Game 5, M’s at A’s
The season’s first start for Ryan Rowland-Smith against the A’s. The A’s have Brett Anderson pitching. A couple months ago, I had absolutely no idea how they were going to pick their rotation.
So far, we’ve seen
Dallas Braden, 24 career starts
Dana Eveland, 36 career starts
Trevor Cahill, 0 career starts
Today, Brett Anderson in his first major league game.
By contrast, the M’s first four starters:
Washburn, 272
Silva, 153
Bedard, 126
Felix, 104
The M’s starter with the fewest major league starts, and who is 23 this season, has more career starts than everyone the A’s have fielded through today.
The A’s are certainly not afraid of going with their evaluation of who’s got the best chance to succeed, no matter how short their major league track record may be.
Dave adds the line-up and his first criticism of a Wakamatsu decision.
LF – Chavez
CF – Death To Flying Things (TM – Niehaus)
DH – Sweeney
3B – Beltre
RF – Griffey
2B – Lopez
1B – Branyan
C – Johjima
SS – Betancourt
Brett Anderson is an LHP. Ryan Rowland-Smith is an extreme flyball pitcher. Griffey’s starting in right field, and Balentien’s not playing. This line-up does not give the Mariners the best chance to win tonight. It might make the clubhouse the most harmonious, but there’s no need to have Junior in the OF on a night when RRS starts and the other team is throwing an LHP. You have a built in excuse to play Balentien out there. If you have to use Junior in the OF in this series, do it tomorrow with Felix on the mound. You can hide Junior with a GB/K pitcher. You can’t do it with RRS.
I’m still a fan, Wak, but this line-up hurts the team.
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Niehaus must be old enough to remember the original “Death to Flying Things”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Ferguson_(baseball)
I’m gonna go out on a limb and say the nickname fits Gutierrez better.
Ugh. It was reported ahead of time that Griffey will see two games in the outfield this series. In that case, playing Griffey in the latter two games and sitting out today’s game is a no brainer.
Wak must be putting more emphasis on having players get their work in than putting out the most optimum lineup, at least in the early going. Zduriencik/Wakamatsu combination strikes me as a big picture type of management.
But still, Griffey in games 2 and 3 of the Oakland series fit perfectly. Both behind strikeout pitchers and the 3rd game features a righty for Oakland.
Here’s hoping this doesn’t come back to haunt us.
I hope Sweeney starts to pick up those fastballs a little better this game. He was been late on just about every fastball he has seen.
Is it too soon to start referring to him as The Corpse of Mike Sweeney? I mean, I know he had a very good spring training, and when Ichiro comes back it’s not like he’s going to be playing nearly as often as he is now…but even so…I really, really, really wish Chris Shelton was on the team right now.
Two possibilities here:
–Griffey’s contribution to ‘clubhouse chemistry’ does not extend to sitting his sorry defensive ass on the bench, an obvious move to everyone;
– or it’s really not obvious to him because in his own little delusional universe he can still play outfield.
Griffey in right tonight wouldn’t concern me if I knew Ichiro’s return would be the end of Griffey in the OF. For some reason I’m getting a bad feeling about it.
Oh yeah, like when Gary Sheffield said, “When I heard that word, versatility, I’m [thinking], ‘I’m probably the most athletic guy on the team,’”.
I think Griffey (and Raul) suffers from the Human equivalent of Heisenberg’s uncertainty principle. They “know” their ability, and it’s “good”. They know it so much, that they lose sight of other’s ability; and thus don’t know they are better. The more they know about themselves, the less they know about others; so they think they are still “good”.
Or some such. It makes sense in my head anyway.
Im not to depressed about this cus it was going to happen. Rather show Griffey now then later how he does and hopefully understands next time when he doesn’t play the OF its because he just isn’t young anymore. I love the idea though of dropping Sweeney bringing up Shelton. Tui is goin back to AAA I get that and its cool cus I do miss ICHIRO! Although again Sweeney needs to hang em up its time. I hope he see’s it before he is let go. Great guy but ya SHELTON wants to play!
