Trevor Cahill didn't get the win in his Major League debut but the Oakland offense, even minus Matt Holliday (ill), showed what it can be capable of as the A's defeated the Los Angeles Angels 6-4 behind a 16-hit attack. Jack Cust (3-for-4, 2 RBI), Jason Giambi (3-for-5, 1 RBI) and Ryan Sweeney (3-for-5, 2 R) led the way for the A's while Nomar Garciaparra and Mark Ellis collected a pair of hits of their own and every starter except Orlando Cabrera got into the hit column.
Cahill opened with a 27-pitch first inning but escaped with only one run scoring after Chone Figgins walked, stole second, went to third on a fly out and crossed the plate on a ground out. The Angels picked up another run in the second on a wild pitch and after getting runners on in each of the first three innings with nothing to show for it, the A's finally broke through in the fourth against Dustin Moseley.
With one out, Cust singled hard off the right field wall to plate Garciaparra. Two more runs would score thanks to a ground out by Travis Buck and a single by Ellis. Cahill mostly settled down and made it through five innings, though he cost himself a chance at the win by allowing one more run in the fifth that wasn't helped due to a dropped fly ball by Cust. Cahill's line: 5 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 5 BB, 1 K. It looked like he wasn't getting much help from plate ump Larry Vanover but I'm sure he learned a lot from his outing after being inconsistent with his pitch location.
The A's had their second inning with four hits in the seventh (and had at least one hit in each frame), taking back the lead on a fielder's choice by Eric Chavez before Cust dropped a single into center. Giambi's opposite field double (a very good sign after pulling the ball for years in Yankee Stadium) in the eighth gave the A's an insurance run that became a little more important when Brad Ziegler allowed one in the ninth before striking out Vladimir Guerrero and Torii Hunter to pick up his first save of 2009. That made a winner out of Michael Wuertz, who along with Santiago Casilla combined to go three innings, allowing just a hit and a walk with three strikeouts between them.
After getting just three hits in the opener, it was obviously great to see sixteen of them tonight. Though they only had six runs and stranded twelve runners, they took advantage of enough opportunities and it's nice just to see them have as many as they did. Moseley is no Ervin Santana or John Lackey but last year's team had a tendency to struggle against people they shouldn't have. Adding on against the bullpen also helped a lot.
Tomorrow night Dana Eveland takes the mound against Nick Adenhart.
Oh, and 2600+ comments tonight is insane but great to see. ;-)
0 recs | 234 comments
I said it somewhere in one of the 37 game threads,
but Cahill’s last inning was his best. Good sign, I hope.
vegAN ryAN - April 7, 2009
he got squeezed a lot tonight.
Again, not a bad debut. A lot like Dallas last night.
Leopold Bloom - April 7, 2009
Yeah dallas pitched pretty well last night too
overall I like how our staff’s shaping up….Im hopefull for Eveland tomorrow
thashyt - April 7, 2009
He looked good in the end.
I was holding out hope he would be in line for that win.
Still, I loves me some Stomper magic!
oaklandSMASH - April 7, 2009
How is the scouting support so off on Cahill?!
All things I had read said he had a “power sinker” in the Kevin Brown mold, hitting between 91-95 mph. Granted the CSN radar gun only worked after the 3rd inning, but I did not see a pitch past 90 mph. I’d like to qualify (a) I’m not bashing Cahill, but rather the scouting reports, and (b) I had one too many Sierra Nevada Big Foot Barley Wines. Go A’s!
Pucking Insane - April 7, 2009
ooh those are good
I been stuck with Anchor Steams tonight
thashyt - April 7, 2009
you know,
I haven’t had a drop in almost 16 years, but both those sound good right now.
Leopold Bloom - April 7, 2009
don't start
it sucks being a drunk…hiccup
rollierollieOxenfree - April 7, 2009
I respectfully disagree
* Hic *
Joey C. - April 7, 2009
I was quite the drunk.
That’s why I haven’t drank in so long.
I kept waking up in jail. It was kind of annoying.
Leopold Bloom - April 8, 2009
Is that why you had to go Florida? Punishment.
DCinWC - April 8, 2009
I got sentenced to 10 years in Berkeley,
with no possibility of Pinole.
Nico - April 8, 2009
You know,
seriously, my ideal existence would be Berkeley living and season tickets and some job that allowed for season tickets.
Mostly, no more signs.
Leopold Bloom - April 8, 2009
We have an opening for a tranny, a pot salesman,
and a unicycle-riding clown, but that’s about it right now.
Nico - April 8, 2009
I'll pass on the bit about a tranny
to my (ex?) brother in law. Not that I’m having any marital troubles, in so much as he’s having a gender crisis? I’m not sure how this stuff works, but I do know my wife is livid. I think it’s because he wears a smaller dress size than she does. I must say he’s quite convincing. All I care about is that he has a job, preferably some distance away. Did I mention he has a penchant for “borrowing” money?
alox - April 8, 2009
he was hitting at least 93 on the gun at Angels Stadium
dtownmbrown - April 8, 2009
Cool, and good to know! CSN needs to get their act together.
Pucking Insane - April 8, 2009
WOOHOO! had a great time hanging out w/all the AN fans tonight. I’m kinda bummed I couldn’t go out to the bar after, but I’ll be there next time :)
GO A’s!!
drmmerchk - April 7, 2009
they went to the bar?
Leopold Bloom - April 7, 2009
i dunno i think that’s where they were going haha i’m sure they’ll slowly come in here :)
drmmerchk - April 7, 2009
haha there is bar in oakland where people gather?
that is awesome. Chicago needs an A’s bar…Zonis
ChadGod - April 7, 2009
no no i mean the AN people who were all at the game tonight… they went to a bar across from Angel Stadium after the game :)
But there should definitely be an A’s bar. Everywhere.
drmmerchk - April 7, 2009
I'm pretty sure there's one in NYC.
Leopold Bloom - April 8, 2009
Where in NYC??
