Athletics Nation

Raise the rent.

Problems solved.

oh he doesn't live in my house

but yeah we can

can I live with you?

Leopold Bloom - June 8, 2009 reply

Can I?

it's a party!

Are the kids coming too?

I wasn't hoping for that kind of party.

oh I know

I was making sure they weren’t coming

now that's what I'm talkin about

dude

me, you, and LB in the same place

well I was going to say it would be like Arizona, except that there was mostly talk and no ~~hard~~ partying.

Somebody would be leaving that party with a new piercing.

walkoff baltimore chop - June 8, 2009 reply

That sounds like a dangerous idea.

wow, if all three of you were at Spring Training, that would be AWESOME

Can I come? Just to take the pictures? Because we’re going to need evidence to remind you all of what happened….

can you?

we’d expect you to be there.

Spring Training 2010 is going to be AWESOME.

I should definitely think about considering making plans to go.

Yes

And we’re doing it right this time.

My brother in law has family with a guest house. They are almost never there. He was mad that I didn’t tell him I was going last time, otherwise we would have been seriously hooked up.

perks up

I mean, right?

Should I start polishing the barbell now?

You mean sterylize?

ZigFan31 - June 8, 2009 reply

No, I mean like bling.

I see a summer movie premise developing before my eyes.

AN: The Movie

No, it would be AN: The Sequel

There was no original movie. A different type of movie franchise!

I see.

I’d have to look at the script and see what part I’d be playing

got two rooms open

so yes

yeah

in Hayward.

My sympathies

My mother called me twice during the game….

My son called twice

It was just one of those nights.

That and AN decided to treat tonight like a Friday, which was awesome but I barely got a chance to chime in. And I was in a chiming mood as illustrated by the fact that I am still here after the game has long passed.

walkoff baltimore chop - June 8, 2009 reply

Every night's

Friday night in Mazzaro World.

no truer words, friend

Love it.

Thank you LibrariAN!

walkoff baltimore chop - June 8, 2009 reply

I kinda like this winning stuff...

brenarlo - June 8, 2009 reply

I could grow into it.

Leopold Bloom - June 8, 2009 reply

I like it.

I don’t mind getting used to it.

idunno723 - June 8, 2009 reply

WE ARE SO AWESOME RIGHT NOW!!!!!!!

DaSwinginA's - June 8, 2009 reply

Don’t jinx it, man!

I already jinxed it

Picked up BA for the start tomorrow for my fantasy team. That means he sucks tomorrow.

hero66 - June 8, 2009 reply

We will hunt you down if that's the case.

walkoff baltimore chop - June 9, 2009 reply

Dude…not awesome.

Concussion is bad

I’m glad the A’s retaliated in the scoring column, not the HBP arena.

MobiusKlein - June 8, 2009 reply

It was clearly unintentional,

so there really was no reason to retaliate. Not that I would’ve had a problem with it if they chose to do so anyway.

yeah

too bad Pryzinski isn’t on the Twins anymore.

rationality is not always on display

but retaliating by scoring 4 unanswered runs? That’s the best.

But… if they are up by 5 or down by 5, ask again. I may weaken

MobiusKlein - June 8, 2009 reply

I think the pitcher was a little spooked afterward.

Yeah, a few pitchers are grade-A assholes, but most are decent human beings and that’s gotta be a terrible feeling after hitting someone like that. Maybe he didn’t have the force of will to put it out of his mind.

he looked like a guy

that was trying to stay in the moment of the game but you can tell it wasn’t working

Probably a lot of truth in this.

But you would think a pro pitcher would have hit at least a couple of guys in the head by the time he makes it to the show. This guy was having a lot of control issues tonight, so maybe he wasn’t sure where the ball was going to go after that.

I almost hate to admit it, but I have an affinity for pitchers who are truly grade A assholes. I liked Clemens because he was such a prick.

Well, I agree with your assessment of Clemens

but not with your conclusion.

LOL....

I know. But something about a guy who buzzes his own son in a minor league game makes me marvel.

Maybe it’s the supreme act of will that I respect. Whenever you’re up against someone like that, you know the ground rules. It’s going to be a bloody fight with no quarter asked or given.

He was probably scared, and with good reason.

Giving up a two-run double sucks for him and his team tonight, but then tomorrow is another day.

On the other hand, if he lost control again and accidentally beaned a second consecutive batter with his fastball, he’s all over the news, gains a bad reputation that he doesn’t shake for a long time, and it even potentially derails his career. Not to mention the possibility that he seriously hurts someone.

Mauer had better look out is all I can say.

