Athletics Nation

I guess Yellowhorse is getting his wish.

Didn’t he want to try Brown at first?

woo!

Yay Lenny!

Safe at first, too

That's what my really was about.

wow.

looked safe, but let’s see the replay.
...
still looks safe.
that’s okay, I’ll take it.

whiteshoes40 - July 19, 2008 reply

Was it?

Ya clearly safe

Whoa. That was a HUGE break.

Our "using luck to win" strategy

has been really effective today.

Those A's are clever...

Gamecast says both balls

were strikes

all three

DiNardo's shamrock is just about

used up.

alox - July 19, 2008 reply

Wow, same pitch.

Fucking Lenny wanting the game over it appears

Ouch.

RIPHalsey - July 19, 2008 reply

can we make an in-game trade for sexson?

he and cust together would boost our 3 true outcomes percentage sky high

DyeLongJustice - July 19, 2008 reply

not to mention it would eliminate DFA at first

DyeLongJustice - July 19, 2008 reply

Or if Cust got on top of Sexsons shoulders and Sexson were tojump a little they would be sky high.

LiZaRdReVoLuTiOn - July 19, 2008 reply

holy shit!

all of those pitches were in the strike zone!

King Richard - July 19, 2008 reply

Does it compensate for a very tall batter?

well. hmm.

now what?

whiteshoes40 - July 19, 2008 reply

Dream on

Ray!

Let's go Lenny. DP DP DP

i hope

Huston Street feels good about what he did. We cant ship his ass out fast enough

hibachi7_7_7 - July 19, 2008 reply

Well, we're on life support

Where is the DP ball?!?!?!

patience.....patience....

where is DP deivi cruz when you need him...

DyeLongJustice - July 19, 2008 reply

LOL. HBP.

#$^%J#$

Why are the middle IFs in?

Closer for them to run off the field in...

disgrace after this POS showing?

smith1051 - July 19, 2008 reply

He

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!

jackcustismyhero32 - July 19, 2008 reply

Oh well

All I can say is thank god it’s over.

lenscrafters - July 19, 2008 reply

wow

That was unexpected and disappointing

Now who’s our 1B?

damn.

Oh god

What a waste of 4 hours

Feeba - July 19, 2008 reply

Geren, get up!

No effort to avoid the pitch.

And he actually tilted his knee into it.

Yep, that's what I thought too.

OldhamA - July 19, 2008 reply

Pathetic

smith1051 - July 19, 2008 reply

Walk Off HBP!

Lovely.

There's an embarassing way to lose

jax a's fan - July 19, 2008 reply

ridiculous way to lose

I blame Street.

brooklyn24 - July 19, 2008 reply

worst game ever

bye bye Ellis, Embree, Street, Duke, Crosby? – time to sell

boilerdan - July 19, 2008 reply

:(

drmmerchk - July 19, 2008 reply

Finally!

Only ten more weeks of this crap, people.

Coach Cleats - July 19, 2008 reply

Lenny needs to be shipped off. Ridiculous.

He probably will be when Gio comes up

LOL

Last time tried that, we sent him to the minors, and nobody picked him up.

He is not ML quality. He should just go away.

He flew all the way from Sacramento this morning.

Just to do this?

alox - July 19, 2008 reply

He pitched last night too

Bah!

elephantbaseball - July 19, 2008 reply

WE NEED TO GET RID OF EVERYONE WHO DOESN'T SUCCEED EVERY TIME

lol

We basically do that

If Huston gets a "Turkey" of blown saves

Then we have to consider it.

18k's

ugh

Glomar - July 19, 2008 reply

18 today

and 12 yesterday.

RIPHalsey - July 19, 2008 reply

Bob Geren doesn't care about winning, period.

YOU GET PAID TO POINT OUT THAT MOLINA LEANED INTO THAT.

It was a foot inside

A manager is never going to win that one.

Who cares if he's going to win it?

It’s the rule.