I’m there if there is one….
mills16 - April 8, 2009
I know of one in Brooklyn
Pacific Standard – just below the the Atlantic Ave station. They’ve put A’s games up on a projector screen the few times I’ve been there.
dscel - April 8, 2009
Really??
Is this really an A’s bar? Do they broadcast all the A’s games there?
EastVillageA - April 8, 2009
Yup,
or so I’ve heard.
IF I owned a bar in Sarasota, there’d be a Sarasota A’s bar.
Leopold Bloom - April 8, 2009
Really.
The owners and/or bartenders are A’s fans. And one game, one of them braved a storm to fix their satellite on the roof. It was a heroic effort to watch A’s/Angels.
dscel - April 8, 2009
Well they officially have a new patron
Possibly beginning as early as tonight (though these 10 p.m. games are much better suited to me laying on the couch with my laptop). Thanks so much for this great information and for turning me onto the place. If its website is any indication, it’s a gem
EastVillageA - April 8, 2009
Do you know the name of the bar?
We are headed to LA and have tics for the Seattle/Mariners game on April 25. We are meeting friends from out state and would like to know of a good bar to hangout in after the game. TY
IM4Oakgal - April 8, 2009
Ask BBG.
Leopold Bloom - April 8, 2009
I've missed that graphic
(single tear)
oaklandSMASH - April 7, 2009
I hope I can use it a lot this year haha
drmmerchk - April 7, 2009
I'm not greedy. I'll take 160 more.
mikev - April 7, 2009
I'm ready to shed more winning tears
oaklandSMASH - April 7, 2009
And I hope to wear out
my Kool and the Gang CD from playing “Celebration” so many times…
Derwood13 - April 8, 2009
good to see geren utilizing double steals, aggressive secondary leads, and bunts
27 outs is way too many.
xbhaskarx - April 7, 2009
I was so stoked
rajai davis squared around 3 times in the 9th inning with a 3 run lead. Quality baseball.
Maybe it is the ghost of Gene Mauch invading gerens soul.
Future Ed - April 7, 2009
you missed some sarcasm...
but don’t worry, XBH is one of the most indirect posters on AN!
ohmangoAs - April 7, 2009
he didn't miss the sarcasm, his response is also sarcastic.
xbhaskarx - April 7, 2009
wow, that's impressive
I pretty much fell for it.
Maybe it’s because I hardly even know what “squaring around” is.
ohmangoAs - April 8, 2009
"stoked"
is the only word you needed to know. Hopefully by 2009 it is only used sarcastically.
Future Ed - April 8, 2009
That bunt attempt by Raj was fugly...!
mrod - April 8, 2009
As I'm apt to do
I’m reading the HH thread so I can revel in their disgust.
It’s really great. Some guy called A’s fans: “VORP-ies”
Emmett89 - April 7, 2009
I do that a lot.
Halos Hell is fun reading on nights like tonight.
oaklandSMASH - April 7, 2009
"VORP-ies"
obviously they haven’t read AN recently.
xbhaskarx - April 7, 2009
I claim full responsibility.
VORP is too nerdy - April 7, 2009
Jamie Fox just led off sportscenter
thashyt - April 7, 2009
jimmy foxx?
I am glad the a’s are getting national exposure
Future Ed - April 8, 2009
they dug him up?
what a creepy frickin Sportscenter.
Though, in fairness, if we were going to go to the trouble of digging him up, I’m at least glad they eld with it.
Leopold Bloom - April 8, 2009
Where'd Buan go?
Leopold Bloom - April 7, 2009
you stay up late
Future Ed - April 8, 2009
Esp. considering I'm EST.
Leopold Bloom - April 8, 2009
edt
and thats what i mean
Future Ed - April 8, 2009
2 ERs for Cahill
Cust giveth… and he taketh away.
So after two games in the grand youth movement, the ledger says 11 IP and 5 ER— that’s an ERA of 4.09— on the road. Tiny sample size, but so far the kids are alright. Lots of miles to go before they sleep, however.
jasonthea - April 7, 2009
Corrected - thought I saw 3 for a moment
Flashfire - April 7, 2009
Cahill's performance
The final line looks pretty good. But he had a pretty hard time finding the strike zone tonight. Granted, he got squeezed more than once. Still… I don’t know if it was nerves or what, but I saw a lot of sinkers and just a few breaking balls— and the breaking balls were hanging a lot. I’m hoping he settles down a little and gives a few less free passes next time.
Still, he pitched himself out of several jams. And hell, the offense showed up! Who am I to complain? Go A’s!
Joey C. - April 7, 2009
he just turned 21 and he pitched his first start.
Some jitters had to be expected.
Leopold Bloom - April 7, 2009
Definitely
1 start does not a career make (well… unless you’re Shane Komine). I just hope his next one features a few more K’s and a few less BB’s.
[To the literalists: Yes, I’m aware Komine had 2 whole starts]
Joey C. - April 7, 2009
agreed...
plus I think once the A’s took the 3-2 lead, he appeared (I was just watching on TV) to be more calm but still got squeezed a couple times that inning…but he seemed more calm and composed that inning…maybe its just me…
either way, great win…
mills16 - April 8, 2009
five walks?
OaklandSi - April 8, 2009
Clearly the obvious black mark
I mostly meant that the shiny ERA looks nice and all if you didn’t watch the game. If you did, you saw that he benefited from a healthy amount of luck.
Joey C. - April 8, 2009
I can see why he has control problems.
None of his pitches are straight. If he harnesses that… it’s bad news for the AL.
brenarlo - April 8, 2009
I know it's been said countless times before
but I still can’t get over the sheer idiocy of Geren’s lineups. For someone who claimed to have read “The Book,” he’s sure ignoring just about everything in it. If he’s one of those pretend-to-give-a-crap-about-sabermetrics-but-really-old-school-at-heart (ie Dayton Moore types) guys, then I honestly don’t see why Beane gave him that extension, well, except for the fact that they’re best buds.
