SB Nation - Login for mobile commenting

Athletics Nation

Open Game Thread: Game 115 - A's at Tigers

The A's attempt to snap their 10-game losing streak as they open a three-game weekend series in Comerica Park against the Tigers.

Twenty-four-year-old "Diamond" Dallas Braden takes on a man old enough to be his father - 43-year-old Kenny Rogers. 

An all-lefty pitching matchup would appear on paper to favor the Tigers. Detroit can trot out an imposing almost-all-righty lineup, while the A's are a predominantly left-handed hitting team (and I use the word "hitting" very loosely).

The A's now have the worst team batting average and the worst team slugging percentage of all 30 MLB teams.  Not surprisingly, they've scored the least runs of any AL team - 463.  That's an average of 4.06 runs per game.

The A's are a league-worst 2-17 since the All-Star break, and now sit at 53-61.  A quick look at the standings shows that the A's are now only nine wins ahead of the worst teams in baseball, record-wise. 

A’s

Ellis-2B
Crosby-SS
Thomas-DH
E. Brown-LF
C. Gonzalez-RF
Suzuki- C
Barton-1B
Davis-CF
Hannahan-3B

Tigers

Granderson-CF
Polanco-2B
Guillen- 3B
Ordonez-RF
Cabrera- 1B
Sheffield-DH
Thames-LF
Renteria-SS
Inge-C

Let's go A's!

0 recs  |  403 comments

Comments

As I get ready to watch the game,

I feel a bit like Charlie Brown having just been told, “I’ll hold the football and you come running up and kick it.”

Yeah, that Lucy Rogers is a bitch
lineups

A’s

Ellis-2B
Crosby-SS
Thomas-DH
E. Brown-LF
C. Gonzalez-RF
Suzuki- C
Barton-1B
Davis-CF
Hannahan-3B

Tigers

Granderson-CF
Polanco-2B
Guillen- 3B
Ordonez-RF
Cabrera- 1B
Sheffield-DH
Thames-LF
Renteria-SS
Inge-C

Good lord that's a bad lineup.
any lineup that has Emil Brown hitting cleanup

is a bad lineup

well until the A's training staff or Cust himself envests in some episom salt

to soak his infected thumb Brown will be be your guide on the Adventures in Left Fielding

solid lineup!

loosely speaking. Putting on my rosiest colored glasses.

Crosby’s been hot, Thomas is Thomas. Brown had a decent July, CarGon and Zuki have been hitting. Barton smoked a HR last night. Davis and Hannahan are two extra lead-off hitters at the bottom of the lineup, with Hannahan just had a good July.

Hey!

I’ve heard this where all the cool kids hang out!

You've been lied to.
darn.

I’ve heard there’s a good team in Oakland too…more lies?

I'm cool!
You're a beacon of light in an otherwise dark world.
That's nice.

I’m a lighthouse!

In the current world of AN,

yes, yes you are.

< cue the Commodores >
Then why am I here?
(to be honest,

it really can’t be true—there seems to be a rather large contingent of geeks here…)

Wait a minute...

Kenny Rogers is pitching?

Well, at least we’re not at home…

Nah, we're screwed.
Maybe the negatives will cancel each other and...

and…and…you’re right, we’re screwed.

We're SO going to beat Kenny Rogers!

Hahahahaha…

That's the attitude!
We are gonna put up runs on Kenny

like the Feds did for Indy Mac banks.

WE KILLED KENNY!!!!!
Really?
Those bastards! Good.
Okay, TODAY the losing streak ends.

It better, cause I am sick of saying that everyday.

damn

i dont look forward to A’s games anymore, onlyfuckingone reason i’ll be watchin is zigggggy

Fighting Joe Price--

what a guy, everyone!

Remember to tip your waiters!

C'mon Dallas!

Let’s get ‘em!

Class action against the A's for "pain and suffering" -

Who’s with me?

Uhh...Larry Davis?
I thnik Florida

frowns upon “frivolous lawsuits,” among many other things.

Frivolous???? Do you have any IDEA how much I've suffered?
Hey, talk to these asshats

that I live among. I’m with you. They just keep expecting me to break out the yoga mat, the granola and the new age talk. They suck. More than the A’s right now. They really suck.

I'm in

You think they’ll reimburse my alcohol expenses? Because this team is driving me to drink a lot….