I’m looking at Casilla, he’s been useless of late and Springer doesn’t throw hard enough.

Springer is the guy who threw at Bonds. Twice.

I dont’ care how much he sucks, I’ll have a spot in my heart for him always.

Keep it rollin'

seven in a row is sweet

eight would be sweeter

’night all

OF a problem

If Cunningham is out for any length of time.

Cust in RF and Barton at 1B I guess with G DHing.

Wins like tonight make me think this team could be pretty special. Outman has one shaky inning, then recovers beautifully. The bullpen is all used in perfect situations by Geren and they all come through. And Hannahan of all people gets the biggest hit of the night.

We’re gonna need Nomar back though.

jasonthea - June 8, 2009 reply

As uneasy as I am with Cust playing RF

still better him than Buck.

Can Hanahan or Crosby play RF

I think they both have been trying to learn the outfield after the Nomar/O Cab/Giambi signings

kbtoyz - June 8, 2009 reply

I can't imagine they won't need to DL Cunningham

they’ll need to call up an outfielder.

look at the letterhead

its say “A’’s” still?

the sweeney and cunningham will remain on the 25 and not play.

Future Ed - June 9, 2009 reply

oh sweeney dl'd

progress

Future Ed - June 9, 2009 reply

with the way Cunningham's hit, it really can't be a problem

(for the short-term...

and his injury should only be short-term…unless he’s got an Aikman-esque concussion history)

Somebody must have accidentally posted a Sacramento box score

DP: Hannahan – Petit – Barton

The A’s brass surely didn’t expect to see that at the beginning of the season!

itsgemme - June 8, 2009 reply

Indeed!

or a 2008 Oakland box score

which it’s kind of scary to think that a 2008 A’s box score = an April 2009 Sacramento box score…those years are supposed to be reversed.

Who's coming up for Cunningham?

I don’t think we would keep running Kennedy out in RF..

Gotta be Denorfia

who's on the 40 man roster? Denorfia?

will he be out of options once he's called up?

I think so

but an option lasts a whole season

actually Denorfia does make sense

if they don’t lose him. Thing is Buck is not that far away and Sweeney should be back in 10 days.

jasonthea - June 8, 2009 reply

Buck can't come back til Sunday

the A’s shouldn’t go til then so short in the OF

I don't see why you can't

Play Kennedy till then; you can make do with Holliday/Davis/Kennedy with Cust as another RF option for a few days

It would get Petit playing time...

Or go with Holliday-Davis-Cust

with Giambi DHing and Barton at 1B

That would sound more logical IMO.

The A’s called up Barton for a reason.

Blicks - June 9, 2009 reply

To sit on the bench

Isn’t that why they call up all their good prospects?

yeah, basically it comes down to Barton vs. Petit...

as for who would be in the lineup…my choice would be Petit 2B/Kennedy RF/Cust DH/ Giambi 1B/Barton BN, but Crosby and Buck are going to be back soon enough where this won’t matter for more than a couple games anyway. Not like I’m excited to see Crosby back in the lineup, but the reality is that’s where he’ll be, over Petit/Barton anway

I completely disagree

I’d go AK 2B, Cust RF, Giambi DH, Barton 1B

well, the A's org sided with you

I’d rather Barton not see the field till 2010.

At Denorfia's age, I don't think you worry about options too much.

He’s almost 29. If by next year he’s still not good enough to keep on the roster, he’s probably on the path to interchangeable AAAA journeyman backup anyway.

Not DFA’ing Rajai is looking less stupid now. With Sweeney out, I think Cunningham was the emergency backup CF. With Cunningham out now too, we don’t just need another outfielder, but we need someone who could play CF if needed.

Well yeah, but planning on three of your outfielders going down is a little extreme.

DK, but I'm thinking Dickie Thon and Tony Congliaro

Guys have had their careers ruined by beanings, Let’s pray this one is not so bad for Cunningham’s sake.

jasonthea - June 8, 2009 reply

Tony C was hit square in the eye

yep

Conigliaro was hit far worse than Cunningham.

It’s probably not much. I imagine most MLB players have been hit in the head at one point or another to varying degrees.

I'm still cringing from Harold Baines

plunking Bob Owchicko on the comebacker back in ’82!!

I'm still cringing at the thought that

we let Bob Owchinko pitch for us.

beautiful

67MARQUEZ - June 9, 2009 reply

I was at tonight's game (3 games between friday, sunday and today!)

Cunningham’s HBP looked uglier than any HBP I’ve seen before. I was amazed they didn’t pinch run for him right then.

