No offense to the once and future King Felix, but it seems to me that there was a dominant pitching performance tonight...and that it wasn't from Felix Hernandez. As excellent as Hernandez was tonight, Blanton was more excellenter, getting 8 innings out of his 99 pitches, allowing all of two singles, deciding that having runners in scoring position really wasn't his thing, and making it look easy from his first pitch to his last. I've been luke-warm on Blanton so far this career, but I think tonight was the night he sold me. Along with his signature command, Blanton's fastball looks livelier, and his breaking sharper, than I saw this time last year--or even last August when he was putting up outstanding numbers. The way he pitched tonight, it seemed like the A's were flaunting their rotation by letting Blanton pitch as the #5.
Also, the next time you want to fire Ken Macha, remember what really bad managing looks like. You don't walk Dan Johnson when he's 0-for-2006, when he's dragging the bat through the zone to pop up 3-1 cookies, when his luck is such that the only line drive he hits all season results in a diving catch. You don't walk him to pitch to Scutaro, a .321 lifetime hitter in April who is one of the only A's hitters going well right now. You don't walk Kendall, when you could bring the infield in and hope (gee, here's a stretch) that he might hit a weak ground ball or a short fly ball, so you can roll the batting order over to Kotsay, the other guy who is hitting well right now. I'm not saying Hargrove is a bad manager, I'm saying he managed really badly in that inning. Really, really badly. And not well.
Finally, a couple stray thoughts about the Bradley blunder. First of all, do you realize how hard it is to hit a ball off the center-field wall with two out and the bases loaded, and not drive in more than one run? It's really difficult (if you don't have Bengie Molina), but when Joe Blanton is pitching, the A's really commit to not scoring. Second of all, Kendall's speed cost the A's on that play. If it had been Thomas at first when the ball was hit, Bradley would have been able to return to third base (or at least stop at the nearest gas station to ask directions). Crazy, crazy, crazy. Luckily, it didn't matter.
EDITOR'S NOTE
For those who may not be aware, Saturday's game is a 6:05pm start. Frankly, I hadn't even checked, so I thought maybe others--especially those outside the Bay Area--might also be caught off guard. See you around 5:30pm with the game thread...
0 recs | 151 comments
MAN! Blanton was terrific!
Sorry, I'm a broken record stuck on "I Love Smokin' Joe Cupcakes!"baseballgirl - April 7, 2006
Blanton is a Stud!
I didn't quite understand the luke warm feelings many on AN showed towards Blanton during the spring. I mean the guy was awesome last summer and if he would have gotten some decent run support he could/should have won 16 last year. This year if he gets some okay run support I think he's on his way to 20!strivan21 - April 8, 2006
And Nico, you're right
That was one crappy piece of managing.Who intentionally walks Kendall? You're supposed to intentionally walk to GET to Kendall.
baseballgirl - April 7, 2006
I only had one eye on the game,
but I know Hargrove is absolutely nuts about R-on-R and L-on-L matchups, and that's why he made Mateo walk DJ to get to Scooper Pro. Ditto for walking Kendall so Sherrill wouldn't have to face a righty.These kinds of maneuvers also backfired against Hargrove in last year's last series v. the A's.
Checkswing HR - April 7, 2006
I know, but even so...
Then bring in Sherrill to face DJ!And you would think a LOOGY like Sherrill would make a manager less wild about the whole lefty-lefty thing.
Nico - April 7, 2006
FIRE HARGROVE NOW!!!
rungood - April 8, 2006
you're right about the managing
the worst managerial decisions I witnessed this week were made by Torre and Hargrove, and the best i witnessed were made by Macha.credit where credit it due
OaklandSi - April 8, 2006
Oh, Nico...
I'm most smartest here :] Cupcakes looked awesome tonight. Even my mother said he did, and you all know about my mother. In the 8th inning, she said, "He's getting tired. His pitches are going all over the place." I turned around and gave her this incredulous look and she said, "What? He is. He's been pitching really well, but it's time to take him out."It was a once in a lifetime moment :]
GreenNGoldGirl - April 7, 2006
I think your mom
just wanted Blanton out of there because she was worried he might grape someone.Nico - April 7, 2006
Blanton? Grape someone?