They only enforce it if he leans over the strike zone

That wasn’t even close to being a strike.

Again, don't care.

It doesn’t matter if you’re going to win the argument or not. The game is on the line, and he broke the rule. You point it out, period.

Again, not going to matter

If you’ve watched baseball or played it for any length of time, it’s not enforced unless the pitch was actually a strike. I’d prefer to not whine over a call that shouldn’t matter. Fact is DiNardo hit a guy on a 1-2 pitch when he has no business even being that far off the plate.

Wrong.

That’s not the rule, and pitches that hit you in the arm (the ones to which you’re alluding) aren’t in the strike zone by definition.

Another example.

Don Baylor used to get called for it too, for the pitches that drilled him in the ass.

Let's face it

When is that rule ever enforced?

Geren isn’t going to win that one anyways.

lenscrafters - July 19, 2008 reply

I've seen it a handful of times.

A couple of times on Kendall, actually.

Dick Dietz remembers it being enforced

I hope you read this Street

Go F yourself and stop F’ing us

Wow! And this comes from OptimistPrime! Woah, you really screwed up this time Street!

LiZaRdReVoLuTiOn - July 19, 2008 reply

He is the One True Outcome....BS everytime out anymore. I am going to go stick my head in the mircowave

what a way to end nearly five hours

of an afternoon…my family has been needling me about wasting it…(they just don’t understand addiction)

OaklandSi - July 19, 2008 reply

For someone said to be a genius

Why does Beane have all this garbage on the team when there are better choices in graves around the country?

There is no excuse for having all the players who i don;t need to mention on this team. Let the youngsters all play.

Should Blez ask him that in his next interview?

Not in those words no

But I wonder if he asks himself.

Give the young one’s experience if you waive the white flag, not people like DiNardo, Hannahan, Murphy etc.

I don't see any of those guys around much longer

Maybe Murphy as a utility IF

I'm starting to agree with you

With all the injuries, no reason not to start trying out some of the young guys like Petit every day, as well as putting Gio in the rotation. We need to see if they can play.

+1000!

I see that happening pretty soon, before the end of the month.

I'm pissed off to but there is more to the story. What if Gio isn't ready yet

and we blow his confidence? Beane said it was a rebuilding year but we have just overachieved in the W/L column. Bringing up a player early can be detrimental to their entire career and I trust the organization with pitching.

They are totally clueless about finding hitters though. This offense has been bad for so many years.

Gio is dominating right now

Why not call him up? His confidence is sky high, this is the perfect time.

but to bring him up to face the Yankees? Or Tampa Bay???

I think they are waiting until the end of the month, maybe Kansas City at home….

Gallagher wasn't the problem

It was the offense. The pen only gave up 2 runs in 6.1 IP, although I guess Lenny could have given up a lot more if the game hadn’t ended

Slusser speculated Gio would be up on the 28th

She’s uncannily right much of the time with such predictions. The question is which starter is out. Braden? Duke? Smith/Eveland?

Braden sucks.

Ya but I fear he's the solution if Duke is traded or Smith/Eveland

run out of gas. At least until Cahill or Simmons is ready…or Duke fetches something ready in the trade

"run out of gas"

No problem. He is a gascan.

He

You are right in regards to minor league hitters.

How many pitchers have you seen dominate Sactown and then come here and do nothing? Komine, Robertson, Braden, etc.

How many of those pitchers you mentioned have any talent?

Good point. Why is Braden back up right now?

I have no idea.

I don’t see any benefit to Braden starting.

No

It’s great for the A’s tanking the rest of the season for a better draft pick in 2009….....

Ugh…..

Plus he looks like an idiot.

It only makes sense if another trade is imminent

agreed sir

+1001

+1002!

Besides Street personally blowing this game

The offense in the top of the 9th failed to score the runner from second with no outs and that would have been the extra run tthat we needed to seal the win. Oh, and all the fucking runners the A’s left on base makes me cringe. The absurdity of how bad the offense has become is almost unfathomable.