Cust’s HR was monstrous! I couldn’t believe how far that went. Ayala definitely threw behind Holliday as retaliation. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a Twin hit for it later on in the series.

How do you go and throw behind a player when someone’s already been plunked in the head?

I think Cust was feeling jealous that Holliday hit a ball harder than him.

DDroney - June 8, 2009 reply

that pitch to holliday did seem intentional...

especially when he threw a perfect strike on the outside corner on the next pitch

chipper1001 - June 8, 2009 reply

It was ENTIRELY intentional, at least from where I was sitting

Ayala was trying to stare down and one-up every batter he faced after the Cust HR. He just had a huge chip on his shoulder afterwards and was looking for a fight. I was amazed the umpire didn’t warn both benches after the throw behind Holliday. Things like that can get out of hand pretty quick.

Then again, the ump was pretty awful tonight. Twins and A’s batters seemed flaberghasted at times on some of his called strikes. The batters didn’t look like they had much respect for him or his calls.

Who was it...

Tim Timmons?

Don't know whom, but when he would ring up a guy for the 3rd out, he stick around

Sometimes an ump will give a player who feels wronged some space to cool off after their strikeout. Especially to end an inning, the ump will usually just take a stroll. This game, the ump would get right next to a guy after ringing him up. Almost like he was daring the player to get into it with him. I was not impressed.

The ump was Wally Bell and Holliday was just lucky

that the pitch Ayala threw at him wasn’t called a strike.

The called strike three on Petit was a joke.

Petit couldn’t believe it.

no wonder he and Giambi whiffed after Custs blast

Mauer must have gave Holliday the " I don’t know where the next ones gonna go" line.

"He hit the Bull!"

He hit that so far it ought have a damn stewardess on it

Man he wins a free steak!

Zooks should do that when H-Rod comes up!

rollierollieOxenfree - June 8, 2009 reply

who is LB?

who’s the LB that you credited for the headline – good quip!

this is a nice witty recap of the game. as an out-of-towner, I always look forward to how AN prosed the game. 67M – you didn’t dissapoint!

Leopold Bloom

Always nice to hear, thanks!

I like the X-W-L standings...

better than the “real-life” standings. But, the M’s and Halos are starting to look in their rear-view mirrors. They sense a speeding freight train about to overtake them.

FoolshGame22 - June 8, 2009 reply

WE WIN! WE WIN!!!

Well, at least the A’s did. My softball team, it was close, but at least the A’s won… :)

No cigar?

no, but I did score a run. Well, two runs, because we have weird rules in my league.

What? "Two feet on the plate = two runs"?

it's a coed league

each team has two women on the team for whom things count twice. So, I catch a line drive, 2 outs. I score a run, 2 runs. I get a hit that knocks in the other girl, 4 runs. Oh, but if I catch a line drive by a girl, that’s girl-on-girl action, the twiceness is eliminated, and it just counts once.

That is really freaking ridiculous.

pam5981 - June 8, 2009 reply

Yeah...

I’m never sure if I should argue about it, or just take the runs. Because really, the women on many of the teams are better than some of the guys. But they are mostly computer science and engineering guys, so they don’t get out much….

ouch

not that I am one of those guys, but that hurt anyway

wait, did you say girl on girl?

I really, really need to go to bed.

How do they deal with trannies?

Just because I may want to join the league.

beyond ridiculous

You had me at

girlon girl action!

Those rules are crying out to be abused by employing ringers.

Give Jenny Finch a call, you’ll post shutouts each week.

Even Cindi could score two points with those rules

I stopped reading after girl-on-girl action.

I'm LOVING the winning streak....

…I don’t want it to end!

Kudos to the bullpen management tonight. It looked like actual roles, there.

baseballgirl - June 8, 2009 reply

Definitely

Wanted to mention that, but LB was rushing me. ;-) Seriously, it looked like there was a plan, and then that plan was executed. I mean, are those cylinders I hear clicking? Outman was outstanding, too.

I love that in this seven-game winning streak, all the wins have gone to the starters

That means our starters are producing good outings, they are keeping the team in there, and the team is scoring runs. Awesome.

and the BP isnt choking in key situations...

most of the time!!!

I remember the A's with the Big 3 and Lidle (or Lilly)

had a similiar streak – can’t recall if it was actually during The Streak.

Yeah I think Lilly went 5-0 during the Streak.

I think that was Lidle. Yeah, 5-0 in August.

I think. Still trying to figure out why I am awake.

Thanks Cory

…wherever you are.

Iowa

That was Lidle -- he had a 30+ inning scoreless streak during The Streak,

if I remember correctly. Lidle. :(

since you're into pics and all

one of my faves:

Yo

why the hell was Zito wearing a batting glove?

