After the way we closed before the ASB, losing 3-4, I figured we really needed to start 5-1. 4-2 would probably be acceptable, but 5-1 would be much preferable entering the Sox series next weekend (where I think we need to win 2 or 3).
Yesterday's game -- if it had been a loss -- would have seemingly sucked the spirit out of the team; the game would have made the list of ugly 8 that I've compiled (games we should have won this season -- e.g., the game where we led Baltimore 4-0 and 8-4). Yesterday, we had a 2-0 lead with runners at 2nd and 3rd and frankly there was really no excuse getting to the last strike behind.
I was driving with my son when Mo gave up the 3rd run to the A's and felt my shoulders slump forward. We stopped for a few minutes before the bottom of the inning and when Christian got thrown out, I sat there just feeling miserable about our chances, particularly when Jorge grounded out next.
Pulling that game out of the fire was pretty sweet. I hated having the game get into the fire in the first place, but maybe that was the kind of game we needed to win -- in the manner in which we won -- to inspire some sort "chip on the shoulder" "we can do it" mentality. Whatever. I'll take it.
They should tell Meachem they've changed the signals: wave your arm around if you want the runner to stop, put your hands up to tell him to go.
But don't tell the players about the 'change'.
I think it's cool how four of us wrote Bobby's last name, and we had three different vowels at the end.
I see now that monkeypants had the right vowel.
We have women participating in this blog.
We have women participating in this blog.
We have women participating in this blog.
(must try to remember...)
4 Hey RIYank, it was museum/attraction day in Birmingham. If you got your card stamped at 5 locations (out of about 15), you could enter a drawing for a $1,500 prize. So we spent a lot of time at the Zoo before making drive-bys at the Museum of Art, McWane Science Center and Sports Hall of Fame and finally actually spending time at the Southern Museum of Flight.
It was really odd. We'd stop at a location and then find out what happened. After leaving the Zoo, Mo gave up the tie. As we went into the museum of art, Giambi was coming up. We came back out and Christian fell down. Cano doubled and we went into the ASHOF; we walked out and it was a tie. I stood in the museum of flight wondering what the hell was going to happen, but caught the "walk-off" on the way home.
I think the way we listened to the game was about as disjointed as the game was actually played. Topsy Turvy day.
46 I JUST realized Gardner is playing. No lie. His at-bats happen so quick that I've either blinked or just decided to not pay attention when he came up to bat.
I don't even think a ball has been hit his way or am I just pretending that we are playing with 8 players?
65 nice call - i have a long list - but i will give you two easy ones to start with 1) what will snacks ponson be doing tonight to prepare for his start tomorrow 2) when will the a's managers pants that are waaaay too tight going to tear?
71 It'll be because the Cubs won the World Series. We've already had the Soxeses win, which are the first two signs. Once the Cubs complete the trio then the Maws of Hell will open up.
71 Oh, got it. Hm, those are indeed apocalyptic.
And speaking of Kyle 'Armageddon' Farnsworth, looks like he's coming up soon. Though it would be just amazing if Andy could finish this inning, my god he's looking good.
72 why doesn't Gardner ever try to just bunt his way on. The threat might get the infield in a bit more.
Masterful game by Andy. If we could just get a reliable #4 starter (McCutcheon, Aceves, or IPK), we might have a shot at this thing. Of course we still need some damn offense.
91 evidently the rule's not based on a set period of time ... the player must reach his throwing hand into the glove while the ball is still in the mitt for it to be an out ... in replay, bobby was reaching towards the glove when the ball came out ... safe was the correct call there.
103 I'd say available if needed, but Girardi might hold him out in a borderline Mo situation.
Hey, that reminds me: didn't Andy and Mo just set the record for start/save combinations?
103 well, that's what the TBS crew was stating. As always, i should know better than to trust what anyone on the TV tells me ... here's the official language from the rulebook:
If the fielder has made the
catch and drops the ball while in the act of making a throw following the catch, the ball shall
be adjudged to have been caught. In establishing the validity of the catch, the fielder shall
hold the ball long enough to prove that he has complete control of the ball and that his
release of the ball is voluntary and intentional.
nothing about hands reaching into anything ... that might some sort of additional interpretation added by umpiring crews, or just something chip caray made up, who knows
i tend to think that the above language also argues for a safe call in this particular case, but it's less cut and dry than originally stated.