Bottom line, Jack Cust should be batting second (or anywhere in the top third of the lineup) everyday and anyday against right handed pitchers, left handed pitchers, ambidextrous pitchers, slow pitch softball pitchers…
lenscrafters - April 7, 2009
i think
this will be said thosands more times here. for some reason lineup construction boils the blood more this season. at least this ys true for me.
Future Ed - April 8, 2009
As long as Geren keeps putting out dumb lineups, I agree that people will continue to complain.
I think people have more issues with lineup construction right now because a) it’s the opening series so everything NEEDS to be exactly the way we want it to be and b) we actually have a relatively good lineup this year and people want to see it constructed in the best way possible.
lenscrafters - April 8, 2009
The lineup will work itself out. After 20 games we'll know who should be batting where.
If Cust keeps getting on base 5 outta every 7 plate appearances he will move up in the lineup
demarius12 - April 8, 2009
Cahill was frustrating tonite
I wasn’t watching too closely but it seems like Cahill has only one pitch. Was he able to throw any secondary pitches even semi-effectively? I wanted to break something when he wen 0-2 to Kendry Morales only to throw him another sinker which he drove for a double. He doesn’t seem to have a strike-out pitch he can throw with two strikes, I can’t see him striking many guys out if he only throws the sinker. He definitely needs to learn some other pitches if he is going to live up to his potential.
OkayJay81 - April 7, 2009
He gotted hurt early by throwing some pretty flat breaking balls
He got pounded pretty hard early on. After that, it seems as though Suzuki and the coaches called for all fastballs.
Joey C. - April 7, 2009
"Gotted"
Really? Yikes.
Joey C. - April 7, 2009
It's okay
You didded good.
Emmett89 - April 7, 2009
I'm very exciteded
Joey C. - April 7, 2009
Duchschererer
Helloooo 1st - April 7, 2009
Hahahaha...
baseballgirl - April 8, 2009
+1!!!!
mrod - April 8, 2009
He's meant to have a killer knuckle curve, though we haven't seen it yet.
OldhamA - April 8, 2009
I dunno
that was a pretty good performance for a 21 year old kid who’s never pitched above Double A ball. The velocity on the sinker wasn’t terribly impressive according to the comcast sportsnet broadcast radar gun, but the movement was nasty, and I’d rather have that nasty movement on a sinker than have it flatten out and be a few ticks faster – at least he didn’t get too pumped up and allow that to happen. That said, it wasn’t the 91-94mph sinker we’ve all read about. It was more of a 87-90 mph sinker. He ocassionally flashed a straighter four seam fastball that had a little more velocity on it. He did throw some breaking balls, but he got some really bum calls (at least according to the gamecast pitch location readings) early on with his knuckle curve that should have been strikes and I think he lost confidence in it – from every thing I’ve read, that can be a real out pitch for him. I guess it makes his performance all the more impressive. I’m not to worried about his controll, he was around the strike zone all night, and like I said, had some questionable calls made on more than a few pitches. He seemed to have taken a step forward with his control this spring, and I have confidence that will continue now that he has the jitters of his first start out of his system. Plus, that sinker has a LOT of movement, and it will take him a little time to adjust to major league umpires and locating the pitch so that he can get called strikes with it as well. I’m pretty excited about the kid. Sure it wasn’t a dominant performance, but for his first start above AA and against a contender/rival lineup, I’ll take it. He has plenty of room to improve, but a lot to be excited about as well.
oakballnack - April 8, 2009
I'm liking this West Coast Sportscenter
they are really trying to highlight teams up and down the west coast.
greala - April 7, 2009
...and the Red Sox
thashyt - April 7, 2009
West coast Sportcenter?
Really?
Leopold Bloom - April 7, 2009
Yea, but at least Cahill got some love
greala - April 7, 2009
+1
thashyt - April 7, 2009
"Love" in that they didn't call him Tyler or something.
mikev - April 7, 2009
Apparently Curt Young is Bob Geren
Helloooo 1st - April 7, 2009
Caught that, too
FAIL.
Joey C. - April 7, 2009
honestly
I haven’t noticed much difference in the west coast SC. Maybe I didn’t watch enough.
micdog2001 - April 8, 2009
only complaint from tonights game
Missed opportunities, let some run scoring opportunities slip away…but overall great game and look forward to tomorrows game and hope to get Holliday back in the lineup
yawedout21 - April 7, 2009
Think of it like this...
we got 16 hits WITHOUT holliday…..then we add a top 5 hitter in the league back into the lineup…..
thashyt - April 7, 2009
True story
Also I like the way the bullpen has looked these first couple games…Hope Devine can get healthy because I think Id prefer Ziegler setting up but still liking the bullpen as of now(kinda expected to like them)
yawedout21 - April 7, 2009
Bullpen was impressive
I especially like the way Wuertz is looking. That slider looks like a really nasty pitch.
And Casilla is looking like he’s back to pre-injury form, who knows how long that will last but I am still holding out hope for him.
OkayJay81 - April 7, 2009
Casilla looked pre-injury form
+ change
DDroney - April 8, 2009
Casilla is a very good pitcher
who how has 3 out pitches.
If he can stay healthy he will be very, very important in this pen.
OaklandSi - April 8, 2009
agreed
Cassilla looked NASTY – if he stays healthy this could be his year to really blossom into the superstud late inning realiever he’s always had the talent to be. His slider looked really crisp and sharp with a hard late break, and he located it all around. His change looked nasty and hard, almost more like a splitter, and the swings and misses on it were a very good sign. Plus, his fastball command looked as good if not better than I’ve seen it. I’m very excited about what he can mean to this bullpen. Let’s keep him healthy – and who knows, he could be closing out games by the end of the season if Ziggy falters or Devine goes under the knife.
oakballnack - April 8, 2009
Casilla's emergence so far has been
a pleasant and important surprise, following his 2nd half last year.
Nico - April 8, 2009
it seemed to me last season that Casilla
was hesitant to throw his slider, following the injury. That of course limited his effectiveness.
Getting over that fear this year — plus having a third pitch — makes him a very exciting reliever. I actualy wouldn’t be surprised to see him closing games.
