The merry-go-round of runners that had haunted Oakland pitching the last four days was put to a stirring halt by Josh Outman and friends.
It nearly went for naught.
But Matt Holiday saved the day with a two-out, three-run homerun to break a scoreless tie in the eleventh inning, and the A's held on for a 4-1 win, ending their losing skid at four games.
After ten consecutive goose eggs by both pitching staffs, Oakland caught a much-needed break in the eleventh. With Kurt Suzuki aboard via a walk with two out, Jack Cust reached on an error by shortstop Jason Bartlett, setting the stage for Holliday's heroics. The A's added a fourth run on an RBI-double by Adam Kennedy, who is turning out to be a nifty pick-up for Oakland.
Josh Outman was outstanding, man, allowing just three hits and a walk in six innings of work. He worked out of a jam in the third, striking out B.J. Upton and Carl Crawford with two men on. In the sixth he received some help from Holliday and Ryan Sweeney in the field before punching out homerun leader Carlos Pena to put an exclamation point on a solid effort, in which he K'd six.
For awhile it looked as if the A's were going to waste Outman's effort, with the way Shields was dealing. At one point he retired 17 straight batters. Holliday ended the string with a one-out single in the seventh, but Jason Giambi hit into a shift-made double play, 4-5-3.
Michael Wuertz replaced Outman, and gave up a single to Jason Bartlett, who then stole second and went to third on a groundball to second. But Wuertz worked his way out of it by striking out Iwamura and getting Gabe Kapler to line out to center.
Andrew Bailey relieved Wuertz in the eighth and found himself in immediate trouble. After striking out Gabe Gross, he allowed back-to-back singles to Uptown and Crawford. But he struck out Longoria looking. After an intense battle with Pena, who hit a ball just foul that would have broken the tie, Bailey walked him to load the bases, then struck out Bartlett to kill the threat.
Bailey also escaped without being scored upon in the ninth, before handing the ball over to Santiago Casilla, who worked a scoreless tenth, and walked away with the win.
0 recs | 126 comments
A's... win?
What are the fans supposed to do now?
grover - May 19, 2009
Rejoice!
lynnzgal - May 19, 2009
Pierce something!
mikev - May 19, 2009
Leopold Bloom - May 19, 2009
I see what you did there.
mikev - May 19, 2009
We love you, y'know.
lynnzgal - May 19, 2009
yay!
mikev - May 19, 2009
What is this "win" you speak of?
day-to-day - May 19, 2009
Something like this (but in Green and Gold)?
GreenNGoldSooner - May 19, 2009
I just wanna make sure I'm doing this correctly.
It’s supposed to be my own car I turn over, right?
GreenNGoldSooner - May 19, 2009
There's only one thing to do...
Ghost ride the Volvo!
5Aces - May 20, 2009
Okay...Everythings better now!
Buan, ty!
lynnzgal - May 19, 2009
We beat the AL Champion!
lynnzgal - May 19, 2009
If the A's were a heavyweight boxer....
…they’d now be the new AL Champions!
GreenNGoldSooner - May 19, 2009
same applies if this were the WWE or something
A'sfaninNC - May 20, 2009
actually
they’d have been knocked out a long time ago. we would not be in this round.
eastcoasta'sfan - May 20, 2009
Outman was impressive tonight
That’s not an easy team to keep scoreless. And knowing how the A’s offense has been of late, he just went out there and pitched well.
And damn, did Holliday crush that or what?
Tyler Bleszinski - May 19, 2009
Outman's maturation reminds me of Haren's similar track in first full year with the A's
I sure hope the rest of it plays out the same
cityplANner - May 19, 2009
I have been impressed with outman's last few starts
is this just smoke and mirrors or is he really getting better?
