22, 2006
kendall turned to appeal right away
without even hesitating.obviously he was aware that he would get the call if he made contact with mathis, and made contact with that in mind.
there are plenty of catchers out there who wouldn't think to do that.
xbhaskarx - April 21, 2006
sure man
the kool-aid's over there...yeswecan @ Athletics Nation - April 21, 2006
So you think
Josh Paul would have made that play ;-)green star oakland - April 21, 2006
haha!
nice one. i miss "The Pope"...yeswecan @ Athletics Nation - April 21, 2006
f*ck off
we can deduce from this game that your angels catcher wouldn't even have held on to the ball.xbhaskarx - April 21, 2006
sleep it off, buddy
see you tomorrowyeswecan @ Athletics Nation - April 21, 2006
see me tomorrow?
god i hope not.now i'm going to have nightmares of retarded angels fans playing with their beach balls...
xbhaskarx - April 21, 2006
haha! "beach balls"! very creative
hey AN-ers, where'd you find this guy? could you please send him over to HH like you did with Numbtard? we love him and miss him dearly.yeswecan @ Athletics Nation - April 21, 2006
Which is numbtard?
Oz?IM4Oakgal - April 21, 2006
to be honest
i never knew. he came and went like a dream...yeswecan @ Athletics Nation - April 21, 2006
That catcher
couldn't get an easy foul ball.IM4Oakgal - April 21, 2006
That's not right
Uncalled for to tell someone to f-off.jeepers - April 21, 2006
I do believe it was F*ck off.
IM4Oakgal - April 21, 2006
no worries
it's all good here.yeswecan @ Athletics Nation - April 21, 2006
Yes? You are alright
for an Angel Fan. Not as obnoxious as most. Is that a back hand compliment ?IM4Oakgal - April 21, 2006
we have to be "obnoxious"
because otherwise we'd be stereotyped as soccer-moms who go to the games and sit on a cell phone and don't know a damn thing about what's going on.but thanks anyway.... :)
yeswecan @ Athletics Nation - April 21, 2006
"not as obnoxious as most"
now that is damning with faint praise.xbhaskarx - April 21, 2006
X...
You are an observant one. And I like your posts. I enjoy your observations.IM4Oakgal - April 21, 2006
if it makes you feel any better
i'm one of the dudes in the "lose" photo on HH right now -- the very embodiment of an angels loss. you have vanquished me.yeswecan @ Athletics Nation - April 21, 2006
Baby face...
You've got the cutest little baby face...IM4Oakgal - April 21, 2006
which guy?
you don't even know which dude i am...yeswecan @ Athletics Nation - April 21, 2006
I am guessing the guy on the right.
He looks young and you seem young to me.IM4Oakgal - April 21, 2006
haha, guilty as charged
not as young as you might think, though. my buddy and i are almost the same age. we're old enough to have followed the '79 angels team.yeswecan @ Athletics Nation - April 21, 2006
Well I take it back then.
You are a young looking old fart.IM4Oakgal - April 21, 2006
you're right
poor yeswecan...http://www.halosheaven.com/comments/2006/4/21/182553/784/157#157
xbhaskarx - April 21, 2006
haha!!!
AWESOME one, man. yes, definitely don't pity me if someone cusses me out!yeswecan @ Athletics Nation - April 21, 2006
So what?
Two wrongs don't make a right.jeepers - April 21, 2006
But
If it doesn't bother yeswecan, then I'm not going to worry about it too much. Just wouldn't want to see dropping f-bombs on people become a trend here.jeepers - April 21, 2006
Jeepers?
Creepers? Where'd ya get those eyes?IM4Oakgal - April 21, 2006
I stole them
from Mr. Peepers; they were cheapers.jeepers - April 21, 2006
well...
finders keepers.IM4Oakgal - April 21, 2006
Losers weepers
<hands yeswecan kleenex> :-).jeepers - April 21, 2006
Jeepers?