I think she's more worried about him the seductive Doughboy giggle on me.GreenNGoldGirl - April 7, 2006
What?!
capper3 - April 7, 2006
Awww
I totally ruined that. "pulling the seductive doughboy giggle on me".=[
GreenNGoldGirl - April 7, 2006
I've notice...
that you and you're partner in crime haven't been around here as much as usual. What's up?Ps. You're as good as GrnNGld to get into USC...if that's where you really want to go.
capper3 - April 7, 2006
Dude.
I had been so insanely busy these past few months. It's horrible. Being a sophomore in high school SUCKS. And I, being Ms. Overacheiver, am in a choir after school that requires 8 hours a week extra rehearsal, I'm stat girl for the LHS baseball team (2-0!!!) and I'm keeping up a 4.1 GPA (with two honors classes) while I'm doing all that other stuff. It barely leaves me enough time to sleep, let alone go online! :] I've got a lot more time now, though, so hopefully, I'll be on AN more :] A part of me is smiling to know I've been missed!And USC. I'm... having second thoughts. I'm thinking ASU/USC as my priorities. I've got two years to think about it :]
GreenNGoldGirl - April 7, 2006
Those 2 dont compare...
Both fun..but USC is the much better school. ASU is one big ragerOaktownPower - April 7, 2006
I've heard ASU is the better journalism school
But USC what I've wanted for as long as I can remember. I think I'm taking journalism at the community college for my junior year, so I'll be asking for all the advice I can get from anyone and everyone who is willing to give it to me.Besides... which is the better party school? That's what matters! (Kidding....)
GreenNGoldGirl - April 7, 2006
I don't know...
Maybe you're set on a warm climate, but if your grades are really that good and you're set on going to a great journalism school, consider Northwestern. I've had a few friends that have gone there and said it's quite good (plus it has the national reputation in journalism).But even with all this being said, I agree with the posters below (I believe it was SportySpice and Bear88) who suggest going to the best school for you. You can definitely write for your school's paper, and who knows, once you get to college and take some other classes, your interests might change-- this happened to me.
You still have a long way to go, so sure, continue to work hard, but make sure you enjoy high school along the way. I feel like it was just yesterday I was in high school, and now I'm out of college in the "real world." Time flies whether you're having fun or not.
rungood - April 8, 2006
J-schools
If you're looking into journalism schools - and willing to travel - St. Bonaventure is the way to go. It's by Buffalo, but it's rated as one of the best journalism programs in the East. Excellent profs, good job/internship placement, great atmosphere.Five Pulitzer winners, including one of my profs, have gone to Bona's. Writers for ESPN, NY Post, etc. I graduated in December.
RyanFromBonas - April 8, 2006
ASU....
I went there for undergrad, so I am very flattered that you would consider it..but people with 4.1gpa don't go to ASU. Made the trip up to Berkeley for a football game and the signs said it all:"ASU-Another Shitty University"
capper3 - April 7, 2006
If you've got all that going on... with that GPA
...ASU/USC would be settling...There are much, much better schools just in the Pac-10 alone...
But you're right, you have plenty of time to think about it...
RickeySteals - April 7, 2006
Settling?
Really? I'm worried about getting into USC because my GPA isn't good enough. Ha. I haven't really researched into anything else, so I wouldn't know what a really good school to go to would be.GreenNGoldGirl - April 7, 2006
You're right.
USC has gotten much more competitive over the past few years.lexdevil - April 7, 2006
Well, it depends...
You can get a good education at almost any school...When I was applying to colleges (and this was almost 10 years ago) USC was sort of a low-middle tier school, academically speaking.
In California alone, a lot of the UC's would probably be better, as would Stanford. A 4.1 GPA would warrant strong consideration from any school, especially if you have extra-curriculars to back it up
But, you really do have time - I wouldn't start worrying too much about it until next year at this time, just keep doing what you're doing - that should set you up to have several options open when you do apply.
RickeySteals - April 7, 2006
8 hour/week choir?
Not with the school? Do they teach music theory and sightsinging or something? I've never been in an 8hr/week community chorus.secret ASian man - April 7, 2006
It's with the school.