A'sfaninNC - May 20, 2009
well, it doesn't seem to be a DiNardian shamrock-in-the-back-pocket stretch
of statistical improbability. He’s getting K’s, he’s not giving up too many BB’s anymore. Anybody know what his FIP is so far this year?
cityplANner - May 20, 2009
4.56
http://firstinning.com/players/Joshua-Outman-a/
stm72 - May 20, 2009
how do you use the link thingy...
i hit the link thingy…pasted the url…and previewed…but nothing showed up. what am i doing wrong?
stm72 - May 20, 2009
If you want it to show up as text
like this
type the text “like this” into the comment field , select it, and then press the link button, copy and paste, and submit.
pam5981 - May 20, 2009
thank you
stm72 - May 20, 2009
You probably missed the "select it" part,
in which case you created a link on a null text, so the code for the link is actually there but it can’t be seen nor accessed because there’s nothing to click on.
iglew - May 20, 2009
4-Sho Blez!
mrod - May 20, 2009
all it took...
was someone other than Nico doing the game threads
Livermore - May 19, 2009
it's such a perfect day, glad I could spend it with you
After a crisply-played, fantastically-pitched, error-free, excellent baseball game like that I am not sure what us Negative Nancys are supposed to complain about, someone help me out here. If only poor Chavez would wise up and retire before he is in a wheelchair for life, it’d be a perfect day. Christ, even Holliday looked like he knew what was going on on that swing, somebody pinch me… I liked his postgame interview too, where he talked about Navarro being a pull-only hitter when it comes to power, unable to drive the ball on pitches that get deep on him, and that is why he was playing shallow on that blooper he caught and almost doubled the guy off second there.
Now, if this team were smarter-than-the-average-bear, they’d come out tomorrow all with the yellow/gold Outman stirrups and the socks pulled up, and keep it that way.
emperor nobody - May 19, 2009
(nods head)
Excellent.
lynnzgal - May 19, 2009
and on that positive note - and goodnight mrs. calabash!
where ever you are.
ak_A - May 19, 2009
It's truly amazing how unpredictable this season has been.
Who knew Outman would do well. Gotta love baseball.
travdog6 - May 19, 2009
Me?
Id like to claim credit
designatedforassignment - May 19, 2009
Credit where it's due
Outman is making a strong case for himself. His ability to get out of trouble by striking people out is an obvious strength. When he pitches well, Outman’s stuff seems to move, and his velocity makes it tough on opposing hitters.
Your stats made a good case for Outman. His early results this season didn’t. Score one for the stats.
bear88 - May 19, 2009
Thank you.
Sometimes a small sample size is just a small sample size. Also I like him for his stirrups :-).
designatedforassignment - May 19, 2009
And his fantabulous pitcher's name!
Jackson23 - May 20, 2009
Yeah
I’m too lazy to go back around looking at my posts, but preseason I was of the seemingly very small pro-Outman, anti-Gallagher camp. So, like, back pats all around, guys. Nothing like good self-aggrandizement.
walk off bunt - May 20, 2009
If you go to your user page
you can use the search function to help locate any post you’ve made on AN. Has a 1984 feel about it. Anyway, it took me about a minute to find evidence of your Outman support dating back to January. Also put your faith in current #1 pitcher Braden. Well done sir.
Here’s one pat on the back.
GoA's - May 20, 2009
That was really fucking fun.
Outman, Bailey, Holliday.
Major props to Outman for his performance.
The way Bailey got out of that jam (jams? I can’t remember) was really impressive. He has got great stuff.
pam5981 - May 19, 2009
Haha!
They just played the Adam Sandler version of Holiday. Freaking hilarious!
lynnzgal - May 19, 2009
As a
Rays Fan, I have to say that was a good game! The 11th inning would have been over if not for JasonBartlett’s error, and you guys took advantage of it. That, and the fact that we pretty much stranded a bunch of baserunners in scoring position.
Anyway, Looking forward to see you tomorrow!!!
4QB - May 19, 2009
That was classy.
lynnzgal - May 19, 2009
Agreed - I root for the Rays when they're not
playing a team they rhyme with. Bartlett was the “goat” – k’d the bases loaded, then made the error – but I’d take him on the A’s any day of the week, fo shizzle. I’ll take Shields, too, if he’s in the way.