Wins make us giddy methinks.IM4Oakgal - April 21, 2006
thank you very much
i've got a box for you tomorrow!yeswecan @ Athletics Nation - April 21, 2006
I don't agree
that kendall had that planned ... he was quick after the contact to point it out. He does get credit for that.IM4Oakgal - April 21, 2006
i don't even know what you mean
by "had that planned"are you suggesting kendall didn't intentionally make contact with mathis?
xbhaskarx - April 21, 2006
I think he went to throw
the ball and the guy was there and he hit him anyway trying to get the out at second.IM4Oakgal - April 21, 2006
in other words, the contact was an accident
okay, whatever.i think most veteran catchers would disagree, as ray fosse did.
xbhaskarx - April 21, 2006
I need to see the play again
I totally think it was accidental. If I recall it was about a foot after his release point the hand hit his helmet and I dont recall his arm veering away from its original trajectory. I switched to the Ducks game as soon as I saw the first replay.homerozzieandthestraw - April 21, 2006
I don't think Kendall
intentionally made contact with Mathis. I think he was focused on the throw, and when he brushed Mathis and felt the contact, he knew to make sure it was obvious (like basketball players do when taking a charge) and to immediately look back at the ump.Nico - April 21, 2006
Yes that is how i saw it too ,Nico.
IM4Oakgal - April 21, 2006
see above
agree too :)homerozzieandthestraw - April 21, 2006
well come on
his hand smacked Mathis' helmet pretty hard. Any catcher would realize and appeal quick. It was pretty obvious...I don't give KenDoll any "heads up" for that play.homerozzieandthestraw - April 21, 2006
true
any big-league catcher wouldn't change his throw in order to try to make contact with the batter -- i think he was trying to throw the runner out, and there was unintentional contact. of course, the contact probably changed his throw, so he rightfully appealed to the ump. game over.yeswecan @ Athletics Nation - April 21, 2006
XB...
Very fair point...the thought to appeal was definitely heads up. It was so obvious I think it would have been called either way.Mathis has a bright future, but boy was he a mess tonight.
OaktownPower - April 22, 2006
kendall= smartest player on the A's
The most significant difference maker in this game: the play of the two catchers.Give the guy some props when he deserves it.
Brian in 317 - April 22, 2006
Yes
This game was strange, tons of walks, baserunning gone good and bad, dropped pop-ups, Vlad being Vlad and Kendalls game ending play.doublehustle22 - April 21, 2006
Barton went 0-5 with 2 K's.
He left 7 men on base.Yikes.
Sharon - April 21, 2006
That's DJ-esque!
Yikes, sorry, it had to be said.nycfan @ Athletics Nation - April 21, 2006
I will go on record
Macha did a good job tonight. I would have handled the pitcher exactly the same.//ooo that hurts more than I thought :)
homerozzieandthestraw - April 21, 2006
what if there was no interference call?
after mathis Ks, do you leave in calero to face the lefty kennedy, or do you bring in halsey?i have a feeling that no matter what macha would have done there, it would have been criticized by all the monday morning managers if it didn't work out.
xbhaskarx - April 21, 2006
Im pretty sure Halsey was coming in.
That is why he was up.OaktownPower - April 21, 2006
I thought Macha played it right,
but I also agree Halsey would have come in to face Kennedy and I would not have liked that move. Go with the better pitcher. Kennedy was 10 for his last 15 with RISP, by the way. Mathis REALLY f***ed up.Nico - April 21, 2006
I agree with you
unless there was some serious disparity in Kennedy v. Calero/Halseyhomerozzieandthestraw - April 21, 2006
Yea, that was a huge out...
Not sure there's anyone on the Angels I would want up there less than AKOaktownPower - April 22, 2006
tough call
I would stay with Calero I think, having not seen numbers on the player v. player.homerozzieandthestraw - April 21, 2006
Even a blind squirel
can find a bone that belonged to a dog that was drooling and unable to chase it away before the Macha haters can .. .wait, where was I going with this folksy aphorism?
MobiusKlein - April 21, 2006
you can't win
if you walk 10 batters and give extra outs. the angels gave this one away.yeswecan @ Athletics Nation - April 21, 2006
Yes ?
That's called baseball. Pitchers giving up too many walks is all part of how good your team is. You lost fair and square tonight. Go home lick your wounds and you will most likely come back swinging tomorrow night..and then we will talk about how we gave the game away if we lose. Or in my case i iwll say we got honestly beat.IM4Oakgal - April 21, 2006
your theory is correct
but it's definitely an anomaly for a team to give up 10 walks. that's why it's a gift. the angels played like shit, and oakland capitalized on it. fair and square, but definitely not a "normal" game. that's why it's a gift.yeswecan @ Athletics Nation - April 21, 2006
Well ...