OaklandSi - April 8, 2009
I think that's exactly right -
he couldn’t let loose with the slider and his fastball is a little too straight to be an out pitch without a secondary threat. Now he looks like the April, 2008 Casilla who came out of the gate firing scoreless innings.
Nico - April 8, 2009
Wuertz = Kiko Calero circa 2005
or 2006. Excellent slider, good fastball command with that tailing two seamer. great 7th or 8th inning arm.
oakballnack - April 8, 2009
Exactly - good Kiko
And good Kiko was very good.
Nico - April 8, 2009
Wuertz is the friggin man
Moseley is not good at baseball. Glad we at least put a lot of baserunners on against him.
ChadGod - April 7, 2009
Casilla and Wuertz were both nasty and impressive.
mrod - April 8, 2009
All the Angels hitters looked very comfortable against Cahill
Against Wuertz and especially against Casilla, they looked absolutely scared shitless.
Joey C. - April 8, 2009
what he said...
:)
mrod - April 8, 2009
I really hope he is feeling better tomorrow
The Angels deserve a taste…
Kind of like Vlad against us before Vlad got really mediocre
ChadGod - April 7, 2009
he, holliday
ChadGod - April 7, 2009
holliday is out 3-4 days right?
rktse - April 8, 2009
Haven't heard anything to that effect
Flashfire - April 8, 2009
i thought i heard it during the tv broadcast
said he wasnt even with the team
rktse - April 8, 2009
For that night because of how sick he was, yeah
Flashfire - April 8, 2009
3 to 4 unproductive days from our 1 year rental?!?!
franks a lot - April 8, 2009
3 to 4 unproductive days from our 1 year rental?!?!
franks a lot - April 8, 2009
Depending on the season it could end up being only a 4 month lease.
drink409 - April 8, 2009
3 to 4 days out of ~120 days!?!
franks a lot - April 8, 2009
and to think the best is yet to come...
the only reason Cahill’s in there tonight is to break up some L-L-L situation. Though as a fellow southpaw, I find nothing wrong with letting lefties rule the world (Clinton, Obama, Reagan, etc.).
Anderson’s a better pitcher than Cahill, so let’s see what happens (pitching-wise, as the hitting may not necc. be so reproducible as tonight) when the A-man is pitching for A’s.
rollierollieOxenfree - April 7, 2009
Anderson's better than Cahill? Since when?
OldhamA - April 8, 2009
In the Spring at least
ChadGod - April 8, 2009
Slusser has some extra notes
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/athletics/detail?&entry_id=38171
Some quick final thoughts here now that I’m filed for the night… First, Trevor Cahill will be much, much better, probably as soon as his next time out. He’s a sinkerball pitcher, but he was amped up in his first big-league start, and he had some trouble controlling the sinker. (The wild pitch that Jeff Mathis scored on, however, was a changeup.)
Torii Hunter was impressed, telling reporters, “That kid has a great sinker and he got the groundballs when he needed to.” Hunter struck out to end the game against Brad Ziegler, and he compared Ziegler’s slow submariner slider to a Nintendo pitch, one of the Angels reporters just told me.
Trainman - April 7, 2009
Almost forgot about Zeigler's Change
That pitch was crazy, was he throwing it like that last year?
OkayJay81 - April 7, 2009
I heart SuSlu
“quick final thoughts here now that I’m filed for the night…”
Leopold Bloom - April 8, 2009
Cahill seemed one dimensional tonight
But maybe that’s because I was watching him on TV (badump-bump)
Seriously though – he didn’t seem to have the nasty changeup working tonight. Seemed like he had a hard time controlling it during his last start so they maybe told him to do without. But it was tough to read without the gun on CSNCA. Seemed like he was relying on the sinker and slider and most of his issues were command related and some overthrowing. Really damn good all things considered.
I totally love the bullpen. Nice job Billy. Can’t wait to watch Bailey pitch again. I am predicting that Bailey will get some 8th and 9th inning work this season. He looks like a closer to me.
These two first lineups are f’n craptastic. Wakamatsu chaligraphy couldn’t make this stuff look right. WTF? No way in hell Nomar has any business hitting 4th against a RHP. No F’n way ever. And Cust 6th behind Chavez?
Ok, GEREN! GEREN!!!! Wake the hell up and pull your f’n head out dumbass! Please!!!
Also, Rajai Davis is not a good bunter, ok? I have seen this pop up crap enough.
Ok, I’m gonna be ok.
A’s win.
Buck Turgidson - April 7, 2009
I think Chavez is back hitting-wise (for as long as he is back anyway)
So hitting him 5th is ideal…However Cust is still ideal to hit 2nd.
ChadGod - April 8, 2009
Hell
Why not just Write the entire Lineup on a Big White Bed Sheet?
Colorado Fan - April 8, 2009
maybe
someone should make a giant sign saying “Geren: Bat Cust 2nd” an hang it in right field till he does it.
Future Ed - April 8, 2009
i approve of this plan of action
alea iacta est - April 8, 2009
there should be a committee set up for this
rktse - April 8, 2009
I think we need to form a task force first to analyze the
benefits of having a committee. Meanwhile, Leopold Bloom can make a killer sign and I’ll parade it in front of Geren’s face.
Nico - April 8, 2009
EIR
for the railing and neighbors
Future Ed - April 8, 2009
NIMBSs
Not In My Bleacher Seats
EddieVegas_NRAF - April 8, 2009
Cahill flashed dominant stuff
You could really see what’s made him so successful as a pro so far. Even Gubicza was like “whoah” a few times watching that vile sinker. I’m not too worried. All the A’s young pitchers are going to go through growing pains. It’s part of the process.
AgitationStation - April 7, 2009
I saw nothing dominant about his stuff BUT
It does say something that despite having poor control (almost 1:1 balls-to-strikes), and hopefully a lower than usual velocity on his sinker, he still managed to give up three runs.
Facing the Angels does help. Aybar may be worst batting SS in the AL.
