It started well and ended well for Oakland, which scored the game's first 3 runs and the game's last 3 runs. Unfortunately, the 12 runs KC scored in between turned out to be a bit of an issue, win-wise.
Zack Greinke wound up going 7 strong, but early on it looked like he might be knocked around and knocked out. The first four A's reached in the top of the 2nd, capped by Mark Ellis' two-run single, which was followed by Adam Kennedy's RBI ground out.
Meanwhile, for two innings Clayton Mortensen did more dazzling than not, striking out 5 the first time through the order, not allowing a hit and following up two leadoff walks in the 2nd by striking out the side. The next time through the order? That would be 6 for 8 with 2 HRs and a sac fly.
My "quickie analysis" on Mortensen is that I liked his changeup a lot -- it's what Mazzaro lacks as he throws everything hard, and what Gio doesn't throw often enough to keep hitters from guessing "fastball/curve." Mortensen also did a good job, in general, of keeping the ball down, but like Cahill had stretches where he could not throw strikes on command. He's a work-in-progress, but I saw enough good things to want to see more of him down the line.
The A's 9th inning teAse was more than just an enjoyable finish to a blowout loss. First and foremost, Tommy Everidge tied Cliff Pennington for 7,452,112th on the all-time career HR list with 1, launching a majestic shot to right-center off of Royals' closer Joakim Soria, who entered a 12-3 game "just to get some work in." But by the time Ellis had HRed, Pennington had beaten out a bouncer to deep 1B (note to Soria: when covering 1B, do not look to Brett Anderson as your role model), Rajai had dunked a single, Soria wound up throwing 30 pitches -- perhaps enough to put his availability in question for tomorrow's game that begins in just over 15 hours.
All in all, a crap sandwich in which the bread was enjoyable.
0 recs | 72 comments
Psst...
It’s Tommy, not
Kallus - August 8, 2009
Thanks -- now I have to figure out who Todd Everidge is
because that was a “brain on autopilot” calling back to someone else. I want to say from my days at Cal.
Nico - August 8, 2009
I think he was a backup QB in the 90s, no?
Leopold Bloom - August 8, 2009
He was someone, somewhere -- that name didn't come out of nowhere
I thought there was an Everidge who played Cal baseball when I was broadcasting, but I haven’t been able to find evidence of such (or lack of evidence) in my exhaustive 38 seconds of searching.
Nico - August 8, 2009
You are perhaps thinking of Todd Blackledge?
From the famous class of 1983 when six QBs were drafted in the first round. Blackledge was the least successful of the six, though even he wasn’t bad. The others were Marino, Elway, Jim Kelly, Tony Eason, and Ken O’Brien.
I know of know “Todd Everidge” in any context.
iglew - August 9, 2009
You are perhaps thinking of Todd Blackledge?
From the famous class of 1983 when six QBs were drafted in the first round. Blackledge was the least successful of the six, though even he wasn’t bad. The others were Marino, Elway, Jim Kelly, Tony Eason, and Ken O’Brien.
I know of know “Todd Everidge” in any context.
iglew - August 9, 2009
I don't follow football so that wouldn't be it
It may be that I knew a Todd Everidge personally, rather than that he was an athlete I covered. All I know is that the name was in some “autopilot” part of my brain.
Nico - August 9, 2009
Also, the name of their closer is Joakim Soria.
Rated-R Superstar - August 8, 2009
No, can't be -- that guy's really good.
Nico - August 8, 2009
It’s true. He used to be on one of my fantasy teams.
Rated-R Superstar - August 8, 2009
Hey, you.
Rated-R Superstar - August 8, 2009
Why don’t you shut the heck up? Nobody cares about you.
Rated-R Superstar - August 8, 2009
Don’t make me come over there.
Rated-R Superstar - August 8, 2009
Oh, yeah?
I’ll backhand you.
Rated-R Superstar - August 8, 2009
Stop replying to yourself.
Nico - August 8, 2009
Please.
Nico - August 8, 2009
I mean nobody does that.
Nico - August 8, 2009
Sorry, I had a 67MARQUEZ moment.
Rated-R Superstar - August 8, 2009
I really hate that guy.
Rated-R Superstar - August 8, 2009
Likewise.
Rated-R Superstar - August 8, 2009
But wait!
There’s more!
speckops - August 8, 2009
Order now
And we’ll double the offer!
muffinpryde - August 9, 2009
That game makes you appreciate
The finer things in life, because you’re out doing them.
Hit4TheCycle - August 8, 2009
My uncle told me to get a life.
Rated-R Superstar - August 8, 2009
Wife. Get a WIFE.
And maybe a hearing aid?
Nico - August 8, 2009
What did you say? I can’t hear you.