Hate to say it my friends but the A’s season is over. Sorry….

Most realists said that a while back.

Exactly the reason why

the dregs need to be exorcised from the team

Well, well...

...they found a different way to lose a game. These guys a getting hard to watch.

doubleplayer - July 19, 2008 reply

you guys are funny....

Beane brought us 9 .500+ seasons out of 10…

He has now made our minor league system the envy of MLB…

We’ll be right there next year and for the forseeable future…

Telling Street to go “F” himself is classic…. it’s not HIS fault he’s the closer…

brenarlo - July 19, 2008 reply

No, it's just his fault he sucks.

really?

Isn’t that why the A’s drafted him?

That's my point...

His college COACH made him a closer… the A’S drafted him as a closer… GEREN puts him out there as a closer…

Obviously Street would like to be the closer.. but it’s not his choice…

brenarlo - July 19, 2008 reply

He doesn't suck...

He might not be a good closer… but if he was the 6th inning option with a 4.00 ERA we’d be saying “look we have a back-end guy with an ERA around 4… that’s awesome.”

brenarlo - July 19, 2008 reply

LOL...you are correct my friend, it is Geren's fault for not letting Ziggy pitch the ninth

You are 100% technically correct.

But Street does suck

that game

was my least favorite game of the season.

gotgreen - July 19, 2008 reply

I was at last Sunday's. That was worse for me.

Last Sunday's was much worse

which makes me think that my hatred for the Yankees instead of the Angels is misplaced.

4 hours, 45 minutes....4 game threads....

I should been making a list of the number of people who said they are giving up on the A’s and never coming back…..the game threads will be much more manageable starting tomorrow. :)

Ya mine was really slow at the end of each

Dont put me on that list!

Just because Street can’t pitch himself out of a bodybag doesnt mean I am giving up on our boys.

yet.

Street

destroyed this season. Is there something in the managerial handbook that precludes Ziggy from throwing the 9th inning when he is hot.

DKNJ - July 19, 2008 reply

Yeah:His name is Billy Beane

Street will not be pulled as closer

because his already worthless value will continue until we have to pay 10,000,000 for someone to take him

Quick Billy, pull the trigger!

You might still get a two-piece and a biscuit for street!

Oh wait—after today, you’lll only get a drumstick.

I think I might take that at this point

But only with the drumstick AND an extra biscuit.

We might have to package the deal with Diamond Dallas Braden and Pool Boy Barton

They might even upgrade from KFC to Popeyes!!

Success!!

This is a very good question

If the “closer” has a groin injury and another reliever is pitching amazingly well, why does the closer have to keep his closer job until he goes on the DL? Why not put him in lower leverage situations till he feels better or goes on the DL?

Good point

I cannot wait to hear what Geren says if someone asks him about Street

Probably, “Huston was one strike away and didn’t get it done”

glad i missed the ag-ra-va-shun

ak_A - July 19, 2008 reply

Go fly a kite you Bo-Sux fan!!!!!!!!

Once again

Why, why, why was Andrew Brown not in the game?? He could’ve pitched DiNardo’s two innings and then, and only then, should we throw in DiNardo, the absolute last resort.

Is Brown injured or something? If not, this is just another mistake by Geren in a game full of managerial errors.

lenscrafters - July 19, 2008 reply

Good question for Geren!

Brown pitched yesterday

But he still could have pitched 1 inning today.

ZigFan31 - July 19, 2008 reply

Brown has looked injured lately

His fastball has been around 91. All of our relievers look like they are running on fumes except for Ziggy.

I guess he enjoys sucking?????

He could have gone with Brown for two innings

and then used Gascan DiNardo as the last resort.

Someone needs to ask Bob Macha this one

And the Angels just took the lead.

Boston just choked away their game

The troll earned himself bad karma

Gotta love the karma!