Pucking Insane - April 8, 2009
And that's saying something....
for a team with Bobby Crosby on the bench. He’s still alive right?
alox - April 8, 2009
psst
(someone check Bobby for a pulse…)
Leopold Bloom - April 8, 2009
victory!!!
manny59 - April 8, 2009
A's win!
Pics will be up tomorrow! :-)
baseballgirl - April 8, 2009
thanks for putting this together, I had fun,, had to bail early and didn't get to say thanks personally
dtownmbrown - April 8, 2009
just me being nitpicky.
if we have a graphic in the recap, can it be under the first paragraph of text or something?
like…
texttexttexttexttexttexttexttext
texttexttexttexttexttexttexttext
graphic texttexttexttexttext
graphic texttexttexttexttext
graphic texttexttexttexttext
graphic texttexttexttexttext
texttexttexttexttexttexttexttext
texttexttexttexttexttexttexttext
… or something? it feels easier on the eyes to me.
(then again, this might just me bitching because i spent the night at a game where usc beat csun 8-7 despite 6 errors, and the game took 4 hours, and was boring and dreadful and rainy for a couple innings, and just dragged (long pitch counts, long waits between pitches, incessant pitching changes), and didn’t seem to ever end. and the worst atmosphere ever for a game… it was raining, so everyone moved under our little overhang and never came back out, leaving the first six or so rows completely empty. that and the ballpark seemed dead.)
Jjjsixsix - April 8, 2009
oh, and because i missed the a's game.
duh, that’s the most important part. else i wouldn’t be complaining.
Jjjsixsix - April 8, 2009
I don't see that as an option
Flashfire - April 8, 2009
Watching the game late tonight on my DVR
Great bounce back by the offense. Cust, Ellis, G, and Sweeney all had big nights and nice to get a W on the board.
Cahill is gonna be fine if he just relaxes and trusts his stuff. When he is trusting his stuff and putting the ball in play ( rather pitching to contact ) he has a great defense behind him to handle the job. I also felt his last inning pitched was his strongest and it almost seemed he was just starting to get warmed up. Way to go Trevor!
Also, Cust is a heart attack waiting to happen in the outfield.
Casilla and Wuertz were totally sick and Ziggy got the job done in the end so job well done by our boys….Go A’s!
mrod - April 8, 2009
I like the recap Flashfire...
It’s informative and not all opinion. If I hadn’t seen the game it would let me know a little of what went on in the game.
IM4Oakgal - April 8, 2009
Thanks
I know some people go for more of their personal thoughts on the game and I want to work a little more of that in, but I also want it to be clear what happened for people who didn’t get to see the game.
Flashfire - April 8, 2009
seconded
appreciated getting to read a nice summary.
el generico - April 8, 2009
Good recap, and good grief on the number of game threads!
I LOVE IT! Great game to be at the stadium, great pitching by the bullpen (Casilla looked sharp, and Wuertz might be a new fav!)
And the hits…? The glorious hits!!!!
baseballgirl - April 8, 2009
Thanks
Flashfire - April 8, 2009
Question
How bad was Cust’s drop? I wonder if they would be better off with Giambi at first and Garciapparra in left with Cust as DH
Also seems Cust drops more often with rookie pitchers. I would keep him away from the field when Anderson takes the mound!
closetasfan - April 8, 2009
It was brutal
I concur on your thoughts about the line-up. Cust to DH, Buck to RF, Giambi to 1B. Stick with that alignment and we’ll win more than we’ll lose.
bababooey - April 8, 2009
And Holliday as a back-up?
Elvez - April 8, 2009
Or he could play LF. We do need someone there, no?
Nico - April 8, 2009
Nomar did have some nice picks at first.
brenarlo - April 8, 2009
It was on him coming in to make a catch, but the overriding belief was...
…that Sweeney should have taken better charge there and called him off.
Flashfire - April 8, 2009
Yep.
Even with Sweeney having to come WAY farther than Cust, it was his ball to go after.
mikev - April 8, 2009
the broadcasters mentioned during both games
that Sweeney needs to take charge more if he’s going to be the primary centerfielder.
OaklandSi - April 8, 2009
yeah, hopefully that's something that'll come with confidence
it’s not a physical skill you can’t teach / learn
alea iacta est - April 8, 2009
that was sewweneys problem lsat year
he never took charge in center
Future Ed - April 8, 2009
Really not a terrible flub by Cust
Looked like a mental error – as he thought Sweeney would take it and lost focus for a second.
Buck Turgidson - April 8, 2009
What?
Not a terrible flub? I agree Sweeney needs to call him off but as an outfielder you go hard for anything until called off by CF or an infielder that is in the play. A physical error I can live with, mental errors kill you. That was a dropped flyball plain and simple. Cabrera’s baserunning gaffe in Game 1 was another mental error. Cust in RF puts too much pressure on Sweeney to have to run and get everything, which he won’t be able to do. For everyone’s sake, pen, don’t pencil Cust in the DH spot. Holliday, Sweeney, Buck no more no less.
bababooey - April 8, 2009
OK but if Holliday or Buck are not playing, like the past two games, Cust has to play OF.
Cust in RF may put pressure on Sweeney to cover more ground, but Sweeney in CF also puts more pressure on Cust/Buck, Holliday, Ellis and Cabrera to cover more ground.
WaddellCanseco - April 8, 2009
Cust
Isn’t he better off in LF? He played there a lot last season and showed some improvement over the year, from scary to marginally competent.He is by no means someone you want in the OF, but in RF you also have to look at his arm. Wouldn’t Cust LF, Sweeney CF and Buck RF be better.
DCinWC - April 8, 2009
What about Holliday?
Flashfire - April 8, 2009
he'll be the left fielder in every game he plays
the only defensive knock I’ve ever heard about him is that he doesn’t have a strong arm
OaklandSi - April 8, 2009
This only applies to Non-Holliday Days...
So I suppose Cust had better get more comfy in RF as that is his only option besides DH. When Matt H is in the lineup, which had better be a lot.
