The day after:
I spoke to my brother John, who was at the game last night with my 4-year old nephew Xavier, and my teenage nieces Brittany and Carrin. John seems to always be at these kinds of games. Some highlights of our conversation (his voice was hoarse):
"How long did you stay?"
"For the whooooooole thing."
On the chances of a comeback:
"The A's were hitting the ball hard all night, so I felt like we had a chance to at least make it interesting."
The magical seventh inning:
"When Holliday came up with the bases loaded, Xavier said, 'Are we winning yet?' I told him, 'Not yet.' Then Holliday just crushed it. Brittany went crazy. 'Oh my God! I prayed! I prayed that he would hit it over the 388 sign, and he did! He did!' At that point it felt like there were 50,000 fans there."
Their seats were right behind the plate, which gave John a perfect view of the game's last play:
"I shouted to Suzuki that the runner was heading for the plate, which I think gave him a new kind of urgency, but he didn't rush the throw or anything. It was perfect. I didn't see the replay but he looked out to me."
The bedlam that ensued heading for the exits:
"After the game it was like a Raider crowd, the way people were carrying on, with chants of Let's Go Oakland. I won't soon forget this one."
Makes you wonder how Jason Giambi is feeling right about now.
In a season in which the A's have done so little right, they seemed intent on outdoing themselves over the last two games, in two completely different ways. Yesterday they went goose egg for ten innings, wasting a near-perfect outing by Brett Anderson, when just one little run would have sufficed.
So tonight in the very first inning, they scored two runs, which was good enough to keep them within ten runs of the Twins at 12-2 after Minnesota's third turn at bat. Through six innings they had seven runs and 15 hits, and still trailed 13-7, seemingly well on their way to a seventh loss in which they've plated seven or more runs (that would have tied them with Cleveland and Washington for that dubious distinction).
Their starter Gio Gonzalez was the anti-Anderson. One day after it took the Angels 21 batters to get their first baserunner against Anderson, Gonzalez was slightly less effective against the same amount of Twins, who lit him up like a pinball machine to the ungodly tune of 10 hits, 3 walks, and 11 earned runs in 2-1/3 innings.
On a night that we celebrated the 40-year anniversary of Neil Armstrong's giant leap for mankind, the Twins knocked Gonzalez out with four moon shots- one each by Jason Kubel (a 3-run blast in the first) and Michael Cuddyer (a solo shot in the third), and two by Justin Morneau (a grand slam in the second, and a 3-run laser in the third).
But the A's pecked away, while the bullpen played the role of unsung hero.
A two-run homerun by Daric Barton followed an RBI-single by Jack Cust, and cut the lead to 12-5 after three. Matt Holliday did the same in the fourth, and suddenly it was 12-7.
Santiago Casilla gave one back in the fifth, but the Twins would score no more, stifled by an assembly line of arms: Russ Springer, Craig Bleslow, Brad Ziegler, and Michael Wuertz.
While AN waited for the nightly tease, figuring the A's would sneak to within a run or two in the ninth, the offense that was sorely lacking yesterday- and most of this season for that matter- pulled a fast one on the Twins. And us.
Orlando Cabrera doubled home a pair of runs to make 13-9, and after a walk to Scott Hairston, up stepped Holliday, who lifted a grand slam to tie the game. With José Mijares in to face Cust, the tie lasted one pitch, as the slugger went deep to center to give the A's an impossible lead.
The Twins weren't dead yet, as they threatened in the eighth. But a Ziegler-induced double play killed the rally, and the A's turned to Wuertz in the ninth. After he struck out the first two batters, Wuertz gave up a double to Cuddyer and intentionally walked Kubel, before unleashing a wild pitch that Kurt Suzuki could not locate as Cuddyer and Kubel worked their way around the bases. By the time Suzuki found the ball, Cuddyer had broken for the plate. Suzuki threw the ball to a waiting Wuertz who applied the game-ending tag.
Was he safe? Yes. Do I care? No.
A most fitting ending to a game this recap does no justice to.
1 recs | 296 comments
Let's be honest
game ending tag was applied after Cuddyer touched home plate.
Cabrera’s “double” was a glorified pop up that was incredibly lucky to fall in.
But so what! Best win this decade other than the Hatteberg record game vs KC. This was sort of that game in reverse.
Holliday may have only 11 days left in an A’s uniform, but at least we have Paris.
jasonthea - July 20, 2009
Just win baby
sirbed - July 20, 2009
Amen
Cuddyer was safe.
muscatel - July 20, 2009
So was Jeremy Giambi.
It happens, and I’ll take it!
oblique - July 20, 2009
yeah how many times have we seen crap not go our way in a tight game. did we get lucky?
sure but it was still an exciting finish to a game that shouldn’t get lost in the drudgery of the entire season.
green tusks - July 20, 2009
Heh....
either way i’ll still take it.
BleedGreen - July 20, 2009
RE: Jeremy Giambi.
I love you.
ZacharyCF - July 21, 2009
Exactly. Giambi was safe and that damn gatorade commercial
essentially showed him being safe 2×.
33SwisherSweet - July 21, 2009
Fearless prediction:
Alcohol will be consumed by 1 or more A’s players.
Great game, glad to share it with the all the faithful here.
Joey C. - July 20, 2009
and by a few fans, as well...
Kallus - July 20, 2009
Where's Esteban Loaiza when you need him?
cityplANner - July 20, 2009
Tonight the A's
Blasted off and went into space.
Hit4TheCycle - July 20, 2009
I'll bet Giambi
is happy for his guys. He can’t hit anymore but I still think he’s a hell of a nice guy and hey if the A’s can have a comeback like this who knows maybe G can as well. Heck of a win….Go A’s!
sirbed - July 20, 2009
He'll sit on the bench everyday
if that means winning. I wish you wouldn’t have took a shot at him. He’s a part of the A’s, no matter what you say.