I agree, The Kid with slow feet is gonna have a tough day if Ryan pitches flyballfest.
Where do you think Griffey is going to play? Once Ichiro comes back he’ll be starting every day in RF. Gutierrez is going to be starting every day in center. Chavez is going to be given every chance to start every day in LF. When one of them gets a day off, then I could see Griffey or Wlad getting a spot start.
I’m just hoping this is Wak letting Griffey get in his time in the field before Ichiro gets back. Hopefully Griffey will also realize that he isn’t the fielder he used to be and that he helps the team most by hitting the crap out of the ball and being a team player.
R.A. Dickey is pitching right now. Hello, old friend! I’m happy he got a job somewhere. Always an adventure to watch him.
They’re all athletes, and incredibly competitive. I don’t know that I’ve ever heard of a formerly good defensive player admit to slowing down and not being able to handle the job anymore.
Hell – Michael Jordan sat at his hall of fame press conference and implied he could still get out on the court and compete, despite plenty of evidence to the contrary.
Oh I don’t disagree with that. Just like I don’t disagree that the worst OF playing today would still be much better than me. So, in this case “good” is obviously very relative; and they wouldn’t have gotten there without genetic ability AND that incredible competitiveness. It would be nice though if they could realize when they are past their ability, or that others can do it a bit better.
I believe Wak calls this the “Kelly Leak” defense: Shade Griffey toward the foul line and just let Guitierez catch everything in most of right field.
Lots of sad stuff going on down there.
The M’s have all their left handed hitters in the lineup against a LHP, don’t they?
I thought Sweeney got into one for a second there.
Ladies and Gentlemen, your Designated Pop Fly to Left Fielder.
Well, that was quick and easy
Way to work the count guys.
K from down unda!
Is Wak committed to using Batista as closer when Morrow isn’t going?
Well, there’s the first error of the year.
And how long until we hear about pitchers always screwing up throwing to first?
Where was griffey on that play?
Or being more likely to, rather.
I’m tired of players like Ryan Rowland-Smith and Chris Truby screwing up the throw to first and worshipping Satan and everything.
You know is was a crappy throw when Giambi, of all people, makes it to third.
Could have been much worse.
The inning, or the throw? I don’t think the throw could have been much worse.:)
Hey now, if any of our players can make a deal with any demon, diety, angel, former angel, levitating pasta, river spirit, or whatever to get the team a WS…I’m all for it.
In fact, I would be willing to send a fruit basket if they give up their soul for such an arrangement.
Why isn’t anyone trying to work the count against Anderson?
well, he is a pretty good wing, and he did just clear waivers …
I like the way Lopez had Hines roll over the sings, so he’d know if Jr was going to steal…
I always hate when those hits go against us…but I’ll take it.
Come on Kenji, do something!
Come on Kenji, do something!
Don’t say that! A double play is doing something.
Just stand there and don’t do anything Kenji!
Branyan needs to spend a little money and get the non-crappy bats.
WOO HOOO!!! CHEAP HITS!!!
well done broken bats!
2 broken bats, 2 hits, I’ll take it
Come on Yuni…
YUNI!
wooot! YUNI!
YUNI!
Well, that wasn’t cheap…
Yuni!!!
Sweet.
Holliday had no idea what the hell was going on.
Yuni!!
You think we’re going to see Griffey steal a base this year? I guess if Edgar managed to steal one in his final year, anything is possible….
In other news — Yuni!
Pecked to death by small ball. You like how it feels, Oakland? Do ya?
ahhh now all we need is chavez to get on base and Guitz to hit a grandslam!
ENDY!
I am beginning to believe in my own powers. That’s always dangerous.
WOOT WOOT!!!
that will work TO!
F’ing sweet…They’re not trying to do much with the ball and they’re making things happen.
Lauren showing the scope of her influence. Were those breaking bats your doing, too?
Yea for bloop singles, bad defence and grounders that find gaps
Can’t complain, can’t complain at all…
Show off the wheels Endy
DP happen…..sigh* good while it lasted!
Not like that.:(
Nice inning though, I can get use to 5 run innings really quick.
