Last season, 1/4 of the time the A's impotent offense managed one run or none at all, prompting Billy Beane to go out and improve Oakland's lineup so that young pitchers - guys like Dallas Braden and Trevor Cahill, for example, would have a margin for error as they got their feet wet in the big leagues.
The A's managed only three hits today, none until the 7th inning, but parlayed back-to-back leadoff doubles, by Ryan Sweeney and Chris Denorfia, into the game's only run. Meanwhile, Braden was 6 up 6 down perfect, as was Cahill, who did not allow a ball out of the infield (4 ground balls, 2 Ks). Tyson Ross worked a perfect 9th to save what turned out to be a combined 3-hit shutout by a bevy of young pitchers: Braden, Cahill, Jeff Gray, Andrew Bailey, Chris Schroeder, Jared Lansford, and Ross.
Oakland pitchers walked only one batter all game, issued by Bailey in the 6th inning when a bloop single and infield hit combined with the walk to load the bases with two out. Bailey ran the count full to Kelly Shoppach but fanned Shoppach to turn back the Indians' biggest threat by far.
They say that early in the Cactus League, the pitchers are generally ahead of the hitters, and today hardly offered a compelling rebuttal.
0 recs | 32 comments
I love spring training,
it’s fun to hear how the young A’s are doing and who’s making a good impression. I don’t really care if we win or lose because it’s not our starting team (or theirs). Which in turn takes away the aching pain in my stomach when we haven’t scored in the first 7 innings. And I can dream about Nico quitting his job to take over for Buan, so somebody can talk about the game with knowledge of what really happened.
crb29 - February 28, 2009
LOL. You know, I used to broadcast spring training play-by-play for the A's
But that was 1987-1991…
Nico - February 28, 2009
That was a good time to do it IMO.
Syphon - February 28, 2009
What are you talking about?
The A’s were awful back then.
Oh. I read that as “1887-1891”.
67MARQUEZ - February 28, 2009
That's only because meteorology as a science
was all but non-existent back then so any time there was a cloud in the sky within a week of a game, they canceled due to rain. I really think they could have dominated had they actually played a game or two.
DMOAS - March 1, 2009
And now you just write about them on the internet. We need a timeline of how that works.
You know we’re going to need a Nico Biography since you’re the head honcho now…
mikev - February 28, 2009
I'll call it,
“Things My Father Beat Me With!!!: A Touching Biography of Abuse, Alcoholism, and Beastiality.”
Nico - February 28, 2009
Are we brothers?
Leopold Bloom - February 28, 2009
Sample Chapter Names
“Even though I’m plastered, you still look like my grandma, ah hell, I’ll you anyway”
“The Great Goats-bee”
“I’m not drunk enough to do that… oh wait, yes I am, oh it’s on”
“Oh momma, here comes a Llama”
“The Goats of Wraith”
“A Tail of Two Ponies”
“The Old Man and the Sea… or how my dad took me out fishing and left me in the ocean”
DMOAS - March 1, 2009
Actual chapter names in first draft:
“I Know Why The Caged Goat Bleats”
“A Raisin (Lodged) In The Son”
“The Fermented Grapes Of Wrath”
Nico - March 1, 2009
Oh I know, I think you've still got it.
You might be a little rusty after 18 years, but you’ve got great opinions and good knowledge of the A’s. But as a fellow educator, I understand the love for the kids.
crb29 - February 28, 2009
I do "still have it," somewhat, because I can't help doing play-by-play in my head,
until I realize that I’m doing it and actually tell myself to stop. Sounds strange, but it’s true.
Nico - February 28, 2009
Nice insight
somebodyelse - March 1, 2009
Zen Koan
If nobody hears a play-by-play did it really happen?
OaklandSi - March 1, 2009
According to many minor league announcers: Yes.
Nico - March 1, 2009
I like Cahill's line from today.
2 IP No Hits Allowed
2K’s 0 BB 4GBO’s
I can’t find # of pitches thrown, however. Oh well…..that’s a tidy little performance from Trevor. Good to get that 1st win.
mrod - February 28, 2009
Never ever shave, Braden.
Or get your tattoo removed, I suppose.
danmerqury - February 28, 2009
Let's all take a deep breath!
I like the first comment. It’s Spring Training, who cares? Nobody got hurt, the pitching looks great, and I CAN’T WAIT UNTIL 4/6! Only 36 more days of games that don’t count. Oh, who am I kidding! I listened to part of the game today and was hanging on every pitch. Go A’s! Great pitching!
A'sfansince1970 - February 28, 2009
no way
I want to WIN the cactus league. That will be a sure sign that the A’s will win 100 games in the regular season.
Name the last time the spring training winner lost moer than 85 games?
Future Ed - February 28, 2009
Baltimore, 2002
ST: 20-9 (.690)
Regular Season: 67-95 (.414)
Kansas City, 1999
ST: 22-9 (.710)
Regular Season: 64-97 (.398)
Detroit, 1996
ST: 20-10 (.667)
Regular Season: 53-109 (.327)
California Angels, 1996
ST: 21-10 (.677)
Regular Season: 70-91 (.435)
:-)
HigherPie - February 28, 2009
But how many teams started 1-2-1 and then won 90+ regular season games?
{that oughta keep him busy}
Nico - February 28, 2009
Lol!
lynnzgal - February 28, 2009
Kudos on the research
but, did we forget
Oakland, 2008
ST: 18-8 (.692)
Regular Season: 75-86 (.466)
Future Ed - February 28, 2009
Yes - we drank JUST enough to forget that, thank you.
Nico - February 28, 2009
I owe you
one squashed strawberry alley cat
Future Ed - February 28, 2009
Good. That'll match my boysenberry one
Nico - February 28, 2009
Doesn't count.
That team sucked.
HigherPie - February 28, 2009
So far they've pretty much
been giving 2 IP for starters and 1 IP for relievers. Ross has gotten only 1 IP both games he’s made an appearance. Is there anything to this? Are they just working towards getting him used to the new mechanics? Anybody got any thoughts?
NateHST - February 28, 2009
I wouldn't read too much into it
it’s so early that it’s probably more a matter of “let’s put him out there when we can” rather than any specific plan.
chipper1001 - February 28, 2009
A lot of this year's decisions revolve around the longer spring training
Usually on Feb 28th they aren’t even playing games yet.
Nico - February 28, 2009
I like the lack of walks by our pitchers
You can’t really read too much into spring numbers but it’s nice to see our guys pounding the strike zone early. Now, when hitters start to catch up to the pitchers we’ll see if they’re throwing quality strikes or not.
OkayJay81 - February 28, 2009
I agree - these are young pitchers with very solid stuff
If Eveland, Gio, Cahill, and Mazzaro pound the strike zone, they will be successful (Anderson already does, and so does Braden without half the stuff some of these guys have). Very encouraging.
Nico - February 28, 2009
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Athletics Nation to post a comment.