Long flight home indeed, Nico.
Just when it looked as if the A's might leave Fenway with a most impressive series win, reality checked into the game. David Ortiz struck the big blow, a 3-run homerun in the seventh, and the A's missed a chance to return to Oakland with a 4-4 record at the home parks of the beasts of the American League East.
Gio Gonzalez who wiggled in and out of trouble (the "in" part courtesy of 4 walks, the "out" part thanks to 8 strikeouts), could not produce a shutdown inning after being staked to a 4-1 lead in the sixth, and an overused bullpen was no match for Boston's robust lineup.
The A's were held in check by Jon Lester through five, and trailed 1-0 before breaking through with four runs. Tommy Everidge hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly to drive home the first run, and Bobby Crosby and Rajai Davis joined the party with RBI-hits to send Lester to the showers.
Boston chased Gonzalez in the aforementioned bottom-of-the-sixth with a pair of runs to make it 4-3, then forged ahead after the stretch, this after an Everidge run-scoring single increased the A's lead by one. Michael Wuertz walked Jason Ellsbury to start the inning, which is usually a bad thing, but he was quickly erased on a 4-6-3 double play off the bat of Dustin Pedroia.
Then it happened. Jack Cust misplayed a Kevin Youkilis fly ball into a double, and Jason Bay walked. Exit Wuertz, enter Craig Breslow. Enter Papi, exit ball.
For kicks the Sox added two runs in the eighth off Santiago Casilla, and there would be no ninth-inning tease on this day.
Tough one to lose.
Well at least we don't have to go back to work. Oh wait.
0 recs | 158 comments
I realy dont like Cust this year.
Syphon - July 30, 2009
postives?
Gio pitching a pretty solid game.
some good offense and some solid defense…except for the play that opened the door to a Sux win.
OaklandSi - July 30, 2009
missing an "i"
OaklandSi - July 30, 2009
Rajai looking pretty good
On the telecast they were talking about Rajai talking to Rickey Henderson and experiencing the HOP induction. I think it rubbed off on him, especially with his aggressiveness on the basepaths. It begs the question why Rickey isn’t standing off the basepaths instead of Gallardo.
oaklandSMASH - July 30, 2009
HOP? Hall of Pain?
and who is Gallardo?
OaklandSi - July 30, 2009
Hall of Pfame.
Nico - July 30, 2009
Damn Gallardo
He won’t get into the HOP
sirbed - July 30, 2009
I think they gotta let anyone into the IHOP.
Leopold Bloom - July 30, 2009
Didn't the UN put IHOP Sanctions on Iran?
They don’t want Iran using blueberry syrup as a weapon of mass stickiness.
sirbed - July 30, 2009
Not anyone....
Oh wait. That’s Denny’s.
alox - July 30, 2009
Good lawsuit knowledge there alox
sirbed - July 30, 2009
HOF and Gallego
Thanks a lot, typo nazi! :p
(grumble, grumble, grumble) :)
oaklandSMASH - July 30, 2009
and...um...if you want to coach base stealing
it would probably make more sense to coach first base, not third base (as Gallego does)
(By the way, “Gallardo” is a real name…I have friends with that last name)
OaklandSi - July 30, 2009
I'd just appreciate Rickey as A coach
I’ll take what I can get
oaklandSMASH - July 30, 2009
Rajai could be so fun to watch
It’s been way too long since I’ve seen one of our players put pressure on a pitcher b/c of speed. Now if he could just keep putting the ball in play…
A'sian - July 30, 2009
Wait'll you see Corey Wimberly
You’ll go head over heels for this guy. Well, one of you will anyway.
Nico - July 30, 2009
Context, please
Not sure how you can write this summary without reference to the biggest story in the sport today— namely that Ramirez and Ortiz were both on the list of 104 positive testers from 2003. The fact that Ortiz hits a game winning home run later that same day is somewhat relevant, IMHO.
jasonthea - July 30, 2009
Better than the Chronicle's summary
which doesn’t even mention Cust’s misplay………
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/07/30/SP2K191IJ0.DTL
RickeyRun - July 30, 2009
Im blaming Nomar.
For even being on the team. Not allowing Cust to DH.
Syphon - July 30, 2009
Agreed.
