I know it was only a two game series, but it was still a sweep. The A's pounded the Royals for a second straight night behind a strong start by Josh Outman. Outman, who collected his first win of 2009, was brilliant for 6 innings; allowing only three singles and one run, all in the second inning. He set down 4 Royals on strikes while only walking 2.
The A's offense sputtered early with no runs through 5 innings; the game was 1-0 Royals halfway through. But the A's would break through in the bottom of the 6th; they got a long double from Jason Giambi scoring Cabrera, and a sac fly from Jack Cust to give Outman a slim 2-1 lead. In the 7th, the offense would add on with a bases-loaded hit-by-pitch to Suzuki and a Holliday infield single before Jack Cust broke it open with a bases-clearing double. The A's cruised home from there with an inning each from Wuertz, Springer and Bailey to close out a nice win in front of the home crowd. Also of note was Adam Kennedy, who had his first multi-hit game as a member of the Green and Gold.
The A's get their second off day of the week tomorrow and travel to Comerica Park to open a three game set against the Tigers. On Friday, the A's will face Edwin Jackson, who has been exceptional through the first 6 weeks sporting a sparkling 2.60 ERA. The A's starter is TBD. I'll see you there!
0 recs | 106 comments
this is the first time I'm first
on a game wrap for a game I attended…sweet!
OaklandSi - May 13, 2009
Me too!
I’m gonna post some pictures tomorrow about my cross bay double header tomorrow, but for now, woo!
a fun night, huh.
alea iacta est - May 13, 2009
I met some guys in the west side bar just before the game
who had also gone to the giants’ game — I would have loved to do that but had to work during the day.
OaklandSi - May 13, 2009
yeah,it was fun
we are mostly congratulating ourselves on not drinking ourselves silly to try to survive the boredom of a pretty dull Giants game once Zito left.
Pacing is the key!
alea iacta est - May 13, 2009
yeah, they were pretty toasty in the westside club
OaklandSi - May 13, 2009
A's announced Brett Anderson will start Friday
and Braden on Saturday
OaklandSi - May 13, 2009
I thought Outman pitched great.
It gives me a little hope! And maybe…just maybe…the offense is waking up.
pam5981 - May 13, 2009
Outman was very sharp and economical
this time he didn’t have to throw his hat into the dugout when he got taken out…maybe this time he could enjoy our standing ovation for him.
OaklandSi - May 13, 2009
do you think he could hear it?
it wasn’t exactly packed tonight
alea iacta est - May 13, 2009
well even if he couldn't he could see it
there were officially close to 16,000…at least it was a better crowd than last night.
BART was noticeably more crowded tonight compared to last night also.
OaklandSi - May 13, 2009
yeah, I have to admit, didn't see much of the crowd last night, so cannot compare
as for Bart, they seemed to have fewer coaches than usual? though, maybe just for the Millbrae train. who knows
alea iacta est - May 13, 2009
Less is More?
It can be said that less is more. When I lived in the Bay Area, I would always enjoy the more intimate, winning ballgames games. People who are at the ballpark, get “it”. Enjoy.
Colorado Fan - May 14, 2009
I was shocked watching on TV
when they announced 16,000 in attendance. Did it look/feel like there actually was that many people there (I don’t like saying ‘that many’ about 16K, but there it is)? I know it is tough to tell because not everyone is at their seats all the time and the concessions can be packed at times, but it did not appear to me that there were that many people there. With the current configuration and tarping of the 3rd deck, 16K is close to 50% capacity I think.
Was there a give-away or was it $2 ticket night last night? 16K seems like a lot for a Wed. night game in Oakland. Wish I was there.
jakebmill - May 14, 2009
it was a $2 night (Plaza Level, Plaza Outfield, and Plaza Reserved seats)
and the $1 little hotdogs as well.
I can believe there were @16,000…more than I can believe that Tuesday night there were @10,500.
OaklandSi - May 14, 2009
Yeah it was a ghost town on Tuesday.
Actually, it is a ghost town far to often.
jakebmill - May 14, 2009
I think it peaked around the fifth or sixth inning.
I was sitting in the RF bleachers and people kept coming in until about that point. I think the place was mostly top-heavy with all the $2 ticket people in the upper decks.
LoneStranger - May 14, 2009
I didn't see the early part of the game
But I’d have to say I’m overly thrilled with our offense tonight. That whole rally was set up by ineptitude on the Royals part including the walks, HBP, and an error. Then Holliday gets an infield single and Cust is finally the one who gets a convincing base hit. Seems like a mistake induced rally if you ask me. But I won’t complain because a win’s a win and we’ll take ’em any way we can right now.