Porcupine - July 20, 2009
Not directed at sirbed btw, classy comment
Porcupine - July 20, 2009
the ending kinda spoiled the whole thing...
xbhaskarx - July 20, 2009
i'd argue the reverse
The ending took this game into the realm of the truly bizarre and utterly weird. It was fitting. Umpire mist have known he should blow that call.
jasonthea - July 20, 2009
I like Shooty Babbits explanation in the recap
Baseball etiquette says that if the ball beats you to the plate, you’re out regardless of the tag. Normally I’d go ballistic at this notion. Not tonight.
guapobob - July 20, 2009
just to expand on the point
This game was your garden variety 14-13 tilt with team A blowing a 10 run lead to team B after team B couldnt sniff home plate in 10 innings the day before, with gobs of home runs and two managers leaving their utterly ineffective starters in too long for somewhat justifiable reasons. The blown call in a wild pitch with the runner trying to score from 2nd took it into hyperspace.
jasonthea - July 20, 2009
ya that is page 436
in UMP handook
robbo650 - July 21, 2009
I'm with Jason.
This game is all about the wacky. Embrace the wacky.
iglew - July 20, 2009
I should have known when they were showing that weird hat in the 2nd.
LoneStranger - July 20, 2009
maybe if the ump makes the right call
the game goes 12 more innings, with trevor cahill throwing a perfect game for nine innings. then the twins take a one run lead, but mark ellis hits a two run walk-off home run against joe nathan.
this could have been the greatest baseball game ever.
xbhaskarx - July 20, 2009
Nah
Geren would’ve given up in the 10th,… pick our worst pitcher and times it by however many innings it takes him to give up a run
Porcupine - July 20, 2009
there's always tomorrow
67MARQUEZ - July 20, 2009
and that's part of why I love this game
there’s always tomorrow.
gigglingone - July 20, 2009
As a Niner fan, It reminds me of the playoff win against the Giants
Where after the greatest comeback in playoff history.. The field goal missed by the Giants could have had pass interference called on it… I try just to forget that part and wish it didn’t end that way.
Athletix Man - July 20, 2009
as a niners fan
you are conveniently forgetting the buffalo bills comeback from down 35-3 against the houston oilers. no blown calls in that one.
jlanning17 - July 21, 2009
What I meant and should have put was greatest comeback in NFC playoff history
Athletix Man - July 22, 2009
TWSS
monkeyball - July 21, 2009
are you kidding me???????????
I just died. No, really.
67MARQUEZ - July 21, 2009
Woo hoo!
Talk about a dramatic re-entrance! Nice to “see” you!
Nico - July 21, 2009
hi monkeyball!
gigglingone - July 21, 2009
Yaaaaaaaaay
Hola amigo!
kaweahkaweah - July 21, 2009
Hi!!!!!!
baseballgirl - July 21, 2009
The A's surmount
a ten run deficit to herald the return of MB?
I like it!
alox - July 21, 2009
Sounds like a prophecy coming true.
LoneStranger - July 21, 2009
Soon the rivers will run red with blood.
It is as the prophet Hezulth has predicted, when the underachievers finally achieve and the monkey returneth from whence he first flung poo, that day shall mark the end for all humanity.
Run for the hills. Killing time is nigh.
Leopold Bloom - July 21, 2009
good one
The TWSS has been devalued in your absence.
iglew - July 21, 2009
Severely.
67MARQUEZ - July 21, 2009
Know what?
screw both of you.
Harumph.
mikev - July 21, 2009
TWSS
monkeyball - July 21, 2009
Well played
grover - July 21, 2009
flashbacks
67MARQUEZ - July 21, 2009
I'm satisfied
Even if monkeyball has come back programmed to only say ‘TWSS’.
muffinpryde - July 21, 2009
WIN.
ElQuesoCapitan - July 20, 2009
mikev - July 20, 2009
No.
Rated-R Superstar - July 20, 2009
I wasn't asking you.
mikev - July 20, 2009
Damn kids - think it's all about them
doctorK - July 20, 2009
I thought he was pointing at me!
Rated-R Superstar - July 20, 2009
Gerroff my lawn!
LoneStranger - July 20, 2009
Crap, I thought you were pointing at me.
Rated-R Superstar - July 20, 2009
Gardenhire looks pissed. And exhausted.
Understandably.
whiteshoes40 - July 20, 2009
He should be
No excuse for not winning with a 10-run lead
doctorK - July 20, 2009
Score error in your post 67Marquez
“Orlando Cabrera doubled home a pair of runs to make 12-9, and after a walk to Scott Hairston, up stepped Holliday, who lifted a grand slam to tie the game. With José Mijares in to face Cust, the tie lasted one pitch, as the slugger went deep to center to give the A’s an impossible lead.”
Should be 13-9
chuckcheeze - July 20, 2009
Fixed.
Let’s just say I am exhausted from all the thread-changing, and oh, rewriting an entire recap.
I need a drink, a hug, and some cookies. Not necessarily in that order.
67MARQUEZ - July 20, 2009
Don't worry 67 you did fine
sirbed - July 20, 2009
{passes out}
Thanks sirbed.
67MARQUEZ - July 20, 2009
I was just having your back
not complaining…
chuckcheeze - July 20, 2009
I didn't take it the wrong way, chuckcheeze...
and thanks!
67MARQUEZ - July 20, 2009
gigglingone - July 20, 2009
Yay!!
Thanks!
67MARQUEZ - July 20, 2009
Don't forget to call her in the morning.
LoneStranger - July 20, 2009
For real,
what a sweetie.
lynnzgal - July 20, 2009
I called her five minutes ago.
Does that count?
67MARQUEZ - July 20, 2009
Sure, but usually it takes a while for the cookies to kick in.
LoneStranger - July 20, 2009
"Sex is like a Chinese dinner..."
“It ain’t over ’till you both get your cookies.”
Elvez - July 21, 2009
Indeed.