I will take three presents then, Please.IM4Oakgal - April 21, 2006
if the angels play like this
then you'll get your wish. fair and square. a win is a win.yeswecan @ Athletics Nation - April 21, 2006
not a "normal" game?
maybe because of the freak play (although against your angels that is becoming increasingly common), but it's not exactly the first time the a's lineup has walked 10 times in a game.xbhaskarx - April 21, 2006
Winexp chart.
I added volatility, which is the measure of how important the play is - as in, the maximum amount of change an offensive player can make on the play. It makes more sense with a game by game log.
I expect Apricot might come up with one for this game... I saved my values this time, so we can compare. I have a feeling BabyWinExp will go nuts in the 9th...
Jjjsixsix - April 21, 2006
suggestion
don't put the angels line, it's just the exact same line but reversed, right?xbhaskarx - April 21, 2006
Yes.
The charts from last year only had the A's. With volatility, though, I decided it looked weird, so I added their line as well. I don't exactly have time tonight to show you what it would look like, but the next one I'll do, I'll probably take out the opponent's line.Jjjsixsix - April 21, 2006
Great comment from Calero
on Extra Innings: "I struck out Salmon, and then I face their catcher...I don't know his name..."Nico - April 21, 2006
hehe
Sharon - April 21, 2006
In other news:
Bradford is doing will in NY, shut down the padres in the 12th a moment ago.homerozzieandthestraw - April 21, 2006
you jinxed him
chadford gets the Lxbhaskarx - April 21, 2006
OT: Is DJ out of options?
Is there any reason that he's staying up here and not getting regular at-bats in Sac? The qualiy of his at-bats unfortunately do not appear to be improving.I wonder if it's not just better to send DJ down for a bit, let Swish play first and Payton play left.
nycfan @ Athletics Nation - April 21, 2006
I think it's a better message
to send the team that you'll have more than 40 at bats to prove yourself one way or the other. Other players won't press as much when they see that.However, I think DJ should have batted against Rodney (take a shot at a confidence boosting AB against a RHP who was a bit wild), and that he should have been pinch-hit for tonight against Romero (lefties were 0/11 against him when Chavy came up, and Romero is generally very tough on lefties).
Nico - April 21, 2006
Who would you ahve picked for the pinch hitting ?
Payton,Perez or Melhuse ?IM4Oakgal - April 21, 2006
Payton, because in the 6th inning,
you can't spend two players. Payton stays in to play left, Swish moves to first base, and your last 3-innings defense is solid.Nico - April 21, 2006
well you can't argue with that.
Payton isn't hitting all that well either but everyone is hitting better than Dan.IM4Oakgal - April 21, 2006
In a matchup against Romero,
Payton is far more likely to put the ball in play, and even a grounder up the middle or medium fly ball ties the game.Nico - April 21, 2006
In LA
Huddler actually said "and you have the more dangerous Ellis up next" when they were on their way to walking DJ. I started to laugh, but then I realized he is actually a LOT more dangerous at .225 or whatever he is hitting than DJ. Yikes!homerozzieandthestraw - April 21, 2006
LOL
that comment makes me smile.IM4Oakgal - April 21, 2006
The best thing that can be said
is that Johnson is still getting walks. But I agree that his swing is looking worse. Last year, even when he struggled, Johnson never appeared to be flailing around. Tonight, he did.I still think you give him time, not because he's out of options (as I'm almost sure he's not) but because the team should give him more of a chance to fix his own problem.
That said, I agree that the team can't be too patient. Payton would probably benefit from regular at-bats. At the moment, aside from the walks, Johnson is dead weight.
bear88 - April 21, 2006
I guess....
but that AB vs Romero was dreadful...He swung at ball 4 on a 3-1 pitch...That was an awful AB.OaktownPower - April 22, 2006
Caught the tail end of the game
I was coming back from San Francisco, listening to the game, hearing the depressing sixth inning and learning of Crosby's injury. It was setting up like one of those irritating losses to the Angels, with Shields and K-Rod waiting in the wings.And then Chavez had a critical late-game home run. He's hot, and this development means he's really hot. (The replay is one of those, "How did Chavy do that?" hits.) As Nico noted, Shields was just waiting to come into the game. Romero had one more batter, but couldn't make it.