Nico - May 19, 2009
I think we take
pretty much everyone we can from the team we rhyme with.
lynnzgal - May 19, 2009
yeah, thanx for AK-47
Now if we could only get that Longoria guy from them…
Kallus - May 19, 2009
think they'd take crosby and chavez?
eastcoasta'sfan - May 20, 2009
you root for the Toronto team as well?
Leopold Bloom - May 19, 2009
so you like the Jays?
I knew it.
DyeLongJustice - May 19, 2009
Watch out for those interleague games with Atlanta and San Diego
Flashfire - May 20, 2009
Thanks for the props...
especially as everyone knows this one could’ve easily gone the other way. Hats off to Shields… tough luck in a masterful outing. He now knows how it is to be an A’s starting pitcher…
See you tomorrow and Thursday!
A's72737489 - May 19, 2009
man
What do you think was up with Longo in that game!? Wasting an effort like Shields’ could be a big turning point for the Rays if they don’t rebound in this series.
Basebal_Equals_Life - May 20, 2009
Rays about as successful against LHers this season as the A's are.
See: not good.
Petaluma/Cotati’s Gomes missed a little more than they thought he would be. Well, okay, the 2005-2007 version of Jonny, anyhow…well, I miss him playing for the Rays, though the 8-Ball’s probably just as happy watching Reds games…
Leopold Bloom - May 20, 2009
I sat and watched the whole game...
and awaited the inevitable calamity that usually befalls us. So maybe I can complain about the A’s failing to live up to my expectations yet again. Only this time, I’m not as pissed as I usually am.
Man did Holiday crush that ball. How many rows up did it land?
alox - May 19, 2009
It was monstrous.
Maybe 10-12 rows?
pam5981 - May 19, 2009
Beauteous!
lynnzgal - May 19, 2009
Thats for you, 67M.
lynnzgal - May 19, 2009
Closer to 20-25, I thought
Flashfire - May 20, 2009
Your sig line cracks me up.
I have no idea why.
alox - May 20, 2009
Because it's hilarious.
pam5981 - May 20, 2009
I dunno that I'd go that far.
mikev - May 20, 2009
Guess you had to be there.
pam5981 - May 20, 2009
Again - and I hate to repeat myself but tonight I'll make an exception -
BIlly Beane is a passionate baseball genius who continues to be years ahead of the curve!!!!!!!
Nico - May 19, 2009
LOL
Trainman - May 19, 2009
Love the superfluous !!'s
ElQuesoCapitan - May 20, 2009
fire the manager ......
and maybe we will get some consistency
it was a much needed win and lets hope this can get us rolling
Wreckonized - May 19, 2009
Thank You Mr. Outman
After seeing the junk thrown in the last four games, your pitching effort is sincerely appreciated. Kudos also to Wuertz, Bailey, & Casilla.
For anyone who saw this game, did Outman continually shake off any of Suzuki’s calls? I gotta know how Suzuki is doing calling pitches? I know he can’t help someone like Gallagher, but maybe Outman got into a groove with Kurt.
alpine26 - May 19, 2009
Outman caught Kurtitis.
Fortunately that’s a positive ailment.
ElQuesoCapitan - May 19, 2009
is that a disease where they start to give a shit?
Leopold Bloom - May 20, 2009
They
seemed to be working well together. I did notice at one point that Suzuki appeared to get frustrated with Geren though. First you could see him gesturing with his glove for Geren to run through the signs again. Then it looked like he shouted briefly in that direction? It seemed like a high stress situation (and thus plausible Kurt might be rushing Geren a bit to protect his pitcher’s focus) because I think this was the first Bailey jam.
Basebal_Equals_Life - May 20, 2009
Is Geren calling all the pitches?
or just key situations?
Gaijin_Suketto - May 20, 2009
So.... can Geren accidentally put Outman down to pitch tomorrow?
