The consensus on the 1st Game Thread was that the game was over as soon as the Yankees scored their 1st run in the bottom of the 3rd. While that wasn't technically the case, it was true enough to summarize just how poorly the A's offense performed this weekend. While the A's would eek out a run in the 6th on a Jack Hannahan (or is it Lannahan?) leadoff double, a Mark Ellis sac bunt and a soft-liner RBI single to center by Swooney, the lineup still compiled 9 more strikeouts on the afternoon and looked utterly stupefied against Andy Petitte, who went 8 full innings, did not issue a single walk and only 4 hits. Petitte was vaulted to victory on the back of the mustachioed Jason Giambi who WAS the Yankee offense today, going 2-for-2 with a tiebreaking homer over the short-porch in right in the 6th, to go along with 2 walks.
On the series, the A's struck-out 39 times in about 81 total opportunities. I'm no statistician, but I'm fairly certain it's nearly impossible to score runs when the lineup fails to put the ball in play and records outs in about half of their plate appearances.
This latest ugly defeat overshadowed another nice, gutsy outing from Justin Duchscherer. The Duke continued to look just a little under the weather, and yet he managed to go 7 full innings, scattering 6 hits and 2 runs while striking out 4. With his latest effort, Duke continues to hover comfortably under the 2.00 ERA mark, currently sitting at 1.87. Sadly, efforts like these, which are about the only reasons to watch this team right now, are definitely skyrocketing Duke's trade value and hastening his imminent departure from the team. I can probably handle losing more games, but I don't know if I'll fair too well if we lose Duke...
In other positive news, Swooney was awesome today. He not only gunned-down A-Rod at home for the second time in 3 days, but he also collected the A's only RBI of the day. That he was able to get 2 hits against 2 of the Yankees best pitchers (Petitte and Rivera) just goes to show that he is unquestionably the A's best all-around player right now. The power still isn't there, but even if it never shows up, he's a helluva all-around player and just an exciting guy to watch all over the field and the batter's box.
Unfortunately, the road doesn't get any easier for the Green and Gold this week, as they make the trek to Tropicana Field to take on the fearsome Rays starting tomorrow. The confluence of power hitting righty Evan Longoria and our 3 inconsistent lefty starters (Smith, Eveland, Braden) could produce some more depressing moments over the next 72 hours...
0 recs | 87 comments
I think I'm going to say goodbye to the prospect of october
It was pretty hard to watch us get K’ed one after the other.
I’m sure Frank Thomas and Mike Sweeney were figments of my imagination seen earlier in the season.
oaklandSMASH - July 20, 2008
Please don't trade Duchscherer
He is such a bright spot. Yes, I know he is 30, but he can be a reliever/closer when his starting days are over. (And I don’t think that will be for quite awhile). In 4 years when Fremont comes to pass, he will still be in his prime. I see him around until his 40’s. (see Greg Maddox).
I am tired of everyone leaving. Billy, make the fans happy and sign Ellis and Duke. Then, we will be happy to watch you form the nuceus around them.
oaklandcrazy - July 20, 2008
Trade him away...he doesn't deserve this, he would have been cy young this year
on any other team with major league hitters
jshaw25 - July 20, 2008
Keep duke on the team
to lead the young arms into the next phase.
Duke would love to stay in the east bay and still be the man when the A’s move.
oaklandSMASH - July 20, 2008
I love Duke as much as the nezt guy
but if he can bring us a bat… then we gotta deal him.
Syphon - July 20, 2008
Time to let the kids plays, IMO.
Syphon - July 20, 2008
great to be able to see the game on TV today
the outcome, not so great—though not really unexpected.
Hey, at least the announcers on TBS apologized for saying Duck-sher, although they totally missed the Lannahan one. Speaking of “missing”, the A’s did too much of that at the plate. I’m not even so upset at Street for blowing yesterday’s save, because when you have an offense eke out as few runs as the AAAA’s did (that comes from one of the announcers), who wouldn’t be screaming “Eek”?
OaklandSi - July 20, 2008
Where was Bankston?
I missed most of the game threads. Why was Jackahan playing first?
mikev - July 20, 2008
dehydration according to TBS announcers
OaklandSi - July 20, 2008
It's strangely liberating...
...to see us edge beyond the contention horizon. I wouldn’t count us out yet – 51-47 is a relatively decent place to be and a couple of streaks (us winning and others losing) might turn things around. Yet, the pressure on my fan nerve is now less intense and I’ll enjoy the games for the nuggets and look forward to see the young ‘uns flourish and perhaps treat us to some Spoiler Ball in September.
a tad askew - July 20, 2008
Dammit Crosby
Please hit 4 the cycle next game.