It's the chamber choir. I had to try out to get in, so I was pretty stoked I got accepted =]]] It takes TONSSSS of time, though. In the end, it's all worth it. We sing all different categories of music and my teacher also teaches theory and sight singing within that period. It's a freakin' amazing class :]GreenNGoldGirl - April 7, 2006
My Advice for GNGirl
Go to the very best school that you like, even if they don't have a journalism program. Instead, get a great education, have fun, and write your heart out for the school newspaper. Lots of great journalists didn't get undergrad degrees in journalism. You'll learn a lot more by writing for a school paper than you will in a classroom. (I'm a journalist and never went to j-school.)SportySpice @ Athletics Nation - April 7, 2006
I second that
I'm also a journalist and agree wholeheartedly with SportySpice's advice. You learn by doing, not by taking classes. I'm a history major from UC Berkeley, and spent a great deal of time working for the Daily Cal during my college years. I covered huge campus demonstrations, interviewed Eldridge Cleaver (the former Black Panther), and learned a lot about politics of all kinds - including the on the job variety. And that was all during my freshman year.Meanwhile, try to enjoy high school.
bear88 - April 8, 2006
Me too
Another journalist who has no formal education in journalism, and neither did most of my colleagues.But why not go to USC (or ASU) for your BA, then come back to Berkeley (and the A's) for a graduate degree in journalism? Berkeley and Columbia are the best places if you want to learn how to work in a newsroom, not be a journalism professor.
Englishmajor - April 8, 2006
as an education professional
i agree with sportyOaklandSi - April 8, 2006
And don't forget internships
I learned so much more from my internships and the school paper than I ever did from my classes.day-to-day - April 8, 2006
wha...what?!
Are you serious? I'm literally thinking the EXACT. SAME. THING.I like USC, and ever since i was at ST i wanted to go to ASU (I love Arizona). I heard ASU has a good journalism class. And i'm thinking of taking journalism/sports journalism. UCLA is also in the running, because my bro is really enjoying it there.
I have no idea what i'm on pace for and what chances i have for these colleges though. My GPA is something like 3.9-4.0, but i'm also taking different classes (i'm takign Physics which i should bet credits for, as well as pre-calculus honors). So i think i'm in good shape, but i have no real way of knowing until i come back to Berkeley (t minus 3 months) and take all the necessary tests and stuff that determine my 2007 classes.
I just saw "V for Vendetta" yesterday (which was an excellent movie) and discovered i enjoy all the sayings and expressions "V" uses and am now thinking of a shakespearian literature class or something in college.
who knows.
go A's.
ohad - April 8, 2006
[[glares at ohad]]
I want to see V For Vendetta sooooooo badly. My boyfriend and I are both gaga over Natalie Portman (I swear, she still looks amazing with her head shaved!!) and those types of movies are my favorite :] You would reccomend it then?GreenNGoldGirl - April 8, 2006
V for Vendetta was awesome...
and that's coming from someone who doesn't like those kinds of movies. I resisted seeing it with my wife because I thought it would be boring but I loved every second of it.breedingewoks - April 8, 2006
What a freaking gem by Joe....
THAT was a joy to watchOaktownPower - April 7, 2006
Blanton Ace?
Remember when Rich Harden was the A's best pitcher down the stretch in 2004 and came back in 2005 for what would've been a CY Young season were it not for two injuries. Well Joe Blanton seems to be on that path, this kid can flat out pitch and should've silenced all doubters last year, you just don't go into the twinkie dome and beat Santana and a few weeks later goes to LA with the season on the line and pitches a gem. Blanton can deal and deserves the respect his numbers and big game performances warrant.CyberFT - April 7, 2006
Completely unrelated...
"Chitty Chitty Bang Bang" is a scary movie! I never realized that as a little kid.I need to go out now.
<puts on dancin' shoes, heads out the door>
baseballgirl - April 7, 2006
that movie scared the crap outta me!!!
GreenNGoldGirl - April 7, 2006
That was my movie
Long before I can remember, I used to watch that all the time. I must have seen it a thousand times, my dad says.Roscoe Parrish - April 7, 2006
Since the end of May 2005
Blanton has been one of the 5 most effective starting pitchers in baseball.That is not a misprint.