Is Loaiza driving you home?
he's not busy doing anything else.
My dad informed me today

that we won’t be picking up the option on our season tickets for next year. Apparently this 10 game loosing streak has really got him pissed.

Attendance next year is going to be embarrassingly low
for once I'm going to do something else tonight

my family is all excited to watch the Olympics Opening Ceremony, and I will too

Let’s Go Oakland

I'll be watching it too

unfortunately for us on the West Coast, there is still time to watch the A’s game before the Opening Ceremonies start

Hellboy is on Fox tonight.

Recommended!

i think it’s better to watch all the movies of Ed Wood than this game

Are you going to watch the whole thing?

It’s like 4 and a half hours long!

I only could watch the first 2 1/2 hours

but that was plenty of time to see the incredible performance…actually, we could have seen the whole thing without so many damn commercials…

Big Hurt's gone deep on KR six times,

Let’s make it seven…or even eight, here on 8.8.08….

Any word on how torn Chavez's

labrum is?

I hear he may not ever recover…..

Has he had the surgery yet?
According to the coroner

it’s pretty bad.

I can’t wait until his salary is off the books so the A’s can sign a big time FA. Funny right?

do we have a medical insurance plan that can pay his salary for us?
Is Chavvy on Kaiser?
If the stretcher at the morgue is named "Kaiser" then yes
As coroner I must aver... I've thoroughly examined Er.
He's not only merely dead...
Me living in michigan

I finally get to see the A’s play…a win would just be something to rub in the faces of all my Tiger loving friends

What is the deal with Huston Street

being placed on waivers. At this point in the season can any solid prospects be had for his services?

Every team places (almost) every player on waivers at this point of the season
What is the purpose of that?
Because you can't trade them after July 31st without players clearing waivers
If

they clear waivers they can be traded? So a guy like Street would most likely be claimed. What is the point to put him on waivers?

Because you can trade him to the team who claims him, or you can pull them back

Somebody here did a very nice fanpost on the waiver rules. I don’t know where it is now though.

Can somebody explain to me this dumbass lineup?

Ellis and Crosby should not be batting 1-2. I don’t care what their numbers aginst Rogers are. I don’t care if Crosby is “hot” right now. That’s a stupid thing to do right there.

Where is Swooney?

Is it because he’s a lefty or is his va…pinkie hurt again?

didn't you hear?

they sent him down.

not funny
lol

thought you might see it that way…

i fogot he got hit last night...

that must be it.

Probably sore from getting hit last night

Nice pitch, Kenny.
Could we package Eveland or Braden plus Street

to acquire a decent bat prospect????

Can you hit?

i’d even sell my grandmother for a decent bat prospect

How many goats does she fetch?

she can swing the rake really nice

The goats may not like that.

So i’m not quite sure I should be watching this it may ruin my night

Well, that was a great inning.
Inspired baseball.
Just biding their time for an opportunity to pounce...like a panther.
rahr!
Mom? Is that you?
That's cougar, not panther.
Aren't they the same thing?
Not really.

If you try to sex a panther you’ll get arrested… or killed.

So they're the same thing.
Especially those grey ones.
Sometimes Cougers are the same way.
Can't. Stop. Laughing.
Whole tangent should be QOTM.
groundout, flyout, strikeout.

at least there was a LITTLE variety…

Let me guess - you "cut and pasted" that
A's baseball people....

It’s almost better than a stick in the eye.

Dear Lord,

I am 24… and I have a song by the Jonas Brothers stuck in my head. Please help me.

I'll call my niece.

She’ll know what to do.

I don’t know if you can be helped…

But, but... it's so catchy.
Quick!

Put on some Miley Cyrus!

7 Things I Hate About You!
OoOoooOoOoo

This is an S.O.S… Is it that one?

Burnin Up

I’m hot
You’re cold
You go around
Like you know
Who I am
But you don’t
You’ve got me on my toes

I’m slippin’ into the lava
And I’m tryin’ to keep from going under
Baby, who turned the temperature hotter
‘Cause I’m burnin’ up
Burnin’ up for you baby

That's a pretty hot song for a child.
They have great hair.

I’m jealous.

Maybe the A's brass need to ask for AFLAC while they are at work?
Maybe we can sign the duck.
As long as Yogi comes with it
Why not?

He’d still be one of our best hitters even though he’ s in his eighties.

