Game Thread: May 15, 2008
by Ryan on May 15, 2008 11:00 AM EDT
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PrintOakland Athletics at Cleveland Indians, May 15, 2008 12:05 PM EDT
Oakland at Cleveland, 12:05 PM (STO)
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Marte hired, Martinez gets a day off:
G. Sizemore cf
J. Peralta ss
B. Francisco lf
R. Garko 1b
T. Hafner dh
F. Gutierrez rf
K. Shoppach c
J. Carroll 2b
A. Marte 3b
Despite all of my best intentions, I have not, in fact, grown up to be a debaser.
That’s not exactly the most inspiring offensive lineup…but then again, what lineup of ours would be these days?
At this point, any lineup I look at makes me think, “well, maybe having [whoever] hit [some weird spot in the order] could ignite us.” Then we score 2 runs & I realize I was wrong.
Despite all of my best intentions, I have not, in fact, grown up to be a debaser.
It’s going to be Jhoney’s day. I can FEEL it!
He’ll do something I’ve never seen. And because I can’t see it, I still will have never seen it.
I think there’s a little think you’re forgetting about called “imagination”. I once saw Albert Belle hit a 5-run homer, it was great.
My money is on Marte. I’m calling today his breakout performance.
-Erik
by drerikbrady on May 15, 2008 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
David Huff is currently our best, close-to-the-majors pitcher not currently on the major league roster…discuss.
do you know off the top of your head how he compares age-wise to laffey and sowers. i’d say i’m at work and that’s why i’m not looking it up, but really, i’m just being very lazy.
Sowers numbers at Akron were better (he had something like 72K:10BB) but comparable. Huff’s numbers are better than Laffey’s first exposure to AA, although Laffey was quite a bit younger.
Huff is actually older than Laffey, amazingly enough. Not that that reflects poorly on Huff as long as they promote him aggressively, mostly shows how awesome Laffey is.
Despite all of my best intentions, I have not, in fact, grown up to be a debaser.
Laffey has moved himself into a spot by himself. (no jinx!)
After that, look for Miller lurking in the shadows…
by dgcambridge on May 15, 2008 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Nah, Sowers is still the answer right now. After that it’s Slocum, Miller, and Huff – although I don’t know the order. I might pick Miller as the leader.
by dgcambridge on May 15, 2008 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions
I’m not speaking about the reality of who would be most likely to get called up were one necessary (which would obviously include roster considerations). I’m saying, it’s arguable that Huff is a better pitcher right now than Sowers. Arguable.
It’s arguable, sure.
I might be confusing best close-to-majors, not closest-to-majors good pitcher.
by dgcambridge on May 15, 2008 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
meaning 40 man and opposed to 25?
Well, then the question is no fun. Huff easily. Unless you want to throw relievers and Stevens in the mix.
by dgcambridge on May 15, 2008 11:56 AM EDT up reply actions
They only play 7 inning games in the minors when they have a doubleheader, right?
Despite all of my best intentions, I have not, in fact, grown up to be a debaser.
No, you’ve got it backwards, they play 9, but with a 3 run rule and if you get up by 9 in the first game, that game is over and then they start the second game an hour later. You’re thinking of the winter leagues.
-Erik
by drerikbrady on May 15, 2008 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes, Shapiro did confirm on the pre-game with Hammy
-Erik
by drerikbrady on May 15, 2008 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
On the preview page on Sportsline, Laffey looks so happy and Smith looks positively resigned.
http://sportsline.com/mlb/gamecenter/preview/MLB_20080515_OAK@CLE
I hope that’s prescient.
Hrmpf. The Akron-Altoona box score just stopped updating at the bottom of the 4th. Anyone have any idea what’s going on there?
Despite all of my best intentions, I have not, in fact, grown up to be a debaser.
Three hours of non-studying coming up…pretty damn pumped over here.
by supermarioelia on May 15, 2008 11:59 AM EDT reply actions
I can’t wait until the weather warms up and Andy Marte’s flyballs turn into extra base hits…it’s gonna be awesome.
by supermarioelia on May 15, 2008 12:02 PM EDT reply actions
Today is that day Mario, today is that day.
-Erik
by drerikbrady on May 15, 2008 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Really, what’s the weather in Cleveland?
by dgcambridge on May 15, 2008 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
It’s got nothing to do with weather Dave. I’m just saying that today is the day.