Helloooo 1st - May 13, 2009
***I'm NOT overly thrilled***
Helloooo 1st - May 13, 2009
Royals did not play like a first place team in the latter part of the game
OaklandSi - May 13, 2009
And the A's didn't play like a last place team
Colorado Fan - May 14, 2009
the two might be related
OaklandSi - May 14, 2009
My friend and I have seen a loose correlation between the A's and Royals over the years.
The A’s would be doing great, winning series after series and then play the bottom-dwelling Royals. The Royals, however, would tend to win the series between the two. I think we’re seeing the natural reversal of that correlary.
LoneStranger - May 14, 2009
Stirrups!
whiteshoes40 - May 13, 2009
for that alone I'm his fan
OaklandSi - May 13, 2009
I'd like to point out that I was supporting Outman based on his stirrups alone, even when he was awful
II think that what I’m saying is, I jumped out ahead with irrational reasons to like him
alea iacta est - May 13, 2009
hey, sometimes we need a little irrationality
OaklandSi - May 13, 2009
I feel like this would be a long season, otherwise
alea iacta est - May 13, 2009
Its been long, take that as you may.
But the long socks…they make me happy.
lynnzgal - May 13, 2009
Seconded.
I support Corey Wimberly based on his stirrups alone, too, and I don’t even know which minor league team he’s playing with now.
iglew - May 14, 2009
The DL
Helloooo 1st - May 14, 2009
oooh! My favorite players are on that team.
Kallus - May 14, 2009
"Players"
Good one…
Helloooo 1st - May 14, 2009
He's just getting practice for when he gets called up.
LoneStranger - May 14, 2009
joe blanton lost some weight
Future Ed - May 13, 2009
a broom with a view thoughts from section 208
the carpet crawlers heed their callers we gotta get in to get outman may not make it in the big leagues but admit it he’s got the most classic socks in mlb hides foot fetish mancrush what if the whole team goes for the golden stirrups and we make believe it’s 1972 messes up the hair of the guy sitting in front of me to distract from sincere yet embarrassing bloodshift in lower body ok i know the team is a little dull sometimes but literally showing highlights of grass growing on the diamondvision is taking things a wee bit too far i am just saying warm glowing feelings you get when your team scores more than 2 runs two count em two consecutive nights i love the a’s and believe to an extent in moneyball and sabremetrics but i admit some games i wanna hang a big sign from dead center section 242 that says swing goddammit hey did you know that adam kennedy is one of four guys to hit 3 hrs in a postseason game no well there’s your geek stat of the night now go fetch me my slippers will you my feet are cold holy two-strike transformation batman someone put a contract in front of jack cust before he costs more than the zimbabwean bank bailout fuzzy snuggly 2 days off in one week feelings see who said this team was all weep and no sweep stay tuned viewers don’t touch that dial coming up on a’s of our lives will chavez win yet another 11 million free dollars on the new reality tv show america’s most inexplicably injured has-been will gallagher crush actual watermelons on the mound during a game in a last ditch effort to keep his roster spot away from vin mazzaro will crosby spread his legs so far apart at bat that the games will have to be rated nc-17 so kids can no longer get in and attendance drops to 130 a night will the athletics win three games in a row before football season it all remains to be senile
emperor nobody - May 13, 2009
(still gasping with laughter over the Crosby bit)
OaklandSi - May 13, 2009
I laughed so hard I cried
day-to-day - May 13, 2009
carpet crawlers, ow.
lynnzgal - May 13, 2009
nice Lamb reference
eom
jakarta - May 13, 2009
nice catch
it was either that or rework “Can-Utility and the Coastliners,” and I’m lazy.
emperor nobody - May 13, 2009
it all remains to be senile.
Oh god.
lynnzgal - May 13, 2009
I'm a sucker for all of it
but drop in some Fountain of Salmacis and I’ll really be giddy
jakarta - May 13, 2009
you know you are a prog rocker when...
…you write songs dramatizing the Greek myth of Hermaphroditus and you don’t even bother to make the damn verses rhyme.
emperor nobody - May 14, 2009
Eh,,,who cares.
Myths are hawt! Especially the myth of Hermaphroditus.
lynnzgal - May 14, 2009
in case you were wondering what peter gabriel looked like
before he ever ate anything:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUiSZdA3w9Y&feature=PlayList&p=5F7DC53AD123E22E&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=13
emperor nobody - May 14, 2009
Love ya.
But this is way funnier when we lose!
pam5981 - May 13, 2009
in that case
I look forward to fewer of them
(either that or develop a preference for the ones after winning games!)
OaklandSi - May 13, 2009
I know. I felt bad for saying it!