And he's our #5 starter??!!!
oaktoon - April 7, 2006
Unfortunately,
one can also say, "since 1994 Loaiza has been wildly inconsistent with an ERA around 5.00--and he's our #4 starter?" But yeah, gooood rotation.Nico - April 7, 2006
HAHAHAHA!
baseballgirl - April 7, 2006
Or how about our "ace"...
OaktownTribesman - April 7, 2006
Zito, Loaiza
The difference is that I'm not really worried about Zito. The worst outcome, barring an injury, is that Zito pitches as he did for much of 2004. That's respectable, albeit not worth the money and below expectations. I suspect he will be better than that, but he's gone at the season regardless.We're stuck with Loaiza for three seasons. He better be respectable, but he looked like a bad pitcher with serious mechanical issues or an injury.
bear88 - April 8, 2006
Don't be so disheartened
If we could trade Redman AND Rhodes than we can surely trade Loaiza at the end of the season.The only question is whether Billy loses his mind again and brings in another Kendall-like contract.
grover - April 8, 2006
A's worked the count
...exactly what the Mariners are not good at.Remember Harden's first start back last year after his early bout with sore lat syndrome? Macha had basically said that he wouldn't throw more than 80 pitches. It was like the Mariners hadn't read that---they didn't work the count.
The A's did tonight, and exposed the M's biggest weakness. It doesn't matter how great their starters are if the bullpen can't hold it.
Alien @ Athletics Nation - April 7, 2006
Speaking of not reading,
how about the Mariners looking bunt from Dan Johnson in the 3rd inning. Who's their advance scout, and did he meet Angel Hernandez at the School of the Blind?Nico - April 7, 2006
Pathetic wrapup blunder by announcers.....
as soon as they finish raving about Blanton's pitching and Scutaro's hitting, the announcer's (I forget which clown said it) final comment was....."Great news, Bobby Crosby will be back at shortstop tomorrow night". Now what that has to do with this game and another night of Scutaro's outstanding performance is beyond comprehension. Why not wait until the "great" Crosby plays tomorrow night, see how he does and then decide if he really plays better or worse than Scutaro to make the statement "Great news"...Crosby is back on the field and Scutaro is back on the bench. Go figure.Vegas Ace - April 7, 2006
I could have swore
they said that Scoot was moving over to second and MaEl was sitting out. Then again, I have had wayyy too many drinks tonight.KendallGurl18 - April 7, 2006
Correct, Ellis sitting tomorrow.
Croz SS and Scott 2BOaktownPower - April 7, 2006
You really dont think Croz back is great news?
Thats beyond ridiculous.OaktownPower - April 7, 2006
Oh my gosh.
Don't tell me this picture does NOT scream Cupcakes.I love it. Absolutely freakin' love it =]]]
GreenNGoldGirl - April 7, 2006
Crosby is the Man
Crosby is the man, sure Scoot is cluth and playing great ball right now, but let's not get down on Crosby because he is ready to be a star in this league and the sooner he gets going the better. Maybe Ellis should sit some and think about why he keeps getting moved down in the order.CyberFT - April 7, 2006
I don't think
going from #1 to #3 was "moving down" in the order. When you're 3 for your last 20, nobody really notices. When it's your first 20 ABs, people notice. That's all that's going on.Remember, Kielty started last season with a big o'fer and then carried the team for a few weeks soon after.
Nico - April 7, 2006
I remember.
He carried the team in May. Fat lot of good it did us, huh? We'd lose 6-2 instead of 6-0.salb918 - April 7, 2006
He cant hear you...
Something about a World Series ring in his ear.OaktownPower - April 7, 2006
He wears his ring in his ear?
Sharon - April 7, 2006
I dont know..ask Patrick Roy.
OaktownPower - April 7, 2006
Oh, now I get it.
Well, in that case, he would need more than one.Seriously, I don't like to criticize GM's for one draft pick. But being able to pick up Blanton when it seemed, at the time, he was going to be unavailable, was awesome. Swish got all the hype in that draft, but Blanton has been a pleasant surprise because people have been trying to knock him down a peg ever since his season with the Rivercats.
Sharon - April 7, 2006
Cool! A World Series ring...
