Athletics Nation

typo. edited. thanks

And I meant the 6th run in the inning. I'll fix that as well.

Strret looked AWESOME tonight.

Your 2008 AAs

(modifying my game thread quip)

I'll take the two baggers... Thanks Guys!

MB, quick efficient recap; like Street in the 9th today. *sigh*

consider my typos the equivalent of Street's WP

More like a Fernando Hernandez beanball.

Or a Fernando Hernandez bases loaded walk. Or...Hmm...I prefer Rules 1-4.

hey, a win is a win

OaklandSi - April 11, 2008 reply

By the way on my count...

1298 game thread comments. That was fun!!!

crb29 - April 11, 2008 reply

It would actually be kind of a "weather God" break

for the A's if Saturday's game was rained out, in that it would be a free Harden/Duke start skipped. Nothing against DiNardo, who's a worthy #6 starter but the odds aren't in his favor, especially as he's pitched all of 1/3 inning this season.

Street looked exceptional in the 9th, continuing to give me more and more hope as the season wears on. You wonder if the early season start affected him - just as the World Classic Thingy may have a couple years ago.

Street-

I sure hope so, we need to have confidence in him this season with all the close games I suspect we'll have.

crb29 - April 11, 2008 reply

If the first 11 are any indication...we're all going to have to pace ourselves!

A pace-maker might help...

Seriously,

I'm stressed out.

I suggest drinking more.

The A's are driving me to drink. Goodness.

What I wanna know is, who's going to drive me back?

Always a good solution for stress ;)

It's such a beautiful night

I wish I were at an A's game right now. But then, I've already had enough alcohol for the evening :-)

I always wonder about relievers in the early season

How many innings did he pitch in Arizona? It couldn't have been that many. It's possible that some relievers just take a while to scrape off more of the offseason rust.

Look at Betancourt. Coming into tonights game, his BAA was .539, IIRC.

It seems that way with Street -

didn't he say he picks up velocity as the season progresses? Maybe he should throw 100-150 innings in Arizona (maybe complete games in both split-squad games).

FormerHuntsvilleStar - April 11, 2008 reply

Street

Korach commented on the radio broadcast that Street had been doing some side work over the last few days, specifically to work on "being taller" and getting more velocity on his fastball. Sounds like his mechanics were a little off early in the season, but maybe he's getting that worked out... I'm hoping that's the case anyway.

LoveDemAs - April 12, 2008 reply

At least it wasn't midges

Stop looking over your glasses at my avatar!!

as soon as you apologize for tormenting Dan Johnson

Well, to be fair I did finally figure out a cure for that...

...but I'm not sure DJ would really want to go through with it.

the sad Dan Johnson ...

... the mad Dan Johnson ...

He was a young hitter

from somewhere down in the minors, the name...ach, I have forgotten. But his swing was beautiful! And this rich GM, he signed Dan Johnson, and brought him up to Oakland. He built that locker at the Coliseum for him. And...yes, there was a slump, a slump. And then this GM...he took his 1B job, and he threw Dan Johnson away. GMs could do that in those days. They had the power. And the freedom. And they say that after that, Dan Johnson walked the dugout of the Coliseum, saying...is that my swing, have you seen my swing? And then he was DFA'd, refusing to be outrighted to the minors by his own hand.

Ach -- there are many such stories in Oakland

bravo

I wonder if DJ lives on the corner of Eddy and Gough out in the Western Addition?

I'll check on that as soon as I oil the leaves on my rubber plant

FormerHuntsvilleStar - April 11, 2008 reply

Those would be tough to swat...

...off of Joba Chamberlain's neck...

Those only attack the Yankees

according to what I saw on ESPN.

Questions for small sample size people:

1. At what point in the season does small sample size cease being small sample size, and become the way it is?
2. More of a projection question, but I would imagine that Crosby's projections for this season were significantly lower than what he is producing right now. But, what do you do with projections that don't include a different stance, different approach, and different standing position from the plate?

sprtsnwyn - April 11, 2008 reply

When pitcher realize the change

when they learn that the low outside pitch is no longer an auto-miss, and change their tactics.

Or Crosby gets back to what we expected.

The same questions above can be asked about Cust as well..

MobiusKlein - April 11, 2008 reply

Don't look now...

...but the A's have the best record in the American League.

Flashfire - April 11, 2008 reply

I really didn't expect that after 3 games, much less 11.

we can finally retire to our dinners ...

Homemade carnitas and Cabot extra-sharp cheddar on Rancho Gordo tortillas. With homemade gingersnaps for dessert.

What's for desert? Cactus?

Don't eat it.

It's spiked. And then everyone will strand you and just leave you behind.

That's seriously

chichi Mexican food.
I usually just run over to Feralitos.

What's the deal on Jose Castillo (Giants' 3B)?

Is he actually good, or had I never heard of him for a reason?

Uh, Marlins AND Pirates reject...

Career 75 OPS+ hitter

Primarily as a middle infielder. The Gnats have him playing third because they couldn't trade for Joe Crede.

doctorK - April 11, 2008 reply

God, their whole lineup is like a quicksand pit of suck.

The more you struggle to find something good, the worse it gets.