Yogi would have more pop than our hitters

The problem is the Pop would be his hip

More pop than Gallagher's shoulder ?
Or his watermelons?
Yogi? The bear???
Small strike zone. Good thinking.
just like Rickey...
AFLAC!!!!
he'd confuse the opposition, just like

the bald black guy.

Ha!

I don’t know why I laughed. But I did. Timing is everything in comedy.

That may be the best inning I've ever seen Braden throw
And I swear, a couple of those pitches looked like...

...screwballs.

no...

really?

(radio only)

He actually looked pretty darn good.
Alright!

The Tigers don’t score in the first, so we haven’t officially lost yet!

Yet is the key word there

was that a first pitch groundout

by Email there?

Yes, he's increasing his league lead
Used to playing meaningless games at KC...
Buster Olney sez:

Huston staying put. Well, maybe he’ll get his velocity back.

Another inning of inspired baseball
Excellent....my plan is working perfectly.....

(rubs hands together)

I don't want to know your

evil plan, do I?

Patience grasshopper....it will be revealed in good time.
B. Beane will solve our offensive funk by bringing back:

Erubiel Durazo “B.B.s Holy Grail” to a 500,000 1 yr deal!

Is Billy still in playing shape?

He could sign himself! Couldn’t be any worse than Email.

Okay, seriously?

This offense is um….

non existent?

It is for me. I've stopped watching the A's half of the inning.

I focus on posting and calisthenics.

THAT'S your evil plan?!
poop-like?
Honestly, I think the A's offense is very, very good.

FOR ME TO POOP ON!!!

The A's are proof, that batting order doesn'
I just try and think about next years draft pick
Let's keep losing!
Who are we aiming for?
We are doing our best to get the number 1 pick right now
Whom would we take?
unfortunately the best player is a pitcher

Strausburg

A city in eastern France?

I’m not sure whether it’s in Alsace or Lorraine.

We would end up drafting Crosby's brother or something
Baisley

Didn’t see it in the DLD, but Jeff Baisley was sent on his rehab assignment yesterday (AZL). If he hadn’t been hurt (stress fracture in foot), he probably would have been up weeks ago (at the very least, I think he would have got the call instead of Conrad, and he could have been up much earlier than that.)

Assuming he’s healthy, wouldn’t be surprised if he’s the A’s 3B for the rest of the season starting in a week or two. It’s good he came back as soon as he did; he’ll have a real chance to show what he can do in an extended period of time.

The A's are proof, that batting order doesn't matter, they can't hit

wherever they bat.

eh, Billy proved that years ago.
You mean when he was hitting?
Martin.
Why was he hitting Martin?
Oh, that
I was laughing so hard,

I messed that post up. Very funny.

Ken scared me when he said that Ryan has a wrist contusion.

Can’t he just say bruise? Contusion sounds so much worse.

concerned for his health?
Yes.

First his ankle, then his pinky, and now a wrist contusion?

He's an A now.

He should get used to it.

Fancy words make him sound smart

Quick!

Get some ice, I’ll get a teddy bear and some balloons.

Woah! Smoove sighting!

Hey, that’s not Smith…

nice pick off

but something tells me that apocalypse inning is here

Was Gary Sheffield the name of the character from the Nanny?

Fran Drescher?

Dr. Girlfriend?

The guy she was a nanny for…

Why does a doctor need a nanny?

Is he Doogie Howser?

This is fun so far...
And here comes the end.
Guess what, everybody?

Dallas Braden sucks!

Or did you know that already?

He should have picked off the baserunner before doing that.
Well, at least the runner was picked off first?

I’m TRYING HERE PEOPLE!

good point.

could be 3-0.

I'm with you, BBG!

It may be just you and me and Skigurl at the end, but I’m with ya!
Anyone else ? Cmon – I know AN doesn’t really give up, right?

I gave up 12 games ago
We'll be cheering in Seattle!
By then our hopes will be really dashed.

Cheering for the AL West cellar!

Game over

See you guys back here tomorrow!

Wait, wait!

The A’s offense is perfectly capable of scoring 2 runs! Don’t leave until the Tigers score a third run in a couple minutes.

Loss #11
Kenney Rogers + our Offense = Game Over
I'm glad we're not stuck in that "10" box
433 ft

Braden, go big or go home

Are they ever going to win again?

Hopefully not before they secure #1 pick.

I DUN BIN

HITNOTIZED!

I must kill the queen...
For some reason...

