Gamesthread, 4/20, 4/21, 4/22

RobDogBucky · 04-20-2007, 09:37 PM

Well, it has begun on the road as expected in Texas. The A's jumped all over Ranger pitcher Brendan McCarthy for 8 in the 2nd (Bobby Crosby's 2-run double and Travis Buck's 3-run double) and got 2 more in the 4th on Buck's 1st MLB homer. Both of Buck's hits were preceded by walks to Milton, who has returned to the lineup. The first walk to Bradley was intentional and Wash chose to pitch to Buck, who promptly cleared the bases, loaded by Milton's IBB. Then Milton worked a 2-out walk in front of Buck and history was made.

That is the way this weekend series has begun, with Country Joe Blanton hurling strikes for the A's, and helping out his cause with excellent plays in the field and by keeping the ball low, inducing ground balls for double plays. Let's just hope this pitching continues and that the Texas bats stay dormant. The addition of Sosa to their lineup gives them a swagger they haven't had since Juan Gone in Arlington, and they could ignite at any time. The A's still have Mike Piazza in a down period at the plate, seemingly out of synch, lunging at bad pitches and maybe pressing a little bit. At least Milton is back, Crosby and Buck are hot for now, with the rest of the cast playing rock steady.

End of 4, 10-0, A's over the Rangers.

Go A's!

Later,
RDB

RobDogBucky · 04-20-2007, 10:08 PM

Blanton was touched up for 3 on doubles by Lofton and Young, with a single by Catalanatto, etc. The factoid that sticks out about the game thus far; 10 walks given up by Texas pitchers.

Buck with 5 RBI.

Gameday is at it again, lots of errors, plenty slow, and not providing the pitch data it normally does and did on Wednesday. This game is not televised back to the Bay Area, with only local radio and Gameday to cover it. It allows Fosse to be in the booth with Ken and Vince and that's fun a few times in the season when this happens. The remaining 2 games in this series on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon will be on FSN in the Bay Area.

Blanton with about 95 pitches so far. Texas 3 pitchers used so far.

Just to add that the pen has taken over, with Calero and Marshall handling the 7th.

If the A's could repeat the pattern of this game it would be just like old times. Score early, win the first game of every series. Play ahead and use the pen judiciously.

Bradley just walked again in the 8th, that's 4 walks and a single with 3 runs scored so far for Milton tonight. Welcome back Milton! Bobby Crosby is 3 for 4. Bags jammed in the 8th, 2 out, Ellis up. Hits a double, 12-3, A's in an ongoing rout of Texas in game 1. That's 3 hits for Ellis tonight and he is followed by Shannon Stewart, who hits his first homer of the year with 2 out, A's 15, Texas 3, bottom of the 8th. Followed by Swisher, who hits another homerun, A's 16, Texas 3. Guys, save some for tomorrow.

Aside, A-Rod has hit 12 homers as of tonight's loss vs Boston, and has 30 RBI. This is only April 20! I hate the Skanks, but that performance by him thus far is phenomenal.

Well, Saturday was payback time, but hopefully the starting pitching won't suffer too much. When I saw Kennedy make the play that led to the 1-0 lead, and then how the A's let the Texas pen off the hook after Loe lost it and came out, I knew the tide had turned. That was payback for Friday night, and the last thing I saw before leaving to perform chores was Jay Marshall getting batted around by the Ranger lineup like a cat with a toy mouse. Then yesterday was a completely different way to lose. We had a nice start by Gaudin, getting out of jams, hanging in there, along with the obligatory minimum amount of offense by our guys. Then the pen imploded with rumors of Duke now having arm problems, thus his inability to find the plate. At least Gagne hurt himself again and that makes the Texas pen that much weaker again. Those starters they sent out on Saturday and Sunday pretty much held the A's bats in check. We will have to play much better to beat them consistently this year. Congrats to Wash, I guess.

Oh, well, now to Baltimore and the hot Orioles. We get to see JayPay and Miggie and Ramon. Like old home week.

Uh-oh. MONDAY UPDATE: Harden and Bradley to DL. Where have I heard that before? And so early in the season. Along with Loaiza being out and with Kotsay not back yet from his surgery, this is like last year, only potentially worse.

They are bringing up Dallas Braden, who will pitch on Tuesday's day get away game at Camden, along with Danny Putnam. My take on Putnam is that they hope it will be just a short stint by Milton on the shelf, and this way won't have to bring someone up that would have to pass waivers when sent back, hence possibly being claimed. Braden may be auditioning for another job, I don't know. Would have thought they would bring up Komine or Windsor, yet they may like these little previews of how a player reacts in the big league setting, having done so with Komine and Windsor last year.

Onward, through the fog.

Nat · 04-21-2007, 03:02 PM

Well I had to miss the game (radio) working a double shift, but did catch a piece of the BOS/NYY matchup. I have to admit it was quite gratifying to see all those Boston fans begging Jeter to get struck out, only for him to hit a 3-run shot and send the guy over the OF wall in vain. Kinda like watching two of your least-favorite people pound the crap outta each other.
Go A's....hope they don't show up Wash too badly (it was always easier to hate the Rangers with Showalter @ the helm).

lastexit · 04-22-2007, 04:22 PM

shannon stewart!