I was just looking at the A’s lineup and thinking “that looks like a nice defensive infield”.
Was I mistaken?
Get the ball down, RRS!
I thought Chavez had that.
me too, already spoiled with the D. Raul would have turned that into a triple.
Error #2…..
joser: yea, for all good in this world may be traced to my powers… and on the eighth day I shall rest, and dream of world series rings.
And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why M’s vs A’s games always last four flaming hours…
One thing about this team, at least so far: they’re showing enough offense that a pitcher can screw up, give up a run, and not feel like he’s dug himself a hole he can’t get out of. That’s got to be helpful when they do something stupid like throw a ball into the dugout (or wherever).
Beltre makes a bad throw? Man, I guess I’m glad he got his one for the season out of the way early.
Ugh……
Ugh………………
shades of 2008 defense, tear in my beer
I’ll take a sac fly in this situation.
OK, keep to 1. Throw some strikes!
Smith may not see 5 innings. Can our pitchers find the strike zone?
Hmmm, a woman who can destroy bat-like objects at a distance, with just a glance…. Wait a minute, all women have that superpower.
Smith may not see 5 innings. Can our pitchers find the strike zone?
I’d have someone warming up already. He may not see three innings.
These Oakland announcers keep referring to RRS as “Smith”. It is very annoying.
How long until we see Jakubauskas starting?
Ask and ye shall receive…. Jak’s up
Does anyone else think Kenji calls the worst game in baseball? (Curveball curveball curveball curveball… changeup Curveball curveball) Or is it just me?
Looks like this game won’t get over until 11:00p.m.
RRS needs to settle down, he is overthrowing that fastball and getting it up everytime. Oakland is overdue for the longball, and nothing like a fastball up in the zone to reverse that trend.
RRS gets 1 more inning i think then jakub gets it
Wak seems to manage behind in a game all the time, and not anticipate ahead of the game.
“Looks like this game won’t get over until 11:00p.m.”
That’s bad news, means I’m going to be really drunk and will have to watch the last two innings again in the morning…
Chavez had all day to get Sweeney.
Looks like they are trying to make up the time by swinging early in the count.
OH GOD!!! I just sliced my pinkey open cutting a lemon for my Bluemoon… sonofabitch!
Isn’t Wak refusing to call the game from the bench? Wants to see how Kenji does? Which I do not understand, because he was questioning the calling of change-ups for puff-n-stuff. If you don’t like how Kenji’s calling the game, take it over.
Ugly attempt by Yuni.
OH GOD!!! I just sliced my pinkey open cutting a lemon for my Bluemoon… sonofabitch!
Rub some dirt on it. Or stop adding fruit to your alcohol…
*pours another bourbon*
I was under the impression that Bluemoon is best served with an orange slice.
E6
what’s up boys…finally get to watch a full m’s game
You are correct sir… I am, however, sadly without orange. So a lemon will have to suffice.
“Stop adding fruit to your alcohol” is one of the greatest quotes of all time… here here.
Isn’t four games a rather small sample to decide how Wakamatsu manages a game? oh, IIRC, and very few managers call the game from the dugout.
and what’s up with fruit being sold in ballparks? shishkaberries? seriously?
Tonight’s game is Exhibit A as to why I’m planning to tie my kid’s right arm behind his back so he can be left-handed (or ambidextrous). If RRS was right-handed, he wouldn’t have been drafted, let alone starting in the major leagues. What an array of junk.
“Stop adding fruit to your alcohol” is one of the greatest quotes of all time… here here.
If a bit hypocritical. I have enjoyed a Framboise in my time.
Chianti, RuM coke, a glass of Watermelon Vodka and a shot of Xmas should make this game go a little faster! Xmas is Jagger if anyone was wondering. Also because it taste like Xmas should taste.
i like that wakamole is feeling out the team, seeing what they can do. i do however, wish the kid would only DH…i’m extremely afraid he’s gonna snap his femus walking to the outfield
Lemon = Hefeweizen (or any wheat beer)
Orange = Bluemoon (but lemon is working)
Lime = Corona (used to love Cancun… before it became a war zone)
RRS is walking a fine line tonight. Very sloppy but I’ll take it.