DCinWC - April 8, 2009
last year Cust was mostly in LF
that’s where I’d put him if he had to play in the outfield.
Buck doesn’t seem to have been a bad option in RF.
OaklandSi - April 8, 2009
Buck doesn't have a very good arm.
mikev - April 8, 2009
Better than Cust, possibly better than Holliday
Geren’s excuse that he put Cust in RF because he played there a lot in the spring is dumb. Its because he has to play there when Holliday is your everyday LF. I think I’m in the large majority that Cust should just DH, period.
bababooey - April 8, 2009
Not true - Cust has a better arm than Buck does
Partly because Buck’s arm is strangely weak and partly because Cust’s arm is actually not bad.
Nico - April 8, 2009
Don't agree but whatever
Buck’s arm is average but serviceable in RF, would project better in LF. Being able to catch a fly ball out there is also very important.
bababooey - April 8, 2009
Just curious - on what basis do you conclude that
Buck’s arm is better than Cust’s? Buck’s throws generally arc and have middling accuracy, while Cust’s throws generally are of at least average strength and are generally accurate.
The fact that the rest of Cust’s defensive game is horrific doesn’t affect how good or bad his arm is.
Nico - April 8, 2009
Look up the outfield assist totals
Buck I believe has 6 to Cust’s 5 in many less games. Arm strength is measured by the things you mentioned but so is carry, velocity, and arm rotation. Its just a personal observation but I think they are both average at best. A Vlad Guerrero/Ichiro they are not.
bababooey - April 8, 2009
Assist totals really don't tell you much at all,
since the better your arm the less chance a runner will run on you. Anyway, I’d rate Cust’s arm as “average” and Buck’s as “below average.”
Nico - April 8, 2009
6 in one hand, half dozen in another
Whether they run on you or don’t based on scouting reports the numbers are the numbers. I respect your opinion.
bababooey - April 8, 2009
Great Job..
Living in NJ, the only way I really followed the team forever was box scores, but now this is the first place I have been coming for about a year or so now. Keep up the good work, I love being able to actually read analysis from people who know about it not some AP writer with2 sentences on the game. Thanks.
captain flitzy - April 8, 2009
Thanks
I’m working on balancing just describing things with giving my own thoughts and opinions a little more as we go.
Flashfire - April 8, 2009
A few observations
The offense will be fine. Cahill will settle in. BUT Cust cannot play in the field. That error on the dropped fly ball was horrid. Should Sweeney have called him off? Maybe but we should expect a major league outfielder to make plays like that regardless. Mark my words, won’t be the last one he has this year either. Please Geren, DH Cust, play Buck in RF and leave him there. End of story. Buck will end up with nice RBI numbers in the 8 hole especially if Cust hits 6th and Suzuki 7th and will set the table for the top of the order. Keep Buck in RF!!!!!!!!!
bababooey - April 8, 2009
Cust's drop
was pretty damn bad – in his defense, however, he did make a nice play to cut off a ball in the corner that Aybar hit and fire it back in to 2nd, limiting him to a double rather than a triple. I think he dropped the ball because he was worried about a collision with Sweeney/Ellis. It was a tough play, and it probably should have been Sweeney’s catch anyhow, Cust’s first mistake. I’d still feel better with Cust DHing, Giambi at first and an OF of Holliday, Sweeney, Buck.
oakballnack - April 8, 2009
If need be
Put Cust as DH, Giambi at 1st, Holliday, Sweeney, and Buck in the OF, and Nomar can still handle SS if you want his bat in there. Cabrera was a crap signing from the get go. I felt he was not enough of an improvement over Crosby to spend the money.
RJ2549 - April 8, 2009
Not Nomar as SS everyday though
Just when the matchup would favor his bat in the lineup.
RJ2549 - April 8, 2009
That would be vs. LHP
But the flaw in the plan is that Chavez needs to sit 1/4 of the games anyway or he won’t make it through the season (at least not April-May).
Nico - April 8, 2009
Still have Crosby
to play 2nd or 3rd. So far Cabrera has NOT been an upgrade, so why not let Crosby try to earn his spot back.
RJ2549 - April 8, 2009
Cabrera has absolutely been an upgrade. Crosby should never again be considered
for any change in status other than trade or release. Never.
I don’t care if Cabrera never has a hit.
WaddellCanseco - April 8, 2009
and by the way
Cabrera hit a double in the first game — the game where the A’s only got 3 hits.
He is a very consistent player, and both on offense and defense is an upgrade over Crosby — and by the way, he’s making less than Crosby is this year.
OaklandSi - April 8, 2009
Consistancy
I would have loved to see Crosby succeed and you are right that Cabrera isn’t a huge upgrade, but he is an upgrade. Cabrera is a reliable, consistent everyday player, he may not “wow” us, but I doubt he will infuriate us either.
DCinWC - April 8, 2009
I gotta say, though
Chavvy looks pretty damned good over at the hot corner right now.
Nice to have him back for the start of the season.
mrod - April 8, 2009
I agree
though, there was one throw when he took the ball deep, and I thought his arm was going to fly off…
alea iacta est - April 8, 2009
Chavvy said he wouldn't be playing more than
3 games in a row during the first month of the season.
OaklandSi - April 8, 2009
My assessment of Cahill's debut
I attribute some of the problems to overthrowing due to nerves/amped. The rest I attribute to the fact that Cahill has simply not yet reached the point where he knows, reliably, where his pitches are going – which is something a pitcher should master before pitching in the big leagues. He’s going to be very good, but not very soon. Whereas I predict Anderson will be very good now.
Nico - April 8, 2009
Agreed on all counts
I’m a lot less optimistic about this start than many others. Each inning I felt like the Angels were about to bust through, and found myself praying for Eveland. I also felt while watching that his third strike to Rivera was the only “big league pitch” I saw.
Good results, he definitely learned a lot, I’m still hopeful for start #2.
Oh, and Suzuki is just awesome. I love the way he handled Cahill all night.
dscel - April 8, 2009
I was a bit surprised that the Angels couldn't capitalize more
on Cahill’s pitching.