...that doubles as an MP3 player!FormerHuntsvilleStar - April 8, 2006
I can see Ellis sitting for Scoot tomorrow
I also think they should give Kotsay a rest on Sunday, to help hold his back up for later in the season. But Kotsay has crushed Moyer in the past, so I'd like to see him out there tomorrow.OaktownTribesman - April 7, 2006
Crosby is over rated and first needs to prove
that he is a "superstar" before AN annoints him one. For the moment, he is a mere mortal like everyone else on the team and he should be judged by his actual performance. Accordingly, Macha should not award him permanent status as #3 hitter in the batting order just because he was annointed Rookie of the Year.Vegas Ace - April 7, 2006
It sounds like Croz
has left you a bit disannointed.Nico - April 7, 2006
ROY .238
baseballgirl - April 7, 2006
Hey, that's not as easy
as it seems. Swisher tried it last year with no luck.Nico - April 7, 2006
.239 if you're counting :)
FireballerHARDEN - April 7, 2006
I don't think Crosby should bat third either,
but he's flat out better than Scoot at the plate and on the field. It's nice that Scoot is doing so well, and maybe he can still get some playing time if Ellis takes a day off here and there, but there's no way he stays on his current pace.Marco Scutaro. Of course it's great news that Crosby is coming back. I only hope that his finger has healed enough to let him play well.
Sharon - April 7, 2006
Scooter's career April average
is .321, yet his career OBP is barely .300. Which suggests two things:- he doesn't get on base a whole lot after May 1st.
- his April success should be kept in perspective
That all being said, what a great back-up middle infielder to have.Nico - April 7, 2006
Crosby is a Superstar!
I have annointed him as such and that is all there is to it!BobbyCrosbysGirl - April 7, 2006
Lineup
The way the players are going, I'd like to see Milton Bradley bat #2 or #3, since he sees so many pitches and gets on base any way he can. I'd like to see a low-strike out, contact hitter behind Thomas, and I say that guy right now is Kotsay. Odds are he'd be coming up to bat with men on base, and the pitchers would tend to throw him early strikes, which plays to his strength. Though it's true Kotsay's speed would be somewhat wasted batting behind Thomas. If only DJ and Ellis didn't look so bad right now...OaktownTribesman - April 7, 2006
Ditto that
You couldn't draw in the lab a better model Oakland Two Hitter than the current Milton Bradley.FreeSeatUpgrade - April 8, 2006
How about a little love Swisher's way!
People keep focusing on the fact that Bradley missed the base. Sure, it sucks, but my first thought was "Thank god it wasn't the play-offs!" My second thought was "Way to go SWISH!" After struggling a bit yesterday, he turned it around tonight and had a great hit. I was very proud of him. That hit was such that had Bradley run correctly we all would be singing Swisher's praises right now. But all we are seeing is the mistake.Another nice moment was watching Swish and Bradley talk after the play and everything was hunky-doory! A lesser man would have railed into him for costing him an RBI or two. It was very nice to see.
I just thought someone needed to give Swish some love.
BobbyCrosbysGirl - April 7, 2006
That was a phenomenal swing...
and ahould have broke the gamwide open..I agree...Swish deserves some props for tonight's win.OaktownPower - April 7, 2006
Yeah,
Especially after the golden sombrero last night. Way to go Swish!TheBigO - April 7, 2006
It's funny, later in the broadcast
Ken and Vince mentioned that the A's have 4 HR so far this year and they're all solo HRs, but they didn't mention that the A's have missed a grand slam by inches...twice.Nico - April 7, 2006
So Close!!
Yet... So... Far...BobbyCrosbysGirl - April 7, 2006
I agree
<blows kisses to Swish>KendallGurl18 - April 7, 2006
Crosby's Coming back it seems
http://oakland.athletics.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060407&content_id=1388758& ;vkey=news_oak&fext=.jsp&c_id=oakDown at the bottom.
OaktownRajah - April 7, 2006
WOO!!!
BobbyCrosbysGirl - April 7, 2006
did anyone else think of eric byrnes?
while listening to mb's baserunning error?how's byrnes doing this year?
danh - April 7, 2006
I did.
I was like, "Ha. How ironic. He wears 22 and makes baserunning errors."GreenNGoldGirl - April 7, 2006
HA!
Same here! Great minds!BobbyCrosbysGirl - April 7, 2006
Giants walking a bunch in now.
heh, heh.ak_A - April 7, 2006
It's fun to watch.