-Erik
by drerikbrady on May 15, 2008 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m taking issue with how everyone is calculating the streak. No one’s including the 0.2 IP that CC got at the end of the 6th against the Jays? I guess that’s not a “scoreless inning”?
by supermarioelia on May 15, 2008 12:03 PM EDT reply actions
Yeah, I think that’s it. The fifth inning Friday (not sixth) was not a “scoreless inning,” since Toronto scored in that inning. Thus the streak begins in the sixth inning. The math is a little fuzzy, and I think you could make a case for either accounting method.
by Fiddlesticks on May 15, 2008 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions
in my dream world, the indians would play a doubleheader every day – one game to listen to at work, one to watch when i get home – every day.
My radio feed is weird. It sounds like Hamilton has a cold or something.
Despite all of my best intentions, I have not, in fact, grown up to be a debaser.
I’m still trying to find the perfect window sill location for my XM. Annoying.
-Erik
by drerikbrady on May 15, 2008 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Yes, he does in fact, it’s a medical fact.
-Erik
by drerikbrady on May 15, 2008 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Wedge just wiped away tears. “Mark yelled at me! He told me to start Andy!”
by supermarioelia on May 15, 2008 12:08 PM EDT reply actions
My name is Erik Brady and I approve of Aaron Laffey.
-Erik
by drerikbrady on May 15, 2008 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions
According to Hammy, we have 17 errors in 41 games, best in the majors.
-Erik
by drerikbrady on May 15, 2008 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m trying to figure out what that says about the A’s. Whatever it is, it’s not good.
Despite all of my best intentions, I have not, in fact, grown up to be a debaser.
Never mind. Not funny, not funny, not funnay.
by supermarioelia on May 15, 2008 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions
wouldn’t he hit 4th today for our team?
by Ryan Kelsey on May 15, 2008 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Entirely too little rah rah in the game threads of late, I’m making my thing for a while, when I’m in the game thread that is.
-Erik
by drerikbrady on May 15, 2008 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
With all the talk about how the starting pitchers are each trying to one-up the others, I fully expect Jamey Carroll to execute an unassisted quadruple play this afternoon.
I see him as hitting a 5 run home run today.
-Erik
by drerikbrady on May 15, 2008 12:15 PM EDT up reply actions
A little between innings morbidity for you straight from my study notes:
Name the two countries with the highest suicide rates among 15-19 year olds. GO!
And who said I bring pep to the thread….
by supermarioelia on May 15, 2008 12:16 PM EDT reply actions
Mmm…no actually. One’s from Eastern Europe though.
by supermarioelia on May 15, 2008 12:17 PM EDT up reply actions
I cheated though, PubMed can be handy in a crunch.
-Erik
by drerikbrady on May 15, 2008 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions
my crim professor shared a statistic: there’s twice as many suicides in the US each year than there are murders. based on the perceptin of violence in our society, would you ever think it?
There are ton of cool stats from this lecture, but it would really depress the hell out of everyone here.
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO TRIBE
by supermarioelia on May 15, 2008 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Hegan says, “play Marte.”
Despite all of my best intentions, I have not, in fact, grown up to be a debaser.
I am fascinated by Peralta’s insistence on pulling that ball that was 8 inches off the outside corner.
the frustrating thing is that he has had flashes of it since then. like his homerun off zumaya last september, or the 3 run homer in the ALCS. even a few times early in this season.
either the hitting coach isn’t getting through to him, or jhonny is such a flake that he can’t figure it out/ just won’t do it.
Hm. Do we really expect Francisco to be a 20-25 homer hitter in the majors? He’s hit, at most, 17 homers in AAA.
Despite all of my best intentions, I have not, in fact, grown up to be a debaser.
Hamilton said that Derek Shelton envisions him as a 20-25 homer guy.
Despite all of my best intentions, I have not, in fact, grown up to be a debaser.
Derek Shelton should be fired for making such a stupid comment.
by supermarioelia on May 15, 2008 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions
I find it crazy that Gark has three xtra base hits this series with how bad his atbats look for the most part.
by supermarioelia on May 15, 2008 12:25 PM EDT reply actions
Looking at baseball-reference, this is the 25th different lineup we’ve thrown out there this year, through 41 games.