Maybe 1 more inn for RRS im liking that he seems a lil calmer.
Back to RRS — not only is it junk, but he telegraphs his offspeed stuff, too — not sure why these hitters aren’t picking up on it. Maybe it’s only apparent from the CF camera.
In key situations, I’ve read where a lot of managers will call the pitch from the dugout. The way everyone complains about Kenji’s game management, you’d think they might approach the pitch calling differently. But what do I know….
femur*
Its not a tumor! Its a Femur…….sorry sorry….
“get in da choppa!”
femus sounds cool, no need to correct it.
Get dee people da air
i liked it
Happy Passat to all 3 Jews in the PacNW…
Hey thats what my Jagger bottle was saying just now!
dude…i’m so friken excited, i’m going to opening day for the first time! woooooo
so why does Branyan ever face a left hander?
Is it just me, or does the strike zone seem pretty crappy tonight?
It’s not a toomaaaa! Great stuff. I yelled that at my wife yesterday… she didn’t get it
mmm jagger sounds good, too bad i have no cola
some chicks man…no taste
You don’t get out to Mercer Island much….
Can we get Aflac for Griffey??
Amen brotha!
You know, the last couple games the Mariners are really putting on a clinic on why ERA is a terrible stat.
he should totally do a commercial for them
hahha Who needs Cola for the Jagger, drink it straight! Its like drinking Nyquil in larger amounts
HAHAHAHA, terrible Sean Connery impression.
ERA is crap. they need a stat that says: would have won game if not for lack of support (felix could have used that last year)
Hanging poop.
mmmm NyQuil….capitol N little Y BIG FRIKEN Q!
The ball is not flying tonight….this is a good thing.
Don’t implode RRS!
Griffey’s a pretty good right fielder…… when they hit them right to him.
small miracles
Crap…..
Miracles right that’s what were hoping for right now…
They really need to pull RRS. And I was excited for the hyphen start this morning.
Griffey’s arm is completely gone though… So, no range and no arm, great.
did he just say orlando crabrerra is a “baller”?
JAKUBAUSKAS TIME!!! HIDE YOUR LETTERS!!
Jakub will come in and RRS will get the win! awesome…….
Well… I blame Kenji for calling breaking ball one after another
I have a feeling if Jak is good tonight, he might get a start next week.
I have a feeling this game thread is going to set the record for the most two and three word comments.
baller… indeed
jakubauskas souns like a character from star wars
Jakub will come in and RRS will get the win! awesome…….
He didn’t pitch enough innings to get the win.
Thank god that flyball was hit right at Griffey. He almost let Sweeney round third on that last play also.
Giambi leaned in!
ugh……….
what? why?
Interesting that everyone raved about Wash’s game, which was great, and Johnson was behind the plate for that. Of course, Johnson is much better defensively.
[no]
Whoops..my bad, I don’t think that will matter now though Sidi..
if you take out the middle letters of his name it spells JAKKAS…i like it
SLOWWWWWWWWWW MOTION……..Wow.
GRIFFEY! nice play by the kid there
Griffey with range!
Wow, Griffey, now don’t get hurt doing that.
Wow I held my breath on that fly to Griffey.
I honestly thought the Mariners had already played this morning. My brain is reeling. I blame it on Yuni’s resurgence.
Sweeney batting third again? Better than Vidro I suppose.
i was yelling at the tv “easy…eeeeeasy….”
That a kid JAK!!!
hahah Jakkas, as in “That pitch was a total Jakkas style pitch!” SWEET!
JAK!
Oh my… wife says I’m goin out… guess I’ll be watchin the game in the AM anyway…
Later all.
Wow, must suck to be an A’s fan.
well that’s not really saying much Schtick
Chases! Nice!
Those were two high-leverage outs for Jak!
Give Jakkas a start, and put Smith back in the pen.
here here Louder
There are no such mythical beings.
it’s like being a pirate’s fan
Yuni’s at bats get me all hot and bothered……with rage.
