Had the A’s recently won 9 in a row, you could view this game like it really was: simply a dominant performance by an opposing pitcher who would have beaten anyone tonight. Instead, tonight’s 3-hit, 13K outapalooza just reinforced that these days the A’s are lowly peasants living under the Futile system.
Against mediocre pitchers, and certainly against Erik Bedard, right now the A’s look more helpless than a frantic puppy thrashing around in Jennifer’s famous marinara sauce (it’s a nice image, and I want you to have it all night as you try to sleep). Meanwhile, tonight the A’s also didn’t so much field as play soccer (“Stewart to Swisher…goooooooooooooooal!!!”), and the pitching was bad enough for there to be a—hide the children—Kennedy sighting, which may, these days, be the only thing more gruesome to watch than seeing Swisher squish himself into a cardboard cutout against the CF wall. Though watching Suzuki block pitches in the dirt…
At least the A’s had a reasonable excuse tonight, as Bedard leads the league in strikeouts and hasn’t allowed a run in 3 starts. Tomorrow, the A’s get a journeyman who has been on the Disabled List with a strained ass. “For it’s glute, glute, glute for the home team…” Yes, it’s true; I’ve gone completely insane. It’s the only thing that’s keeping me sane right now.
0 recs | 67 comments
Suzuki
Would Jason have caught all those passed balls? And would our offense be any better?
theshopper - July 20, 2007
Suzuki's catching
When I saw various replays of him (different days) trying to block balls, he often would start reaching for the ball one way, then realize he had to flip the glove down fairly late.
Seemed to not recognize early that the pitch was off-target. So yes, I think a more experienced catcher would get more of them.
MobiusKlein - July 20, 2007
Suzuki is clearly over his head
His at bats are weak and his defense is far,far below what I expected.
Melhuse was a far better alternative--but he got flushed earlier in the year cuz he was unhappy backing Kendall who is now gone.
IF this was the plan it was not well scouted.
The gap between AAA PCL and major league play has widened over the past five years--I am not sure why unless it is really a shrinking pool of MLB level talent-----the AAAA tossed about in the media is really the old AAA
Guys coming up from AA almost seem to do better because they have to be very superior to the talent pool to give someone the courage to make that move.
Aparicio11 - July 21, 2007
I really hope it's nothing with Swish...
but I have a horrible feeling he really hurt himself. It's not like it takes us out of the chase...that happened long ago, but I hate to see him get hurt.
alox - July 20, 2007
So...
anyone seen any good movies recently?
oblique - July 20, 2007
Oceans 13
Live Free or Die Hard was a lot of fun.
grover - July 20, 2007
I was surprised
at how good Transformers was, in addition to those two.
IndianaAsfan - July 21, 2007
Forget it, mkt
...
FreeSeatUpgrade - July 20, 2007
Yeah, you're right.
oblique - July 21, 2007
No, I meant
"Forget it, mkt...it's Chinatown."
I've been kind of obsessed lately.
FreeSeatUpgrade - July 21, 2007
We lost tonight and I'm okay.
It's finally easier for me because I held onto "hope" much longer than most.
*****BREAKING NEWS- the season is over from a playoff standpoint. Obvious, right? It just feels good to just say it and start the healing process before October.
ohtobe21likehuston - July 20, 2007
You know you're in trouble
when a 20-game winning streak would probably still leave you short of first place.
Nico - July 20, 2007
And yet the radio ads
still assure me in all sincerity that a 2007 partial season ticket plan will guarantee me postseason rights.
FreeSeatUpgrade - July 20, 2007
And the San Ramon Surgery Center
has done wonders for Rich Harden, at least according to his testimonial in radio commercials.
Ray of Lite - July 21, 2007
It's ok.
Any preferences for the American League champions?
IM4Oakgal - July 20, 2007
Go Mariners!
Nico - July 20, 2007
Definitely over the Angels!