Despite all of my best intentions, I have not, in fact, grown up to be a debaser.
Bad swing at the last one, but the first two pitches were so borderline, you can’t fault him for not swinging at them. Credit Smith for two awesomely placed pitches.
you know Laffey is thinkin about this right now.
by supermarioelia on May 15, 2008 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions
...and if you’ve ever tried to roll holly, you know how painful that can be!
by Fiddlesticks on May 15, 2008 12:36 PM EDT up reply actions
Laffey’s struggling so much, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him sent to Buffalo after this game. In fact, I think I’ll predict just that.
Wait, but the earned run record is still alive right? haha
by supermarioelia on May 15, 2008 12:38 PM EDT reply actions
You know what really grinds my gears? Runs. Runs freaking allowed.
by supermarioelia on May 15, 2008 12:39 PM EDT reply actions
Yeah he hesitated. After making a nice play on the ball. If Hammy’s criticizing him for that, well then I have some choice thoughts on what Blake, Wedge and Hammy do during their off days.
by supermarioelia on May 15, 2008 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Dude, as much as we all want to see Marte succeed, that doesn’t mean he’s infallible and Blake is completely terrible. Hammy wasn’t criticizing, just noting that the hesitation cost the double play. He’d do the same with Blake. Hammy tells it like it is.
Burn on, big river, burn on...
by Turkmenbashi on May 15, 2008 12:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Unless it’s close to the warning track, in which he tells it like it could be, or maybe, yes! no.
by supermarioelia on May 15, 2008 12:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Hey, he gets excited sometimes!
Burn on, big river, burn on...
by Turkmenbashi on May 15, 2008 12:54 PM EDT up reply actions
Game over. What’s going in Buffalo? Rain?
by dgcambridge on May 15, 2008 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions
Ah, I got confused with the noon start in Cleveland.
Anyway – Miller v. Colon!
by dgcambridge on May 15, 2008 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Try to find a south-facing orientation for the antenna.
by Fiddlesticks on May 15, 2008 12:43 PM EDT up reply actions
Or throw the extra $15 out for mlb audio. That’s what I did.
by dgcambridge on May 15, 2008 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions
I bought the inno2 last night… nice. Quite an upgrade from what I had. Hire XM!
by Fundamentals on May 15, 2008 12:44 PM EDT up reply actions
I have the Pioneer AirWare, XM2go my ass.
-Erik
by drerikbrady on May 15, 2008 12:46 PM EDT up reply actions
This day in 1981:
“High fly ball to left-center field! Manning….is there….GOT IT! A perfect game for Lenny Barker!”
Remember it like it was yesterday…still gives me goosebumps.
eh, I need to read up on it a little bit more.
by dgcambridge on May 15, 2008 12:48 PM EDT up reply actions
Hi Ho Cherrio Dean, start spinning.
-Erik
by drerikbrady on May 15, 2008 12:53 PM EDT up reply actions
Patience Andy. Patience. Don’t let Eric get into your head.
by supermarioelia on May 15, 2008 12:49 PM EDT reply actions
That’ll teach him to take my advice. SWING AT THE FIRST PITCH!
by supermarioelia on May 15, 2008 12:51 PM EDT up reply actions
The run scored on an error, and as a direct result of that error, so I think it has to be unearned.
by Fiddlesticks on May 15, 2008 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
right. it would have been obvious to everyone if we’d turned that DP right after.
Give Marte a Chance.
He was holding; that’s what I meant by “as a direct result of that error.”
by Fiddlesticks on May 15, 2008 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Friggin Brooks Marte over there at 3rd.
by supermarioelia on May 15, 2008 12:57 PM EDT reply actions
Having BenFran and Gutz scaring the poop out of baserunners is pretty neato.
by supermarioelia on May 15, 2008 12:58 PM EDT reply actions
I take this back for the time being. Frank Thomas is the most awkward runner I’ve ever seen.
by supermarioelia on May 15, 2008 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions
As well as Dellucci has been this year for us, he still is only hitting .235 … thta alone says how bad our lineup has been.
Btw, I’m totally posting from a conference at work for which I’m “taking notes.”