OaklandSi - April 8, 2009
I just found myself grateful that the Angels signed Rivera to a 3-year deal
His at bats saved Cahill and his glove, already Custian, is only going to get worse over time.
Nico - April 8, 2009
except for that missed block
Suzuki has been good
Future Ed - April 8, 2009
OK
- Cahill’s pick off move is terrible, he also needs to to a better job of keeping runners in check.
- His 2 seamer is indeed beautiful, it’s always around 90 MPH and moves a lot. However he uses it too much.
- Giambi is indeed a different man, he passed on maybe 4 or 5 fastballs inside, which he loved in NY. Interesting to see him being more patient.
- Cust actually swinged at a first pitch fastball, hopefully he does more of that.
- Ryan Sweeney in CF really got me worried yesterday. There were 2 or 3 plays were he and another player were fighting for a fly ball. He needs to take more command and CF and yell at people that he’s the man in the outfield.
ATarHeel - April 8, 2009
in CF*
ATarHeel - April 8, 2009
re: Giambi
I’ve seen quite a few Giambi quotes about how he wants to return to his old gap-style hitting. In his mind (may or may not be true, I dunno), Oakland’s spacious outfield makes opposite field doubles much easier to hit, whereas the RF porch at Yankee Stadium was too enticing to ignore.
Curious to see how it all plays out.
oakinboston - April 8, 2009
He also plays deep.
I’m thinking they need to get someone else to take charge of the shallow flies. It should work itself out over the course of the season.
WaddellCanseco - April 8, 2009
Fortunately, Ellis has tremendous range going out for pop flies
and I think Cabrera’s is also above average. Still, high flies to shallow left-center and right-center should not be the adventures they are with Sweeney. He just plays awfully deep. And it’s not like I’m seeing many drives get over his head to where he has to be that deep – I see a lot more shallow fly balls being too much of an issue.
Nico - April 8, 2009
This is why I like him in RF more.
Stats be damned, he looks uncomfortable in center, and seems a whole lot more sure of himself when he’s in RF.
mikev - April 8, 2009
The problem is that someone has to play CF.
WaddellCanseco - April 8, 2009
Why?
Nobody does 3 RFers anymore.
Nico - April 8, 2009
Nico, are you calling what I saw as a change up a "knuckle curve"
That would explain why it seemed like he didn’t know where it was going
Buck Turgidson - April 8, 2009
Probably. My understanding is that
Cahill’s main arsenal is sinker, slider, knuckle-curve.
Nico - April 8, 2009
I heard in one of the pregame segments last night
that Cahill puts at least one knuckle (his index finger?) on the seams when he throws it.
I’m still trying to visualize how he pulls this off..
OaklandSi - April 8, 2009
Ken likened it to "throwing darts"
which I think referred to the index finger flicking open as the ball is released.
Nico - April 8, 2009
no wonder I can't visualize it
since I’m lousy at darts!
OaklandSi - April 8, 2009
don't feel bad; my knuckle-curve needs work
Nico - April 8, 2009
Only 4 ER is being generous
Cahill got very— very— lucky. Rivera, as you noted, did the A’s some big favors. Frankly, Cahill looked like just what he is— a kid who’s never pitched above AA. Chucking that 2-seamer wherever, generating the occasional strikeout from the poor approach of the opposing hitters, etc. I haven’t actually seen Anderson throw with mine own eyes, so I’m looking forward to seeing what a minor leaguer with major league-ready control looks like.
Joey C. - April 8, 2009
I don't want to see Cahill against boston.
Their approach is going to kill him
Future Ed - April 8, 2009
Fortunately he'll miss them this time around.
Yankees too. I think that may be why he was slotted second.
WaddellCanseco - April 8, 2009
yeah, I remember reading something about that
OaklandSi - April 8, 2009
All the more proof that he's not ready.
It’s OK to throw him against the Angels, but OMGZ KEEP THE YOUNGSTER AWAY FROM THE BIG MEAN SOX AND YANKS. THEY’RE SCARY.
Cmon, if he’s ready, he’s ready.
mikev - April 8, 2009
We are still in last place :(
oakinboston - April 8, 2009
TIED. Tied is better.
Nico - April 8, 2009
Really?
When I checked the standings we were in second place. :)
AsFanInLA - April 8, 2009
Going to the game tonight
Very excited to see Eveland as I have high hopes. And I actually like our pitching match-up tonight. Hoping Holliday can make it out there.
And I never thought I’d be cheering for Giambi again, but I love seeing him back in the green and gold.
Call It The Throw - April 8, 2009
Pop the beach ball.
WaddellCanseco - April 8, 2009
I'm on it
Call It The Throw - April 8, 2009
Two things I want to comment on that I have not heard discussed much yet:
First, I really, really hate how the late innings are run by most teams. Why is it that with a man on base in the 9th inning (with less then two outs), if that guy is not the tying run, he is not held on base? I get the idea that “his run does not matter” but isn’t it still important to keep the double play in order? Especially for the A’s that are using a closer that is big on inducing ground balls? The A’s did not hold Figgins, he took 2nd, and on the very next pitch the batter hit a sharp one hop comebacker to Ziggy that would have been an easy rally killing double play. I just think it is a bad move, even if it makes you slightly more likely to give up a hit, it also makes it impossible to get two outs on one pitch. A bad tradeoff IMO.
Second, speaking of Ziggy, I am curious if anyone knows if he is now throwing a changeup (or if he always did, but I just never noticed?). To be honest, I am not much of a pitching guru, so could not identify most pitches thrown without knowing from others what is in the pitchers arsenol. That being said, Ziggy threw something that seemed super slow that had both Vlad and Hunter swinging from their heels and swinging through the pitch. Whatever it was, it looked great and I hope he uses it more. Any input anyone has on what that was and if it is new (or just new to me) would be appreciated.
AsFanInLA - April 8, 2009
according to Ziegler
it was his slider:
OaklandSi - April 8, 2009
I basically agree on holding the guy on in the late innings with a GB pitcher.