Hit4TheCycle - July 20, 2008
I was gone for most of the weekend.
Did we trade any more pitchers? The last one I heard about was Blanton.
iglew - July 20, 2008
You're not going to put up much offense
With the likes of Hannahan, Brown, Murphy… etc.. supported by relatively light-hitting rookies and an inconsistent Jack Cust.
VORP is too nerdy - July 20, 2008
Speaking of which...
Jack Cust’s line by month
April .188/.388/.281
May .303/.431/.573
June .207/.339/.402
July .193/.303/.456
Batting sub .210 in 3 out of 4 months this season. Ouch.
VORP is too nerdy - July 20, 2008
lol Iso-OBP of .200 in April awesome.
iamawesomer - July 20, 2008
so
who will be the Heckler’s target this year?
gotgreen - July 20, 2008
The only guy that can keep the game close: Swooney.
Taj Adib - July 20, 2008
Gotta be the next strikeout king...JacK Kust
itsgemme - July 20, 2008
For those who care...
Yesterday, Denorfia ended his rehab, was activated (really this time) from the DL and optioned to Sacramento. It does not show up on the official site…it still says that he was activated and optioned on 22 May. I don’t know why they never fixed that.
Swooney's Left Foot - July 20, 2008
I hope he gets healthy and gets his swing together
I’m still hopeful that he can play a role for the team, though it seems unlikely that there will be room for him as a starter.
You have to feel for a guy who claws his way out of essentially the “organizational filler” pile, finally makes it to the majors, and then has the dream dissolve from a couple of tough-luck injuries.
PaulThomas - July 20, 2008
Travis Buck!!!!!!
Where have you gone? I find it disturbing that T-Buck has completely fallen off the map. Wasn’t he supposed to bee one of the bright spots of the future for this organization? I know he’s been hurt on and off this year but what gives with “player status”? Does anyone know what;s going on with TB?
mrod - July 20, 2008
Barton and Buck
Have been MAJOR disappointments.
Syphon - July 20, 2008
No kidding.
If you would’ve told me we’d be above .500 at this point in the season with Buck toiling in the minors and Barton hitting around .220 I would’ve called you a nut. Amazing that we’ve kept it together.
baseb3383 - July 20, 2008
Sigh.
Swooney is just about the only thing on this team that can make me smile right now.
whiteshoes40 - July 20, 2008
Does this mean simulated game, or activation. I am assuming simulated
theblackpearl - July 20, 2008
I
FoolshGame22 - July 20, 2008
ooops...
I’m hoping it means he’s gonna be closing in Tampa Bay.
FoolshGame22 - July 20, 2008
We may never win again.
Jennifer - July 20, 2008
"May"? In what bizarre fantasy concoction
could you possibly envision them actually winning another game again?
Nico - July 20, 2008
A's Management
While we see the A’s continually add pitching prospects that pan out what is going to happen if no offensive (hitting I mean) talent is never added to the club? Swinging at pitches in the dirt all weekend does not count as being an aggressive hitter.
The product put on the field is unwatchable. No clutch hitting, no manager moves- squeeze plays, hit and runs, etc are ever applied during opportunities to try them. We are the most poorly coached and executed offense in the game.
Morada Mudshark - July 20, 2008
Someone would have to hit for the A's to be able to use the hit and run
or someone would have to get on base first either way you cant use the hit and run when half of the equation is not there
A'sfaninNC - July 20, 2008
Funny that you post this on a day where the last out
was made on a caught-stealing.
Nico - July 20, 2008
Starting Brown over Cust was an awful decision
Since he pinch hit in the 8th inning, Cust wasn’t hurt, and as a DH the past 6 games he shouldn’t need a day off to rest. Combine this with the fact that Geren has gone with a righty heavy lineup a few times before, I believe he chose to DH Brown today over Cust because he thought Brown would be better because he’s right handed as opposed to Cust, who is left-handed, versus the left-handed pitcher Andy Pettite. And that just is flat out wrong.
