Athletics Nation

Awww...thanks!

baseballgirl - August 5, 2009 reply

You’re welcome.

Shooty talking about Tomko being a AAAA pitcher

I sure hope we don’t see him the Green and Gold this season (or any other).

doctorK - August 5, 2009 reply

Do Not want

Horrible.

If you like Home runs for the opposition or need the over in a game you bet. He is your man.

he's filling the Dan Giese role

So...

…basically “Pitcher Who Gives up Game Winning Home Run in Extra Innings” ??

rageon - August 6, 2009 reply

"Relief pitcher who's thrown to the wolves in Extra Innings"

OldhamA - August 6, 2009 reply

I don't mind, because it will serve a greater purpose.

Namely, not straining our young arms.

LoneStranger - August 5, 2009 reply

+1

chipper1001 - August 6, 2009 reply

and an even greater purpose if...

he’s is on the team by the time the next Giants vs. A’s wives softball game happens.

WOW

Wish I could blow off work tomorrow

Give us a sweep, A’s!

doctorK - August 5, 2009 reply

Brett Tomko will be mop up guy

Cleanup in Bathroom behind 123.

Hit4TheCycle - August 5, 2009 reply

What is this... this "win streak?"

I’m generally afraid of change, but I might like this.

Sent from The Cooler in Eugene, Oregon.

Joey C. - August 5, 2009 via mobile reply

you're in jail,

and you used your one email to contact AN…

That’s hardcore!

Gaijin_Suketto - August 6, 2009 reply

Wanna explain?

I was drinking at The Cooler

I don’t know why I thought it would be amusing to write that. Although I almost did it again when my friends and I made an impromptu visit to the ladies at The Silver Dollar.

Listened while reading some papers tonight.

Pretty solid all the way around. I would love to believe that Geren told Reinke to drill Young, but who knows/cares. Felt like we played with a chip all night and that was good.

We sure need to have AK around next year

if nothing but for his versatility.

He puts the ball in play and does not strike out 8,000 times a year.

He is very good in situations that warrant a sac fly or a runner moved or just flat out good with RISP.

He has been taught to play the game the right way.

It is a delight to watch Rajai over the last month. He sure brings a spark to this team of late.

It’s funny how the team plays better when they play a different style game than trying to walk their way on fucking base all the time and try to hit a home run that ends up being a strikeout.

yes yes yes yes yes yes

that’s one yes for every observation. I’d name my kid Rajai, but I don’t have kids. And folks look at me funny when I name their kid for them…

Kallus - August 6, 2009 reply

This world needs more Rajais,

and less Chases, Blakes, and Madisons, please…

Gaijin_Suketto - August 6, 2009 reply

Rajai Davis is doing the unthinkable

by winning me over. I have been one of his harshest critics, and while I’m not yet a true believer, it’s hard to argue with what he’s been doing and the spark he’s been providing. He generate legitimate excitement when he’s on the basepaths, and he’s making solid contact now. He’s fun to watch right now.

ORthey - August 5, 2009 reply

nice to see they have confidence in rajai

by taking away sweeney AB’s and having buck/cunningham waste away in AAA

gotta love the career season ( or the career 150+ ab’s) for the 28 yr old. atl east its made this teams watchable the last couple weeks

Asfan4ever723 - August 5, 2009 reply

Confidence in rajai and recent Rickey Henderson inspiration

Coincidence? I think NOT!

oaklandSMASH - August 5, 2009 reply

nice game pennington

he’s locked up a utility spot for next season and will be a solid backup for a resigned kennedy and a scutaro reunion

Asfan4ever723 - August 5, 2009 reply

Bring back Scutaro!

Please.

timhudson - August 6, 2009 reply

Forst cannot divulge information on Duke

Said we put out that release for non baseball issues and cannot explain beyond that.

Hopeful he still pitches this year.

Like I said, I doubt it. I am only guessing but must be having issues in the head department. Who knows?

I do not see a Scooter reunion

I think his year is a product of their good offense.

I love Reineke.

That guy gets major brownie points for stepping up and drilling Young. I hope the rest of the pitching staff was taking notes on backing your teammates. I want that guy on my team!

ZigFan31 - August 5, 2009 reply

I missed you, ZigFan!

I'm sorry!