A mitigating factor might be that Nomar isn’t really a 1B, and they want to keep things simple for him.
WaddellCanseco - April 8, 2009
I agree, especially since the A's weren't that far ahead
OaklandSi - April 8, 2009
There is some strategy to not holding a runner on in the situation like last night's
Given that Ziegler IS likely to get a ground ball and there’s no real worry about the guy’s run mattering unless others after him do something, you take the chance that he’ll go down to second in exchange for having better defensive coverage on the right side of the infield by shortening the gap between the first and second basemen instead of having it larger with the 1B on the bag.
It’s just a calculated risk. You’re putting faith in your pitcher to be able to handle another batter or two instead of playing for the double play – and remember, double play depth is also a different position placement for the 2B.
Ziggy does throw a change and used it occasionally last year. I’ve seen the grip.
Flashfire - April 8, 2009
AsFaninLA, not only do I agree with you about holding the runner,
but I was screaming “hold him!!!” (in my head, of course) before Figgins took second. DP pitcher, it’s worth it to hold the runner and not hand him second base. Duh.
Ziggy does throw a changeup, to left-handed hitters, but he didn’t throw any last night.
Nico - April 8, 2009
Yeah, based on comments above it seems it was his slider
But the velocity seemed waaaaay slower then I had seen before, especially based on the swings the batters took against it. Either way, anytime you make Vlad and Torii look bad swinging through a pitch, it makes me happy.
My only concern with Ziggy is that in a VERY VERY SSS, righties went 0-3 and lefties went 2-2 (which continues his trends from last season). He really needs to start doing better against lefites if he is going to be a 9th inning no matter what type guy.
On another side note, I really liked the way Geren handled Casilla in this game. (I still hate the lineups, but that is another thread). Letting him go out for the 2nd inning of work after he finished the 7th strong was great. Going out to chat with him with 2 outs in the 8th, and then showing confidence to let him face another batter was not only good, but might have been better then just staying in the dugout and letting him face the batter. Made Casilla recognize that his manager was considering pulling him, but was confident enough to let him prove he could get out of the inning on his own — which he then did. Nice move by Geren (among some other dubious ones).
AsFanInLA - April 8, 2009
Totally agree
He has handled the pitchers well, the lineups unbelievably unwell.
Nico - April 8, 2009
according to Slusser
here are some comments about Ziggy’s slider from Torii Hunter:
OaklandSi - April 8, 2009
on the other hand
Figgins could probably have stolen second anyway, even if they had held him on.
OaklandSi - April 8, 2009
True, but at least if he runs
you have, say, a 20% chance of throwing him out and an 80% chance of being no worse off than what happened (you don’t have to hold the runner, etc.).
Nico - April 8, 2009
My comments
After two games it seems that Nomar has popped everything up but he should be fine in the long run. It’s kinda nice to see guys like Nomar and Cabrera who bring a new look to the offense rather than young guys with contact issues taking too many strikes.
Cahill – had some nasty pitches with two sinkers down and in to Kendrick that he swung right over the top of. Also a change to Vlad that had the same sink which had him mumbling to himself.
Ziggy – Looked awesome against Vlad but not very good against the lefties.
niallmack - April 8, 2009
I'm curious as to why Nomar played first and Giamb DH in both games
instead of Giambi — the supposed starting first baseman — playing first in at least one of those games….wonder if there’s a health issue with Giambi.
OaklandSi - April 8, 2009
Maybe, since Holliday was not available
they wanted Nomar in the field in case they needed to make other late inning moves to have Nomar play elsewhere? With Nomar at DH, he would be stuck there (unless we gave up our DH and had the pitcher bat). Not sure that was why, but might have had an impact.
AsFanInLA - April 8, 2009
I think
Geren is going for more consistency in the lineup and the positions to take pressure off the young players. Cust will play mostly RF or DH all year. Sweeney and Cabrera will hit 1st and 2nd. Nomar took Holliday’s spot in the middle of the lineup etc.
niallmack - April 8, 2009
My guess was that the A's only figure to use Giambi in the field
120 or so times at most, so any chance to DH him instead of play him in the field, why not? It’s just another game later that he can play 1B.
Nico - April 8, 2009
Garciaparra?
long run? More faith than I my friend.
Future Ed - April 8, 2009
Ya he'll probably end up hurt with Chavez
And then we get to see Crosby at 3B every day!
niallmack - April 8, 2009
jinx!
OaklandSi - April 8, 2009
Ziggy
Just a couple of late comments about Ziggy against lefties…
Last night, he broke Figgin’s bat on a perfect pitch in on his hands. Sometimes bloops fall. Pitchers execute pitches. It’s almost like when a guy gets a swinging bunt. Do you blame the pitcher for that? Hey…it happens.
I agree with everyone who said that Figgins should’ve been held on first…but that call comes from the dugout. With Ziggy, the odds are in favor of a ground ball and a rally killing double play. Geren should play the odds. So disregard the era at this point.
And on Abreu’s grounder…not hard hit. If the SS isn’t playing up the middle, it’s an easy out. That’ll change when Cabrera gets to know Ziggy and his style better.
One more thing…Whoever is closing games for Oakland, the number one thing a closer needs (which also contributes way more than usually recognized to being able to pitch in the majors) is mental toughness. Mental toughness isn’t just hanging in there when things go well. It is the ability to persevere through adversity…which comes to everybody…whether in the form of noise in a stadium, a broken bat single, a seeing-eye ground ball…or whatever. I love watching Ziggy pitch.
captain bubblehead - April 8, 2009
I'm coming around on one part
Since Ziggy IS so good at getting double plays, it’s probably a safe bet to play for it instead of just letting Figgins trot down to second. Still, the chances of two on and nobody out with the middle of the order coming up left me a little iffy on it compared to trying to at least make sure you get one out and cover the infield a bit more since Ziggy does get so many worm-burners.
Either way, it worked out so we don’t have to worry this time.
Flashfire - April 8, 2009
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