Yesterday's game -- if it had been a loss -- would have seemingly sucked the spirit out of the team; the game would have made the list of ugly 8 that I've compiled (games we should have won this season -- e.g., the game where we led Baltimore 4-0 and 8-4). Yesterday, we had a 2-0 lead with runners at 2nd and 3rd and frankly there was really no excuse getting to the last strike behind.
I was driving with my son when Mo gave up the 3rd run to the A's and felt my shoulders slump forward. We stopped for a few minutes before the bottom of the inning and when Christian got thrown out, I sat there just feeling miserable about our chances, particularly when Jorge grounded out next.
Pulling that game out of the fire was pretty sweet. I hated having the game get into the fire in the first place, but maybe that was the kind of game we needed to win -- in the manner in which we won -- to inspire some sort "chip on the shoulder" "we can do it" mentality. Whatever. I'll take it.
Let's go Yan-kees!
But don't tell the players about the 'change'.
Jeez, A-Rod had absolutely no chance except if Sweeney had made a terrible throw. What the???
i wonder if there's a way to determine the ratio of runners scoring vs runners gunned down, when there's a play at the plate
maybe the hardball times does something like that ...
at least andy came out with a puropse
I see now that monkeypants had the right vowel.
Maybe that's how Justin does it. Hypnosis.
I guess Molina gets a free pass today, huh? We can't call him a turd or anything?
Wait, that's impossible, I'm the only one here.
32 I thought it was over the plate; maybe high by this year's incorrect standards, as you intimated.
By the way, am I the only one who set up a function key to type 'Duchscherer'? But I haven't used it except for this comment.
Duchscherer.
Duchscherer.
Actually Flash and Leiter are pretty good too.
and it seems he has big plans after the game as he is working fast as hell.
37 probably - look at dimelo's nice abbreviation 30
We have women participating in this blog.
We have women participating in this blog.
(must try to remember...)
Somewhere Chien-Ming is cursing under his breath.
http://espn.go.com/mlb/s/2001/0816/1240553.html
Funny, funny story
It was really odd. We'd stop at a location and then find out what happened. After leaving the Zoo, Mo gave up the tie. As we went into the museum of art, Giambi was coming up. We came back out and Christian fell down. Cano doubled and we went into the ASHOF; we walked out and it was a tie. I stood in the museum of flight wondering what the hell was going to happen, but caught the "walk-off" on the way home.
I think the way we listened to the game was about as disjointed as the game was actually played. Topsy Turvy day.
I don't even think a ball has been hit his way or am I just pretending that we are playing with 8 players?
Bad average and high obp, same number of dingers, wait....
WOW!!!! The Stache!!!!
67 (1) Snacks will sneak a few twinkies and a couple sips of vanilla extract prior to his start tomorrow; and (2) they won't because they're poly.
Is there any reason Hughes or IPK can't do as well as
Duchscherer?
And speaking of Kyle 'Armageddon' Farnsworth, looks like he's coming up soon. Though it would be just amazing if Andy could finish this inning, my god he's looking good.
Andy!!!!
That really was a superb performance, even factoring in the weakness of the A's bats.
72 Yes, the reason is that Duchscherer has been pitching in the bigs for like ten years.
76 Uh, no. Cust draws a lot of walks.
Masterful game by Andy. If we could just get a reliable #4 starter (McCutcheon, Aceves, or IPK), we might have a shot at this thing. Of course we still need some damn offense.
Was that because of the sun, or what the hell???
Glug. That would have sucked badly.
Mr. Rivera, I apologize for the things I was muttering under my breath in the car yesterday...sir.
And a walk off Caught Stealing.
How often in consecutive games is there a walk off HBP and then a walk off CS?
A-Rod maybe saves a tie there, whew!
95 Mo in a save situation the day after a bad appearance?? Money, baby, nothing to worry about.
Meanwhile, TB is down by 2 after 5.
And how freakin' good has Molina been for us!
Still can't get over Andy Pettitte. Damn, he was good.
Hey, that reminds me: didn't Andy and Mo just set the record for start/save combinations?
If the fielder has made the
catch and drops the ball while in the act of making a throw following the catch, the ball shall
be adjudged to have been caught. In establishing the validity of the catch, the fielder shall
hold the ball long enough to prove that he has complete control of the ball and that his
release of the ball is voluntary and intentional.
nothing about hands reaching into anything ... that might some sort of additional interpretation added by umpiring crews, or just something chip caray made up, who knows
i tend to think that the above language also argues for a safe call in this particular case, but it's less cut and dry than originally stated.
Whoa. It's exactly like trying not to think about a pink elephant!
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