Accessorizing. Can't you see how it complements the outfit?

It's a glove he wears under his fielding glove.

Also one of my faves.

I love anything to do with those throwback unis.

yeah...

Great times those were.

Yeah those were my favorite old jerseys.

long live Kelly green

I agree

nice 11 pitch inning for Bailey. Now give him a pat on the back and tell him to take the next game off.

yes

and yes

and maybe

(sorry got ahead of myself)

Geren managed the bullpen pretty damn well tonight. Kudos to that guy.

The only gripe I had was I thought Curt Young should have come out to talk with Outman earlier in the inning he gave up his 3 runs. A visit from Curt one batter before he did go out and we might have had a shutout.

Does Young take pixie dust to the mound with him?

Yeah everyone in the other thread was whining about that

Bailyes pitched three night in a row blahde blah blah.

Its time we stopped babying these pitchers imo.

Riiight....

are you Nipsey Ruseell from the film

Wildcats? ;)

Wow

How’d you pull that one out? I’m impressed.

Wait that came out wrong.

Wait that came out wrong too!

I’ll stop.

I love movies

mediocre 80’s movies even more.

It either that or Gregory Hines in Running Scared! ;)

“riiiiiiight”!

me too

No you had it right, definitely Nipsey from Wildcats

No it was both but

Nipseys was better!

riiiiiiiight!

From SportsCenter

“It might as well be Christmas, because EVERYONE’S coming home!”

Keep it up, A’s!

baseballgirl - June 8, 2009 reply

Yeah that was nice

would have like to seen Kennedys game ending catch though.

Stupid Espn

How wacky was that catch?

I couldn’t see it well at all from my seats

I heard it on the radio

Korach made it sound like he wasn’t gonna catch it and seemed surprised when he did!!!

Of all his great announcing moments that was not one of them.

Im still not that excited

Show me some more 9 spots and Ill start believing. At least our entire rotation is looking exciting all of a sudden.

I must say Im excited to give Barton and hopefully Denorfia some hacks. Ive been a Denorfia zealot all along, even though he hasnt exactly performed in the minors he strikes me as a true hitter – A’s need some of those. Also, seems like getting fresh blood in the lineup at least improved our chances of catching some offensive lightning ala AK47.

ChadGod - June 8, 2009 reply

thats the thing though

but its building confidence and thats important to a young team like this.

Honestly though both the Twinkies and the Sox are better teams than their records indicate.

Denorfia can't be in the plans

this year’s Murton. I don’t see the point in calling him up…just get by with Kennedy in RF for a few days

Only 4 games under .500! Yes, we're awesome.

Okay, so I was at the game again tonight, and I hadn’t really been online today so I had no idea that RyRy was DL’ed (honestly, it’s about time, considering he is injured) and that DALE was called up (oh, the irony) until he came into the game for Giambi. And then I was very confused. Still wondering why we didn’t call up an OFer to fill in for Ryan, but we’ll probably need another one for Cunningham anyway. Speaking of which, that was a very scary moment. All I saw was the ball hit his head and his helmet fly off. Kennedy in RF wasn’t a particularly comforting sight, but he definitely handled that catch in the 9th.

To sum up: Outman absolutely ROCKS the stirrups, glad to see Dale again, and 7-game winning streaks are pretty much the best thing ever. I’ll stop rambling now.

That might be

the most you’ve ever written in a single post. To which I say, ramble on.

Good stuff, ws40. Loving that countdown thing you got going.

I probably wrote more back in my earlier posting days...

I’ve grown more concise in my posting habits, it would seem.

As for the countdown, I feel obliged to post it in every game recap now. It’s been good luck so far…

Concise is good.

Countdowns are awesome.

where were your seats?

225. Half price!

Hell yeah!

That is all I have to add.

pam5981 - June 8, 2009 reply

word

Yes!

Wahoo!!

Pamcakes!

Record the game?

Did anyone record the game by any chance? If you did I was hoping I could speak with you for a second. A friend of mine appeared in the crowd for a few seconds…

apilgrim - June 8, 2009 reply

If you have Comcast

you can probably catch it On Demand

I LOVE Mazzaro World!

That is all.

baseballgirl - June 9, 2009 reply

+ a Billion!!

DaSwinginA's - June 9, 2009 reply

to whomever deserves the credit

gotta like that headline

Actually you get the assist

right here.

Leopold Bloom did the rest.

67MARQUEZ - June 9, 2009 reply

Outman needs to hook the rest of the team up with his supplier -

those stirrups should become mandatory like the white shoes.