04-20-2007, 09:37 PM	#1 (permalink)
RobDogBucky Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 118	Gamesthread, 4/20, 4/21, 4/22 Well, it has begun on the road as expected in Texas. The A's jumped all over Ranger pitcher Brendan McCarthy for 8 in the 2nd (Bobby Crosby's 2-run double and Travis Buck's 3-run double) and got 2 more in the 4th on Buck's 1st MLB homer. Both of Buck's hits were preceded by walks to Milton, who has returned to the lineup. The first walk to Bradley was intentional and Wash chose to pitch to Buck, who promptly cleared the bases, loaded by Milton's IBB. Then Milton worked a 2-out walk in front of Buck and history was made. That is the way this weekend series has begun, with Country Joe Blanton hurling strikes for the A's, and helping out his cause with excellent plays in the field and by keeping the ball low, inducing ground balls for double plays. Let's just hope this pitching continues and that the Texas bats stay dormant. The addition of Sosa to their lineup gives them a swagger they haven't had since Juan Gone in Arlington, and they could ignite at any time. The A's still have Mike Piazza in a down period at the plate, seemingly out of synch, lunging at bad pitches and maybe pressing a little bit. At least Milton is back, Crosby and Buck are hot for now, with the rest of the cast playing rock steady. End of 4, 10-0, A's over the Rangers. Go A's! Later, RDB

04-20-2007, 10:08 PM	#2 (permalink)
RobDogBucky Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 118	10-3, after 5 1/2 innings Blanton was touched up for 3 on doubles by Lofton and Young, with a single by Catalanatto, etc. The factoid that sticks out about the game thus far; 10 walks given up by Texas pitchers. Buck with 5 RBI. Gameday is at it again, lots of errors, plenty slow, and not providing the pitch data it normally does and did on Wednesday. This game is not televised back to the Bay Area, with only local radio and Gameday to cover it. It allows Fosse to be in the booth with Ken and Vince and that's fun a few times in the season when this happens. The remaining 2 games in this series on Saturday night and Sunday afternoon will be on FSN in the Bay Area. Blanton with about 95 pitches so far. Texas 3 pitchers used so far. Just to add that the pen has taken over, with Calero and Marshall handling the 7th. If the A's could repeat the pattern of this game it would be just like old times. Score early, win the first game of every series. Play ahead and use the pen judiciously. Bradley just walked again in the 8th, that's 4 walks and a single with 3 runs scored so far for Milton tonight. Welcome back Milton! Bobby Crosby is 3 for 4. Bags jammed in the 8th, 2 out, Ellis up. Hits a double, 12-3, A's in an ongoing rout of Texas in game 1. That's 3 hits for Ellis tonight and he is followed by Shannon Stewart, who hits his first homer of the year with 2 out, A's 15, Texas 3, bottom of the 8th. Followed by Swisher, who hits another homerun, A's 16, Texas 3. Guys, save some for tomorrow. Aside, A-Rod has hit 12 homers as of tonight's loss vs Boston, and has 30 RBI. This is only April 20! I hate the Skanks, but that performance by him thus far is phenomenal. Well, Saturday was payback time, but hopefully the starting pitching won't suffer too much. When I saw Kennedy make the play that led to the 1-0 lead, and then how the A's let the Texas pen off the hook after Loe lost it and came out, I knew the tide had turned. That was payback for Friday night, and the last thing I saw before leaving to perform chores was Jay Marshall getting batted around by the Ranger lineup like a cat with a toy mouse. Then yesterday was a completely different way to lose. We had a nice start by Gaudin, getting out of jams, hanging in there, along with the obligatory minimum amount of offense by our guys. Then the pen imploded with rumors of Duke now having arm problems, thus his inability to find the plate. At least Gagne hurt himself again and that makes the Texas pen that much weaker again. Those starters they sent out on Saturday and Sunday pretty much held the A's bats in check. We will have to play much better to beat them consistently this year. Congrats to Wash, I guess. Oh, well, now to Baltimore and the hot Orioles. We get to see JayPay and Miggie and Ramon. Like old home week. Uh-oh. MONDAY UPDATE: Harden and Bradley to DL. Where have I heard that before? And so early in the season. Along with Loaiza being out and with Kotsay not back yet from his surgery, this is like last year, only potentially worse. They are bringing up Dallas Braden, who will pitch on Tuesday's day get away game at Camden, along with Danny Putnam. My take on Putnam is that they hope it will be just a short stint by Milton on the shelf, and this way won't have to bring someone up that would have to pass waivers when sent back, hence possibly being claimed. Braden may be auditioning for another job, I don't know. Would have thought they would bring up Komine or Windsor, yet they may like these little previews of how a player reacts in the big league setting, having done so with Komine and Windsor last year. Onward, through the fog. Last edited by RobDogBucky; 04-23-2007 at 06:30 PM. Reason: Adding content

04-21-2007, 03:02 PM	#3 (permalink)
Nat Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,214	Well I had to miss the game (radio) working a double shift, but did catch a piece of the BOS/NYY matchup. I have to admit it was quite gratifying to see all those Boston fans begging Jeter to get struck out, only for him to hit a 3-run shot and send the guy over the OF wall in vain. Kinda like watching two of your least-favorite people pound the crap outta each other. Go A's....hope they don't show up Wash too badly (it was always easier to hate the Rangers with Showalter @ the helm).

04-22-2007, 04:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
lastexit Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: SF Posts: 88	shannon stewart!