I think despair is just so much funnier ;)
pam5981 - May 13, 2009
well, just in case
JINX
OaklandSi - May 13, 2009
LOVE!!!
baseballgirl - May 14, 2009
Just hilarious
baseballgirl - May 14, 2009
That photo in the recap is just crying out for a captioning contest.
pam5981 - May 13, 2009
Giving Head: ur doin it wrong
cityplANner - May 13, 2009
Crucifixion: ur doin it wrong
AsFanInLA - May 14, 2009
Kurt looks like he's doing an imitation of my mom's cat.
iglew - May 14, 2009
I have laser vision too
Kennedy: Let me see!
Helloooo 1st - May 14, 2009
Marcio Jose Sanchez...
You Dirty Bastard.
Colorado Fan - May 14, 2009
I don't know what happened to the real A's,
but I like these other guys a whole lot better :-)
day-to-day - May 13, 2009
Dontrelle had his first start of the year tonight
42/3, 4 runs. Not great, but not disastrous. It’d be a fun thing for the watching of baseball if he got it togethter this year. Go Dontrelle!
alea iacta est - May 13, 2009
definitely
I saw perhaps his last start last year — it was extremely painful. so if he can get to being halfway decent again that would be great.
OaklandSi - May 13, 2009
make him pitch righthanded.
Couldn’t hurt!
cityplANner - May 13, 2009
Make him the next Rick Ankiel
I’m serious
Helloooo 1st - May 14, 2009
my roommate said the same thing
though dontrelle has huge thighs and ass. he can definitely hit, but i’m not sure he has outfield speed
jlanning17 - May 14, 2009
just like xmas morning to see this news
ak_A - May 14, 2009
Get the feeling Buck will be in Sacramento real soon
Buck’s hitting a powerless .200 and he failed to lay down a bunt in an important situation for the 2nd time in a week. Expect he’ll go to Sac to get consistant abs and get his confidence back.
BlueMoon - May 14, 2009
Confidence (Buck)
That is what I think he’s been missing for 2 years now. Where did it go? Did Bob Geren steal Buck’s Mojo? I really wish Giambi would Buck to some strip clubs in SF… it just seems like he’s trying way too hard, or Geren is putting Buck in situations where he can’t succeed. If I’m Bob Geren, I tell Buck, “The RF job is yours for the next month. See ball, hit ball. See ball, catch ball. Have fun”.
That is all.
Colorado Fan - May 14, 2009
I really wish Giambi would..
“take” Buck…
Colorado Fan - May 14, 2009
Greek Love ?
LoneStranger - May 14, 2009
If Cunningham keeps hitting the way he has been, I'm sure your post is right
on the money!!!
MMunoz33 - May 14, 2009
i'm a huge cunningham fan...but i think its best that he stay in AAA until the a's can play him everyday.
that means 2010 or holliday gets traded.
the a’s need his right handed bat, but i don’t want him sitting or platooned in the majors.
stm72 - May 14, 2009
Oakland Rivercats
Sacramento A’s. It’s all the same thing! Aren’t they selling more tickets in Sac?
SquawValleyUSA - May 14, 2009
Yay, I've missed the last four victories. I'm starting to pick up on a trend.
It’s still a small size sample though.
OldhamA - May 14, 2009
Ah, did the A's win the last four times you missed games, though?
It’s important to establish whether it’s causation or correlation, so we can take appropriate steps. for the good of the Team, of course
alea iacta est - May 14, 2009
Yeah, every game I've missed in the last week + the A's have won.
Barstewards.
OldhamA - May 14, 2009
plz stop coming 2 gamez kay tnx.
LoneStranger - May 14, 2009
crosby...
second on the team in OBP, fifth in slugging, third in OPS…
does this warrant a move to the top of the order, where o-cab is only good after calling team meetings, or is it a better idea to keep him at 9 to get a 2nd leadoff hitter? i would prefer the swap of crobsy and o-cab, which would give bobby the extra at-bat.
thoughts? is there something i’m missing that proves this is a statistical mirage and crosby is actually still our worst hitter?
jlanning17 - May 14, 2009
Love it
The Wizard of Croz getting some love. So overdue.
Anyways, I think you keep Crosby in a spot where he feels zero pressure. So yeah, the 9-Hole is perfect for the Wiz Kid from the LBC.
Colorado Fan - May 14, 2009
Also
I think you might want to take a look at O-Cab’s career statistics vs. Crosby’s. Eh, nevermind:
O-Cab: 273/322/396 (6679 PA’s)
Crosby: 240/309/379 (2465 PA’s)
Plus, O-Cab puts the bat on the ball more often. Lucky things can happen over a full season.
Colorado Fan - May 14, 2009
I agree
OaklandSi - May 14, 2009
K's
Lastly:
OC: 574 Career K’s (9%)
Crosby: 445 Career K’s (18%)
Colorado Fan - May 14, 2009
To think that A's fans have witnessed those 445 career K's : * (
Memories…
franks a lot - May 14, 2009
If it ain't broke, don't fix it
:) keep up the good work Croz!!!