LoneStranger - July 21, 2009
Giambi didn't see it. It was past his bedtime.
LoneStranger - July 20, 2009
Hey, I'm older than him, and I stayed up
iglew - July 20, 2009
You sure you didn't just wake up to pee and forget to go back to sleep?
LoneStranger - July 20, 2009
Just wanted to give you kudos
for “calling” this win. Nice. Funny how you mention way earlier today about sticking with the A’s even when they are down ten runs. Talk about faith rewarded.
Holy cow, was my phone blowing up after this game. Finally, “Damn it!! I need to get off the phone and write a recap!! Yes, I love you too Mom. And Happy Birthday again.” (It really is Mom’s b’day).
67MARQUEZ - July 20, 2009
Happy B-day Mrs. M!!!
Kallus - July 20, 2009
Well, in my non-defense,
I “call” a win pretty much every time we’re down by three or more. I’m still well below the Mendoza line.
iglew - July 20, 2009
No one has to know that.
Well, except all these people here.
67MARQUEZ - July 20, 2009
beauty of it is
no one remembers if your wrong
robbo650 - July 21, 2009
he probably feels like retiring
the way geren was quoted in the drumbeat, it sounds like a phantom DL visit. chien ming-wang and dice-k style.
cuppingmaster - July 20, 2009
well this is his swan song. How do the A's treat him with respect when they don't want to play him
OmahaHi - July 20, 2009
He knows he's here to help pass the baton.
LoneStranger - July 20, 2009
i'd like those Gilmore Girls
to pass my baton
jasonthea - July 20, 2009
nice image. ......................with my baton the one being passed of course
OmahaHi - July 21, 2009
More wins pls.
A’s wins.
brian.only - July 20, 2009
Very good.
lynnzgal - July 20, 2009
How is Jason feeling you ask?
Old.
Negativity first, but only because it’s become a habit. What the hell is wrong with Gio? He may as well have started his count against every hitter after the first two at 2-0. That curve was not working and was definately not fooling anyone but Gio. Why couldn’t he recognize that the hitters were sitting on his first two pitches because they absolutely knew he wasn’t going to throw a strike? And then, predictably, when he got into a hitters count they were sitting on the fastballs that were sure to come. And they didn’t miss a single one of them. Gio needs to go back to Sac and figure out that MLB hitters aren’t idiots. I still think he has potential as a pitcher, but he has a lot to learn. I really don’t want to see him again before March of next year.
alox - July 20, 2009
62 baserunners in like 27 innings
And 8,000 home runs given up.
This is a case of strikouts to innings pitched meaning nothing.
People think he has good stuff and maybe he does but I have not seen it.
He cannot locate, and his fastball says belt me which they do everytime he gets behind.
Anyway, incredible win.
What would have made it better was a few of thse hits yesterday against the hated slegnA
Trainman - July 20, 2009
He's good.
But he’s not that damn good. And therein lies the problem. That kid better start thinking or he’s going to throw his way right out of baseball. Kubel and Morneau don’t miss fastballs when they know they are coming. And they knew beyond any reasonable doubt that Gio was going to go to the only pitch he could get over when he had too.
alox - July 20, 2009
I don't think you understand the concept of stuff
Stuff and control are two separate things. Gio has great stuff but his control is very spotty. Even the best stuff pitchers in baseball can’t grove pitches to MLB hitters all night and get away with it. Youre exactly right about this statement.
He doesn’t have a plus fastball. He does have a plus to plus plus curveball. If his curveball disappears hes going to have a bad outing. Think about Zito’s outings where he got lit up because he couldn’t locate his curveball, they are remarkably similar. Zito didn’t have bad stuff.
designatedforassignment - July 21, 2009
Thing is,
Gio does have a decent fastball. But not one where he can expect to blow it by hitters consistently, especially if it’s up in the zone. Did you notice that he tried to throw that curve for a first pitch strike to EVERY SINGLE HITTER as his lead off pitch? That kid took himself out of the game because he was incapable of modifying his approach when his curve ball wasn’t working. I’m serious when I say he may as well have started his count at 2-0. For the life of me I can’t understand why Suzuki didn’t go out to the mound and pop him in the mouth. He may have gotten out of it with minimal damage if he would have figured out that his approach sucked and then made the corresponding adjustments.
alox - July 21, 2009
isn't it Suzuki's job to pick the pitch sequence?
micdog2001 - July 21, 2009
I do think Zooks bears some blame -- though obviously
Gio pitched like carp. But three lefty hitters (Kubel, Morneau, Morneau), three fastballs in on fastball counts, from a pitcher with a knee-buckling curve, all in situations where a walk was not the worst thing in the world — even to Morneau with the bases loaded. Very poor pitch selection, albeit poor execution too.
Nico - July 21, 2009
Suzuki can't make the pitch for him, that's for sure.
micdog2001 - July 21, 2009
Especially because then who would catch it?
I mean one has to think these things through before doing something rash. {scratches}
Nico - July 21, 2009
maybe if Gio and Kurt switched places the first 3 innings would have been better
micdog2001 - July 21, 2009
I understand stuff fine
He’s a one trick pony.
A good curveball. Nothing else.
He has been unable to locate nearly everytime he has pitched.
He has had time after time of getting hammered into submission.
It should be the year 2015 by the time he learns how to pitch.
ANother thing, He is a headcase.
Trainman - July 21, 2009
Ok well youre not using the term as scouts would
He has a plus to plus plus curve, he has a solid average fastball from the left side and a solid average change. That is good stuff. Stuff has nothing to do with location, or make up.
designatedforassignment - July 21, 2009
Amazingly, he gets another chance in Yankee Stadium
He better have pinpoint location at that launching pad.
I agree he has a plus plus curve. I would call his fastball below average.
I know stuff has nothing to do with location or make up.
I question his makeup because he falls to pieces with regularity at the first sign of trouble which is usually the first baserunner.
And of course I would like him to suceed. I just have a hard time seeing him do it after so many implosions.