After he got that first ovation on the previous trip to Fenway would’ve been the perfect time to say “thanks, and see ya.”
The Dogfather - July 30, 2009
Well I would rather keep using guys like Nomar at DH than Cust.
Cust should be a platoon DH with a veteran. I think we should bring in a solid veteran to DH (however, they need to be able to play some in the field)
Thomas, Piazza could only be a DH. and now Nomar due to injury. I actually thought Sweeney was a good fit as he could go into the field and allow Cust to DH but got hurt.
I would actually rather have Buck or Cunningham on the team than Cust.
Yellowhorse - July 30, 2009
This proves it
Well I guess David Ortiz proves cheaters never prosper, oh wait. I didn’t get to listen to the game but I am curious what kind of reaction did Ortiz get his first time up? I wonder how many more names are on that list and I guess this blows a hole in the Mitchell Report not having any Red Sox in it.
Would have been great to win the series but a split isn’t bad at Fenway.
sirbed - July 30, 2009
They gave him cheers.
Rated-R Superstar - July 30, 2009
The Giants will always cheer for Bonds
Same with Ortiz and the Sox, I suppose
oaklandSMASH - July 30, 2009
As would we if Ortiz hit a HR to give the A's the lead in the middle of a pennant race
Nico - July 30, 2009
And as we all did when Giamsorri came back.
The Dogfather - July 30, 2009
What's a pennant race?
sirbed - July 30, 2009
Good teams are involved in those.
Rated-R Superstar - July 30, 2009
What's a good team?
sirbed - July 30, 2009
You saw one today.
They were wearing red.
alox - July 30, 2009
To be fair, they were mostly wearing white.
Rated-R Superstar - July 30, 2009
I actually thought the A's played well this trip
3-5, yes, but in two of the very toughest places to win on the road, in almost every game, hitting, running, scrapping. No complaints here — just disappointment five times having to lose to entitled, rich crap.
Nico - July 30, 2009
Well, they played basically as well as they could have for a team with as much talent as they have.
Rated-R Superstar - July 30, 2009
I agree.
This loss was a little tough to take though. But still, all things considered, I’m happier with the team, post Holliday, than I thought I would be at this point. If Cust makes that catch, we win.
alox - July 30, 2009
I am not convince if cust makes the play the a's win
someone had to pitch the 8th and 9th. Its Casilla or Gonzalez. I like the odds for the red socks scoring at least one.
Future Ed - July 30, 2009
We'll never know.
But they would have had a three run lead at the end of the inning.
alox - July 30, 2009
Two run lead. It was 5-3.
Nico - July 30, 2009
Oh snap!
You’re right!
Still, the pen was overtaxed, so maybe a two run lead doesn’t hold up.
alox - July 30, 2009
That's the rub --
there was no getting around some combination of Springer, Breslow, Casilla for some key innings / outs and that’s hardly “automatic.” At least not in the good way.
Nico - July 30, 2009
Not a big surprise I guess.
Fans like to be loyal to their guys but more and more that Red Sox team in 2004 is looking like a team full of cheats.
sirbed - July 30, 2009
Unlike the 1989 --
never mind.
Nico - July 30, 2009
Hey all fans are loyal
And there is no question that the steroid stuff was a big part of the 1989 team.
sirbed - July 30, 2009
It's hard to win a game where your tired bullpen is asked to throw more than 3 innings
Problem #1) Gio only pitched 5 1/3 innings
Problem #2) Hairston is hurt, during a stretch of 28 consecutive games. If they suspected he was going to hog a roster spot without playing for a week, or close to it, they might have been better served DL’ing him and replacing him with a real outfielder
Problem #3) With Nomar DH’ing, Cust had to play the field, where he really shouldn’t be. EVER.
Problem #4) The bullpen was beyond taxed from the last three games.
Problem #5) Casilla sucks.
baseballgirl - July 30, 2009
Yet another game where it would have been helpful
to have a 2-3 IP reliever (like Saarloos and Kennedy were), instead of Casilla, in the pen. Instead of asking Springer, Wuertz, Breslow, and Casilla to try to manage 2.2 IP, the A’s could have gone to one guy who, if he’s on, gets you to Bailey. As it was, NONE of those guys was especially on in a situation where you really needed all of them to be on in order to protect a small lead.