LoneStranger - May 19, 2009
No but it would be nice to let him throw 100 pitches when hes' dealing
designatedforassignment - May 19, 2009
He threw 98 (or so...)
Close enough?
ElQuesoCapitan - May 19, 2009
yeah it is...
for some reason i thought it was in the low 90s
The last two times he was dealing Garen pulled him with 87 pitches and 78 respectively. Which i was not happy with.
Regardless, I think they should have given him the chance to start the 7th
designatedforassignment - May 19, 2009
well, Geren is as Geren does, so...
Kallus - May 19, 2009
Geren got this one right.
I agree with plenty of the other criticisms of Geren, but his use of the bullpen tonight was flawless, I think.
iglew - May 20, 2009
Wait a minute..
I think you have some extraneous words in there…I think it should read…“His bullpen is flawless”
tresselfan - May 20, 2009
PLAYOFFS
ElQuesoCapitan - May 19, 2009
The NBA?
I hate the Lakers.
DyeLongJustice - May 19, 2009
The NHL?
I hate the Red Wings.
A'sfaninNC - May 20, 2009
other sports?
loathe them.
Leopold Bloom - May 20, 2009
Agreed!
I hate pitch counts! Let Outman go! Let him pitch way over 100 pitches! Nice win, Bitches! (That was for you, Tony!) Nice write up, 67! Let’s hope for more good pitching tomorrow! Go A’s!
A'sfansince1970 - May 19, 2009
I wouldn't go that far
But 110 – 115 pitches wouldn’t have killed his arm and he was dealing.
designatedforassignment - May 19, 2009
Mark Prior would like to disagree with you
cityplANner - May 20, 2009
Mark Prior was a dirty scap loader!
Gaijin_Suketto - May 20, 2009
I could only listen to the game until the seventh inning
because I had to go to an activity tonight. But I had a good feeling about the game. I thought that if the A’s could just hang on until Shields got taken out they’d have a chance.
OaklandSi - May 19, 2009
Good Night Nancy
OaklandSi - May 19, 2009
Blanton for Outman
Not looking so bad now. Maybe this is when the A’s turn it around and win 10 straight!
A'sfansince1970 - May 19, 2009
Straight up, it's a good (to great) trade...
and supposedly there’s this Cardenas guy too…
Kallus - May 19, 2009
Dont forget about spencer either.
Also IIRC we saved like $4m this year from that deal.
designatedforassignment - May 19, 2009
Jeez this optimism is making me sick!
haha, a positive trade evaluation! Never!
ohmangoAs - May 20, 2009
10 straight?
Pessimist.
tresselfan - May 20, 2009
at least tonight the matt holliday we traded for
showed up. maybe he can keep this up and we can get a little offense going. We cant leave it up to kurt and Jack the entire season.
oh and Kennedy has been a nice suprise tooo.
Great win tonight.
Twan54321 - May 19, 2009
You gotta believe
Holliday, Giambi, and Cust will all hit at least 30 home runs this year. As far as Giambi, the one year that looked like he was going down, he turned it around and got comeback player of the year. He said it’s one of his proudest moments. I hope we can get hot before Nomar returns. He will just be the topping on the cake. I’m sure our pitchers saw the game tonight, and hopefully Outman can continue to set the standard in the lineup.
SFBAsportsfan - May 19, 2009
Please don't have faith
in injury prone 3rd baggers. I’m sure Nomar has some as of yet undiagnosed ailment that will effectively end his career.
alox - May 20, 2009
Holliday and Cust, yes
they’re young, good and on the upswing. Giambi and Nomar, I doubt. They are clearly not young or on the upswing. Good – well, Giambi’s sample this year is neither small nor good; nomar’s is small and not all that good. I hope I’m wrong about Giambi and Nomar, of course. But I don’t have any reason for optimism.
eastcoasta'sfan - May 20, 2009
I highly doubt Giambi will reach 30 homers
Flashfire - May 20, 2009
I agree
OaklandSi - May 20, 2009
Optimist
Nationals – 27 Losses
Cleveland – 26 Losses
Baltimore – 23 Losses
DBacks – 23 Losses
Rockies – 23 Losses
Twins – 22 Losses
White Sox – 22 Losses
Padres – 22 Losses
Mariners – 22 Losses
A’s – 22 Losses
Rays – 21 Losses
Pirates – 21 Losses
Marlins – 21 Losses
Wow, Clevelanders must really be hating life.