I suddenly love the Jonas brothers.

good, jennifer, very good
Good news, everybody!

I don’t have any Tigers on my fantasy team! I’m not gonna root against the A’s!

Well, that's a relief.
Better news would be if you didn't have any A's on your team either.
New definition of a win:

A’s get more hits than opponent gets runs.

We could be stuck with the 7th pick then
Wait a minute...

I’ve been sick. Barton went deep yesterday?!

Our Barton?!

yes, even a broken clock gets it right twice a day

A’s have won 2 out of the last 19 games, I think we have at least another 5 losses coming before we win again.

These Tiger guys say we have our worst offense since 1979
So they have been reading AN?
NSJ's intro in fact
wow.

predates me, basically.

Right.

Me too. We literally have never seen an A’s offense this bad.

Oh but we have....

we have to see it everyday.

Only 1979
They won 54 games. I thought we were on pace to win 7 more.

HOLY COW a BASERUNNER!

A what?

What’s going on here??

We won't score a single run off Rogers

Which is why I fully expect us to score 4 this inning…

Massive thunderstorm here

right now.

There is no there here.
New 3rd base coach?

Tony to 1st? I missed that. When did that happen?

about 5 or 6 losses ago

We don’t use days, just losses

- I'll see you next loss!

- Where were you on the date of loss 53?
- Let’s do lunch the loss after next.

I like this system!

YAY!

Play Davis more often, at least he’s kinda interesting.

What the hell is going on now there are 2 guys on base dressed as A’s…is this a cruel joke?

They'll get one more on

and then not score. It happens once a game.

Just setting up the triple play.
The joke is going to be when they load the bases

and do not score…again

TWO baserunners?
I didn't know we were allowed to have TWO runners on
As long as it's not three, we have a glimmer of hope
Does anyone REALLY want to see bases loaded, no outs again?
yes

we crave order in our lives.

hmm

no no-hitter then? hmm i think that shotout would be enough for kenny

I had forgotten David was still on this club ...

9 ABs in a month

I guess we’ll save that bases loaded no out AND no scoring for next inning, a double play worked nicely enough there

Now I feel normal
I'm actually quite pleased

That we avoided the dreaded GITP

Phew!

Bases loaded fiasco avoided.

Kenny is an excellent fielder. Sometimes you just have to tip your cap.
Screw that guy.

I really don’t like him.

I've tipped my cap to a lot of opposing pitchers in the last few weeks

When will it end?

Hah...the A's are so bad,

I don’t think pitchers should get a “win” next to their name for beating them. Actually, they should probably be prosecuted for picking on the disabled.

I've tipped my cap so many times

I bruised my thumb and had to go on the DL.

Your 2008 Oakland A's

Nothing but Double Plays!

The AAA's we are good at Double plAy'S
Not that many DP's this year right?

Just a shit load of K’s instead.

Hannahan is sure back to doing what he does best

We knew his accidental hitting streak could not last

he doesn't hardly

ever GiDP, though.

He rarely hits into DPs though. At least that's what I heard the last time he hit into one.
They are going to have to start making donations

for the double plays that get hit into next year

can't afford it.
Bay Alarm GIDP inning?
C'mon guys,

this thread is not depressing enough. We have a reputation to uphold.

Just post the scoreboard then
Wow--

others feel our pain.

How quaint.

Braden

Is it small sample size or does this guy just suck?

Suck.
I was hoping that the sample size would be smaller than it has been
Hannahan keeping the streak alive!

You can tell this team really wants that 11th loss in a row.

Okay, honestly

I watched this team from 1993-1999, and I can BARELY force myself to watch right now…it’s awful.

This team is DEFINITELY better than 1997.

Those others though…

Yeah,

‘97 was bad, but they had the decency to not tease us. They were bad and they knew it. So did we.

There's pre-season football on, why are you watching the A's suck again?

Maybe I should go to Cache Creek, it’s supposedly a lucky day

I bought a lottery ticket today.
Did you win?
No

I’m beginning to think those commercials are a total sham. Luckiest day ever, please.

Not really a good idea....

at least for an A’s fan.

I wish Beane would join the thread and start

blogging with us, so we can lay into him for this pathetic excuse for a MLB roster!!!

Billy? Is that you?

I like how they’re showing us the names of our good pitching prospects. “Look A’s fans, there’s still a reason to be a fan of this team!”