Nico - July 30, 2009
+1
I’m not sure what the fangraphs WinExp says about this game, but today’s bullpen having to hold a 3-run lead in Fenway for 3 2/3 innings wasn’t such a great position to be in — even if Cust had made that catch.
Nick - July 30, 2009
Similar to Braden's start in NY
Yes, the team had a lead but it was a one-run lead with 12 outs left to get. Hardly a “sure thing,” especially when the starter is only good for about 5 IP.
Nico - July 30, 2009
Yup
And I think it’s more allowable for Geren to send Braden out for another inning, since he’s older and more experienced (though still young and inexperienced compared to other #1 guys in the league).
Nick - July 30, 2009
#3 and #5
You’re dead on baseballgirl about these two problems. I have to wonder why is Casilla still on the team? There has to be someone is Sacramento who could be a better pitcher then this clown. As far as Cust goes I guess I missed a awful play on his part but I’m sure I’ll get to see something worse the next time he plays RF.
sirbed - July 30, 2009
defensive replacement
This is my first ever post after being a long time follower. But while watching the game unfold, I wasn’t sure why they used Eric Patterson as the pinch runner. They could have used someone else to pinch run and put Patterson in the game as a defensive replacement. I believe he made an out and the odds were he wasn’t going to come back up again (even though he did).
t-long - July 30, 2009
Or just put Patterson in the field
Teams are, IMO, WAY too reluctant to give up the DH in situations like this. So you pinch hit for the pitcher in the 9th — you were going to go to Bailey anyway. What’s the big deal, compared to playing Jack Cust in the OF for another 1/3 of a game?
Nico - July 30, 2009
my thoughts
I said the same thing to a friend, I was watching the game with. Relievers are only going to pitch one inning. Look at Breslow, they took him out with JD Drew leading off the inning. He could have been left in and then go to Casilla if needed.
t-long - July 30, 2009
Cust COULD get a day off
I mean…if Nomar is going to DH, you don’t have to play Cust. He’s just not good enough at the plate to make up for his butchery in the field. Even David Ortiz sometimes gets a day off. Or you put Nomar at first base and sit Everidge. Or you move Everidge to third and sit Crosby and take that chance.
Jack Cust DOES NOT have to play every day. repeat
Jack Cust DOES NOT have to play every day. repeat
Jack Cust DOES NOT have to play every day.
I hate Geren.
richwol1 - July 30, 2009
He is the A's best power option. He should play
Future Ed - July 30, 2009
I think Nomar is a better all around hitter than Cust
We are still trying to win games and Nomar is getting paid. Lastly. While Nomar does not appear to be part of the team’s future I am not so sure Cust is either.
Yellowhorse - July 30, 2009
Hmm...Cust offers about .050 points higher OBP
and more power, plus he can run the bases without risking injury every time he pushes himself. Not sure how Nomar’s the better hitter of the two at the moment.
Nico - July 31, 2009
Cust is part of the near-term future.
Two years, maybe. As soon as a big bat matures in a logjam position, Cust might be the victim.
LoneStranger - July 31, 2009
Bailey should not have come in this game
if the a’s planned on winning. He needs at least one day off.
Future Ed - July 30, 2009
Great point. Just lose the DH
Go A’s
Yellowhorse - July 30, 2009
Wait a second t-long
Your first post and it made sense. That’s not how you do it. My first post was on how Bobby Crosby is the greatest player of his generation and that Bob Geren was going to be a Hall of Fame manager. You need to start slow or people will have high expectations.
sirbed - July 30, 2009
this really struck a nerve
I don’t get to watch the A’s on a regular basis (work 3rd shift in Ohio) so when I do get the chance it is very uplifting. This move or lack there of, really struck a nerve and decided to finally post. I get most of my information about the games from this site.
t-long - July 30, 2009
3rd shift
been there done that while working during my 9 years in college. Hated it as I was always tired.
sirbed - July 30, 2009
Hah!
I worked nights for 19 consecutive years. I’d go back in a second if I could.
alox - July 30, 2009
I'm a morning person
plus it would be hard to get my students to show up to class at 3am.
sirbed - July 30, 2009
And for some reason....
you view that as problematic?
alox - July 30, 2009
You may be on to something alox
A class without students. It would give me time to put towards my true passion playing the tuba in a rap fusion band.
sirbed - July 30, 2009
and I thought I didn't like you,
but you totally understand that tuba is the most undervalued/underrated instrument in hip-hop.