Why, other than the result did they bring him in to face two very good lefties. Maybe they thought he has better command than the others in the pen.
endy might be my new guy
Our team is going to be awesome once Ichiro! is back.
endy and ichiro! can cover the entire outfield….myabe we could add a Rover instead of CF
Dang another Dp…..
endy and ichiro! can cover the entire outfield….myabe we could add a Rover instead of CF
I’m all for a longstop.
I was just thinking about how much faster we will be (then Gut ironically grounds into a DP)
Trust me, louder, I’ve been to the Coliseum. They exist, in all their green-face painted, yellow wig wearing, drum pounding, flag waving, glory.
Can you imagine what next week is gonna look like Guitz, Ichi, Endy….the wall of leather.
USSMARINER needs a screen cap of those poll questions.
Lopez really likes it when the ball is hit right to him.
what day does ichiro! come back?
Maybe ‘the leather curtain’?
Is that ball going in the outfield??? You bet your ass it’s going to be caught.
Wow that was a long one.
sounds very S&M mikel
Ichiro is off the DL on Wednesday.
Can you see a poster of Ich, Gut, and Endy dressed in leather…..forget I said anything
Jak and Kelley emo kids of the Mariners….Pitch so well they will make you cry.
That is exactly what i was thinking mike.
wednesday? sonofabitch…i was hoping he’d be back by opening day
Throw strikes and good things will happen. RRS, take note.
I’m already imagining a commercial for next year.
Ichiro, Guitierrez, and Chavez sitting around a campfire roasting marshmallows. A branch cracks offscreen and Ichiro tells Chavez “It’s your turn, I caught the last one.” He sighs, picks up his glove, and jogs off to catch the ball.
Jak’s lookin’ sharp
If only Mac n Jack came in a bottle……
You can’t knock A’s fans. Imagine rooting for a team with horrible payroll and stadium situations. And that’s not even mentioning their colors!
Hell, it’s easy to jump on the Red Sox Nation bandwagon. But A’s fans have to endure a lot to root for their team. Kudos to them.
JAK!!!!!
JAK is so good he can get you through Schick Schadel in 5 days.
I know I’m an elitist, but something has gone very wrong with this thread.
Sidi that is a great commercial idea!
so how long before we change Mike Sweeney’s first name to “Richie”?
I don’t think this was a good decision.
Holliday looks terrible in right field.
hey Lauren…good to have another chick around
you know your slow when you hit it off the wall in LC and end up at first.
YAY! Sweeney got a HIT! Now substitute him with Ronny.
That Griffey track down made me laugh pretty hard. In a good way.
Damn it. Pencil Sweeney in the lineup for another two weeks.
Griff is due for a longball:)
Sweet! I love seeing M’s get some BB.
How many walks does Griffey have so far this season? I love his eye.
I still appreciate Griffey’s approach at the plate. He taught me how to be patient as a kid.
Anderson has bounced back pretty well over the innings.
We need the Lopez from the WBC.
What speed on the base paths right now, like the wind.
I know it is a small sample. Which is never allowed here, but Jak could possibly be better then Sherill, and he happened to sneak by all the stat geaks.
It’s always possible
If Lopez had been Giambi bases would be loaded.
Jose will need to hit one off the wall for Sweeney to score.
Ugh………..Yuck
Well at least some players are making contact still….and its 5-2 what else can you ask for…….besides a HR….
xxtinynickxx and I don’t feel that, at any second, the team is going to implode and lose. That has been the best part of this year…I actually have some faith. Of course, that means games like the second one actually hurt again.
I love Jak! Come in, throw strikes, and it makes for a good pitcher. Oops, there goes a bb.
Ichiro would have had that easily.
Don’t hit it to right field!!! You’ll reveal our weakness!
I agree Sidi, I agree I’m still trying to shed the jadedness……I’m workin on it
A dp would be very nice right now…
One hopper to Jose…make it happen
I was close
Lopez took forever to get rid of that
Crap! That took forever! YOu have to turn that.
Roy should be fun. I’m loving this right now……
Silva is not amused with mini-sirloin burgers.
Silva just ran out of the clubhouse to get some
Ugh………….