Trainman - July 21, 2009
Just one question:
How exactly is he gonna figure out that MLB hitters aren’t idiots if he’s kept in the minors?
mikev - July 20, 2009
Because that's were MLB hitters come from?
Well, maybe not from Sac, but I understand that other teams often find some in their AAA clubs.
alox - July 20, 2009
His AAA numbers are good this year.
mikev - July 20, 2009
Its insanely frustrating, maybe next year.
brian.only - July 20, 2009
“Mommy, where do MLB hitters come from?”
“Why, Pawtucket, sweetie!”
CaliforniaJag - July 20, 2009
QOTM
adragon - July 21, 2009
hey, little things like extra rest can throw off a rookie
Give him some time and he’ll settle down. I was very encouraged by his two starts before the All-Star break. You can’t expect him to get any better if you don’t let him take his lumps.
Also, I thought him sticking it out with his guys in the dugout was a very classy move.
cityplANner - July 20, 2009
Maybe I'm being a little harsh....
because I honestly think he’ll make a great pitcher one day. But part of pitching is overcoming adversity in mid stride and improvising until his stuff comes around.
alox - July 20, 2009
+1~
mrod - July 21, 2009
the first inning was a groin kick
2 outs, up 0-2 on morneau, and proceeds to walk him. followed by a 5-pitch walk to cuddyer. then he gets kubel to 2-2! and then the homer. as often happens with gio, that ruined him.
despite his inconsistencies, i really hope he stays with the big club the rest of the year. he shows enough flashes to convince me that if the A’s were to trade him or cut him, he would end up starring somewhere else in 2010 or 2011.
jlanning17 - July 21, 2009
This^
I think Gio has star in the making written all over him, I really hope he has his breakthrough moment as an A, an not somewhere else.
Daniel777 - July 21, 2009
So this is what winning in a strange, but awesome fashion feels like.
walkoff baltimore chop - July 20, 2009
Bears re-posting
doctorK - July 20, 2009
that looks like 1929 stock market
IN REVERSE!!
jasonthea - July 20, 2009
or maybe the next stage
of the Tour de France
jasonthea - July 20, 2009
Linky
LoneStranger - July 20, 2009
do you have to refrence the last game and this season in this recap?
OmahaHi - July 20, 2009
I'm still pumped about this win
I won’t be able to go to sleep tonight. My hearts still beating as fast as it was during the final play lol
FrankCohen - July 20, 2009
Holliday
Just like I said after allstar break his bat comes alive. A few more games like this and Beane’s phone will be ringing.
Arcman - July 20, 2009
oh, this game alone is more than good enough
He could go 0-for the rest of July and GMs will still salivate remembering the day he had today…
Gaijin_Suketto - July 21, 2009
Bad calls happen in every game.
Tonight it happened to the Twins. I know its happened to the A’s. It all evens out. I’m fine with it.
And how awesome was that comeback!
lynnzgal - July 20, 2009
So where will Holliday be playing on August 1??
that may be the biggest impact of this game, unless it is Gio’s shrink’s bill.
jasonthea - July 20, 2009
Another impact
Might be some life finally injected into this previously lifeless team
FrankCohen - July 20, 2009
hate to pour cold water on this theory
but, as we are constantly reminded, season is a marathon, not a sprint. And this team has been lifeless for about 15 miles now— hard to imagine much will change in the remaining 11.
Though when you look at the lineup 1-9 these days, it doesn’t seem so horrific as when 5-9 were Suzuki, Hannahan, Crosby, Davis and Petit.
jasonthea - July 20, 2009
really from 10 down????
or did someone spike my kool-aid?
Let's Go Oakland! - July 20, 2009
It really happened.
Now kindly put your pants back on.
67MARQUEZ - July 20, 2009
How did you know his pants were off?
(begins to slowly back away)
adragon - July 21, 2009
Sparticust.....wins it........kind of
OmahaHi - July 20, 2009
He was #2 in WPA for the game.
LoneStranger - July 20, 2009
so he didnt win it?
OmahaHi - July 20, 2009
Sure, by hitting that HR.
But if you look at the overall game, Holliday contributed more, .394 to Cust’s .242 WPA.
LoneStranger - July 20, 2009
Alas, Holliday still fell two RBI short of
MAKEPAMNOTHATEHIM
iglew - July 20, 2009
Well, you can't win them all.
LoneStranger - July 20, 2009
I'm sure he's crushed.
mikev - July 20, 2009
Why did they stop counting GW RBI's? I used to like that stat to see who was "the" clutch guy of the game, who had the most on the team in a season etc.
didn’t that used to be an official stat for a while? did they find out is was a BS stat? I mean did Jo Migares deserve a L? isn’t L kind of a BS stat also?
OmahaHi - July 21, 2009
I noticed that too
seems to me that stats are more and more directed towards fantasy team owners. Espn’s “ticker” leaves out more and more information that a lot of fans value
chipper1001 - July 21, 2009
I will take the drama out of it for you
It’s Pujols, it’s always Pujols
adragon - July 21, 2009
Sparticust...
although I’m quite sure Spartacus didn’t use PEDs… unless you consider grape leaves to be a PED
Let's Go Oakland! - July 20, 2009
67MARQUEZ
Why put my pants on?!? The A’s coming back from 10 and managing to win is better than sex… I’m going to enjoy this while I can
Let's Go Oakland! - July 20, 2009
Is it really?
Rated-R Superstar - July 20, 2009
Why would we know?
Orodawg - July 20, 2009
That’s why I asked.
Rated-R Superstar - July 20, 2009
well if you have a girl
you can have sex at least once a week. a game like this, however, comes along once in a blue moon
cuppingmaster - July 20, 2009
I see.
Rated-R Superstar - July 20, 2009
yes padawan learner
cuppingmaster - July 20, 2009
Unless you get married.