I wish I had a phone that supported mobile commenting because I had something to say from the bar.

ZigFan31 - August 5, 2009 reply

Aw, that’s too bad.

Awesome comment.

Boy if Texas falls short of the playoffs

they may look back at this series with a lot of regret. Great win by the A’s. To bad the pitching rotation didn’t line up a Greinke v.s. Reineke match-up when the A’s go to Kansas City this week.

sirbed - August 5, 2009 reply

do we face Greinke this time?

I guess it’s not as big a deal as it was two months ago, but he can still throw.

As much as I hate to admit, the slegnA are playing as well as they have all year. I think the Rangers are toast no matter what they do.

Anderson is facing Greinke on Saturday night.

ooo

That’ll be an even better matchup

It’s Mazzaro against Bannister on Friday and Gonzalez against Hochevar on Sunday.

Rated-R Superstar - August 6, 2009 reply

Boy, they're bringing their big three at us, huh...

I hope Athletics pitching keeps Yuniesky Betancourt hitless so Joe Posnanski has something to write about…

(never mind… dude could do 10,000 words on dryer lint and still be interesting…)

Gaijin_Suketto - August 6, 2009 reply

Back from the game

Some random comments:
The crowd was far more inspired than any other I’ve seen this year (not counting Rickey Henderson day). Kennedy’s catch near the dugout was fantastic, especially when compared to some of the perfunctory defensive efforts by Holliday and Sweeney in recent weeks. Rajai’s hesitation when he headed for third was kind of weird, though.
I confess that I applauded when Reineke drilled Young (I hate that headhunter Padilla, and it seems the A’s haven’t retaliated much in the past few seasons), though I feared it was the wrong time to do it, and sure enough . . .

Ray of Lite - August 5, 2009 reply

Fabulous game tonight...

This game could not have been more of a contrast to the game we attended last Sat when Rickey’s number was retired. This was a game that was well-played: homers, excitement on the basepads and a team that answered every time the Rangers tied the score.

What struck me as so different was the difference in the size of the crowd. While the crowd tonight was spirited and made a loud noise in support of the team – it was so sad to see the smallest crowd at the coliseum that I have seen in almost all my years as an A’s fan. I had seen the small crowds on the telecasts – but this was the first time I have been to one in person. My section won a pizza coupon after a homerun and – seriously – the section had no more than 10 people in it. It was just sad. Especially since I love and support this team no matter what!

What I loved was that the crowd – while small – was INTO the game.

BERRYJO - August 5, 2009 reply

Believe it or not, I'm guessing tonight's attendance was actually larger than usual for this season

It was certainly larger than it was at the other 6 or so games I’ve attended this season.

Ray of Lite - August 6, 2009 reply

Comcast SportsNet California said that the attendance was over 20,000.

Korach said there were 20,000 there

If that’s true there were almost twice as many A’s on Monday or Tuesday (don’t remember which night).

OaklandSi - August 6, 2009 via mobile reply

I wrote "as" not "A's"

Damn iPhone

OaklandSi - August 6, 2009 via mobile reply

I KNOW......

Sometimes the texts I send are funny. Darn that predictive text!!!

BERRYJO - August 6, 2009 reply

$2 tickets

There were three or four times as many as on Monday night. Bart ramp crowded after game for first time in a while at a night game.

Brian in 317 - August 6, 2009 reply

That surprises me....sure seemed like a lot less.

But we were not in the $2.00 seats. Some sections seemed full – but many (like mine) had so few people in them!

BERRYJO - August 6, 2009 reply

I'm just in shock that Pennington hit a homer.

Rated-R Superstar - August 6, 2009 reply

He hit one before Everidge did.

Rated-R Superstar - August 6, 2009 reply

I will be amazed and overjoyed if we sweep Texas

I’m sure people have noticed we are playing slightly over .500 ball over the past, what, ~3 weeks?

There is finally some hope here going forward it looks like:
- Suzuki continues to improve – definitely a reliable piece.
- Gio. Please let this be real.
- Anderson
- Bailey
- Wuertz
- Hairston
- Rajai?
- Cardenas
- Carter
- Wallace

All serious positives in terms of added and emerging talent this season. A’s really should buy/trade for a bat in the off-season if possible.