So, assuming Corcocan is the best arm in the bullpen… I think this is a good move. High-leverage situation, great hitter at the plate. Might as well go with Roy.
Crap! They can come back!
Well im gonna go have another drink later all!
Correction: really great hitter.
Nooooooo
Should have left Jak in there.
I’d have to check the run expectancy chart…but I think, essentially, our chances of winning the game right now are probably right around 50%. Actually, probably 40-45%, but I can’t say that.
Did Sims really just say BFF during a broadcast?
I am so happy the ball isn’t flying very far tonight.
Nope, it was still over 50%. We’re still ok.
I really just heard him say BFF……..that was weird.
He did go on forever about the pink backpacks after all..
This is not good.
(Lazy) Jeez, how many have the A’s left on base?
It’ll be the duel of the ineffective tonight, our walks against their LOB.
I think that’s the third or fourth time the A’s have had the bases loaded and done nothing with it
This reminds me of last year where it seems we would have a big inning early and just get completely shut out the rest of the way. We need a more killer instinct.
A’s have left 13 on base compared to 2 for us.
Way to use that 2-0 count to your advantage Yuni. Ugh.
2-0 pitch and yuni swings at a ball….good one yuni
ENDY ENDY ENDY ENDY!!!!
Steal a base, Endy.
That was well hit.
he at least needs to learn how to foul off a pitch. It seems he swings at bad pitches and everything goes fair
I’m glad the new outfielders are making a mark, it will really help people accept the defensive outfield. Guitierrez may not be hitting, but even my wife knew about the catch (and she doesn’t like baseball). And Chavez may not have the wow play, but he’s hitting well enough for everyone to accept him (even if they don’t see the defense).
IWHCT
That’s another one Ichiro gets
Now, I’m listening to the game, how many of these hits to right field are hits, or Griffey’s slowness?
Maybe not now that I saw the replay
God damnit Griffey.
I think Ichiro probably doesn’t get that one. He might be able to catch it, but I think he’d slow up to be sure it didn’t get behind him.
It’s not so fun when they don’t him the balls directly at him.
according to Baker’s blog, Triunfel sustained an injury in his AA game, and had to be carried off the field. Our thoughts are with you, and hoping for a speedy recovery
F YEAH!!!
NICE PITCH!
Yes! Siddown, Giambi.
Shaun Kelly – i want to have your babies
Is it me or is the strike zone the size of a tea cup for the M’s pitchers, not that they are helping themselves. Why is Aumont getting moved to the bullpen, we have Morrow, Fields, and Kelly whose stuff was better than expected, nasty slide piece.
Is it an understatement to say that THAT was a huge strikeout?
Triunfel….and the Mariner’s minor league system reaches a new low
Damn they have a lot of foul territory.
Why is Sweeney batting 3rd?
WHERE IS YOUR GOLD GLOVE NOW?!?!?!?
3 BB’s for Griffey. I LOVE IT!
Why is Sweeney batting at all?
Think Griffey will rub off on everyone else?
3rd walk for Junior
I wonder if Griffey can hit a 1.000 OPS with a .200 batting average. That would be great.
This A’s pitcher looks the size of a Kebler elf.
HAHAHAA, small strike zone tonight.
Aardsma in for the 8th
They were balls, just barely though
Brad Adams is on FSN everybody
Just because K zone says it was a ball doesn’t mean another ump wouldn’t call it a strike. Those all looked like strikes and should have been called that way.
wow! postage stamp-sized strike zone
Every ball is doing in the air tonight.
Equals: Uh oh…
I wasnt basing it off K zone, I hate that thing. To me they looked a litte outside. Your right, another ump might/could call those strikes.
Yeah, I’m surprised the owners of the Coliseum all these years have never set out some picnic tables in the foul territory on the non-game days and leased it out to the Oakland Parks Department.
Yes, let’s get some insurance for Brandon.
Wonder if he’s David Eckstein’s cousin?
I thought Aardsma’s last outing was the worst 1-2-3 inning ever pitched but that was worse.
Were going to need it with this strike zone
Definitely need an insurance run or twelve.