I grew up a Tiger fan so go Tigers! The AL Central should be quite a race to the finish.
Wolverine - July 20, 2007
That's my choice too.
and they are so close! It gives us a reason to get excited over the upcoming series against the Halos.
IM4Oakgal - July 20, 2007
absolutely
to the Mariners fan who sat next to me at a Giants game last May, and spoke so enthusiastically about the A's:
I'm rooting for your team this October!
OaklandSi - July 21, 2007
Indians. I'd like to see them win a WS.
Helloooo 1st - July 20, 2007
That works for me
I find it easy to root for Sabathia and Sizemore, to name two.
FreeSeatUpgrade - July 20, 2007
Me, too.
TurnTwo - July 21, 2007
Rangers 4 games behind A's.
At this point, I just hope the A's can finish ahead of the Rangers. I know it's World Series or bust, but damn, I don't want them back in that West cellar.
greala - July 20, 2007
Yeah
How humiliating.
IM4Oakgal - July 20, 2007
Just got home
Knew it was over after the 2nd. That's really sad to say. Bedard was definitely dealing though. We just started drinking a lot and I felt much better once Ellie homered.
pam5981 - July 20, 2007
One positive tonight...
Dan Meyer, in Sacramento's 11-1 win:
6 IP, 1 hit, 1 ER, 3 BB, 11 K (102 pitches, 63 strikes)
Daric Barton went 3 for 3.
Nico - July 20, 2007
Qualified numbers
I was at this game. Numbers were good but reality was something a little different. He was hit hard but some great D and several atom balls saved the no-no until the 5th.
Mrspeeb2 - July 21, 2007
102 pitches
in six innings is almost Zito-esque. I'm still not convinced he's all the way back from his injuries yet...
IndianaAsfan - July 21, 2007
minors
The only real positive for me now is some of the play by our minor leaguers. Barton had a nice night and Dan Meyer was almost lights out. Hey, how about bringing him up and shipping Kennedy? Not bad, but Pennington and Petit might push for infield spots this year. This and shipping off some of the veterans would be good just overhaul this roster more. Hey, that's the one difference between us and the Giants, even in a worthless season like this we'll see young faces get a chance.
oaktown89 - July 20, 2007
I actually like that the A's
are keeping Meyer at AAA, presumably for the rest of the season. He has shown some great promise--especially the strikeout numbers--but the pitch counts, BBs, and inconsistency all suggest he is still figuring out how to pitch as Dan Meyer v2.0. I'd love to see him as a front runner for the #5 spot in Spring, 2008 (like he was supposed to be in Spring, 2005) but I'm not keen to see him rushed to Oakland right now.
I'd like to see Barton called up Sept 1st to get a taste of the major leagues, and for him to be at 1B opening night 2008. I think he'll be ready.
Nico - July 20, 2007
I agree. Let Loaiza look good so he can be dealt
keep Meyer on the Rivercats. I didn't see the game. I'm glad. It's nice that it's not such a priority anymore. I still hold onto hope, though.
A'sfansince1970 - July 20, 2007
Somewhat agree
I think Meyers has been a little too inconsistent for anyone to rely on him starting next season in the majors in '08. I could definitely see him reaching that point, but I'd see him more mid-season '08 than opening the season as the #5.
Barton on the other hand very well could be ready by opening day. If he keeps up the numbers he's posting (or at least doesn't drop off too much) then when the Cat's season is other, he'll get his cup of coffee and some playing time al la Swish during September. My only complaint right now of him is that he's had only one good month at AAA (huge) surrounding it with 2 average months and the rest hasn't been anything to write home about. But it's hard to argue with a .315/.406/.480 hitter after +350 ABs. I'd just hate too see that one great month overshadow his true readiness as a whole.
DMOAS - July 21, 2007
Not Much to Cheer For Tonight except
As for the young guys...
Not much else to say about tonight..except this is now nine games in a row the A's have lost that I have attended.