Rated-R Superstar - August 8, 2009
Sorry, that was my bad.
I’LL TYPE LOUDER.
Nico - August 8, 2009
Should Chris Carter come up when Rosters expand?
Colorado Booze Hounds - August 8, 2009
no
DMOAS - August 8, 2009
Just clone Rajai Davis
Hit4TheCycle - August 8, 2009
He may want to try Sacramento first.
Rated-R Superstar - August 8, 2009 via mobile
I know its AA and I know it wont happen BUT
I am not sure if some MLB seasoning wouldnt be nice, unless it took time off his “service” years….
Colorado Booze Hounds - August 8, 2009
I am Trevor Cahill, and I approve this message.
speckops - August 8, 2009
No
Flashfire - August 8, 2009
Wait, what?
Rated-R Superstar - August 8, 2009 via mobile
I washed my car
And learned that waxing your car takes a long time.
Helloooo 1st - August 8, 2009
I'm happy with what the A's are doing
I like that we’re giving some young arms a chance and are giving our young starters a rest. Plus, how exciting is Everidge?
Jpwest76 - August 8, 2009 via mobile
The guy just keeps having a lot of good ABs
It will be interesting to see what happens when the league gets to know him.
Nico - August 8, 2009
So Patterson is 2-2 with a BB and 3 runs scored so far tonight,
and Tomko lasted 1.2 IP, 4 hits, 4 ER, 2 BB.
All is right with the AAA world.
Nico - August 8, 2009
Yeah, I really hope Tomko is just organizational filler. Please, please, please?
speckops - August 8, 2009
I have to temper my enjoyment of Everidge's performance...
…with the memory of Daric Barton’s September two seasons ago.
ptbarnum - August 8, 2009
True, but this is August and therefore
Everidge is assured of a solid 10-year career with at least 2 All-Star appearances.
Nico - August 8, 2009
Well, at least August isn't chock full of AAA scrubs getting cups of coffee with the major league teams out of contention.
It does make it a little more believable, although obviously all the normal caveats apply.
speckops - August 8, 2009
Rated-R Superstar - August 8, 2009
Bill King used to say "don't fall in love in March or September"
(speaking of ballplayers, especially rookie ballplayers, of course)….I know it’s August, but…
Also, it’s a good idea not to get too excited about any rookie until the league has a chance to adjust to them…then, if they can adjust well it’s a good sign.
But after seeing months of non-production at first base it’s fun watching Tommy, regardless of what the future brings.
OaklandSi - August 8, 2009
Fosse also has hinted
to not get too attached to any of the players on this team. Everyone is expendable.
At least we didn’t resign Zito.
He has the audacity to rake in that contract and still release his horrible pop-album stuff.
warning, listening to his latest song will upset animals:
http://thedirty.com/2009/08/07/dirty-exclusive-world-premiere-barry-zitos-hit-song-a-mans-gotta-do-what-a-mans-gotts-do/
hishnik - August 8, 2009
Everidge's up-to-the-minute stat line:
.295/.380/.455
Small Sample warnings may apply.
Nico - August 8, 2009
and we might not have ever known if Barton dosen't get injured
OmahaHi - August 8, 2009
Come to think of it, I remember hearing something about
how Tommy Everidge had a part-time job keeping local pools filled with enough water…Anyway.
Nico - August 8, 2009
A couple of thoughts
I really like what Pennington has done so far. I was really glad when Cabrera got traded just for the chance to see what Cliff can do over a month or two. With his defense and speed, he only needs to put up decent offensive numbers to be league average at SS.
Is it time to officially declare Ryan Sweeney purely a fourth outfielder? 4HR and only 28RBI (268/318/358)? That is terrible production from a RF. Certainly, a couple other guys deserve an extended look in the OF (ahem, Buck, Cunningham).
faninphilly - August 8, 2009
My thoughts...
Re Pennington: He would be especially acceptable if the A’s had a strong hitting, but maybe not as strong defensive, infield around him, e.g., Cardenas, Weeks, Wallace. But if the infield includes Ellis and Barton, then I don’t see Pennington being a good fit. Conclusion: Pennington needs to get a year younger each of the next 2 seasons, so he can really help the A’s as a 23 year old in 2011.
Re Sweeney: YES.
Nico - August 8, 2009
Unless we fill the infield with gold glovers and just get sinkerballers.
I mean real sinkerballers. Not like Cahill and Mortensen (at least today’s version).
speckops - August 8, 2009
Where is Buck and Cunningham?
Why is Sweeney getting such an extended play? Enough! Put Buck in there to platoon. He would probably be better! I like Pennington, though, and am glad he’s getting a shot.
A'sfansince1970 - August 8, 2009
You know...