LoneStranger - July 20, 2009
Oh god!
lynnzgal - July 20, 2009
yes, in which case, once a week is hot shit
cuppingmaster - July 20, 2009
I second that.
LoneStranger - July 20, 2009
LOL
iglew - July 20, 2009
so true
sigh
micdog2001 - July 21, 2009
once a week?
hopefully tonight is that one night for ya…
gotta celebrate somehow right?
Let's Go Oakland! - July 20, 2009
Well then.
Carry on.
67MARQUEZ - July 20, 2009
later gators
and thanks Lauren! :-D
cuppingmaster - July 20, 2009
Gio problem?
Porcupine - July 20, 2009
Did you guys notice
The starters played a complete game- no odd PR/ PH from Geren. Hrm.
brian.only - July 20, 2009
and no strikeouts for any of them!
:)
gigglingone - July 20, 2009
well he didnt need a defensive replacement for Giambi
BleedGreen - July 20, 2009
Thank god, Love the man but you can only watch a man walk back to the dugout so often.
brian.only - July 20, 2009
i say Holliday's
stock rose a little bit tonight… that leg kick is back as is his confidence at the plate…
if only he didn’t listen to McGwire… lmfao… McGwire had so much strength because he had a whole GNC store flowing through his body… maybe that’s why he didn’t a leg kick
Let's Go Oakland! - July 20, 2009
sometimes you can almost feel a comeback before it occurs
this was not one of those times.
green tusks - July 20, 2009
Oh, I think Ray Fosse would disagree with you...
He was calling it down 12-2.
Then again, maybe that doesn’t mean much, as optimistic as he usually is…
Gaijin_Suketto - July 21, 2009
walkoff baltimore chop - July 20, 2009
billy koch disagrees
cityplANner - July 20, 2009
Billy Koch has bigger things to worry about,
considering he was recently arrested for assault (I think)…
whiteshoes40 - July 20, 2009
really?
yikes.
67MARQUEZ - July 20, 2009
I'm sure it was in a DLD recently
You remember DLD’s, right? We used to have them every day….
(link)
gigglingone - July 20, 2009
DLD.
Sounds kinda familiar. Then again I am half asleep and have to be at the office at 6.
67MARQUEZ - July 20, 2009
kind of sad
his family also has some mysterious skin disease. don’t have the link, i was on ktvu news a few years ago.
micdog2001 - July 21, 2009
Hopefully, this will be a link
linkie-poo
Gaijin_Suketto - July 21, 2009
yep, that's what I saw
I remember the audio being a few seconds behind the video. Weird alien disease?
micdog2001 - July 21, 2009
My guess is that it was nanoexperiments gone awry released into the atmosphere,
but we won’t know for a long long time, if ever…
Gaijin_Suketto - July 21, 2009
why does ellis look like
a little kid kinda poking around the circle, trying not to get stepped on but still wanting to be part of the celebration?
BleedGreen - July 20, 2009
that little guy cracks me up...
jlanning17 - July 21, 2009
Since 1991?
Are you forgetting how they broke our record streak, and knocked us out of the playoffs in our best year?
iglew - July 20, 2009
{cries}
67MARQUEZ - July 20, 2009
I think I just died a little bit just now.
LoneStranger - July 20, 2009
I didn’t make it. Someone I know showed it to me and I just decided to pass it along here.
walkoff baltimore chop - July 20, 2009
and not to look at the glass half empty but
why the hell did Geren let Gio go out there for the third inning? to that point he had given up 8 runs and three big Jacks (and not Custs either ) but Geren inexplicably let him give up another big fly to morneau. geez if we had lost by a run or two, we could’ve pointed ot that being a main contributor to our defeat. ehh…Holliday rocks ( for one day)!!!!!!!
green tusks - July 20, 2009
He's trying to get unemployment
Porcupine - July 20, 2009
He gets to pitch because he caused the problem and they didn't want to waste their bullpen on a lost cause.
LoneStranger - July 20, 2009
one more inning of Gio is one less inning of Springer.
Kallus - July 20, 2009
may as well send him out for the third to see if he can buckle down some...
he couldn’t, but still, gotta give him a chance.
gigglingone - July 20, 2009
How about
he doesn’t read the scoreboard during the game
Porcupine - July 20, 2009
It is a losing attitude
and that is what Geren has… unfortunately because of our players production… hopefully that will change and they will all play up to their potential regardless of whose in charge
Porcupine - July 20, 2009
Score was 8-2
after the previous day, what was your guess of the A’s run total for the day?
Would you have taken 10-1 odds on 9?
MobiusKlein - July 20, 2009
when he sends out Casilla Geren's givin up.
OmahaHi - July 21, 2009
the title should read
ONE GIANT LEAP FOR HOLLIDAY… ONE SMALL STEP FOR THE A’S
CAUSE HE IS DEFINITELY MOVING… AND WE’RE STILL AN UNDER .500 CLUB… SOON TO BE UNDER .400
Let's Go Oakland! - July 20, 2009
that's a really long title
gigglingone - July 20, 2009
but it's true
Let's Go Oakland! - July 20, 2009
wrong night for truth though
lets forget
ourtheir troubles for a few hours please.micdog2001 - July 21, 2009
i hope he stays
so we have some offense for the rest of the season.
green tusks - July 20, 2009
that's just as realistic of a hope as
me hoping to get the fuck outta iraq lol
Let's Go Oakland! - July 20, 2009
I’d rather have some offense when we’re in a position to contend.
Rated-R Superstar - July 20, 2009
+1
My thoughts exactly
adragon - July 21, 2009
I saw Chronicle Live last night
(yes, during the middle innings I was too disgusted to listen to the game, so I went to check the show as I heard Marty Lurie was making an appearance)
and I thought I heard someone say that Beane is willing to pay Holliday to the tune of $13M next year or take the draft picks, and that if no trade offers at least match that, he’ll stay an Athletic this year.