Tomorrow is another day and let's hope our young guys continue to learn and get better..and no I don't plan to attend any more games this weekend.
EastbayBen - July 20, 2007
Brown's got the stuff to be a late-inning guy
97 mph heat, at least 2 breaking balls that he can throw for strikes-- it's just a question of whether he can put it together. I could see him becoming another K-Rod, in a way, where he actually works the fastball as a change from the offspeed stuff-- it might help him cut down on the walks.
He's good though. Definitely not a bag of baseballs.
PaulThomas - July 20, 2007
He seems to me like a young Brendan Donnelly
deceptive motion and throws harder
GusanoQuemador - July 20, 2007
Any guesses about tomorrow's lineup?
I have Swish, Stewart and Cust all on my fantasy team. I am assuming Swish won't play. Do you all think the other two will?
IM4Oakgal - July 20, 2007
Three A's hitters on a fantasy team?
Not the line up I would want to throw out.
Oregoneon - July 20, 2007
I drafted Swish
and added Cust...and quite recently added Stewart. I dropped Jason Bay for him. and Cust hurts me with his BA but he helps me because he does get homeruns.
IM4Oakgal - July 20, 2007
Oh and we have 12 people playing.
That also hurts in finding good players.
IM4Oakgal - July 20, 2007
38268.
oblique - July 20, 2007
+1
???
iglew - July 20, 2007
October 9, 2008?
FreeSeatUpgrade - July 21, 2007
It's just a matter of time
before this squad gift wraps some fortunate pitcher a no-hitter. This lineup couldn't hit their way out of a paper bag. Sad really...
sf drift king - July 21, 2007
Caption this!
alamedagirl - July 21, 2007
Wher DA ball? Wher DA BALLL!!!?
oblique - July 21, 2007
"Dang, where's my bat?
Looks like a perfect pitch to swing at! Whoops, it bounced."Nico - July 21, 2007
Just back from the game
....and from the postgame trip to In'n"Out featuring in-car dining for your convenience, to the accompaniment of the Technical Difficulties Edition of Extra Innings, featuring Robert Buan as the man who never knows when his mic is open....and the post-postgame trip to Codys Books to get my copy of Harry Potter and the Nine-Game Losing Streak Followed By A Win and a Loss You Really Can't Feel Too Bad About Because Erik Bedard Is A Hell of a Pitcher. Half of Berkeley was crammed in there (including a colleague of mine from the electron factory and Apricot, who had been sent out on orders from Mrs, Apricot). It was incredibly hot and the line took forever. I bought a copy of Game of Shadows and then it turned out I was in line next to a bunch of Gnats fans including a kid in a Bonds jersey. So I tried to conceal the cover to keep his simple faith alive.
What? Oh, the game....well, we had a nice time as always in the left field bleachers. The weather was good. Bobby caught Ellis's home run about a foot away from me. Duke did an excellent job on the drums accompanied by apprentice Ron and the AN All-Amateur Percussion Volunteers who I hope were not too much off the beat. A nice Orioles fan who now lives in Berkeley joined us. Duke wrestled with the moral dilemma of whether to play Jay Payton's beat even though he is no longer an Athletic, and finally decided that it couldn't jinx the game any further, as long as everyone understood that no precedent was to be implied herein. When Payton heard it, he turned around and waved. That was nice. Bad baseball is better than no baseball, and even bad baseball is good when you're in the left field bleachers. And now if you'll excuse me, I've got a book to read...
Englishmajor - July 21, 2007
thanks for the report
I'm out of the country til mid-August (but yes, I have tickets for when I get back, including all three games the last weekend against the Angels, ha ha).
Glad to hear Duke is drumming...I didn't see him much in April or May....and I'm still a JayPay fan.
OaklandSi - July 21, 2007
come on boys!
The boys gotta beat a dude coming back from a sprained ass!!!
bigelephant - July 21, 2007
So....
i just we kinda suck.