There were reasons why the A’s chose Pennington as a #1 draft choice. And there are players (ahem, Kurt Suzuki) who wind up being better major league players than they ever were coming up through the minors.
Before writing off Pennington on the basis of his less than stellar minor league career, let’s just watch and see what happens.
richwol1 - August 9, 2009
I can’t complain about the way Cliff Pennington is playing right now. He’s hitting .323 with an .848 OPS in his first nine games. If he hits around .285 for the remainder of the season, I think he’s the starter in 2010.
Rated-R Superstar - August 9, 2009
I think the big complaint with Cliff
is that his lack of power is so severe it could limit him completely on offense.
travdog6 - August 9, 2009
Well, he’s only a shortstop. It’s not like there are a lot of power threats out there at that position. If he hits a fair amount of doubles, I think he’ll be fine.
Rated-R Superstar - August 9, 2009
I think it's a longshot for him to hit lots of doubles.
He hasn’t hit many in the minors, and his slugging percentage shows his lack of power. I just don’t see him actually being able to sustain a high OBP (and therefore, decent value) due to his inability to hit for power.
travdog6 - August 9, 2009
Exactly. I fear his true ability is the occasional single
and a few walks, but closer to a .230/.300/.350 line over a full season.
Nico - August 9, 2009
...which is okay
…if your second baseman doesn’t have pretty much the same line. Lots of shortstops on great teams have those kinds of lines. Also, I think people have to temper their minimum expectations…this is the first non-PED, non-amphetamine generation to come along in something like fifty years. Hitting statistics, I think, are about to take a huge hit, particularly for middle infielders who can field.
Speaking of that, nobody expected Ellis to have the power he’s shown in the past couple of years. Baseball players evolve. I gave Pennington no respect, and thought his draft selection
-particularly after his first year in the minors-was a titanic mistake. But he’s a smart guy. He went from being a pretty lousy fielder last year to a good one this year, and he seems to have mastered stage one of playing in the major leagues-getting hits before the scouts force adjustments.richwol1 - August 9, 2009
Unfortunately, if your shortstop had a line like that, he would have to better than Adam Everett in his prime defensively to have any value whatsoever.
lenscrafters - August 9, 2009
Bobby Crosby's 08 line was .237/.296/.349
Ya, I don’t think I want that as my starting shortstop again.
travdog6 - August 9, 2009
A couple of thoughts.
UFC was mildly disappointing tonight, mostly because a lot of people didn’t show up for my little fight party and I took it as a mandate on me.
The votes are in. I suck, apparently.
Leopold Bloom - August 8, 2009
Those people suck, then.
I would’ve came and I don’t even like UFC.
Rated-R Superstar - August 8, 2009
Slackers.
lynnzgal - August 9, 2009
Roster moves
I was out tonight, so I missed all the threads. I’m trying to get up to date on all the roster moves.
Braden went on the DL. Mortensen took his place on the 25-man. I assume Mortensen was already on the 40-man. Right?
Springer is gone, leaving a space on both the 25-man and the 40-man. Cunningham came up to fill the 25-man, and who filled the spot on the 40-man? Was that Jay Marshall, or was he already there?
Are we expecting Mortensen to stay, or is he cycling back down like Reineke did?
iglew - August 9, 2009
According to Susan Slusser’s latest update, Mortsensen will probably go.
I say he probably goes and she says that he might go. She posted that updated before the game and seeing how things turned out for Mortensen, he’s probably gone.
Rated-R Superstar - August 9, 2009
Iglew, by the way, I updated my fantasy team.
Rated-R Superstar - August 9, 2009
It's interesting how Mila Kunis is as hot as Meg Griffin isn't.
Nico - August 9, 2009
Roster moves
I was out tonight, so I missed all the threads. I’m trying to get up to date on all the roster moves.
Braden went on the DL. Mortensen took his place on the 25-man. I assume Mortensen was already on the 40-man. Right?
Springer is gone, leaving a space on both the 25-man and the 40-man. Cunningham came up to fill the 25-man, and who filled the spot on the 40-man? Was that Jay Marshall, or was he already there?
Are we expecting Mortensen to stay, or is he cycling back down like Reineke did?
iglew - August 9, 2009
Yowza. AN is totally flipping out on me tonight.
Not only did it completely eat my latest comment, but it reposted one from a half hour ago instead. Bizarre.
Anyway, I was trying to say that I just looked at the 40-man roster on the MLB site and it shows three empty slots. Jay Marshall isn’t listed, so he would take one. Are the other two just being left empty because they don’t need them now?
iglew - August 9, 2009
yeah, that's what I'd think
Depending on who plays themselves into September callup range, methinks?
Blicks - August 9, 2009
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