Burn on, big river, burn on...
by Turkmenbashi on May 15, 2008 1:06 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Is “Not Safe For Conference” a different standard from “Not Safe For Work?”
by Fiddlesticks on May 15, 2008 1:09 PM EDT up reply actions
Well, I’m sure all the colonels and security cooperation folk would appreciate it. Best part is that I’m still totally producing… made a rockin’ powerpoint slide to recap the last breakout session.
Burn on, big river, burn on...
by Turkmenbashi on May 15, 2008 1:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Breakout sessions…ugh. God I hated being a corporate tool.
by Fiddlesticks on May 15, 2008 1:18 PM EDT up reply actions
Even worse at a non-profit. I’ve been in at 7:30 and here till 5 all week.
Burn on, big river, burn on...
by Turkmenbashi on May 15, 2008 1:21 PM EDT up reply actions
I pine for a 9-5. 8-5 disagrees with me.
Disclaimer: this post doesn't mean what you think it means.
I work 8:00 – 5, essentially, but I take a half hour lunch so I can come in at 8:30.
Burn on, big river, burn on...
by Turkmenbashi on May 15, 2008 2:22 PM EDT up reply actions
“We are the knights who say NAY!
NAY!! NAY!!”
by supermarioelia on May 15, 2008 1:08 PM EDT up reply actions
Am trying to finish off a project for review as well …. tough to do while posting and watching two open windows :D
Remember how Grover used to call the 8th hitter the “second cleanup” position? With this lineup, I guess Garko is hitting in the “first eighth hole.”
by Fiddlesticks on May 15, 2008 1:08 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Well, without the power.
Burn on, big river, burn on...
by Turkmenbashi on May 15, 2008 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions
I’m saying according to every electronic medium available to us. Who knows whether it was the whole time.
by supermarioelia on May 15, 2008 1:26 PM EDT up reply actions
We have power over the official scorer, evidently. Now we need to channel this power to get Wedge to play Marte 5x per week.
by Fiddlesticks on May 15, 2008 1:25 PM EDT up reply actions
No, but you’re talking to his fatehr right here.
by supermarioelia on May 15, 2008 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Marte says “I’ll see your playing time and raise you an ass pillow for the bench”
"Mixed emotions. Rather see him hit PEDroia [with that pitch]. I don’t care if he is in the dugout"
by Gradysmanldy on May 15, 2008 1:32 PM EDT up reply actions
I liked this team better before they moved to the National League.
by Fiddlesticks on May 15, 2008 1:31 PM EDT reply actions 5 recs
anyone want to take a stab at explaining WHY ON EARTH the bunt was even called? i really fail to see the logic. regardless of the outcome (basehit) you can be certain that wedge/shelton will grade that at-bat as a failure. ugh.
2-run lead, 4th inning, lead-off man on . . . bunt? that should only happen in the NL with the pitcher’s spot.
No, he caught a sign, and did what he was told (go on first movement.) Not his fault; don’t listen to the haters.
by Fiddlesticks on May 15, 2008 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions
Assuming Marte didn’t mistakenly read a steal sign when none was given, it was either a hit and run or a straight steal attempt.
1) Grady doesn’t make enough contact to hit and run.
2) Grady doesn’t ground into doubleplays.
3) Marte’s not the kind of runner you start, because if the hit and run is botched, he’s automatically out at second base.
Marte went on first movement; pitcher threw to first and had him easily. Just more Wedge smallball, ptobably hoping that a Grady single scores Marte from second.
by Fiddlesticks on May 15, 2008 1:37 PM EDT up reply actions
With this offense (right now), Wedge need to manage one run at a time. And Carroll was on third. I would hope we wouldn’t run ourselves out of an inning.
When I was watching on TV while I ate lunch they made the point that with a guy with a pickoff move like Smith, generally you’ll get a sign from the manager to go on first movement & he’ll take responsibility for it if you get picked off. Hopefully that’s what happened there, I don’t imagine Marte took it upon himself to go.
Despite all of my best intentions, I have not, in fact, grown up to be a debaser.
i decided by watching him play this year, and by seeing him in person in the 12-0 blowout of toronto. he failed miserably with golden opps
Ladies and gentleman, these are the idiots Wedgiro is pandering to. Jesus Horatio Christ.
by supermarioelia on May 15, 2008 1:41 PM EDT up reply actions
One game in person, huh? And 20 at bats on television? That’s more than enough to decide what kind of hitter he is.