As I was thinking last night, hoping and hoping that the radio was bellowing crowd noise for good reason, “There is an A in agonizing”. Thank God I left the radio on.
popcornjames - July 21, 2009
Geren on Radio
Reporter asks him about Gio
“They hit him hard, when he made a mistake, they didn’t miss, they hit the ball along way”
Trainman - July 20, 2009
no sugarcoating
I like.
67MARQUEZ - July 20, 2009
He didn't need to sugarcoat cause they won.
LoneStranger - July 20, 2009
point
67MARQUEZ - July 20, 2009
game
match
adragon - July 21, 2009
Sorry if this was already mentioned
but did anyone catch when they had a shot of three A’s fans in the stands when we were still wayyyyy down and fosse said something to the effect of “these fans don’t know it but they could be watching the beginning of an amazing comeback by the A’s”
chipper1001 - July 20, 2009
Fosse was calling this shot since the third inning...
Gaijin_Suketto - July 21, 2009
they need to include that on ESPN
OmahaHi - July 21, 2009
wow I stop watching the games and then this happens! Amazing...
Carter27 - July 20, 2009
stop watching games
you can’t watch any more this season.
gigglingone - July 20, 2009
why is that? cause nothing good will probably happen
Carter27 - July 20, 2009
well you're lack of support
is obviously good luck
Let's Go Oakland! - July 20, 2009
there should be plenty of good luck going around then
because plenty of people start to not watch as many games when they have a slump season
Carter27 - July 20, 2009
got a couple of song ideas
“Blackburn pitching in the dead of night… Take this ten run lead and let it fly… all your life. You were only waiting for this A’s team to arise… Blackburn fly…..”
And to Holliday: "Your bat.. is taking us higher.. than we ever thought we could go. your bat is screwing Gardenhire… and I’m happy that it is so…. Your bat is so on fire… gonna tag out Cuddyer… gonna piss off Gardenhire— whoa, whoa.. and so on…
jasonthea - July 20, 2009
yeah it's taking him
back to the national league most likely
Let's Go Oakland! - July 20, 2009
Cuddyer's reply
Fuck you ump
Porcupine - July 20, 2009
UMP's reply
YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU’RE OUT!
Let's Go Oakland! - July 20, 2009
and of course this one
Gio… Geeee oh.
Daylight comes and Twins want to go home..
Gio… Geee oh.
Up comes Morneau and he wants to go home.
I pitch the curve ball and they don’t swing…
daylight comes and the Twins go home…
then the fastball and here;s the thing…
Morneau does swing and the Twins all go home.
Geo….. Geeeee oh.
Please go back to old Sac town.
Geo… Geeeeeoh
Your name will become a synonym for downtown.
jasonthea - July 20, 2009
Yes
It’s false hope for a great let down… I like it
Porcupine - July 20, 2009
As long as your singing Geeee oh
Porcupine - July 20, 2009
I also like the new disagreeable Bob.
Although he’s yet to be ejected. At least you get the feeling that all the losing is starting to grate on him.
alox - July 20, 2009
YES
AS IT SHOULD / Has the sleeping dragon awoke???
Porcupine - July 20, 2009
I warned you
I told you to stop poking the dragon
Now you have done it
The dragon is awake and very angry!
adragon - July 21, 2009
bob geren
is a joke… i still have dreams of Wash running the clubhouse…
Let's Go Oakland! - July 20, 2009
Ok, I'm calling it a night.
Later all! I’ll be in my bed dreaming of Lauren Graham, Alexis Bledel and Diamond-level seats.
LoneStranger - July 20, 2009
True that.
You need at least two of them to make beer runs so you don’t miss any of the game.
alox - July 20, 2009
MVP of Tonight's Game
Mike Muchlinski
Let's Go Oakland! - July 20, 2009
Do we still hate the black uniforms?
Rated-R Superstar - July 20, 2009
not
until they lose the next time they wear them
Let's Go Oakland! - July 20, 2009
It's cool to hate
Porcupine - July 20, 2009
i'm not hating
i’m just a realist…
although i was glad to see Barton hit his homer… keep his ass up and let’s send Giambi to the Palm Springs Power hahaha
Let's Go Oakland! - July 20, 2009
Now you are hating my friend
GO A’S…SWEEP
Porcupine - July 20, 2009
just a little
Let's Go Oakland! - July 20, 2009
oh you meant
the uniforms…
silly me
Let's Go Oakland! - July 20, 2009
1-4 in them so far this year.
but this game was special…..
Athletics fan and runner - July 21, 2009
YES.
jlanning17 - July 21, 2009
Rated-R Superstar - July 20, 2009
I just want to say
I made a really bad decision to go out instead of finishing watching the game tonight.
pam5981 - July 20, 2009
Holliday says hi.
mikev - July 20, 2009
oh my gosh
don’t cry my friend haha
Let's Go Oakland! - July 21, 2009
OMGHIMATTHOLLIDAY
pam5981 - July 21, 2009
Did you at least have a good time?
iglew - July 21, 2009
It was okay.
I would have had a better time watching the game with all of you.
pam5981 - July 21, 2009
UGH.
Still really mad.
pam5981 - July 21, 2009
Dude. Harden vs. Blanton tomorrow.
I believe it’s on ESPN. I can feel the attack of nostalgia already…
whiteshoes40 - July 21, 2009
i didn't like blanton
when he was on the A’s
Harden though… well… if you didn’t Harden you didn’t like baseball
Let's Go Oakland! - July 21, 2009
WGN I think. 4pm.
I think I need to leave work early tomorrow.
gigglingone - July 21, 2009
One of the best headlines ever on AN
Kudos, Marquez. Kudos.
Tyler Bleszinski - July 21, 2009
Agreed. Impressed with Mr. 67 tonight.
Impressed with a lot tonight. I even used the big fat Retweet button.
http://twitter.com/louisgray/status/2753875524
louismg - July 21, 2009
One of those games
that keeps you watching sports.