Sharon - April 7, 2006
Its amazing !
walkwalk
walk
single
walk
hbp
walk
single
error
ground out
ground out
walk
ground out
8 runs on 2 hits !
green star oakland - April 7, 2006
At least they didn't walk Francoeur.
They just hit him.Sharon - April 7, 2006
6 walks
Ouch!Sharon - April 7, 2006
Yeah
They scored more runs than hits. Never seen that before.OaktownRajah - April 7, 2006
Ouch...
...again.Sharon - April 7, 2006
Taschner's ERA
after his impressive walk/hbp/walk outing is now 135 even ... even Barry hasn't reached these giddy heights.green star oakland - April 7, 2006
I am going to ...
watch the Giants on Sat and Sunday . MY youngest daughter is a Braves lover. Go figure.IM4Oakgal - April 7, 2006
GET OFF JOE BLANT.ON
Seriously, is he a #5 starter?? I feel like off all the oakland pitcher besides Harden, he can have a seriously sleeper run at the Cy YoungDeveneleven - April 7, 2006
Blanton was awesome!
BTW...is excellenter a word? LOLantigiants618 - April 7, 2006
Only when
prefaced with the word "more". I mean, you have to know just how excellenter or it could mean merely excellent.Nico - April 7, 2006
And the superlative
is "most excellentest"green star oakland - April 7, 2006
Uh hem
I do believe I was the one who said Blanton should have been higher in the pitching rotation.IM4Oakgal - April 7, 2006
Me too... :)
Poppy - April 8, 2006
Blanton, Bradley
Blanton was right up there with Mark Ellis before the season in the "Most Likely to Get Worse" category. I didn't see it then and, for once, I might be right. His control was excellent. That's what everybody forgets. Blanton was putting the ball exactly where he and Kendall wanted it. It seemed like every pitch was tailing in, or away, at the knees. What is a hitter going to do with that?I understand the skepticism about Blanton. He didn't have good K totals last year and he doesn't have the sort of eye-popping stuff that Zito and Haren do. But there are a lot of pitchers who have very good careers by keeping the ball down and away, down and in. Over and over. In or near the strike zone. Those last few innings, with less 10 pitches an inning, were beautiful. And while the Mariners were a bit too eager to swing, Blanton was also throwing strike after strike.
As for Bradley, he's going to be fascinating to watch. There's always something interesting happening with him. He's like some A's Test Model. He takes pitches. He gets on base. He fields and throws very well. He can't seem to run the bases without a near-accident or an incredibly bonehead move. How do you miss third, when you start at second, on a line drive to the fence? How? The Ghost of Byrnes possesses that uniform, apparently.
bear88 - April 8, 2006
actually his baserunning is much smarter
when he made the mistake of not touchng third he went back and touched it...otherwise not even Thomas' run would have scored. Has Byrnes ever done anything like that?...and so far that's the only baserunning mistake I've seen Bradley make
OaklandSi - April 8, 2006
Blanton started slow last year...
and lacked run support (as did all of the pitchers early in the season) but he was on the money from July on. Dependable was his name . Consistency is so valuable.IM4Oakgal - April 8, 2006
blanton
was flat dealing. nailing the corners with great movement on the heater, droping curves over at will.but the best part was how he worked so quick and how he stayed so calm. he didn't give a damn if the a's were scoring or not, getting 4 walks off felix and stranding them all. it was like he just said i don't care what happens i'm just here to get these guys out. great job joe!
Backspin - April 8, 2006
Someone had mentioned firing Alameda Greg ...
for his scenarios come to life ...http://www.athleticsnation.com/story/2005/10/14/1777/9157
I was reminded of the quiz when I read today's (Saturday's) Chron artical ...
http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/04/08/AS.TMP&type=as
'Macha said that Bradley did the correct thing in going back, or the one run they did score would have been disallowed.'
One of his scenarios almost came true, I think, sort of ... I was very bad at Alameda Greg's quizzes, so I can't be sure ... Maybe he can pop on this thread to untangle what would've happened.
Rickeyfan - April 8, 2006
What's the rule?
Frank Thomas scored from third base, but Milton Bradley missed third base as he sprinted from second. He stopped, retraced his steps, and was soon joined there by Kendall, who had been on first. The inning ended with Bradley being tagged out in a rundown between third and home."I'm glad he went back and touched it," Macha said. "Otherwise, we wouldn't have scored the run we did."