Coach Cleats - July 19, 2008 reply

Great.........

Just what the doctor ordered!

Go Cubs!

95 degree heat

and a gut wrenching loss. This season is over. If Street closed out the last two games the A’s would be 53-44 and dreaming of a miracle playoff berth. Stunning turn of events.

DKNJ - July 19, 2008 reply

Yeah, that's why it's hard to be optimistic right now.

We are going to be 8 games back after today. Season’s over.

Let's hope Beane gets some good returns....

On the trades coming soon. Let’s start using these rookies and see what we have in them. Trade Crosby to LA. Trade Street to TB or Milwaukee, trade Embree to whomever will want an aging lefty, trade Ellis to the Rockies, DFA Brown, I can go on and on. I don’t think Geren should lead the 09 team next season. We need a manager that knows how to manage in tough situations instead of experimenting w/ DFA or mishandling the bullpen game after game after game. There was no reason that Ziggs couldn’t have came out for the 9th against 3 lefties, His lefty #’s are WAY better that Huston. Sorry for the long run on sentences guys, I’m just hurting inside cuz I want to see our A’s succeed so badly. “Nuff Said”.

True, it sucks

It's absolutely horrible to watch street and be reminded

of Mondo B

damn

It's getting to be...

...horrible just watching Street at all.

gdubb925 - July 19, 2008 reply

Wow, Crisp with an amazing catch in center

The good news is

the Warriors signed Rony Turiaf yesterday…........

(Sound of crickets heard faintly in the distance…)

I bet the Lakers are in panic mode

Even the crickets are silently puzzed

Puzzed?

or buzzed?

both

Buzzled.

AustryaN41 - July 19, 2008 reply

LOL!

LOL at caller

On Extra Innings he said

“Street is stinking up the joint” and

“If you turn Bob Geren inside out, you have Ken Macha”

Yay caller!

Rays all the way now in the AL East

Hit4TheCycle - July 19, 2008 reply

Until they aquire Street

Street has 25 career blown saves in 118 chances

21.2 percent of his save chances he blows.

Enough said.

Can we trade Geren for a MTBNL or prospects?

Geren is an A Hole

Say what you want about Street. He shouldn’t have been out there. Geren did what he typically does. Keep pulling pitchers until he finds someone the opposition can hit. Casilla had a good inning. Get him out of there! Let’s see…No one has been able to touch Ziggy. No way can we leave him in. All the frickin time! If a guy is cruising and he hasn’t even been through the line up once, why can’t he stay in? Is there a rule against it? I hate Geren. I think if the A’s could unload him and Embree and somehow get just one guy in the line up that a pitcher might be the least bit afraid of they could make a run at the Angels. Hell! Sign Bonds.

steeraw - July 19, 2008 reply

Don't sign bonds

that ship has past and we’re too far gone

Let’s start scouting the Little Leagues!!

who needs Bonds?

We had a much younger hitter who crossed Billy Beane and his fragile ego and got shown the door.

Here’s what Milton is doing this year for Texas:

BA HR RBI OBP SLG
.316 19 57 .440 .607

coffee roaster - July 19, 2008 reply

I don't really want Bonds

It was written out of frustration. The frustration of watching 200 hitter after 200 hitter. My main point was that Geren is worthless….I suppose that’s not true either. He’s worth quite a bit…TO THE ANGELS

steeraw - July 19, 2008 reply

Yeah, we already know what Bradley's doing and why he's no longer in Oakland

And look at his splits. Road’s respectable to be sure, but he’s killing it in Arlington. Think about some of the reasons why.

Name the Untouchables on this team

CarGon, Ziggy, Joey Devine, Sean Gallagher

Duke I would want to stay and Ellis for his defense. Anyone else?

I can't think of anyone right now

Can we trade banjoman?

I figure we can trade a stanky fan for someone who can connect bat and ball with some stank.

I think G. Smith will be pretty good with more experience. We should hold onto him