I’m going to have to re-evalutate now…
Gaijin_Suketto - July 30, 2009
I believe they call that Skrap.
Part Ska, Part Rap.
LoneStranger - July 30, 2009
Cool....
Hey maybe you can join the band. Where going for the true street flavor that you can only get in the foothills. We’re calling the band the Yuba Tubas.
sirbed - July 30, 2009
or We're going for the true street flavor
I’ve got to stop typing so fast.
sirbed - July 30, 2009
#2 but then they'd probablly have to call up Buck
OaklandSi - July 30, 2009
I think Cunningham would get the call before Buck.
Rated-R Superstar - July 30, 2009
I think Stan Javier will get the call before Buck
sirbed - July 30, 2009
I’m not doing anything this weekend beginning tomorrow. I’ll gladly take the call for the weekend series.
Rated-R Superstar - July 30, 2009
Can you play defense
up to the high standards of 9 time gold glover Jack Cust?
sirbed - July 30, 2009
No, I can’t track a fly ball.
Maybe I can hold down things at second base or something.
Rated-R Superstar - July 30, 2009
If you want to play for the new A's
you need to weigh at least 3 bills so can you fit into the 4XL uni?
sirbed - July 30, 2009
I’m actually pretty skinny.
Rated-R Superstar - July 30, 2009
Well
the Raiders need help at safety so maybe that’s more of a fit.
sirbed - July 30, 2009
I can’t be worse than Huff and Eugene, right?
Rated-R Superstar - July 30, 2009
Huff aka bust!
sirbed - July 30, 2009
Mike Mitchell should be starting.
Rated-R Superstar - July 30, 2009
We'll see
I’m very curious to see what Mitchell has.
sirbed - July 30, 2009
All anyone ever says is that he hits hard.
Rated-R Superstar - July 30, 2009
That's what they say.
I can’t say I saw much Ohio University football to know if that’s true but all we can do is hope for the best.
sirbed - July 30, 2009
Just to focus on #1 and #4 for a minute
One reason that the bullpen is so tired is that the A’s haven’t had a day off since the All Star Break. Another reason is that the A’s have the least experienced starting staff anyone’s seen for a generation or so — not just one time through the rotation, but for the entire season. Those young guys are the future of the team, and Geren is rightly reluctant to make them pitch lots of innings.
So Gio only pitching 5 1/3 is a predictable part of the way the team is structured this season, and is not, in and of itself, a bad managerial decision. But if you combine that incredibly young rotation with no days off for a month (and a bullpen with 2 bad pitcher and a closer who’s also a rookie)…well, you’re going to have games like today.
Nick - July 30, 2009
I hope Duke can come back
and they go to the 6 man rotation for the rest of the season.
Gaijin_Suketto - July 30, 2009
+1
speckops - July 30, 2009
Good points I agree.
However, the horrendous performance of Casilla and Springer are part of the problem as well. I don;t think that the manager trusts to put them in any close game which has resulted in the overwork of Zieg, Wuertz, Bailey and Breslow.
Yellowhorse - July 30, 2009
yes
Future Ed - July 30, 2009
From someone who saw the game (I couldn't),
how did Gio look, process-wise? Specifically, throwing strikes, using all his pitches, generally being in command?
Nico - July 30, 2009
I wasn’t paying attention to the specific pitches, but for the most part, he was around the strike zone. A lot of pitches that were called balls could have been called strikes.
Rated-R Superstar - July 30, 2009
Angel Hernandez, is that you?
Nico - July 30, 2009
I hope not.
Rated-R Superstar - July 30, 2009
Lester especially seemed really upset with the umpire's strike zone
OaklandSi - July 30, 2009
This last crew sure had a strange little strike zone...
Gaijin_Suketto - July 30, 2009
That’s definitely true, but I’ve got to say that Red Sox fans also have a terrible idea of the strike zone. There were a couple of balls that they groused about that weren’t that close.
speckops - July 30, 2009
Youkolis and Ortiz
complain at every strike.
Future Ed - July 30, 2009
"I wasn't paying attention"
When did Geren join AN?
sirbed - July 30, 2009
I told you that I am Bobby Crosby.