BleacherDave - April 8, 2006
Force play
If Bradley hadn't gone back and touched 3rd then all the Mmariners would have had to do was throw the ball in and touch third for a force out. Had that happened no runs would have counted because of the force out.Larry E - April 8, 2006
Hunh?
I don't know that I'm buying that. Wouldn't they have had to make an appeal to get the out?BleacherDave - April 8, 2006
Bleacher Dave: Macha's right
Swisher hit a ground ball, albeit one that traveled very far. You know that on a ground ball with 2-out and the bases loaded, the defensive team can get a force at any base, and that if they do no runs can score and no appeal is necessary.Imagine that Swisher hit a one-hopper to shortstop. If they throw to third before Bradley touches third, does it matter if Thomas has touched home already? Do they need to appeal? You know the rule; it's just hard to think of a 400 foot blast off the center field wall as a "ground ball".
Nico - April 8, 2006
The veteran Blanton...
...showing the young pup Felix how it's done. :)Hey, Jennifer:
It's Scooter! Short for Scooter Pie.
FormerHuntsvilleStar - April 8, 2006
I hate Scooter Pies.
Jennifer - April 8, 2006
I hate Felix pies
JediLeroy - April 8, 2006
What did highly touted Cub prospects
ever do to you?jeepers - April 8, 2006
What about Scutaro pies?
FormerHuntsvilleStar - April 8, 2006
Scutaro pies are tasty.
Made with TONS of grit, heart, and guts.Jennifer - April 8, 2006
ugh
sorry...makes for a terrific player but a horrible sounding pieOaklandSi - April 8, 2006
Yeah...
It sounds like haggas...FormerHuntsvilleStar - April 8, 2006
Good Scottish players don't have "guts"
They have "haggis."jeepers - April 8, 2006
<barf>
Jennifer - April 8, 2006
"Cupcakes Frosts Mariners"
The thing that was impressing me about Blanton was not only his control (up until the 8th when I thought he was starting to lose it a little bit) but the way his pitches exploded out of his hand at the point of release. Talk about pop!Ice Cream - April 8, 2006
Blanton
Yeah, the thing that was amazing about it was that he was blowing guys away with 88mph heat. Of course it's easier to do that when you are spotting the ball perfectly and have all your off speed stuff working.Chavez4Prez - April 8, 2006
Paging Mr. Zito
If you were curious as to what FITZ (Fearless In The Zone) looks like, please see one Blanton, Joe.jeepers - April 8, 2006
Cupcakes is in the Zone?
Even with all that sugar?Nick - April 8, 2006
First you get the sugar
Then you get the power, then you...'re in the zone.jeepers - April 8, 2006
Great wrapup
over at LookoutLanding, including a WinExp graph: http://www.lookoutlanding.com/story/2006/4/8/21032/99475salb918 - April 8, 2006
I heart Jeff.
But shhhhh...don't tell him.Sharon - April 8, 2006
I agree, salb,
better written and more interesting to read than mine, frankly. But I have to give props to AN for far more interesting user comments than a bunch of posts making fun of Blanton's face and body as being outside the conventional standard for attractiveness. Come on, M's fans. You just read an excellent writeup; you're better than that. We would never do stuff like that.<leaves before anyone can reply with the truth>
Nico - April 8, 2006
Seattle Marinerds
Deanna's summary at the Marinerds web site is pretty good too (http://marinerds.blogspot.com/). Deanna's site is quickly becoming my second favorite baseball blog.LoveDemAs - April 8, 2006
she's really a good writer
thanks for clue-ing me in to her blogOaklandSi - April 8, 2006
At last nites game
Was at the game last nite.... awesome to see our boys come thru.... a few random thoughts...- Tough to explain to M's fans the difference between Oakland, Fremont and San Jose...
- It took them 5 innings to ask me who the heck "Cupcakes" was and why I was always yelling it at the pitcher.
- They were perplexed at why I was harping on one of my own guys (Bradley) for the baserunning blunder. So they tried to get on him his next AB (yet another walk) and he proceeds to steal 2b and move to 3b on the error...
- MARCO!!!!