By the time I got home to watch on TV, it was Kendall's turn to shine. He whacked a double to right field, an unusually powerful hit. And then he made sure to call the umpire's attention to the interference, although that was pretty obvious. Scioscia didn't even complain much.
I was dreading the prospect of Macha's "no good options" choice between Calero (against lefty Kennedy) or Halsey. The interference play was very convenient.
bear88 - April 21, 2006
well thank God
for Chavez this season. He is really standing out.IM4Oakgal - April 21, 2006
If this game is the miracle cure
for what ails the A's then it should be called the interferoff.green star oakland - April 21, 2006
I haven't seen Czech Micah for a couple of days...
He hasn't been quieted for posting what some may consider "anti-A," was he? Perhaps you are one to clear this up, Nico?Uuummmm this is a tasty burger - April 21, 2006
No one has ever been quieted
for expressing an anti-A, anti-Macha, unpopular, or dissenting opinion. Ever. Does that clear it up for you?Nico - April 21, 2006
If they had been how would the Rev...
be allowed to post?IM4Oakgal - April 21, 2006
You created an account today...
...and that's the first and only comment you choose to make?Um...go A's?
baseballgirl - April 21, 2006
And
in less than perfect its-my-second-language-and-I'm-from-central-Europe English too.Busted Micah.
green star oakland - April 21, 2006
let that be a lesson to everybody
create your secondary AN accounts well in advance of when you plan on using them.xbhaskarx - April 21, 2006
Heh
baseballgirl - April 21, 2006
Just got back from the game
Chavvy's the man!! He came through at the most important moment with that beautiful HR!Both starting pitchers pitched well, I thought. nearly all of Romero's pitches were low. DJ's swings at the plate still don't look good at all.
The Angels seem much weaker offensively. I was certainly glad that Bengie Molina was not in their lineup, both offensively and defensively.
Hey, tomorrow's another day -- let's support our team!
OaklandSi - April 21, 2006
Agree, OaklandSi--
The Angels' 5-9 is just not impressive. And their #2 hitter has a low career OBP. Their pitching is legit but it's going to have to carry them big time. This team really misses Bengie Molina.Nico - April 21, 2006
attendance
Just saw the attendance. 19,000 and change. C'mon A's fans! We need to better than that! A Friday night against the division rivals!!!! I'm in LA and watching the games on TV. It still looks empty there even though they squeezed us in tarp-style. I know eveyrone here are die-hard A's fans but somehow the A's need to do more to attract the casual fan. Is it ever gonna happen? Is Fremont the answer?Otherwise, awesome game, but we got lucky. I'd like to actually blow out the Angels for a change.
BruceBochteBiyatches - April 21, 2006
19,890 something, almost 20,000
OaklandSi - April 21, 2006
yeah that's a bummer
friday night at angel stadium is an automatic sellout, whether OAK or TB! maybe i need to rile some more of you guys up and get you out to the ballpark!!! let's make this a rivalry!yeswecan @ Athletics Nation - April 21, 2006
Why don't you put some of that energy ...
into increasing the amount of people who post on your HH blog? <she asks innocently>IM4Oakgal - April 21, 2006
you know SoCal...
it's hard to get anybody out to anything here. there's too much to do in SoCal. sheesh, the only reason i'm here on a friday night is because i'm ill! haha!in spite of this, HH has grown considerably in the one year it's been around. i look forward to its continued growth throughout the year and on into the future. you KNOW i'm pimping it hard!
yeswecan @ Athletics Nation - April 21, 2006
I lived in El Segundo for a few years.
Yeah I remember how shallow a place it was.<g>IM4Oakgal - April 21, 2006
that's what we get...