Rated-R Superstar - July 30, 2009
Gio got squeezed pretty a little bit on his second and third walks issued, if I recall correctly. The first and fourth walks it seemed like he actually walked the hitters. I would say that for the most part the Red Sox looked relatively off-balance, and maybe a bit surprised by his curveball.
speckops - July 30, 2009
I dislike the Red Sox quite a bit.
Leopold Bloom - July 30, 2009
I like you quite a bit, though.
Rated-R Superstar - July 30, 2009
Please take that picture down. He doesn't deserve publicity.
streetisclosedin08 - July 30, 2009
Why?
Rated-R Superstar - July 30, 2009
Because he's a piece of crap
streetisclosedin08 - July 30, 2009
Not true.
I like Landon Powell.
speckops - July 30, 2009
I think he’s just mad about his speed.
Rated-R Superstar - July 30, 2009
Three legged race?
Two of the Molina bros. vs. Powell and Ortiz?
speckops - July 30, 2009
Sadly, I’d have to go with the Molina team.
Rated-R Superstar - July 30, 2009
Wallace will blow them all away
sirbed - July 30, 2009
Yeah, I know that Powell’s hamstrung by his hamstrings, but on a 2-out single in a close game, scoring from 2nd sure would be nice.
speckops - July 30, 2009
Cust
This guy is the second coming of Herman Munster in the OF. Why Geren would have him out there (esp in the later innings) is a mystery to me.
Does anyone else hate Red Sox fans as much as I do? They are the most obnoxious tools in sports.
KCa's - July 30, 2009
Ya we need thing from the Addams family
that dude could catch anything
sirbed - July 30, 2009
because Geren isn't a good manager...
LVElephant - July 30, 2009
In fairness to Geren,
I don’t think taking Cust out (especially with Hairston unavailable) was a no-brainer. The right call? Quite arguably, but in a 5-3 game against the Red Sox you’re not going to be too quick to yank your only real power threat from the lineup. For example, Cust did come up in the 9th. Had the score been 6-5 it would have been unfortunate to have to pinch hit for the pitcher at that moment.
Nico - July 30, 2009
Cust didn't have to play today
repeat: Cust didn’t have to play today.
Or you bring in a pinch runner for Nomar after his third hit, and then you use Cust as DH after that.
richwol1 - July 30, 2009
No you can't
You can’t move someone from the field into the DH slot; once the DH (Patterson at that point) goes out into the field, he still hits in that spot in the order (#3 spot in this case) and the pitcher hits in the other spot (Cust’s spot in this case). There’s no way around that if you want Patterson to play in the field.
Nico - July 30, 2009
Jesus
I didn’t say that before, and I’m not saying that now.
START THE GAME WITH PATTERSON. Give Cust the day off. After Nomar goes out, bring in Cust as DH. DO NOT PLAY CUST IN THE FIELD.
Why can’t people read what I’m fucking writing?
richwol1 - July 30, 2009
Maybe because starting Patterson against a tough lefty,
and benching the only real power threat on the team (especially with Hairston out) makes little enough sense that it didn’t occur to me that it’s what you meant.
Yes, they could have done a “go totally for OF defense” lineup, started Patterson, and given Cust the day off — in which case Cust doesn’t bat in the 6th, the A’s may not score at all, and there are no fly balls dropped … unless, of course, Patterson or Sweeney or Rajai lose it in the sun, or unless Sweeney and Rajai collide (like that would ever happen).
Nico - July 30, 2009
That blunder wasn't Cust's only outfield mistake
A few batters earlier, he nearly bumped into Rajai Davis on another play. I understand starting Patterson against a tough lefty could be problematic, but Cust’s primary weapon is the walk, and Patterson could do that as well.
Putting Cust in the field is too dangerous, even if he is the team’s primary power threat. He’s just not good enough or consistent enough to go out and butcher balls on a regular basis.
The reality, though, is that you don’t play Nomar Garciaparra at all, or you bring him in as a pinch-hitter later in the game, or as a replacement for Cust as DH if the game is out of hand.
richwol1 - July 30, 2009
I have no problem with that, in that I would have liked
to see a “forced retirement” for Nomar and Giambi a couple months ago. But I do think it’s worth noting that Cust was a big part of the A’s 4-run rally (and no, it would not be fair to assume Patterson would likely have walked there) and that Nomar had 3 hits, so had Oakland gone with a super-ducky defensive lineup they might have just lost differently.