Looking in The Book: Playing the Percentages in Baseball Chapter 6 on platoon splits, it says a right handed batter needs around 2000 PA against left-handed pitchers before his platoon split can be considered reliable. If Geren is choosing between Brown and Cust based on the "platoon split", Brown only has 793 PA vs LHP, while Cust’s sample is almost insignificant with regards to platoon splits with only 291 PA vs LHP. Regardless, here are each player’s numbers against lefties:
Brown: .268/.336/.435
Cust: .221/.347/.401
Even giving Brown the benefit of batting against opposite handed pitching and Cust the penalty of same handed, Cust still has 11 points of OBP on him, though Brown has 23 points of OPS. Sample size issues are rampant here (especially regarding Cust), but this is the best I could do to paint Brown in a positive light.
In the same chapter The Book suggests assuming right handed batters have average platoon splits for such a small sample size. Since The Book, uses weighted On Base Average (wOBA) in their calculations of platoon splits I calculated Brown’s and Cust’s wOBA for their careers:
Brown wOBA: .323
Cust wOBA: .372
There’s just no way Brown’s “boost” vs LHP and Cust’s “penalty” vs LHP works out to 50 points of wOBA. Brown should not be starting against lefties at the expense of Cust (Brown shouldn’t be starting period but that’s for another time). Geren shouldn’t do this again.
iamawesomer - July 20, 2008
Look up PETTITTE'S left/right splits this year
and then reevaluate your position. My only complaint is that I think Suzuki, not Cust, should have pinch hit for Bowen, thereby giving Suzuki the AB against Pettitte AND saving Cust for a possible AB against the Yankees’ (all right-handed) bullpen.
Nico - July 20, 2008
Look up PETTITE's left/right splits for his career
and then reevaluate your position on my position. Here they are to save some time:
VS RHB: .270/.327/.400
VS LHB: .271/.319/.391
Putting stock into 100+ IP rather than the 2500+ he’s thrown isn’t the right way to do it.
iamawesomer - July 20, 2008
The easy way to tell if a pitcher is going to have a platoon split
is just to think about whether he throws a slider or a curveball.
Pettitte is, of course, famous for his curve—and he has almost no platoon split.
PaulThomas - July 20, 2008
it was also a Bowen start today
My guess is that it was just a normal day off for Cust, perhaps reinforced but not entirely determined by Pettite’s handedness.
I don’t think that Geren (and by extension Beane) have thrown in the towel per se, but I don’t know that scraping each and every last percentage advantage from the mixing bowl is going to dictate lineups the rest of the season.
But I’m with you—whether we’re trying to win, or trying to give guys extended looks/experience, DFA shouldn’t be starting.
monkeyball - July 20, 2008
Other obligations prevented me from
watching todays version of drek. Perhaps the A’s hitters confused the upcoming promotion on ticket prices. Instead of a dollar off for each run, they misconstrued into a dollar off for each whiff.
At least they were thinking of us…..the fans, by fanning.
alox - July 20, 2008
The first game since the Japan series
I got to see in HD and I got this garbage. >:(
Kelly - July 20, 2008
I was gonna read the Full Story of the Clemens
McCready underage affair, but you have to pay for it. damn it, i could use some excitement this sunday.
ak_A - July 20, 2008
Trade Ellis!
I stand by my post from a few months ago saying we should trade Ellis for Ian Stewart and put him at third. Then we could move eric patterson to 2b. That would be much better than throwing hannahan and murphy out there every day. Of course now that stewart is starting to mash in the majors our window of opportunity to do this is likely gone.
johnjahafanclub - July 20, 2008
I'm going to say the window of opportunity on that deal was gone
once the Rockies dropped like 20 games under .500.
PaulThomas - July 20, 2008
I agree with this, but...
...I also find it ironic considering all the crap he got at the beginning of the season around here.
I understand the key phrase is “right now”, but I am glad he’s getting his due.
UncleLeo - July 20, 2008
I'll be the first to say, I appear to have been wrong
about Ryan Sweeney. Some of my concern was that I didn’t feel he was good enough in CF, but I also questioned whether he’d hit enough (and for enough power) to play LF/RF. Power or not, I can’t complain one bit with what he’s done.
Nico - July 20, 2008
Agreed
Ryan Sweeney continues to impress me every start and I think we’re gonna have a hell of an outfield once Buck ever gets it together or Murton steps it up sometime this year. Looks like Cunningham might be ready sometime next year, hopefully.
mrod - July 20, 2008
He has been a very pleasant surprise
He does everything and more than you could ask for.
Hits to the opposite field. Looks like he’s up there and knows what he is doing. For the most part he makes quick decisions and when he recognizes a pitch he likes he usually puts a good swing on it. He does not wait for a walk to get on base.
