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Open Game Thread: Game 135 - A's vs. Twins

Boasting their first two-game win streak since July 10-11, the A's send Dan Meyer to the mound tonight against Kevin Slowey of the Twins at the Coliseum.

Slowey dominated the A's on Aug. 19, striking out 12 and walking one en route to a 13-2 Minnesota win.  It wasn't a fluke; Slowey boasts one of the game's best K to walk ratios at 96-17.  That's a whopping 5.65 strikeouts for every walk.

At age 24, Slowey has really come into his own in his second big-league season, posting a 3.74 ERA and 1.07 WHIP after his pedestrian rookie year.  Whether the credit belongs on his shoulders or the Twins' defense, undeniably the key difference has been his hit prevention.  In '07 Slowey allowed 82 hits in 66.2 innings; in '08 he's allowed only 120 in his 127.2 innings of work.  He's also lowered his HR rate significantly. 

While Slowey has enjoyed a dominant sophomore campaign, his counterpart hasn't been nearly as successful.  Spanning two appearances, Dan Meyer has allowed nine runs in his last eight innings of work, and now sports a 5.95 ERA in his 19.2 innings of big-league work this year.  Meyer will be out of options in '09 and is no doubt in a bid to earn a roster spot for next season with his performance in final month. 

Meyer is arguably under more pressure to perform than any other pitcher on the team at this point. The combination of his contract status and continued disappointing performance mean that this start or one in September could be his last with the team, or even his last in the league.  He has to produce, and I'd love to see a quality outing tonight.  It's easy to root for a guy who has overcome major injury obstacles, fighting to save his once-promising career.

Another easy-to-root-for Athletic?  How about Rajai Davis?  I'm irrationally excited to see a guy with a hellish  .666 OPS get a chance to play almost every day, now that Carlos Gonzalez has been optioned down to AAA.  The team has clearly decided that Davis is going to get an opportunity to audition for the starting CF job.

Their games couldn't be more different, but I've long had a soft spot for Davis in the same way I do for Cust - as players with often-underappreciated skills who were given up on by several organizations, and could become (and have, in Cust's case) serviceable big-league regulars.

The more Davis plays, the harder it is for his defense to hide under the radar.  He had another brilliant catch last night, and the stats back up what our eyes are seeing.  Davis' defensive numbers this season, even in limited time, have been incredible.  He's played 340 innings in CF, roughly 1/3 the amount of a full-time starting center fielder.  And yet in that time, he's made plays on 32 balls out of his zone (OOZ).  That means that he's gotten to a ball out of his zone at a terrific rate of once per every 10.6 innings played (1:10.6).  That figure is tremendous - signficantly better than Andruw Jones' rate of 1:12.5, Carlos Gomez' 1:12.1, Carlos Beltran's 1:12.73, or Adam Jones and Aaron Rowands' rates of 1:17.9.  Those are some serious defensive heavyweights there, and Davis' Hardball Times defensive numbers in '08 trump them all.  If he had played enough innings, Rajai would also comfortably be the Revised Zone Rating leader amongst CFers if he qualified with his RZR of .962.  That figure would also be the best qualifying RZR in the entire major leagues, although it's not appropriate to compare those figures across positions, because they each yield different average scores and top CFs tend to grade out highest.

I sure enjoy watching him play.  I hope he can hit well enough to finally stick and enjoy a career path like Dave Roberts, who didn't become a big-league starter until age 29 and yet still made a pile of money in his career.  In Davis' case, like Roberts, it seems like it couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

Tonight's lineups, including Davis batting leadoff for Oakland:

D. Span rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .308
N. Punto ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .293
J. Mauer c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .317
J. Morneau 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .308
J. Kubel dh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .273
D. Young lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .282
B. Harris 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .260
A. Casilla 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .296
C. Gomez cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .253
 Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0  
 Oakland
  AB R H RBI BB K LOB Season Avg 
R. Davis cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .276
B. Crosby ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .249
R. Sweeney rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .291
F. Thomas dh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .236
J. Cust lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .226
K. Suzuki c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .284
D. Barton 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .217
J. Hannahan 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .222
E. Patterson 2b