Nico - July 30, 2009
sweeney bumped into Davis last night
shoulda benched cust because of that
Future Ed - July 30, 2009
Patterson davis and sweeney in the outfield?
seriously? against a lefty? Really?
Future Ed - July 30, 2009
"In fairness to Geren"
How dare you Nico!
sirbed - July 30, 2009
on the postgame show
it was mentioned that with nomar injury and pinch running patterson that basically took away their backup for replacing cust at the time
Asfan4ever723 - July 30, 2009
Unless they gave up the DH, which I think would have been smart.
Nico - July 30, 2009
or, Ellis could have been used to pinch run for Nomar
and remain in the game as DH (which stil would have given him some rest since he wouldn’t be in the field)…then Patterson could replace Cust in the field…although Patterson hasn’t exactly been known for his glove.
OaklandSi - July 30, 2009
Ah -- I didn't realize a player was still available
I knew Hairston was not available, and that Crosby and Suzuki played, and forgot that there was another player on the bench besides Patterson. Then yes, pinch running Ellis would have made sense too — except for the important fact that Patterson did steal a base which led directly to a run, so he wasn’t just in there to be “faster than Nomar”; he was in to be a base stealing threat, which Ellis isn’t.
Nico - July 30, 2009
They didn’t have to use Patterson.
Rated-R Superstar - July 30, 2009
then they score 4 runs
Future Ed - July 30, 2009
Hm?
Rated-R Superstar - July 30, 2009
The fifth run doesn't score without patterson in the game
Future Ed - July 30, 2009
Who knows if Ellis or Crosby could not have scored that run?
Rated-R Superstar - July 30, 2009
Ooh ooh, I do, I do!!!
They wouldn’t have.
Nico - July 30, 2009
Here's the thing: Every player who "shouldn't have been in there"
(Nomar, Cust, Patterson) did important things to contribute to the A’s success up to the bottom of the 7th. So as “bad moves” go, it’s hard for me to second-guess Geren for having those guys in the game when he did.
Nico - July 30, 2009
It may have taken two hits, but we don’t know for sure if they would not have scored.
I’m not second-guessing anything, but I was just bringing up a point that Patterson did not have to be used to run for Garciaparra.
Rated-R Superstar - July 30, 2009
Well no, he didn't HAVE to be used to run for Nomar
It’s just that if the plan was to try to score a run, maybe by stealing second and being in position to score on a single, Patterson was probably the better choice.
I mean yes, sure, Nomar could have stood at 1B and Everidge, inspired by Nomar’s “Nomarness,” could have HRed, for all we know. And if I just had some ham, I would have ham and eggs if I had some eggs.
Nico - July 30, 2009
Sigh.
I want eggs now.
Rated-R Superstar - July 30, 2009
If it helps, I've been referred to as over easy.
Nico - July 30, 2009
I’ve been called egotistical because I don’t like losing in video games.
Rated-R Superstar - July 30, 2009
Over-easy are my favorite style of eggs.
LoneStranger - July 31, 2009
Ha ha -- you misspelled "girls."
Nico - July 31, 2009
Question
When do the gates open Saturday? I promised a good friend a Rickey Henderson jersey and I want to be there to get it for him.
richwol1 - July 30, 2009
I heard 11am.
But if they aren’t, you can always have someone drop you off and you can walk up to get in line.
LoneStranger - July 30, 2009
It's a 6 pm game
I doubt if the gates open at 11 am.
richwol1 - July 30, 2009
It is a special day, though.
Rated-R Superstar - July 30, 2009
Yeah
But that doesn’t answer the question. I’m going to go rummage through the A’s site.
richwol1 - July 30, 2009
A's website doesn't say
General information says that gates open 2 hours before game time, which would mean 4:20 pm, but there’s a caveat saying that special games are different. Maybe it’ll be on the website tomorrow. They’re only giving away 10,000 jerseys.
richwol1 - July 30, 2009
Ahhh... gates to the STADIUM
I misunderstood.. I have been guessing 4:00 or 4:30.