Apparently they were determined to find a downgrade

for Pedro Feliz - which is not easy.

Feliz is one of the best defensive 3Bs in baseball though

That's worth something.

thejd44 - April 12, 2008 reply

Well, it's not the Giants' fault that Kenny Williams wanted

Lowry or Lincecum - to START the discussion. I would've hung up the phone and immediately called everybody in baseball to tell what a hilarious man KW is.

thejd44 - April 12, 2008 reply

Sabean was worse

Sabean was offering Dave Roberts.The package that Sabean was offering was worse than what Kenny Williams was offering. Roberts is worthless to the WS, is a worse player, is older, costs more than Crede.

rfloh - April 12, 2008 reply

He was once considered a decent prospect

As usual with most Pirates prospects, the Pirates got thing from him.

rfloh - April 12, 2008 reply

Meanwhile, up in Ughsville:

Dan Meyer's first start tonight:

3 IP, 4 hits, 5 ER, 3 BB, 1 K.

Sigh.

Evidently, Beane traded Hudson for Zito

I think he's down to about 130th on the organizational pitchers depth chart.

5-3 M's -- Weaver out of the game, 1st and 3rd 2 out

Not for long

5-4 and still batting

I hate the Angels.

Oh yeah, you're actually watching on tv, not mlbtv

I'm glad I didn't hear Physioc and the Hudster on Aybar's play to end the 6th.

What the hell was that!

The came was in the bag then, bam! Thank god it was a 8 run lead. It got close but I thought they would pull through.
Crosby looks great but Cust looks lost. Buck looked lost a few days ago so hopefully Cust can snap out of it too.

fansince1980 - April 11, 2008 reply

check out the notes in the recap

didn't know we got catcher john buck back.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/04/11/sports/s201324D82.DTL

Jason - April 11, 2008 reply

Hi y'all

I listened to the game in the car today. Got home just in time to see them roll out the tarp (sigh) and then switch to the giants game, seemingly just before our guys went back out onto the field.

Giants were on CSN and CSN+. Sweet!

phastphill - April 11, 2008 reply

Hey, I've got a really bad idea!

Let's let Felix Hernandez throw 117 pitches on April 11th!

M's lead down to 5-4, with the Angels still threatening. 2 outs in the 7th.

HigherPie - April 11, 2008 reply

Maybe Peasant Felix is more apt for now?

Crap.

The buzz has worn off. Now I'm depressed, hungry, lonely and tired.

Ah well..let's go M's!!

Hah.

In the meantime, I'm gonna make myself another drink.

Can you make me one too?

Something to complement my PB&J....

Sure.

Jack Daniels goes with everything.

Except Maker's Mark is better.

But yer on the right track!

you're entitled to your opinions

i like my low brow jack daniels :)

I buy it at Costco :)

It's probably rebadged JD.

I always prefer a good rum, myself

NO RUMS!

No hits, no errors.

Always?

I say it's all about context. There are times for rum, times for a nice Laphroaig, and other times for a good old JD.

I've never been able to get into Bourbon or whisky

Too turpentiney for my taste. I deal with context by having both rum (Brugal is a very good, not particularly expensive option) and rhum (I have two now: a St. James rhumn ambre 45% and a Neisson rhum blanc 50%).

Some limes, a little Rose's, some ice, and I'm good to go.

Also, there's gin in the freezer. Just in case.

Your freezer fits a case of gin??

Hmmm, I suppose it would...

...the kids don't really need those waffles and pedialite pops, do they?

I'm apparently a bit undereducated in the rum department

but I started my illustrious career with scotch and Irish whiskey. It's usually a bit much for day to day (or 60 day DL) consumption, but I still occasionally indulge..

Here's the place to go

to get edumacated.

Hmm...

given the logistics, can I take a rain check?

Why is your #2 hitter bunting to move the runner to 3rd with a 1-run lead

in the 7th?

M's trying to out-small-ball the Rodentia

doctorK - April 11, 2008 reply

And, from Ibanez's move after the double, they're also trying to out-stupidball them

Ichiro would never have scored from 2nd

on the ensuing ground rule double.

Crap.

Hang on M's.

The M's look like they've been drinking some of your JD

Alright -- big out!

http://www.lookoutlanding.com/2008/4/11/392024/4-11-open-game-thread-part#4489573

Hilarious:

those guys

not really the strong silent type, huh?

Hot Cup Joe - April 11, 2008 reply

Hahahaha

I thought I was the only one watching this game!

Listening on MLB audio, unfortunately...

Still haven't had the wherewithal to fork out the cash for TV service, but I might have to cave soon...

And I have to point out that the radio guys refer to Sexson as

"sexy."

not just innacurate

but just so wrong.

That was kind of stressful.

I have Rex and Physioc...feel sorry for me

Is anyone on the Angels' roster not "a gamer"?

Or the BEST FIELDER EVEH EVEH!!!

Lurch beat the throw!

'Angels have played some sparkling defense'

Really? 'Cause I remember a REALLY bad dive that put Ichiro at 2nd, who scored the go-ahead run

Any chance Putz will magically get healthy

in, say, the next 10-15 minutes?