Next they will sign a toolsy 6 year old and say just wait for 2028
My favorite A, Mark Ellis, Now Batting .184 RISP & 2 Outs
Isn't that what he normally hits?
I don't think he's doing himself any favors for signing with the A's
When do the Olympics start on the West Coast?
Not sure.

But I do know they start in China this year.

This year would be today.

In 7 minutes here in the Midwest.

Assuming you're serious

Soccer already started, but the Opening Ceremony starts at 7:30 PM tonight

I was serious.

Thanks. I was curious if it all aired at the same time.

I meant in the States.

Gold glove for Hanahan…wait

m'kay

i guess we reached our daily hit limit so i can go back to learn my lovely embryology… its much more fun for now !!!!

The defense still looks good...
C'mon Bobby!
Are you trying to lure him into a trap ?
Nice catch. Chump.
Dammit.

Granderson did not deserve to catch that.

And yet, it's likely to be a web gem.
agreed.

we should do something. to him.

Details?

For those of us (fortunate enough to be) following along at work.

another inspiring inning of baseball.
My plan is about to spring into action.
good,

we need something.

The heart of our order needs a defibrillator
Clear!
We're losing him!
Not on my watch!
But doctor!

He’s been flatlining for two weeks!

Don't die dammit!
Why Billy Loves Soccer ...

Because in soccer 2-0 is an insurmountable lead.

It's really not.
good play, Bobby.
luckt number 13!
i blame barton

wtf mate

variety is the spice of life.
In his last 42 innings prior to facing the A's ...

Rogers had given up 27 earned runs and 53 hits.

Yet tonight in 4 innings …

he's always been death for us.
What pisses me off

is that all of these other teams broadcasters act like the pitcher is throwing really well. Instead of just saying, “Its against the A’s so we are not sure how well he is really throwing”

Why is Braden pitching? He should pick off the baserunner.
Yay Jack, Mark and Daric!
hare hare.
What's up Doc?
Be vewy vewy quiet.

We’re hunting wins.

safe back home just now in alaska

phew. It would be nice get a freaking win for a change.

Did you kiss the ground when you landed?
just about
I blame you.

Your presence here in the continental US caused a rift in the time-space continuum…

Nice stretch

that's how i probably looked in denver this week. shock and awe
I kid you not - right after Barton dropped that throw,

Poochini went outside and threw up about three days’ worth of meals.

Now, that's a well-trained dog.
fjm

hey that gary sheffield sure is consistent

The meat of our order is scrapple.
the kind with BSE?

(Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, for the non-elitists out here.)

that makes it sound sooooo yummy.
BSE doensn't make the products...

they just make them better.

C'mon CarGo!
Remember the magic days when he started?

7 straight doubles, wasn’t it?

Good times.

Patrol Craft!
WHAT IS THIS?!
(runners)

don’t let them know, though…they’ll mess it up…

Dang, 2-0 Detroit

The game is out of reach.

Hmm.

Rogers looks shaky… I guess I’d better not get my hopes up.

Come on Staplehead!
KK has convinced me.

Ty Cobb was good.

We WILL have our bases-loaded fiasco!

Kenny Rogers’ good pitching vs. A’s be damned!

ZOMG.

It’s happening before my eyes!

LOL

Here comes our favorite scenario!

RAJAI!!!!!

HOLY COW did that really just happen?

Davis!!!!!!!!

who would a thunk it!

OH JESUS!

Guzman is still in AAA.

Oh, come now A's, stop teasing us.

Scoring runs gives us hope. Which is the first step towards debilitating pain.

Holy crap.

A non-fiasco!

wtf was that????

a hit with the bases loaded and no outs? who are these guys?

DFA HANNAHAN

DFA DFA DFA

HOLY. CRAP.

A lead?

AAAAAAhhhhhhh!

What happened? I’m scared!

I’m really starting to think we stole some players and dressed them up in A’s jerseys, these can’t really the Oakland Rivercats

Surely we can rely on Booby

to be a true A ?

I walk away for a minute....

and the A’s actually decide to hit the ball. Have they figured out that the key to winning a game?

New game thread now open

here

Such service! Link and everything.
is rajai davis really a better CF...

than cargon? seems like we lose a lot in arm, though cargon is valuable in RF

omg omg omg omg omg omg!!!

is it gonna happen?

You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Athletics Nation to post a comment.