0 recs  |  176 comments

Comments

Overflow thread is set to post at 8:30 p.m.
I'll be around for at least that time-want me to watch it?
Moderators Unclear On The Concept:

If he could answer, couldn’t he also just put up the thread? :-)

Personally, I don’t like auto-threads, so I say delete it and let’s go with “bbg mojo”!!! (With Meyer pitching, we may need it…)

No, I'm here :)

I set the auto-threads up as a back-up in case Mrs. Jeans summons me when the thread starts to swell.

If you guys notice it get out of control, feel free to delete the auto and add a new mojo thread at any time.

And on a Friday night...

There’s always a chance the first thread won’t be that full. We’ve got BBG, Nico and myself here. I say the auto-thread goes away.

Last night didn't even require an overflow...

But it IS Ziggy Day! ;-)

I was a little depressed...

no internet last night. I went to bed early. Lucky for you guys I’m here tonight! WOO!

Sorry I couldn't help!

I was at the game in the BBQ terrace with wifethereof, sonthereof and daughterthereof. The last two’s combined weights were 16 pounds at their first game!

Wow, INCREDIBLE opening...

…be back for game thread-look forward to seeing everyone!

Play Davis

  I am glad to see him finaly getting some ab. I been hoping to see him start against lefties becuase he has avery good avg against them.

His defense is awfully good - if he can just be disciplined enough

as a hitter to keep the balls on the ground, even as a .250/.300 hitter he could be an asset.

I wish I was disciplined enough

to keep my balls" “off” the ground………..

;?/

Nice opening, NSJ.

I like Rajai too, but the question is, what becomes of him in the off-season? He’s out of options, and while his defense is great, Cargon’s defense in center is good too and Buck might be in the mix as well as Sweeney, Cunningham, Murton, Denorfia and don’t forget about Cust. The team can’t carry and play much more than 5 outfielders at a time…and if Chavez comes back and can only DH or play 1st, that nixes the plan of having Cust DH all the time, so another player would be needed to be the full-time 3rd baseman. I don’t like Rajai’s chances of surviving the rosterbation this winter…

Didn't he play second base one day? ...

Not realistic, but he is a skoch ahead of Patterson on the current Nico “can help the team win” depth chart.

Well, you know what they say?

Competition is both healthy and good for everybody and I have no problem having an overflow of outfielders that can actually play well. To the victors go the spoils in my opinion.

Go A’s and go Meyer!

Sad thing is...

it’s quite possible that none of those guys could crack the starting outfield of half the league. Maybe Cust.

Agree about Rajai...

…I’ve also really enjoyed watching him play this year.

That's how I feel too mrod

If Davis’ presence means that CarGon doesn’t get handed the CF job by default in spring training ’09, I think that can only be a good thing.

CarGon will have to kick down the door to earn the CF job next year, which is probably good for his long-term career.

Exactly what I was trying to say

and for everyone one of our outfielders.

Half of who?

CarGon, Cunningham, Sweeney, Buck, Raj, etc…?

am i the only one to find funny

the descriptions of Rajai’s “hellish .666 OPS”? Major kudos though if it was intended.

yes, it was :)
good show then sir.
"The devil made me do it!"
Go to CSN HD channel

The game is on there.

I don't get that
Farking Giants!

Finish yer game already!

Stupid Giants game!

I actually like Rajai Davis

I’m not sure I’m ok with him as an everday player, but he provides enough things (speed, amazing defense) that he’s useful as a 5th outfielder and a platoon guy. The Twins have given 500+ PAs to Carlos Gomez this year, and Rajai Davis is a better player (older, yes, I know). I think the guy deserves a shot to stick on the roster next year.

If Davis were walking with the A’s as much as he has walked previously, he’d actually be an above-average center fielder.