ChadGod - August 6, 2009 reply

Are you talking about seeing Carter and Cardenas in Oakland?

Rated-R Superstar - August 6, 2009 via mobile reply

I think he means

2010 and beyond

colin - August 6, 2009 reply

yeah, did I ever say anything about bringing them up to Oakland in 2010?

You guys hear what you want to hear…

ChadGod - August 6, 2009 reply

It was just a question.

Why dont' we go ahead and wait for Cardenas to not suck ass in AAA before calling him the next big thing (tm)

mikev - August 6, 2009 reply

Someone just needs to remind Cardenas that

the jump from AA to AAA is the jump to facing guys like Shawn Chacon and Brett Tomko.

Unfortunately, for lots of our younger position players lately...

… AAA success hasn’t meant much either.

Suzuki's revenge

You could see he was pissed at Padilla after the HBP… and you could see he was psyched after he hit the homer. He’s turned into a very solid major league veteran before our eyes.

Strange: Padilla threw a 57 mph curve for a strike, then followed it up with a 94 mph fastball strike in Sweeney’s third inning (I think) AB. Only two other pitchers I have seen in recent years with that kind of freaky mph range: Pedro Martinez and Zack Greinke.

Wash must be fuming… Oakland is turning into his Waterloo. It was great to greet Feliz with AK’s homer. That kid is dynamite, though, and will be kicking our ass for years.

I’m 12-8 in games attended this year. It’s nice to see wins, especially when they’re as entertaining as last night.

Brian in 317 - August 6, 2009 reply

Wash's career record against Oakland was something like 28-19

before this series, so while we’re getting the current laugh the A’s have hardly been his Waterloo.

and Napoleon's career record against England

was like 2-1 when he visited his Waterloo. I think this series is really hurting their chances, and that’s gonna bug Wash big time.

Brian in 317 - August 6, 2009 reply

Napoleon couldn't get his slider over when he was behind in the count

Historians never mention that.

Nor the fact that the little cheating bastard

threw a spitball. But I don’t think it was illegal at the time. But he does get mad props for being the last formidable Frenchman in history, despite being vertically challenged.

Napoleon was 0-1 against Wellington.

OldhamA - August 6, 2009 reply

A very nice game all around.

It’s nice to watch a team where you actually believe they can come back and score runs for a win. Before it seemed that anytime they fell behind they were doomed. Quite frankly, I’m beginning to wonder if Beane hasn’t kept Buck down in Sac so that he plays for a winning team. Nice to see ballplayers playing ball as if they expect to win. I think it’s a bit more than coincidental that we’ve had such a large roster turnover, but instead of stumbling out of the gate, these guys are taking the proverbial bull by the horns. Sure hope we have a large infusion of players in September. Let’s see what the kids can do!

Anyone know if Kennedy can handle SS on a limited basis? If so, he’s definately a keeper for next season. I for one herald the return of the Super Sub.

Kennedy has played 2 innings of SS in his entire major-league career

That’s 5 fewer innings than Dwayne Murphy played. He did play a fair amount in the low minors, but got moved to 2B and hasn’t been back.

I don’t think the A’s could plan on him playing SS except on an emergency basis.

I bow to your encycolpedic knowledge

How many more innings than that did Jermaine Dye play?

Not my knowledge, just baseball-reference.com

I haven’t looked up Jermaine. i checked Murph because I remembered a game at the very end of the ’82 season when Billy let Murphy play SS, and put Langford in the outfield.

And now that I double-check the numbers, it turns out Murph played the whole game at SS. So that’s 7 more innings there than Kennedy!

Oh, and the A’s won, 6-3.

Even so,

I could see the guy working out over the off season so that he could make a passable utility SS. He’s been a passable 3rd baseman and has only improved as the season has stretched out. I sure would like to see him as a utility infielder next season. On the other hand, I’m sure he’s made a case for himself to be someone’s starting 2nd baseman. I can’t help but wish the guy luck if he gets picked up by another team. Preferably in the NL.

3B is a lot easier to play than SS

Maybe he could — I’m sure he’d be willing to put in the work. But he’s 34 or something, and given the fact that he’s a conscientious player, I kind of assume that if an offseason of work could make him a passable SS, he’d have done that at some point already — it would have made him a much more valuable player over the last few years.