Steals bases and has been fielding great. The only other thing we could ask for is more power and that is going to come down the line.
It really is refreshing to see someone like him on the team compared to most of the others that reside down the bottom of the order
. I know everyone likes Cust and I like his power and OBP and we need him because of the lack of power but correct me if I’m wrong but he doesn’t make alot of other team’s everyday lineup because of his strikeout totals and lack at hitting off speed stuff.
Hopefully we can get a couple of hitters for next year and he can bat 6th where he should be. I would be fine with that, strikeouts and all.
Trainman - July 20, 2008
I like Cust for the good things he does
but he definitely would be hitting no higher than 6th in a good lineup. I really hope Beans is looking to acquire some soon to be ready big leauge help at position slots. Man, this team has loads of pitching but the offense is going to continue to disappoint everyone until it recieves re-enforcements, hopefully starting next year.
mrod - July 20, 2008
I think Cust is a good hitter who helps any lineup,
but one who should bat 6th and has no business batting 3rd. For 2009, if we can get a middle of the order hitter – maybe in LF or else (less likely) up the middle – and get Chavez back strong, and can drop Cust to 6th, our lineup will start to look a whole lot better.
Nico - July 20, 2008
"Hopefully starting next year"
My fingers are crossed. We won’t contend next year either unless we bring in another hitter or two.
diaryofmac10 - July 20, 2008
We need two hitters -
Chavez recovered and an acquired bat would do the trick.
Nico - July 20, 2008
+1
mrod - July 21, 2008
I like Ryan Sweeney and all but...
...should how concerned about his lack of power should I be?
I thought (rightly or wrongly) that Stewart was more than adequate last season, but I wonder just how different Sweeney is from him? The obvious point is that Sweeney has plenty of time to ‘develop’ while Stewart was on the downside of his career. Nevertheless, as you said, the lack of power given his lack of it in the minors is a tad concerning.
One thing to keep in mind that I thought of as I write this, is that Ryan Sweeney is the perfect player on a good offense. A very solid contact hitter who can knock in the RBIs when needed; however, on an offensively retarded club, his singles are somewhat negated. All in all though, I do hope he continues his path towards a starting OF job, for it is damn fun to watch the improvement of a player such as himself.
Pucking Insane - July 20, 2008
What I "hang my hopes on" is that
players and coaches have repeatedly said “he’ll develop power” – I don’t really see it, looking at his swing and build, but I trust that they know better. Maybe he’ll be a lot bulkier in a couple years – I’m not good at projecting physiques because I know less about that stuff than anyone outside of possibly Larry Davis.
Nico - July 20, 2008
If Sweeney becomes Shannon Stewart,
he’d be a very good value for the A’s. Stewart had some excellent seasons, particularly early in his career.
PaulThomas - July 21, 2008
It's official
Ray Durham is now a Milwaukee Brewer. I guess he approved the trade this morning. Good for him, I’d like to see Ray-Ray get a chance at the post season again.
mrod - July 20, 2008
"My name is Ray Durham and I approved this trade"
Nico - July 20, 2008
Translation: "Get me the hell out of San Francisco! Hahaha, see you suckas!"
Flashfire - July 20, 2008
So did he just hop on the Brewers' flight out of town?
Weren’t they actually playing the Giants this weekend?
It’s like the reverse of the Ricardo Rincon trade.
PaulThomas - July 20, 2008
That was so strange when it happened.
ohtobe21likehuston - July 20, 2008
Yeah, he probably cleared out his locker and said, "Hey guys! Wait for me!"
Flashfire - July 20, 2008
some pics
angels series
yankees series
xbhaskarx - July 20, 2008
I laughed (and cried)
day-to-day - July 20, 2008
I hurled
FormerHuntsvilleStar - July 20, 2008
They should send that shark down to the pier in SF.
It would be an interesting fight watching the sea lions battle the shark!
ohtobe21likehuston - July 20, 2008
Angels series pics
A “toothless” croc.
gregorymark - July 20, 2008
I've never seen a shark with a mustache before
monkeyball - July 21, 2008
jon miller is so dumb
good thing he has joe morgan to explain things to him.
ak_A - July 20, 2008
I was LOVING
earlier how he was explaining to Jon how it was not right to IBB Manny in the first inning, although ManRam’s like 14 for 24 against Garland. Joe has NO concept of situational differences at all, like we’re playing baseball in a vacuum every play. What a maroon.