I was surprised the Giants let him go, and even more surprised he made it all the way through the NL in waivers

I feel Rajai could be a starting NL center fielder. His walk rate would higher because the pitching’s worse there.

You can't keep Rajai Davis when you have Dave Roberts.

Seriously though, Davis is one of the few center fielders who actually would be good enough defensively to force Aaron Rowand to right field. Winn could play left. It’s not much of an offensive outfield (though it would be an upgrade), but defensively it would be one of the best in baseball and they would be better off.

I just noticed we've leapt from "game 133" to "game 135" in the game thread titles tonight

But I think we were off the last few days and that tonight’s is correct. Maybe I’m just making the problem worse, it certainly wouldn’t be a first.

At this point, maybe we should just title it game 162 and hope we don't have to watch anymore games this season
Found it

We played a pair of “game 132s”, and game 134 never happened.

So who's to blame?

Me or BBG? I will take any bullets sent her way. BBG is untouchable.

Does anybody strike out faster than Crosby?

He just has so many at bats where it looks completely unnecessary for him to even go up to the plate. Cust might strike out a lot more, but he sees twice as many pitches at least.

Swoon.
I'm a straight guy and all, but I totally agree

I think he could stand to put on a few pounds.
I wouldn’t mind a bigger Swooney.

That's what she said!
That's probably the first time I've LOLed at a TWSS

very nice

I don't like you Frank.
Meh, he was doing fine until he tore his quad

I still think he should be brought back at a discounted price next season.

Can the stupid giants lose already!

The guy who got the ball in the first row...

barely put his nachos down long enough to pick up the ball.

He’s got priorities.

Something about that sentence makes me want to go to a game sooo bad :(
I actually thought Cust

was going to make a web gem play on that ball….being his bobble head night and all.

I was going to do a whole post on Meyer as a situational lefty

Because his splits indicate he could be good at that. Then back to back doubles to lefties. Oops. That’s what I get for holding out hope that Meyer could be a really useful pitcher.

I'm ready for this Dan Meyer experiment to end
Meyer serving up BP again

This experiment should end in 2008 for the good of the team

That doesn't help, Meyer
I hate Pitchers' Throwing Errors

Can’t they throw anywhere besides home?

I've pitched (not at any high level or anything)

And for some reason, even though I rarely walked anybody, I could never, ever throw to first. I made good throws when I played the infield, but something about making those throws as a pitcher was really difficult.

Oh Danny boy,

the strikes, the strikes are callling….

From the sounds of it maybe it’s good these giants are taking so long to lose so I don’t have to see the disastrous Meyer

NO OUTS!?

Come on!

Can we PLEASE find a base

to which Dan Meyer can throw a strike?

I would say the dugout followed by AAA would be an ideal place for him

Nico

Ohh dear.

This is a good time for me to go take a walk. Be back later.

Can we get a new pitcher please?
Meyer just doesn't want a job next year...

does he?

Well, I'm pretty sure he's trying.
Oh yeah:

Meyer sucks. NO MORE CHANCES FOR THIS BUM PLEASE!

He ha sucked everytime he has been given a chance

I don’t know why the talent evaluators continue to allow him to wear a ML uni

Is there anyone warming up?
Hi Saarloos!

Please come in!

Saarloos time.

I hope.

I must say....

I won’t be terribly disappointed to not see him in ST next year.

Here is a guy who pitched thru injury and ruined his own career

That’s what happens you you don’t admit you have an injury

Bye Bye.

In other news

Not to change the subject of this wonderful game, but Aaron Cunningham just hit a grand slam for Sacramento.

Happy Days!
I do not support pulling Meyer at this point

I want to see if the guy can work out of a jam. 2 runs is nothing if he can get out of this. This is extended spring training for 2009, so give the guy a shot to prove something. Honestly, there’s not much difference (to me) between losing 9-1 or 2-1.

I don't think he has the talent to work out of a jam
Neither do I

But I want to see him fail instead of just assuming he will at this point because him actually failing doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of the A’s organization.