As to the gates to the parking lot, I have heard 11am.
LoneStranger - July 31, 2009
Eh,
Cust dropped a ball. The pen stil had a significant lead, so I don’t think it’s fair to hang the entire loss on Jack. It’s still an aggravating loss to be sure, but we did split the series.
On to Oakland. We get the Yanks one more time at home so maybe we can return the favor for Boston.
alox - July 30, 2009
+1
I’d like to blame Cust, but I think the blame really falls on Geren for allowing him to play the OF. It’s been proven, he cannot do it. I like having Nomar start his final Fenway game. Just have Cust start on the bench.
travdog6 - July 30, 2009
I don't know. When I walk through it, I get that
none of this would have been a problem had Hairston been healthy. Then I look at the fact that Hairston will probably miss a total of 3-4 games but not more, and think that the A’s can’t really afford to DL him over 3-4 games. 6-7, maybe, but I think it’s pretty reasonable to play shorthanded for 3-4 games in order to avoid DLing one of your better (sadly) hitters.
So I don’t blame Beane for the roster decision and don’t blame Geren for being dealt a very poor hand with a 24-man roster.
Bottom line: A fly ball to Cust in the late innings of a tight game, that he loses in the sun, that is followed by a walk and a HR, exactly on one of the few days Hairston is not available? Kinda bad luck, really.
Nico - July 30, 2009
He booted the ball, which is how Youkilis got to second
Literally
-he hit it with his foot.Maybe the A’s should trade him to a rugby team.
richwol1 - July 30, 2009
On DLing Hairston
The A’s didn’t hesitate to DL Barton, or Buck earlier this year. I think they’re making a conscious effort to avoid the endless 24-player situations they put themselves through over the last few years.
But each player, and each injury, needs to be evaluated individually. So if they genuinely believe that Hairston will be available tomorrow or Saturday, then keeping him on the active roster is the right move, as you say. It’s a 162-game season, the team isn’t that talented to begin with, they’re in the toughest stretch of a 28-games-in-28-days marathon…sometimes stuff like this will happen.
As you said elsewhere, there was no problem with effort of focus or anything today. They got outplayed.
Nick - July 30, 2009
And pretty much, whenever your starter only goes 5.1 IP,
you’re going to have to get a couple innings out of relievers who aren’t your best guys. Against Boston’s lineup that can be disastrous — and it pretty much was.
Nico - July 30, 2009
It’s too bad Gonzalez didn’t at least finish the sixth inning. He was doing so well and he did finish the day with eight strikeouts. Maybe if the umpire hadn’t of been a bit stingy with the strike zone, he would’ve been able to pitch into the seventh inning.
Rated-R Superstar - July 30, 2009
Gonzalez is high-strung
Geren knew it, which is one of the reasons he had Springer ready to go. Gio has now taken the step of getting out of trouble when he has to. The next step is holding a lead and not tripping out over it.
I keep coming back to the fact that this is the team that Beane built, and it’s a team of mistakes
-no veteran innings eater, no decent long reliever, one reliever (Casilla) who should be released immediately, starting the year with too many guys who would have to play DH, not enough quality fielders, etc.Some of the problems are due to bad luck or simply the odds
-Chavez, Giambi and Nomar having health issues; Eveland and Gallagher imploding; Duke, Outman and Devine vanishing. But the construction of the rest of the team has been problematic.What really sticks in my craw is that these days, his mistakes (Zito, etc) and all, Brian Sabean is moving toward a better track record than Billy Beane.
richwol1 - July 30, 2009
listened in at work
I’m with you though, alox. Cust’s booting was significant, but I honestly thought the bullpen handling is where we failed. For once (though I suppose it’s been a trend lately), Springer looked solid. Considering the shape of our bullpen, I would have liked to see him go more than 0.2 IP and let Breslow and Wuertz rest if they could. Even after Springer was taken out, Wuertz was more frustrated than bad, and Ortiz isn’t the classic lefty when it comes to hitting lefties. Therefore, I would have left Wuertz in.
All water under the bridge, of course. Forget the Yanks, I’m just happy this east coast run is done. I’m tired of missing games because they start at 4.
cuppingmaster - July 30, 2009
You must Login with your SB Nation account and be a member of Athletics Nation to post a comment.