I'm still waiting for the game we score 20 runs.
chavyizdamn3 - July 21, 2007
Bobby Crosby--did you see his last at bat?
Worst ever. The guy has no clue. He thinks if he swings more-and more wildly-he might make contact.
Please send him to AAA to figure out how to be a major league batter. He is so very painful to watch.
And a visit to the shrink, too. He has totally lost his focus.
oaklandcrazy - July 21, 2007
Gotta give Suzuki time...
I think he will be good. For him the learning curve is steep. He didn't get this far by being second rate. Piazza being back will be a huge benefit for him. Mike's catching days are long gone, old guys usually take pleasure in passing their craft along to the next crop of players.
alox - July 21, 2007
Suzuki's D
He struggled with his defense in Stockton, rebounded the next year to rank as one of the top defensive Catchers in the minors. The skills are there and no one will out-work him.
He's probably feeling a bit o' pressure right now and pressing.
grover - July 21, 2007
He's in a position where he's trying to 20 things
at one time. I can't imagine the pressure he is feeling but we all need to be patient.
ohtobe21likehuston - July 21, 2007
Nail has been hit on the head
He just looks like the weight of the world is on his shoulders. It's a big jump, and he's being thrown into the fire quicker than he, or anyone else, had anticipated. Once the game slows down a bit for him he'll be fine. Until then, it might be ugly for a little while. This isn't anything that most rookie catchers go through, and I don't find it particularly worrisome.
IndianaAsfan - July 21, 2007
Agree on Crosby
Among the problems is that Crosby stands so far away from the plate he can't cover a lot of pitches, so he often tries to make up for it by guessing and lunging at pitches. He also walks pretty infrequently. He's shown no ability to adjust and while it's possible one of these days everything will just "click," in reality, it seems pretty unlikely, since it's an overall intelligent approach to hitting that he's missing.
SA - July 21, 2007
You guys are way to hard on Crosby!! Remember,
this season is like an extended spring training for him since he's been hurt for the past 3 years. So please cut him some slack and be awed by his '08 performance. Thanks.
Bacon - July 21, 2007
just saw on MLBTraderumors
Yanks might swap Proctor to DRays for Wiggington. I'd love to see both guys on the A's next year, Proctor as a starter, Wiggington as infield utility bat. Wonder if Beane could wiggle into a trade like this somehow
closetasfan - July 21, 2007
Proctor as a starter?
Why? I'd much rather see Meyer get a shot than give a spot to a guy that isn't even a decent reliever.
Now, if you're wanting a fire to roast marshmallows, I hear Proctor is your guy...
IndianaAsfan - July 21, 2007
Just got wind of another trade rumor...Crsoby &
and Kennedy for "players to be nammed" and a "fistful of dollars"!
Vegas Ace - July 21, 2007
When it comes to Crosby
A handfull of quarters would placate me.
grover - July 21, 2007
place to dump Crosby
I think is Red Sux
Give them Kotsay and Crosby see if you can get Jon Lester (I doubt it, but who knows with his cancer)
closetasfan - July 21, 2007
That would be the single worst trade in history
for the Sox.
I could see Crosby and Kotsay for Crisp, since Ellsbury will be their CF in 2009 anyway. But a good starter candidate? Dying or otherwise, that's a terrible deal for Boston.
PaulThomas - July 21, 2007
Dunno about Lester--
I hear he's a cancer clubhouse.
Nico - July 21, 2007
But "worst trade in Red Sox history"????
C'mon, PaulThomas. This is the franchise that was haunted by the ghost of Babe Ruth. You think they'd be haunted by Lester?
Nico - July 21, 2007
One little mistake....
and a century later people are still on your ass. sheesh.
alox - July 21, 2007
anyone heard of Bobby Scales
looking at his stats this year , he'd be someone I'd like to get from the Red Sux at 2b. 895 OPS in AAA
closetasfan - July 21, 2007
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