And if you believe that, please punch yourself in the mouth.
by tabler84 on May 15, 2008 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs
I’m rec’ing this post as many times as electronically possible.
by supermarioelia on May 15, 2008 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions
just coming back…what’d I miss?
Oh yeah…I’m nominating Eric Wedge for Colbert’s threatdown list
by APV on May 15, 2008 1:38 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
There’s a fanpost on the side bar about the games this weekend.
Disclaimer: this post doesn't mean what you think it means.
Dueling 2008 Cys game is Sunday (Lee vs. Volquez.)
by Fiddlesticks on May 15, 2008 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I realize that we’re in a bind, but I think it bulls__t that he’s probably getting sent down for logistical reasons. Sowers hasn’t earned laffey’s spot right now. I’m not even convinced that Byrd has earned Laffey’s spot in the rotation.
-Erik
Yeah, it’s so temporary that it’s not worth stressing over. Although they COULD send down Cisco, no?
Tyner is out of options, which I think you probably knew. He’d have to be DFA’d.
by Fiddlesticks on May 15, 2008 1:47 PM EDT up reply actions
Just woke up, still bleary eyed, quick update?
One day I'll get over to watch the Tribe play
by new zealand tribe fan on May 15, 2008 1:41 PM EDT reply actions
Oakland’s run was unearned. Or it was earned. Or it wasn’t
Marte sucks. Or he doesn’t. Or he does.
Wedge should be fired. Or maybe not. Then again, maybe he should be.
by Fiddlesticks on May 15, 2008 1:43 PM EDT up reply actions 7 recs
We had lots of opportunities with the JV line up, and have managed to get 3 across. Laffey had an error in the first that led to their only run. Other than that, the A’s haven’t had many chances now that Laffey has settled in. And Wedge has done his level best to screw Andy Marte…again.
-Erik
I feel sorry for Laffey. On any other team this would be a successful start, but he has to go back to the dugout and be mocked as the one loser in the starting rotation who couldn’t get through a start without allowing a run.
I still can’t believe that Wedge pretty much stole all my enjoyment from a Marte basehit.
Oh and Aaron is pretty cool too.
enjoy that hit while you can, mario. bc if today holds true to form, wedge will not let marte get a 3rd at bat today
I can’t help but laugh at the truth behind this post.
by supermarioelia on May 15, 2008 1:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Wow – Ryan Braun signs 8 year, $40M contract.
I feel like by the time 2010 rolls around, the free agent market will consist of Kenny Lofton and a new set of baseballs.
by steincat on May 15, 2008 1:47 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I used this joke last year, and no one laughed, but let’s give it another try.
“YOU NEVER COULD COMPETE WITH RYAN BRAUN!!!!”
by supermarioelia on May 15, 2008 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions
Pronk with wheels
One day I'll get over to watch the Tribe play
by new zealand tribe fan on May 15, 2008 1:50 PM EDT reply actions
Wedge trying to injure Hafner in new ways?
by peter m on May 15, 2008 1:50 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
I love Hamilton’s suggestion that they should just give Hafner the base for that steal. Maybe he could get it bronzed or something.
Despite all of my best intentions, I have not, in fact, grown up to be a debaser.
Great. This means next year the Indians will have the bronze stolen base Travis Hafner bobblehead as a giveaway in April.
by Fundamentals on May 15, 2008 1:51 PM EDT up reply actions
If Gutz singles through the drawn-in infield, we’ll have seven more years of smallball.
by Fiddlesticks on May 15, 2008 1:50 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Wedge to Marte: “EVEN PRONK CAN STEAL! YOU FUCKING SUCK! Casey stop humping my leg and grab a bat.”
by supermarioelia on May 15, 2008 1:51 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs
I wish you wouldn’t exaggerate about this delicate situation. You know darn well Wedge would never say anything like that. He LOVES it when Casey humps his leg.
by Fiddlesticks on May 15, 2008 1:54 PM EDT up reply actions
THEORY
this smith fella has supposedly areally good move—so he must not pay attention to guys who dont usually steal?!
Give Marte a Chance.
Garko is so pumped up right now.
Does Bowen just have a terrible arm? Is that the simple answer here?
They didn’t even cover second base—caught completely off guard.
by Fiddlesticks on May 15, 2008 1:52 PM EDT up reply actions