I agree with that, JD
I should add that I don't WANT to see him fail. I want him to succeed.

But I’d rather see him get totally rocked than pulled early because he might get rocked.

2 runs is nothing?

We are talking about the 08 A’s….right?

Any advice what to do before a rivercats game? I’m going tomorrow and have no idea what to do before hand

Check out the Old Town area? Go around the capitol building? I don't know if it's open on weekends, though.
Well, if we're going to start from the beginning,

I recommend bathing, maybe having breakfast, at some point you should probably buy a ticket…

Hi guys. Hell of time to chime in I guess.
Hey kapers!

I still have those posters if you want them. I don’t have your new email or phone number (if you have new ones), or address. If you don’t want them, that’s okay too.

Sounds like somebody is trying to stalk kapers...
yes
Hi Jennifer. You can send them now. I'm in a condo for the next few months.

I can keep them here as easy as you can keep them there. I have the same cell phone number and I’ll email you my address. Still have the same email address, too. Thanks again for thinking of me!!!!!

Jennifer’s the best for those of you who haven’t figured that out already. Go to a game with her if you get a chance. And let her try bizarre fruity daquiris.

LOL!

I’ll get them in the mail on Tuesday.

Meyer

Doing his best Zito impersonation of earlier tonight

Jack Cust looks like he can play the outfield more and more these days

I know he’s still not very good or anything, but he doesn’t look like a total spaz out there.

He's decent enough.

Nothing spectacular, but he’s not embarassing himself anymore.

That was one of the main reasons it took so long for him to get a real shot

I wonder if he just never really cared to improve his defense before.

I read your post and though, who, Meyer?

He’s DEF embarassing himself.

Not anymore.

He’s done.

And the Vikings pick up the safety
And the Raiders are not likely to score a touchdown
Ok, I missed the explanation

Why do the A’s play a double header next Saturday and no game on Sunday?

Traffic with the Ravens in BAL.
Ravens have their home opener and the Orioles couldn't work out a good time that wouldn't involve...

…major traffic snarl, basically. So, doubleheader Saturday.

A little late there Geren
And with this game, I think it can now definitively be said that Meyer is not in this team's future
Those were not 56 of the better pitches I have ever seen

At this point, I’d consider giving Charles Thomas a start ahead of Mr. Meyer.

Weird

mlb.tv cut out right after that single. It’s like mlb.com was saying “You really don’t want to watch the rest of this crap.”

But they’re wrong. I enjoy punishment.

Meyer should be DFA'ed right after this game ends
What does that actually accomplish though?

Unless they’re going to keep that roster spot, may as well keep him around for mop-up duty for the rest of the year. But should Los Kirk get the starts or somebody else?

They should just do it on principle

As in, “The Oakland Athletics organization will not accept this crap.”

Yes, how DARE he not be talented.

C’mon, the guy’s trying. He just sucks.

Yeah, see,

Meyer sucking is the reason to DFA him. Him trying means little. Ask Yoda.

It appears it has taken a long period of time to

realize that Meyer is not a good pitcher. I determined this when he first pitched for us.

But what do I know, I am just a fan but I can usually determine that someone is pathetic fairly quickly, as can many of us

How do you figure?

He’s been stuck in the minors for years until we were short on pitchers and simply needed arms. He’s never been used as more than “an arm” – and the A’s needed to see what he could do before letting him go, which I’m sure they’ll do this Winter.

Yeah...why wait?

DFA his ass while he’s sitting in the dugout. At least we could enjoy the look of shock and dismay. That way his expression would match that of the fans in the stands.

Only if they could get a camera shot of it

Maybe have Chris Hansen come in to cut him.

“Why don’t you have a seat over here? What are you doing here? Why did you come here tonight? What did you think was going to happen?”

I think Aimeeeee should interview him and say,

“So Dan, how does it feel to learn, from me right now, that you’ve been DFA?”