Except for the part in which DirecTV reception right out right before Holliday’s grand slam AND Cust’s go-ahead home run. I did see the ending, though.
At first, I was a tad bummed because of the blown call. But then I agreed with iglew. It was fitting.
I’m not in the mood to criticize anyone or talk about trades. We do that every other day. Tonight was fun and delightfully unexpected, and we don’t get nearly enough of that.
bear88 - July 21, 2009
I KNOWWWW
I was soo pissed i just thought it was the living room TV Fuckin up so I ran upstairs and into all the Bedroom then ran into the closet to get the old ass radio and by then it was fixed
robbo650 - July 21, 2009
I, on the other hand,
was scared that I would jinx the impending grand slam, so I sat and stared at the blank screen. One syllable out of Kuiper’s mouth got through the black and static, but the excitement in the yip said all that needed to be said…
Gaijin_Suketto - July 21, 2009
As the late, great Bill King would've said: HOLY TOLEDO!
Down 12-2, like the audacious cat in that ol’ cartoon THE A’s CAME BACK.
And so will Jason!
Johnny U - July 21, 2009
I don't know why they just do't play him in the second half these days
He’s always shined in the second half. The first half has been rocky for him for a while. The yanks were talking about the minors just a few years ago for him. That was the year of the comeback. But, it wouldn’t have been a comeback had he started in the second half. Kinda far-fetched, but do you think they are working reverse psychology on him or should they let him finish strong.
Porcupine - July 21, 2009
don't even
Porcupine - July 21, 2009
See mommy...
I told you the Holliday toy actually works….
ST - July 21, 2009
My fantasy league header speaks for me:
“Blackburn blown out…by the A’s?!”
Pucking Insane - July 21, 2009
My counterpart had Holliday
lol
Porcupine - July 21, 2009
I have Holliday on three of my teams
and Morneau on one with Holliday, (Heads up league).
adragon - July 21, 2009
Anyone else getting weird behavior with C-X-Z?
When I type “c” it jumps to the top of the post. If I scroll down I can see that it really did advance to the next one like it was supposed to, but then when I hit “c” again, it jumps to the top again. Kind of defeats the purpose.
It’s only happened two or three times so far. Most of the time I open a thread it’s OK, but a couple of times now I’ve open a thread and it exhibits that weird behavior. Reloading the page fixes it, but that marks all the unread comment as read.
I’d never seen this problem till today, or maybe it was last night. But a new development in any case. Is it just me?
iglew - July 21, 2009
I turned on the game right before the Holliday AB.
It was GLORIOUS TIMING.
I don’t know what mirror universe we got thrown into, but I’ll take it. And I get a little glee whenever bad things happen to Cuddyer on the field — talk trash about A’s fans, will he? Ha!
This was in no way, shape, or form the kind of thing I was expecting to happen this season. Other than the giving up 13 runs part. But every day we got a new thing to celebrate, gotta take it and enjoy.
Kyli - July 21, 2009
Great Headline!
I oughtta stop by here more often.
The Dogfather - July 21, 2009
long time no see
(AKA: Where the hell you been?)
adragon - July 21, 2009
I really hope
That this game dispels most fears that GM’s have of Holliday. Yes it’s one game. One deliciously awesome game. Billys’ phone needs to be ringing, and I have faith that he’ll pull something nice off.
Orodawg - July 21, 2009
ZOMG A('s)wesome
We don’t get many A’s games here, and I watched this on yahoo’s refreshing scoresheet thingy.
Holliday’s trade value just went up quite a bit I think (drool).
Daniel777 - July 21, 2009
I couldn't jump on the game thread b/c the wife was using the laptop
but that means I got to watch the game. We switched to “Rules of Engament” @ 8:30 but I kept checking the score during commercials. They still were down by a few so I flipped between the game and “Get Smart” on HBO. Needless to say, Get Smart went out the window after the A’s scored about 7 but I somehow saw all the scoring.
When O-Cab’s pop up fell in I started to feel hope mounting in my soul. When Harriston got up I turned to my wife and said “If Harriston walks then Holliday could come up with the bases loaded and hit a grand slam and it would be tied!” I wasn’t really calling it, more like thinking “hey, it could happen” but I guess I was seeing the future. Matt hit his bomb and I was jumping up and down as quietly possible (top floor apartment).
I had to steal the laptop (she is a semi fan so she was cool with it) to open AN and post a comment, I gots to cheer with my AN folks. No sooner did I post my joy did Spartacust hit is bomb. I was going bonkers.
I was a nervous wreck the rest of the game, too nervous to be in the game thread. Ziggy DP, YES! Sweeney baserunning fail, NO!!!! Wuertz 3-0 count, pleasenopleaseno K!, uh-oh here comes Justin, swing and miss, JOY!!!!! oh no, double and IBB, sadness/fear, BALL IN THE DIRT, HE’S TRYING TO SCORE, THROWITTHROWIT, OUUTTTTTT!!!!!! OMG he was safe but they win anyways!!!!!!
and then I collapsed on the coach and called my Pops to tell him the good news.
I couldn’t go to bed yet though, had to watch the post game, and MLB network recap, and Sportscenter, and Baseball tonight, and FSN final score, and read all the game thread comments to see the theme of the thread change with every run scored and see a bunch of AN’ers I’ve never heard of post their happiness with the win. What a night, I’ve got to go to sleep now. GO A’s!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
micdog2001 - July 21, 2009
I should go watch "Harry Potter" every night....
instead of A’s baseball, since then I’ll guarantee massive run support for the rest of the series?! A grand slam, really? Comeback from 10 runs down, really?
Good movie, but I can’t believe I missed one of our best games of the year! :(
streetfan - July 21, 2009
This team has no heart.
Can’t say I’m surprised at the way they laid down after going down ten runs. They all obviously don’t care. When I turned the game off in the third inning I resolved not to watch any more games until they put a real team out there.