Colorado Fan - May 20, 2009
Pretty eye-opening list if you ask me
Florida really came down to earth in a hurry, Seattle and San Diego as well. Can’t believe the D-Backs are as bad as they’ve shown. That AL Central sure isn’t looking very good.
Helloooo 1st - May 20, 2009
Haa haa
I’ve got tickets to the A’s/Tribe in early July at the Jake (or whatever they call it now). I’m hoping the Tribe still sucks by that point to reduce my chances of hearing that inglorious “Oakland sucks!” jeckle. Damned team! Glad to hear their record is so crappy. :)
bluelightrain84 - May 20, 2009
Recapping the 11th inning......
When Holliday came up to bat I had one of those, “Oh shit, he’s gonna crush one right fucking now!”, flashes…….swear to God I saw it happen all at once! Wow, it’s about fucking time, Matt! Thank you for the win brother! -MRod
mrod - May 20, 2009
I've had those flashes for a lot of his ABs this season, no joke...
The difference is, this time he actually did it!
Jackson23 - May 20, 2009
Are you 50+ and female?
That could explain it . . .
eastcoasta'sfan - May 20, 2009
I totally had a flash of him hitting a homerun just like that
immediately after he did it.
It was amazing.
Leopold Bloom - May 20, 2009
Even a blind squirrel...
you know the rest.
Billy Frijoles - May 20, 2009
sure,
that old children’s tale from the sea.
Leopold Bloom - May 20, 2009
You know, for kids!
Elvez - May 20, 2009
Hey Guys
Keith Foulke is attempting a comeback!
DyeLongJustice - May 20, 2009
Not with us, I hope.
Leopold Bloom - May 20, 2009
do.not.want.
cityplANner - May 20, 2009
A'sfaninNC - May 20, 2009
+1
I love that shot!
eastcoasta'sfan - May 20, 2009
it's ok, we got craig breslow instead.
DyeLongJustice - May 20, 2009
Craig Breslow FTW!!
I’m getting my playoff tickets now.
cityplANner - May 20, 2009
Just saw the highlight.
That ball was crushed.
The most amazing part was it kinda looked like he reached for it and didn’t put the best swing he could have on the ball. Wow.
mikev - May 20, 2009
he was definitely off balance
stm72 - May 20, 2009
I read in Chronicle that Mazzaro will most likely be called up
due to a doubleheader in Texas May 29th. They need 6 starters due to this.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/05/20/SP7317NCOB.DTL
You have to paste the whole link to get it to work
Trainman - May 20, 2009
Stupid stupid stupid.
mikev - May 20, 2009
yes yes yes
stm72 - May 20, 2009
ooooh! Mazarro coming up soon? Me likey!
mrod - May 20, 2009
Um, why?
mikev - May 20, 2009
He's the hot hand right now...
Gaijin_Suketto - May 20, 2009
He has more experience in the minors than Cahill and Anderson had
Might as well learn up here. He’s a year older and the other options like Edgar Gascan Gonzalez does not cut it, rebuilding or not IMO.
Trainman - May 20, 2009
He also has the shiny mystique of the unknown about him
Every time a new starter comes to The Show it’s a chance to watch another Hudson dominate out of nowhere. The sweet tasting hope of glorious potential.
GoA's - May 20, 2009
We don't lose the year of club control, right?
I think that’s late enough to preserve the extra year.
Nico - May 20, 2009
cuz we can destroy his confidence with rash decisions and impactience too
stm72 - May 20, 2009
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