That would be great as long as Emil Brown is shown in the background dancing

with a big smile on his face.

Didn't these people already bat this inning?

That’s not fair!

I guess winning 3 games in a row is too much for this team
So you have doubts that this team will score (at least) 7 runs this game?
Remember when they won 20 in a row?

How the fuck did they do that? That seems unpossible.

It's certainly not undifficult
3 in a row?

ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha !!!!!!

Neat idea, though.

Total of five outs this inning.

Dude was out at third.

2 players I hope not on team next year

  Meyer looks like a AAA pitcher and no Jack Cust in the outfield. A real left fielder could have caught 2 of the 3 balls to left. Jack is just way to slow in the outfield. DH or Bust

Somebody missed the "Jack Cust has really improved" discussion
or the 45 threads on why he is good
A's won 20 games in a row...

But lost to the Twins…

A’s had a chance to eliminate the Twins a couple of times and only did it once…

And the A's

were way better than the twins in 2002

Doesn't look like your good vibes worked on Meyer, NSJ
Remember the old days when the A's

offense would inexplicably explode and throw up and bunch of runs.

I sorta which Jack Hannahan would inexplicably explode

It would be messy, but kinda fun to watch.

Hannahan and Meyer should be roommates
I feel like our only chance now

is if the Twins put Gio in.

I recommend that at McAfee, they start posting the players' OBPs on the scoreboard instead of batting averages

Just don’t tell anybody. Then when players see “.300” they’ll think they’re good.

hahahhahahahah....
We have someone with a .300 OBP?

Cool.

kapers = semi - saarloos fan
Good AB by Patterson
The Hudson Proxy

The last gasp of the Tim Hudson trade got rocked tonight. The only reason Meyer will get another chance in an A’s uniform is because the team is short of pitching. But if I were Geren, I’d give Saarloos a couple of starts, and then when Duke and Gallagher come back (and I think Gallagher has to come back), I’d remove Kirk and Gio from the rotation til the end of hte season.

Patterson is fast, but a really bad baserunner

Horrible, horrible instincts.

How old is Meyer?
Unglued

E-1, 2 BB to load bases.

Does it matter?

Crosby doesn't even do full swings at the low and away pitch now

He just does the worst half-assed check swing ever. I really do not like him.

Would've been a nice sac fly if Patterson was on third where he should have been
down 6-0, do you really take 3rd on that play?
Yes. Down 6-0 is exactly why you do it.

It was a slow rolling grounder to the shortstop’s left. It would take a perfect play to get Patterson, a fast runner, going to third. Punto is not going to even attempt it when his team is up 6-0.

I think Swooney is being held together by tape and bubblegum.

So I need to make a CD with the best/worst songs on it. Any suggestions?

anything by Steely Dan

(that’s for the worst song section, just to be clear.)

"Any Major Dude"

gets my vote.

Kirk Saarloos might be my favorite not-that-good pitcher
Mine too :-)

Love him

CUST A RIFIC!!!!
HE. IS. SPARTACUST!
As LL Cool J would say, "Dont call it a comeback."

Seriously, don’t. They’re not coming back. That was just a Bobblehead home run.

At least we won't be shut out.

I’ll take the little victories. I’d also take a Barton HR.

That guy is also wearing Tuesday underwear.
Laundry soap is expensive.
What is it with Staples????

Can he not recognize or hit the inside pitch?

Not the tailing 2-seam fastball, apparently

It is a tough pitch to hit though, since it starts inside.

In which he case....

he may want to get used to seeing it with two strikes. Of course, one could argue that he already is used to seeing it.

The problem is that it's really hard to hit and a lot of the time it's not a strike

I don’t think the first strike out tonight was actually a strike. You’d be surprised how often umpires give pitchers that pitch based on where the catcher catches the ball.

The first one was a strike.....

at least it was on the black according to the overhead shot. Thing is, Barton can expect a steady diet of those pitches until he proves to the league that it’s a bad ideal to throw there.

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