- SCUTARO!!!! - they didn't understand that either....
OK... gotta go get pics taken with the Easter Bunny.... 6:05 start today... yet another Dan Wilson tribute night....LET'S GO A's!!!
Ludawg6 - April 8, 2006
i loved the unreal stat they showed on tv
blanton was 12-1 last year when he got at least one run of support.jme - April 8, 2006
blanton
i had to go back and check for myself because that just sounds absolutely ridiculous.actually, it's that blanton was 12-1 last year when he got more than one run of support.
in his other 11 losses, the offense got him zero to one runs.
the lone loss was 9/26 against anaheim, when he gave up 2 earned runs over 8 innings but also gave up 2 unearned runs. not exactly a terrible performance...
xbhaskarx - April 8, 2006
...I cry for Joe at that stat.
Kyli - April 8, 2006
Cupcakes' reply:
"Don't cry for me, Largentina."Nico - April 8, 2006
Cupcakes gooooood, and other observationlets
Poppy - April 8, 2006
To back up your point, Poppy,
touch the next base when you're not in a hurry and the A's score 7.My only disagreement with your observations is that I was duly impressed with Felix. He was injured in spring training, he was making his first start after getting little work in March, and he is too young to buy alcohol. In that context, he did a fine job, IMO.
Nico - April 8, 2006
Too young to buy it
Not too young to drink it.GreenNGoldGirl - April 8, 2006
how true
I think I did most of my drinking before it was legal for me to do so.Once I was of legal age I also felt more comfortable admitting that I don't really like alcohol that much, aside from the occasional good dark draft brew and an even more occasional glass of red wine...
yeah, I'm no fun! ;-)
OaklandSi - April 8, 2006
I've tried almost everything
My uncle and aunt say they'd rather I get it from them than from anyone else. I mean, I didn't get drunk or anything; it was just a taste of the stuff. Truthfully, I don't like the taste that much. It's.... eww. Beer is really, really gross. The hard liquur burns. I don't think drinking is ever gonna be my thing. :]GreenNGoldGirl - April 8, 2006
A good, mixed drink will eventually be your friend
Kyli - April 8, 2006
There's a reason
I phrased it that way. Unfortunately, "too young to drink" implies he's about 8.Nico - April 8, 2006
"the boy King"
pitched well...but Cupcakes outpitched him(even leaving aside the Mariners' bullpen troubles, without that the A's still win last night)
OaklandSi - April 8, 2006
Too young to buy alcohol
His control last night begs to differ :-).I think you're right, though. It takes young kids a while to figure out how to pitch. The stuff is unquestionably there.
jeepers - April 8, 2006
The poise is there, too
Remember, in Harden's first stint he was a year older than Felix is, and he had BB/9IP and ERA numbers around 4.50.Nico - April 8, 2006
AH... I didn't realize Felix had been hurt...
...and had little spring work. Okay then, judgment reserved! Let's see about next time.Poppy - April 8, 2006
He's a young pitcher on the Mariners.
Of course he's been hurt! ;-)Kyli - April 8, 2006
shin splints in spring training
OaklandSi - April 8, 2006
Felix and Bradley
Felix can pitch on my team anytime. He wasn't perfect but the bottom line is 1 run in 5 innings. He didn't have great control but then again the A's only hit a couple of balls hard against him.I still have no idea how Bradley could have missed the bag in that situation. He only has to run half speed. Must've turned to watch the play.
How come no journalist has asked him what happened?
Larry E - April 8, 2006
That's what the broadcast guys said
He was watching what he thought was a grand slam.jeepers - April 8, 2006
Maybe the journalists
value their life? :-}Nico - April 8, 2006
Sample question
"What do you think Jeff Kent would have thought of your baserunning tonight?"jeepers - April 8, 2006
Quote of the month!
LoveDemAs - April 8, 2006
Joe Blanton is a freakin' badass.
Given all the crap he went through last season, and now facing Felix... Man.Joe Blanton deserves to be the first guy in the rotation to record a win.
I expect that eventually, we'll be seein' this kid rocking the ASG. And the WORLD.
Kyli - April 8, 2006
<diabolical laugh>
jeepers - April 8, 2006
and the world should pay him...
...one MEEEEEELLLLion dollars!Poppy - April 8, 2006
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