And it’s not like he’s a GG 2B or 3B, either. He has good hands, but not all that much range (a good 3B would have gotten that RBI single that went past him, I think) and not that much of an arm.

If he signs with the A’s I wouldn’t refuse to put him out there in Spring Training just to see what he can do. But there better be a pretty reliable Plan B if Kennedy is the Plan A backup SS, because more likely than not he won’t be able to handle it.

You don't think he has much of a chance

at sticking as a utility infielder? He’s proven himself far more adept at the role than Crosby, at least according to my eyes.

I don't think he has much of a chance to be the primary backup at SS

Imagine the starter (Pennington? O-Cab?) going down with a mild sprain or something for 3 days, and Kennedy having to play his first 3 games at SS since 1999. I think it would be a very bad idea to assume he could handle that, and not to have a good plan to fall back on if he shows in Spring Training that he can’t.

Hmmm...

could we possibly be seeing finally the emergence of Chad Pennington?

Wasn't last year one of Chad's career years?

He helped me out a lot since my original QB draft pick was Carson Palmer.

LoneStranger - August 6, 2009 reply

Ochocinco

myass!

He looks a lot less overmatched than I expected

The few ABs of his I saw in Spring Training he looked pretty bad — weak swings. This time, he’s actually swinging confidently and hitting the ball pretty hard. Plus he clearly has some idea of the strike zone.

My worry with Pennington has always been that he has so little power that the OF can cheat way, way in, robbing him of hits and lowering his OBA below a reasonable level. SSS, but I’m less worried about that now. No scout watching the past three games would tell his team that Pennington is incapable of hitting the ball hard.

Certainly not one who works for the Rangers.

Would be quick ticket to the unemployment line for that scout.

And so a youtube vid emerges

Guy running across field
(FYI: Turn the volume down. Beware high-pitched screaming)

SwisherThresher - August 6, 2009 reply

Weak

oc - August 6, 2009 reply

He wasn't nekkid?

He wasn't?

Dang, Oakland just can’t get a streak going this year.

Unfortunate

You don’t get to see him get absolutely trucked by the security guard. It was a good hit.

Auditioning for the Raiders?

The first guy, who went from left-to-right field, broke ...

… what from two-dollar heaven looked like a reasonable attempt at former HS linebacker’s tackle on his way to his personal end zone.

I thought he might’ve been nekkid from the waist, but if so, it was no big thing.

The Dogfather - August 6, 2009 reply

I think I see Jlaff in that shot!

Hi JLaff!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZ-FvbXxgRk

another video of the runner

this one is of the second guy running across the field..a few of them are starting to pop up on youtube

VicTizzle - August 7, 2009 reply

If Rotoworld is going to be this dumb, I wish we didn't even have them connected to AN/SBN

For Eric Patterson, after his return to Sacramento: “The 26-year-old was doing well at the Triple-A level, but will hand second base duties back over to Mark Ellis and Adam Kennedy.”

Uh…

Flashfire - August 6, 2009 reply

Yup

It’s been bad lately.

I highly doubt that E-Patt is fantasy material ;-)

(Not that I'm arguing)

That’s twice now that they have seemed to not know something pretty obvious, like a position.

Speak for yourself

First the Esteban German incident, now this....

Yes it will be a true delight if texas is swept and no small market team makes it to the playoffs, Would not argue about Padillia but he has been sick for some time so the loss of control could have been an accident. In any case let us cheer for the domination of the large maket teams. Anaheim forever,

tuck321 - August 6, 2009 reply

A's fans everywhere sypathize with the Ranger's plight.

Oh wait.

Not really, I can’t prove that.

You do not need to sympathize. You are getting nailed too, All small market teams equal
No money
desperate problems
You should stand up for yourself
Does not mean you should be delighted that baseball has become a circus where small teams are bit players for the big market teams to walk on.
lets hear it for Anaheim

tuck321 - August 6, 2009 reply

Meh,

I’m an A’s fan. This isn’t exactly a revelation to us. You’ll get used to it.

"lets hear it for Anaheim"

I’ll pretend I didn’t just see you say that.

Flashfire - August 6, 2009 reply

I don't get it

Is he implying we should root for the Rangers to beat the A’s so they can challenge the Angels for a playoff spot? ‘Cuz if so, that dog just won’t hunt.