Leopold Bloom - July 20, 2008
LOL @ Vlad dropping a liner
Always good when something like that happens no matter our standings.
Trainman - July 20, 2008
Looks like Boston left their starter in too long
And of course the have no middle relief either do they?
Trainman - July 20, 2008
The Angels have scored 3x in the bottom of the 8th
Now up 5-3 on the BoSox
SwisherThresher - July 20, 2008
It's probably just luck
Nico - July 20, 2008
bad luck
yearrrg
MobiusKlein - July 20, 2008
Are you dropping out of the primaries now?
Nico - July 20, 2008
Ohh - I wasn't too subtle
I’m going to start my 30 team strategy of winning the world series.
MobiusKlein - July 20, 2008
I could have used Cindi at Yankee Stadium today
She would have taken all of the idiot Yankee fans wrath and turned it into gawking. Jstandards and I went to see this mess, leaving me with only more hatred for the Yankees , their stadium, and their cretinous fans. And for wondering what the hell was up with the baserunning in the ninth. I loved the aggressiveness yesterday. Now they just need to pay attention, like run when Betemit drops a fly ball. He’s a natural infielder, so he’s more unreliable.
But the stadium organist played some great John Coltrane tunes- Countdown, Moment’s Notice, and Lazybird. That’s not something you expect everyday.
brothersky - July 20, 2008
One thing that was frustrating in the 9th, brothersky, was that
when Abreu lost Ellis’ fly ball in the sun for a moment, 50/50 or better it either drops past him for a double, caroms off his glove for a double/triple, or ideally clanks off his head for a two-run inside-the-park HR that is frantically chased down in the corner by Melky Cabrera as Abreu lies motionless (but he’s ok), and Jeter watches in gum-smacking disbelief, while A-Rod looks vaguely smug but strangely detached.
Cindi says hi, by the way.
Nico - July 20, 2008
Tell Cindi hi back
And ask if we’re still meeting at Chess King this weekend.
Did Abreu really lose the ball, or did he just drop it when it landed in his glove? Looked like the latter to me from the 3rd base side.
Either way, they’re guilty of two counts of poor base running in the ninth. If Posada was behind the plate, Rajai has second, but with Molina, game over.
And can you grab annoying Hasidic Yankee fans by their curls and thrash them? Or is that illegal?
brothersky - July 22, 2008
RIP 2008 Oakland Athletics.
jwnewman - July 20, 2008
Cool. I guess you can go root for another team now.
Flashfire - July 20, 2008
and you're using the term "root" very loosely.
pam5981 - July 20, 2008
the "bottom part of a plant"?
Nico - July 20, 2008
It's a good thing there's more to life than baseball
1) Chocholate
2) speling
3) uh, can I get back to you?
MobiusKlein - July 20, 2008
4) licker
which (along with No. 1 ) I found my self wanting lots of after spending the weekend at Yankee Stadium.
day-to-day - July 20, 2008
For more reasons to get hammered
while you’re in NYC, try listening to the Yankees’ Susan Waldman on the radio. She’s horrible, and has a thick New England accent. Last time I checked, the Yankees hated Boston.
brothersky - July 22, 2008
Love this little tidbit from the game wrap on SFGate
A little friendly exchange between Duke and Giambi:
Duchscherer walked Giambi in his first two plate appearances, though Duchscherer said he wasn’t trying to do so the first time – Giambi simply has a good eye. The second was an intentional walk. The third time up, Giambi put one into the short porch in right in the sixth inning, his sixth hit and his fourth career home run in eight at-bats against Duchscherer.
“I’m not talking to him if I see him,” said Duchscherer, who called Giambi his nemesis. “I’m mad at him.”
“I know, I feel bad,” Giambi said. “I tell you what: The kid has a great arm. He has a great idea of how to pitch. I was lucky enough to think along with him because he doesn’t make mistakes. And that pitch wasn’t a mistake, I just got my hands on it enough – it was a Yankee Stadium home run.”
Giambi hit one out against Duchscherer in the A’s 8-4 win on June 11, the Yankees’ only run off Duchscherer in that game – so Duchscherer has allowed three runs in 14 innings against New York this year, and two of them have come on Giambi homers.
Giambi said he guesses when he hits against Duchscherer, but Duchscherer said, “It doesn’t matter what I throw, he seems to beat me.” On Sunday, it was a cutter.
mrod - July 21, 2008
I liked it better when he guessed "curve" against Mike Stanton
Nico - July 21, 2008
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