EastCoastA - July 21, 2009
+1
Future Ed - July 21, 2009
Hahaha.
Nice.
AlanFalcon - July 21, 2009
sarcastic QOTM!
yes sir.
When I got home from work it was 12 to 5. I stayed with it.
Athletics fan and runner - July 21, 2009
Yes.
travdog6 - July 21, 2009
amazing quote by cust
on the fact that the a’s didn’t strike out even once…
“When I’m on the team,” Cust said, “I figured there’d be at least one.”
SamYam - July 21, 2009
I love that guy.
mikev - July 21, 2009
Didn't you have tickets, sir?
I knew I should have taken them.
67MARQUEZ - July 21, 2009
What a great win for us last night!
Unfortunately, it is also a small step for Holliday out of Oakland. If he stays hot for another week, we’ll have to tinker around with yet another lineup. I really do hope that whoever it is that we get for Holliday, please let it include a starting pitcher who can immediately replace Gio Gonzalez. I’ve given this guy a lot of benefit of the doubt, but bottom line is, he stinks. He will never be a solid major league pitcher. I don’t agree with a lot of Geren’s decisions, but his decision to send him to Sacramento at the beginning of the season makes a lot of sense. This guy needs another 2-3 years in the minors before being considered a starting big-league pitcher.
ATLDuck - July 21, 2009
What I took from this game
1. I hope Gio stays in the rotation the whole year. My father is a high school pitching coach, I used to pitch, now that still doesn’t make me an expert by any means, but it’s obvious that Gio has some really good stuff. He’s just gotta learn to stop trying to nibble 0-1, 1-1, and even 2-1. I also wish Buerhle would’ve taught him the cut fastball (like he taught Danks), because it would be a much more effective 3-2 pitch instead of grooving straight fastballs.
He seems like a good kid and I think it would be stupid to allow Cahill to pitch through his growing pains and not allow Gio to as well. He just needs to harness his control (because he already has it to an extent) and flat out learn when to throw certain pitches. It’s not like he is going through any Mark Wohlers issues.
2. I love O-cab’s intensity. The dude might not be the player he used to be. But I am going to miss him out there next year. He seems like a cool dude.
3. I don’t know if I hate Mark McGwire for altering Matty H’s swing or if I hate Matty H for letting him.
sourstuff - July 21, 2009
I’m glad you guys finally got to see the Matt Holliday that Rockies fans grew to know and love.
Andrew T. Fisher - July 21, 2009
Someone referred to this game last night.
How crazy that he was a key to both comeback victories, for two different teams, barely over a year apart.
67MARQUEZ - July 21, 2009
That was me
I was at that game.
doctorK - July 21, 2009
Angels Fan Here
And I have to give your team mad credit for turning around on a game where your starter threw a near-perfect game, to a game where your starter gives up 11 runs before getting nine outs. Down 12-2 in the third, nobody but nobody could imagine you guys coming back to take the game, but you did it. Amazing, I applaud your team.
AlanFalcon - July 21, 2009
You know it's a once-in-a-lifetime thing
When Angels fans are congratulating you. ;-) Thanks!
67MARQUEZ - July 21, 2009
Thank you. :-)
Blicks - July 21, 2009
I love Adam Kennedy(and so should GIO)
From MLB.com
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090721&content_id=5970030&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=oak
robbo650 - July 21, 2009
Awwww, AK is awesome.
Blicks - July 21, 2009
That ROCKS.
pam5981 - July 21, 2009
I love how this is the top story on Sports Center.
He was clearly safe on the game winning out, but if your an A’s fan your not complaining.
Carter27 - July 21, 2009
And I really love how
MLB.com doesn’t have anything about it on the front page. F*ckers
chuckcheeze - July 21, 2009
that is weird
they have the boring Matsui walk off. pphhppttt, a 1-1 tie won on a solo shot. No where near as exciting as a 10 run comeback on a grand slam.
micdog2001 - July 21, 2009
Just can't help but hope that
the last 2 games send the A’s into a nice 10-4 run or something like that to at least pull themselves up off the deck for the season. Or maybe so that their upcoming trades bring a bit more return.
chuckcheeze - July 21, 2009
+1 the trades part
LoneStranger - July 21, 2009
I was in Harry Potter last night
We came out of the show, and watched the game. WOW. Except for the TV CUTTING OUT at Holliday’s slam and Cust’s go-ahead HR…Wow….just wow.
baseballgirl - July 21, 2009
The problem was at the source...
In other words, the equipment at the game is to blame. So I’m left wondering if a cameraman didn’t fall off his camera pedestal at the prospect of the A’s coming back from ten runs down.
alox - July 21, 2009
I think that's a workable theory.
LoneStranger - July 21, 2009
BBG in an earlier thread some people were asking on the status of AN day
you know how many people are coming, are we sold out, that sort of thing. When you have time do you think you could give us an update?
adragon - July 21, 2009
My favorite shot of the game
coffee roaster - July 21, 2009
Who was that?
Blicks - July 21, 2009
Bobby Keppel
coffee roaster - July 21, 2009
was the GS of him?
robbo650 - July 21, 2009
yes
This sad scene (ha ha ha) was taken after he was removed from the game after the GS, and just following the Cust HR.
coffee roaster - July 21, 2009
God I missed this thing. Computer FAIL around the 4th.
Pure, epic win on the A’s part. I love it all.
Blicks - July 21, 2009
Gio had too much rest
He needs to be on a regular start schedule. He was overthrowing. Let’s give him time, as I hope the A’s will! GREAT game! I almost turned it off after the second, and am SO GLAD I hung in there! Stupid Vista crapped out with 2 outs in the ninth, so I put ESPN on quick and they had the recap. Unbelievable!
A'sfansince1970 - July 21, 2009
All I can say about this game is "F*****g wow!"
Incredible…..and I don’t know what got into this team but it sure is nice to have something to celebrate for a change.
mrod - July 21, 2009
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