Pinch run for Branyan!!!!
we’ll take one more of those please.
Aardsma to go back out and close??
Oh crap, Aardsma is going to close………
dammit yuni, let the bad ones go.
the one thing you CAN’T do…strike out..thanks Yuni!
I’m fine with Aardsma closing, I’d rather see him come out than beluga tits.
Ellis doesn’t get enough credit for his fielding.
Holy crap…..nice catch.
NOOOO! Damn I thought he had it!
damn!!! Thought that was going to just make it for a base hit!
I hope that run saved isn’t going to come back to bite us. Nice job, Ellis, damn you.
That was ridiculous by Ellis, ill give him props on that one
what a play by ellis….endy hitting the ball well though.
Don’t worry folks, Yuni and I will be having an extra
punishmenttraining session tonight.Ellis doesn’t get enough credit for his fielding.
That’s the sort of catch that everyone is going to come up with every once in a while. It required no movement, and was basically just throwing the glove up in reaction.
It was a great catch, but that’s the sort of thing that can be accomplished by luck, rather than range.
Why not bring out lowe?
NICE PITCH!!!
Aardsma! Keep it up.
rung him up!! Nice way to start the 9th!
Siddown!!!
I agree with what you wrote. That said, I’ll say it again — Ellis doesn’t get enough credit for his fielding. The catch prompted my comment, but isn’t what supports my reasoning.
Aardsma trying to overthrow the ball….relax!
Uno mas!
GAME OVER!!!!! NICE JOB AARDSMA!!
6 outs in a row looks pretty good to me.
Division win, nice!
wow, a stress free 9th. Way to let the A’s beat themselves, guys.
Very nice win! Too bad tomorrow won’t be on tv/
Yes!!!!! Luckiest win ever but we’ll take it
That was a big win, considering we have Felix and Bedard finishing out the series. See you guys later!
Aardsma and out – sweetness!
Aardsma!! 1/2 a game back now…. Is it too early to think about that?
Nice work, Aardsma…WOO-HOO!!
Endy Chavez interview right now on radio, priceless. This guy is great.
I’d rather be lucky than good! Nice win! Nice work from the ‘pen. All in all, good teams win games like this – maybe these guys aren’t so bad after all?
Not around here he doesn’t. Check out his fielding stats on Fangraphs. He gets plenty of credit among the cognoscenti. In fact, I saw one article that listed him as the best fielding player in all of baseball in 2007. I would link to it, but there was an article at the bottom about the Bedard trade coming through and I didn’t have the stomach to send anyone there.
I’m coming to the thread late, but I watched the last five innings, and I gotta say: I don’t know how good these guys are, and I don’t even particularly care, but I really, really like this team.
Congratulations, Jakubauskas; there’s one occasion when pitcher wins is absolutely a meaningful stat, and that’s when you get your first one in the major leagues. At thirty, no less. Right on.
Triunfel has a broken leg. Tibia. Out four weeks. Sports medicine is amazing.
Jaku was great can not wait to see what happens next
Holy crap, did you just see that Vern Fonk commercial? Guy gets pulled over, cop says “you were speeding”, guy says “no I wasn’t, just ask my wife”, wife says “I never argue with my husband when he’s been drinking”. Much hilarity ensues. Hah, hah, hah, drunk driving IS pretty funny after all.
Yay wins.
And yay defense.
I was just reconsidering the ‘flukey’ five-run top of the second, and Endy Chavez’s single of Mark Ellis’s glove. After some reflection, if Mark Ellis can’t get to it, that’s a hit in any game in the major leagues.
And, xxtinynickxx, Jägermeister tastes like expectorant, not Christmas.
John Powers Gold Label Irish Whiskey – now that tastes like Christmas.
Jaeger’s for children. Real men drink Gammel Dansk or Fernet Branca.
Jeez. That’s flowery.
What do they use for cologne?
Jaeger ~ Vicks Formula 44D…
On a related note, along comes another one of Pat O’Day’s ever-so-annoying Schick-Shadel ads — just as I’m cracking open another Labatt’s longneck.
Real men use the lymph of A’s fans for cologne.