...for living in such a huge metropolis. we get the hollywood-type B.S. and the phonies who show up to the park only at playoff time. but just like hollywood, you can take it or leave it. personally, i leave it.but there is a growing minority of us angel fans who are getting more and more vocal. more and more fans and celebs are wearing angels gear, and that's exciting, because more and more people are coming to the stadium (we'll teach 'em about baseball later).
yeswecan @ Athletics Nation - April 21, 2006
Sad Reality
I went to my first Angels game last year (against the A's of course) and I was flat out shocked by the lack of home-town enthusiasm. It is sad. Family hour 101.I hope the Angels create a knowledgable and decent fanbase...because then hating them will have a purpose.
HEY! CHEER NOW! THE RALLY MONKEY IS ON THE SCREEN!!!
(This may seem like a simple joke, but no; the crowd only responds to these infantile popularity contests)
Never before in my life have I seen so many puppets. When I watch on UPN 13 or KCA 9, I can actually tell what the center-screen panel is showing based on the fan's reaction.
<they cheer when the catcher talks to the pitcher...etc...they follow orders and not the game>
FireballerHARDEN - April 22, 2006
true, but
A's fans started that way, and so did Yanker fans. it just takes time (and winning) to get more fans into the game. that said, i've been to laker games where the crowd can't be bothered to stand up during a close game, so who knows? maybe it's a socal thing.at least we have decent beaches and good weather...
yeswecan @ Athletics Nation - April 22, 2006
I would've gone...
...but I live 27,465 extra pitches away. :)FormerHuntsvilleStar - April 22, 2006
Whats the deal with crosby
What are people talking about him being injured? Can somebody fill me in on the details? Is he going on the dl again...god I hope not -_-'AsFan4mFrisco - April 21, 2006
He has a strained right triceps muscle
He felt it during batting practice, but played anyway. then after he got the hit, they decided to take him out. Macha said they will be evaluating him tomorrow (I guess that means a doctor will examine him).OaklandSi - April 21, 2006
Quite a contrast
with the durability of our previous shortstop, no?Checkswing HR - April 21, 2006
Two Questions
Why didn't the whiners re-sign Benji?Where's Dallas McPherson?
Checkswing HR - April 21, 2006
i'll forget the "whiner" comment
yeswecan @ Athletics Nation - April 21, 2006
"i'll forget the whiner comment"
ya know, ywc, if you're gonna hang out here, you're gonna have to deal with people bashing your team. Just like we'd have to deal with it if we were on HH. Just sayin'. ;)Chavinator - April 21, 2006
haha! bring it on
i deal it out, so i will gladly take it!yeswecan @ Athletics Nation - April 21, 2006
No.
I shouldn't have called them the Whiners. I forgot there was an Angels fan in our presence.Hey YesWeCan, are you still around to answer another question?
Checkswing HR - April 22, 2006
i'm here
and you can call us angel fans anything you want. we don't pull any punches on HH, so please don't hold back while i'm here.yeswecan @ Athletics Nation - April 22, 2006
Ah!
Don't even say that! ;)Chavinator - April 21, 2006
I loved this game
and I love the circular reasonging from Nico: Angels can't get the relievers they want in because the A's walked, A's walked so the Angels can't get the relievers want in.I was at the game and this was a good game all around, by both squads. Exploiting matchups [as we all know] is the way the game is won and you have to give the A's credit for finding a way to win even though they weren't hitting very well.
I agree with the general assessment on DJ: his swings look ill.
migueltejada - April 21, 2006
I still cant get over Chavy's bomb.
Lefty reliever and it was an outside slider. He took a 3/4 swing and kinda just flipped it to right....And it went out???Awesome.
OaktownPower - April 22, 2006
And THAT'S
how he became my namesake.Checkswing HR - April 22, 2006
Question
In the Mercury News this morning it said that Chavy has 197 career homeruns and 191 as a third baseman. Where did the other six come from? DH-ing?TurnTwo - April 22, 2006
I love when the A's and Angels play...
I just hate when mlb.tv gives me the Angels announcers as other have stated.I don't think it's a coincidence that he is on the "swallows"
johnspaz7 - April 22, 2006
What time
does the ticket booth open?Alejandro - April 22, 2006
Anyone ever thought
of Chavez taking steroids this year? I mean he's like 7845687 times better than last April. He claimed he gained 25 pounds this offseason from junkfood. Hmmmm. I sure hope not.Daveed - April 22, 2006
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Athletics Nation to post a comment.