A group weblog for Oakland A's fans
Wednesday, August 17, 2005
Bad Game, Umps
Last night the ump at 1b made a bad call. It was shown over and over on tv, and Johnson clearly got the base with his heel. I can't believe the umps don't get help on something like that. But they also made a bad call on a sinking liner that Payton short-hopped. The home plate umpire appeared to have some trouble making correct calls on pitches at the knees, it was just a bad game for the umpires.
That said, the A's had plenty of chances to win the game last night. With the tying run at third and one out in the 9th, on a shallow fly to LF, Ron Washington decided to hold Kielty at third. If I am the base coach, I have that guy tag up. I'd much rather end the game with a play at the plate, than watch Crosby take a called strike three to end the game a few pitches later. Ron Washington also held a runner at third earlier in the game on a fly to shallow LF. I can't remember Byrnes ever throwing a runner out at the plate on a fly out-tag out DP on the A's, I would have tested that arm twice last night. Even if once you make it, once you don't, the result is better than last night, 2 innings ended with a runner stranded at third.
In the tough seventh inning last night, Miguel Tejada hit a double to the gap, and when he gets to 2nd, he says a couple words to Ellis, and then hugs him. The gesture was just so classy and beautiful I got a little choked up. Miguel loved his time in Oakland and still has good feelings for his former teammates. And I still love him.
Last night the ump at 1b made a bad call. It was shown over and over on tv, and Johnson clearly got the base with his heel. I can't believe the umps don't get help on something like that. But they also made a bad call on a sinking liner that Payton short-hopped. The home plate umpire appeared to have some trouble making correct calls on pitches at the knees, it was just a bad game for the umpires.
That said, the A's had plenty of chances to win the game last night. With the tying run at third and one out in the 9th, on a shallow fly to LF, Ron Washington decided to hold Kielty at third. If I am the base coach, I have that guy tag up. I'd much rather end the game with a play at the plate, than watch Crosby take a called strike three to end the game a few pitches later. Ron Washington also held a runner at third earlier in the game on a fly to shallow LF. I can't remember Byrnes ever throwing a runner out at the plate on a fly out-tag out DP on the A's, I would have tested that arm twice last night. Even if once you make it, once you don't, the result is better than last night, 2 innings ended with a runner stranded at third.
In the tough seventh inning last night, Miguel Tejada hit a double to the gap, and when he gets to 2nd, he says a couple words to Ellis, and then hugs him. The gesture was just so classy and beautiful I got a little choked up. Miguel loved his time in Oakland and still has good feelings for his former teammates. And I still love him.
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
Some Bumps in the Road
Well, the road to the postseason was bound to have some bumps. So far the A's are 3-4 on this homestand. But they lost a couple one-run games to the Twins 1-0 and 2-1. Yesterday they fell apart in the 7th. I don't think it is time to panic, but the days of domination may be over for at least until this weekend, when the Royals come to town.
Well, the road to the postseason was bound to have some bumps. So far the A's are 3-4 on this homestand. But they lost a couple one-run games to the Twins 1-0 and 2-1. Yesterday they fell apart in the 7th. I don't think it is time to panic, but the days of domination may be over for at least until this weekend, when the Royals come to town.