Viagra can do that, right?

It's all good.

Lowe's a Putz lookalike.

redwolf75 - April 11, 2008 reply

Whoa whoa whoa -- Scoscia is whining to the ump about something? ZOMG!!

No!!!!

That NEVER happens.

We've used up our game thread

allocation tonight

INSURANCE!

whewww!

Yeah!!

Insurance runs are at a premium...

Like only one per inning lately?

That appears to be the policy..

What's funny about that, is that Johjima

was swinging the bat in exactly the same place on every swing, no matter where the ball was -- and Oliver managed to throw a pitch exactly there Johjima had been swinging.

Oliver? Pitch badly???

That was sarcasm.

Those ichiro bobbleheads

look mighty tasty....

Hot Cup Joe - April 11, 2008 reply

More insurance...awesome!

AFLAC!!

Twins fans are going to travel to Seattle

to see the face of their 2nd-favorite CF that mysteriously has appeared in the padding of the centerfield fence.

raul cleverly avoids another RBI

skutch - April 11, 2008 reply

Hahaha

Rex Hudler is either WAY stoned, or just REALLY weird.

Or some combo of the two.

Seattle has literally the worst defense I've ever seen.

And I like Vlad hustling for the meaningless base in the 9th, risking a potential out.

Seriously, what was that?

And then he threw dirt on Ibanez? Weird.

THAT is what is going to cost the Angels. They call it hustle and grit, I call it monumental stupidity.

When you are down by THREE RUNS, and you lead off with a hit, the LAST THING YOU DO is risk getting thrown out at 2nd.

It's not hustling, it's just stupid.

Apparently America's 2nd favorite pastime

(behind baseball) is RVing.

That's not what I was thinking.

That's right. We own first.

I'm going to enjoy it, even if just for one day.

Reminds me of

Cal's homecoming '07... about half way through the game v. OSU we were #2... for about ten minutes. We were changing, "We're #2! We're #2!" Then we lost... and dropped somewhere out of the Top 20 (but still above Stanfurd -- who is giving away tickets to fill seats in '08. Cuz they suck, new stadium and all).

It's the A's Fan Cocktail

I've been consuming every day for the past three games... combined with Casilla's "Highballs" today, that have my fingers all jammed up tonight. Cannot type for crap. Should have been "We were chanting..." night night. I quit. A's are in 1st and tomorrow is another day.

Lets not make this comparison

07 Cal Football is about the most disappointing collapse since Mooch's team in 95. Plus they lost the big game on the farm. Let it go man, it's too painful to remember.

asfansince1989 - April 11, 2008 reply

I was there. This is nothing like that.

And we will never speak of it again.

louismg - April 12, 2008 reply

point taken

Baseball is waaaay better than football; more games, more meetings, more sunshine.

1st Place!!

< savors it >

Best record in the AL!

Now that Angels has lot, A's alone are in the 1st place in AL! Probably won't last the whole season (hope it does), but this is sweet!

asfansince1989 - April 11, 2008 reply

If the season ended now ...

we'd be in the dance, baby!

Vacafan - April 11, 2008 reply

Hopefully we wouldn't lose game 5 to the Royals...

Woo hoo!

Thanks Mariners! Good luck tomorrow.

streetfan - April 11, 2008 reply

Baseball Tonight

gave Cust the #5 Web Gem for his catch in LF
They gave Grady #1 for robbing Ellis in CF

drink409 - April 11, 2008 reply

Grady's catch deserved it

Caught it the same time he banged into the wall. Can't think of too many people who can make that catch. Even the best of them probably make that only half of the time.

asfansince1989 - April 11, 2008 reply

Cust - a web gem.

Will wonders never cease.

green star oakland - April 11, 2008 reply

Byrnes got web gems all the time

All it takes is a terrible first read that necessitates a diving finish :-)

Extra points

if you roll over a couple of times after making the catch.

day-to-day - April 12, 2008 reply

Heart Byrnes

What about Erick Aybar?

He made a phenomenal play against the Mariners with the bases packed.

redwolf75 - April 11, 2008 reply

It was probably already said in the game thread...

but, is Geren a genius or what for putting that lineup out there? I think there were some naysayers in the early game thread postings.

FoolshGame22 - April 11, 2008 reply

But was he a fool for leaving Blanton in long enough to give up 5 runs?

I didn't see the game, but it looks like one of those situations where I would've been saying "pull him" about 4 batters before Geren even had somebody warming up.

thejd44 - April 12, 2008 reply

Blanton didn't do it

He got the blame for F'Her's F-ups. See the game thread. (sorry, too lazy to link)

so...

...pretty much like every one of his other starts, then.

rageon - April 12, 2008 reply

I need to follow the NL more closely

since I'm only just now finding out that there's a player named Angel Pagan.

FreeSeatUpgrade - April 11, 2008 reply

Ironic, isn't it?

Almost as good an unintentionally sacrilegious name as God Shammgod.

PaulThomas - April 11, 2008 reply

And at the moment he appears to be the Mets 4th best OF

which means he's going to likely play quite a bit, with Alou old and injured.

rfloh - April 12, 2008 reply

paradoxical even