MMunoz33 - May 14, 2009
i think we need to stop mucking around with the order...
if you hit well when you’re 6th in the order, it doesn’t mean you should bat 2nd. there are differential pressures and situational differences that allow people to performing unevenly in different spots.
sweeney is the same guy…but he’s hitting better 6th vs 1st. he still can’t hit lefties as last night made clear.
stm72 - May 14, 2009
Why mess with success?
We’ve had so much Booby fail for so long. Now that we’ve got something from him, we shouldn’t do anything to jeopardize that. Keep him right where he’s most productive.
cityplANner - May 14, 2009
Can Nico please hate on our others pitchers too?
Ever since his rant about Outman, the guy’s been a lot better.
DyeLongJustice - May 14, 2009
Eveland?
Oh, wait.
Colorado Fan - May 14, 2009
eveland has a 6 era in sacramento. lame.
stm72 - May 14, 2009
We may never see Dana Eveland again.
And I’m ok with that.
Colorado Fan - May 14, 2009
Funny that 2 weeks ago we had the battle for AN's soul over
whether or not Eveland was the best pitcher on the staff. Guess that’s settled!
cityplANner - May 14, 2009
I quietly lol when I think of that
It took all of one start after that debate for Eveland to be sent to AAA. Now, do you really think that if the A’s thought he had just been “unlucky” until then – actually pitching better than Braden – that they would demote him after one bad start? As compared to that start being seen as, you know…“more of the same”?
Nico - May 14, 2009
A sweep is a sweep is a....
…sweep!
I will take it! AND, Duke is on his way back, the bats are starting to awaken, our young pitchers are not looking totally lost anymore….reasons to be optimistic!
OptimistPrime - May 14, 2009
Fun game
I like how the A’s are continuing to score runs in multiple innings as apposed to there old strategy, (score 2 in the first, get shut out the last eight innings & lose 5-2).
All I can say is THANK GOD FOR CUST!!!
I vote that until the A’s lose a game BBG does all game threads. I believe that we are averaging about 9+ runs in the games she has done in the last week.
adragon - May 14, 2009
I missed the game because I had a gig in Santa Cruz
and the venue we played at didn’t have the A’s game on. Stoked that we finally got a sweep, even if it’s only 2 games. Go A’s!
mrod - May 14, 2009
I need to man up and admit I was wrong about Cust
Well maybe not wrong in the sense I still don’t want him in the field and he’s really not the same guy he was the last couple seasons. The sac fly with the 2-2 count last night was finally what has turned me. No the ball wasn’t hit well or that deep .. but it was hit. He finally seems to understand there are times he has to swing the bat and stop taking close pitches with runners in scoring position. The average is up and while the walks are down so are the strike outs. Dude is on pace to drive in close to 110 runs and that has always been my beef with him. I never thought I’d day this but thank god we have Jack Cust on our team.
sactownbull - May 14, 2009
I liked the old Cust just fine, but the new Cust is even better
He’s such a great hitter, and I love that rather than just continuing to do the same thing, he makes adjustments and works on his weaknesses so that he can become even better.
iglew - May 14, 2009
a successful MLB player makes adjustments
Cust has done so and his performance shows it.
OaklandSi - May 14, 2009
Yuppers. And I think Skaaaaaalen deserves due credit
as we know he was working with Cust on precisely this improved two-strike approach.
Nico - May 14, 2009
well for that alone Skaalen's a keeper
OaklandSi - May 14, 2009
Mr. Kennedy
I know he is past his prime, but I really like what I have seen so far from Adam Kennedy. His is aggressive (but smart) on the bases and seems to always have his head in the game.
KCa's - May 14, 2009
Could turn out to be a very nice pickup
Even when/if Ellis returns it will be very nice to have a veteran like Kennedy on the bench
Helloooo 1st - May 14, 2009
Yeah I love the tag up from first on Buck's fly out, even if it didn't
result in a run it was the kind of aggressive, headsy baseball we’ve been lacking.
OldhamA - May 14, 2009
Angelball?
LoneStranger - May 14, 2009
I suppose it's 'Smallball' technically, but yeah it's fun to watch.
OldhamA - May 14, 2009
It's called professional baseball
where people are paid a lot of money to perform at a high level in all facets of the game.
However, a large percentage of agents who don’t play baseball promote players who refuse to be 100% players, and these partial players “specialize” in one facet of the game. It happens so much, we wind up expressing special admiration for a play that should be judged similar to “running hard to first base on a ground ball”.
One won lost won - May 14, 2009
Wait, they get paid to do this?
That explains a lot.
LoneStranger - May 14, 2009
Outman has a very good fastball.
His fastball gives him a lot of potential IMO.
ChadGod - May 15, 2009
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