Game #25: A's 13, Royals 6

April 30, 2006 | A's @ Kansas City

The weather was good enough at Kansas City for this game to take place. Joe Blanton gets the win. The A's had HRs from Chavy, Swish (a three-run homer), and DJ! Mark Teahen also had a HR on the Royals line-up which featured several Billy Beane trades from Oakland.

It being the end of the month, here are some points to ponder:

Billy Beane meets with Ken Macha tomorrow in Anaheim to discuss the state of A's pitching. Obviously if the Big Cheese is coming out, the state of A's pitching is not what it should be.

The A's are at an even .500 for the month of April. They accomplished the same in April 2005.

[Update: As I suspected, espn.com's stats weren't updated yesterday afternoon when I prepared the rest of this post, despite the notice on their site that all stats are updated through Sunday's game. Rats. I'll fix the numbers later, but the intention behind them remains.]

Nick Swisher leads the A's with HRs (9). He also leads the A's with an OPS of 1.133.

Eric Chavez is only one HR away from a career total of 200. He follows Swish on the A's with most HRs (8) and highest OPS (1.034).

Dan Johnson's BA is the lowest on the A's at .155, but he's picking it up.

Frank Thomas' BA is .197, but he's had five HRs and has played in 21 games.

Jason Kendall's Caught Stealing % is .615 -- he's allowed only five stolen bases and he's caught eight.

Blanton and Rich Harden have three wins each. Justin Duchscherer has two.

Joe Kennedy's ERA is 0.00. He's pitched in a total of nine innings and has had five Ks.

Among starters, Dan Haren has pitched the most innings in April (35.1) and Esteban Loaiza the least (18.1).

Also:

Harden (muscle strain) was placed on the 15-day DL last Friday, April 28.

Milton Bradley left the April 24 game against the Rangers after hurting his knee while sliding back into first base. He is listed as day-to-day.

Huston Street hasn't pitched since April 18 when he experienced pain in his right pectoral muscle in a save against the Tigers.

Jay Witasick (sprained left ankle) was placed on the 15-day DL April 14.

Bobby Crosby missed four games on the first week of the season due to a lacerated finger, then missed three games towards the last week of the season because of strained right triceps.

Esteban Loaiza experienced back spasms and left the April 23 game against the Angels. He's pitched 19 1/2 innings in five starts (including the scratched April 29 game in Kansas City). His velocity is down at least 10 mph. By the way, both Loaiza and Street appeared in the World Baseball Classic last March.

I end this worrisome list of injuries with a quote from Jason Kendall in an April 2 story in the Oakland Tribune: "We'll be damn good, if we stay healthy."

(Game experience: KYCY 1550 AM)

A's record: 12-12 | streak: W-3 | well-A-meter: 2

Game #24: postponed due to rain

April 29, 2006 | A's @ Kansas City

This is weird. I don't think I've ever been aware of this happening in my short period of being an A's fan.

The Game Has Been Postponed Due To Rain And Will Be Rescheduled As Part Of A Doubleheader On Friday, August 18th At 5:10 PM EDT. The Second Game Will Begin 30 Minutes After The Completion Of Game One. [espn.com]

I had the radio on when Loaiza loaded the bases for the second time in the 1st inning and, though he got out of it, I was already disgusted. The Royals are able to score one more run before the inclement weather forces them to stop playing.

Lucky for you, Loaiza! You receive a get-out-of-jail card with this one.

Lucky for the A's, their 11-game winning streak against the Royals remains intact.

(Game experience: Some radio, some cell phone, some word of mouth.)

A's record: 11-12 | streak: W-2 | well-A-meter: 2
(SAME AS YESTERDAY!)

Game #23: A's 5, Royals 3

April 28, 2006 | A's @ Kansas City

Oakland Tribune headlines this morning about last night's game:

A's relievers imitate Street

"Kirk Saarloos entered with the bases loaded and walked the first batter he faced, forcing in a run, but retired the final two hitters to preserve a 5-3 win over the Kansas City Royals before 12, 203 fans."

Harden goes on DL, out for 3-to-6 weeks

"Rich Harden was placed on the disabled list Friday with a strained back that is expected to keep him out three to six weeks. The A's think the injury occurred Thursday when Harden jumped in the air and knocked down a comebacker with his bare hand, although catcher Jason Kendall didn't think Harden looked right all game."

Dan Haren got his first win of the 2006 season. He worked eight strong innings, gave up two solo HRs in "sloppy" conditions.

(Game experience: A little bit of KYCY 1550 AM, a little bit of ESPN MLB on the phone, most of the Oakland Tribune after the fact.)

A's record: 11-12 | streak: W-2 | well-A-meter: 2

Eric Byrnes on Cammy & Dean

While commuting to work I happened to flip to KFRC 99.7 FM and heard Cammy say she was going to call Eric Byrnes. The Arizona Diamondbacks are in town to play the Giants this weekend.

I stay tuned and she did call him! Byrnes and Cammy started off by ragging on Nick Swisher. Cammy said Swish was a poor substitution for the weekly phone conversation aired on the station that she and Byrnsie used to do. She said Swish liked to talk about fried chicken and being a country boy.

Byrnes said Swish was an "over the top" rookie. He said he encouraged Swish to "push the envelope." "Be yourself," Byrnes said he told Swisher.

Then the topic switched to Barry Bonds and Byrnes started this whole story about working out in the weight room with Bonds and how much pain Bonds was in and how much Bonds loves baseball. Mercifully Cammy had to end the call and the show went to commercial.

On July 14 of last year, Eric Byrnes and prospect Omar Quintanilla were traded to the Colorado Rockies for LHP Joe Kennedy and RHP Jay Witasick. Byrnes was soon traded by the Rockies to the Baltimore Orioles and in this past off-season, Byrnes moved to the Arizona Diamondbacks.

When he learned he was being shipped off to Colorado, Byrnes -- a Bay Area native who had played for Oakland his whole career up to the trade -- gave what is my favorite quote of all time, both inside and outside of baseball:

"While I was there, it didn't always seem perfect, but when I look back on it I just might think it was perfect." [mlb.com]

Eric Byrnes player card [espn.com]

Special Edition: I Want My A's TV!

[Wella's note: As promised, I'm providing a forum for others to write in Oakland Athletics Journal. If you have a baseball-related topic to expound on, email it to me. ]

I Want My A’s TV!
by Al

According to Nielsen, the Bay Area is the sixth largest media market in the country. We have so many TV stations, the only thing we lack is a local affiliate of Al Jazeera. But we can’t see A’s games played on weekday afternoons.

Part of this is tradition. Back in the old days before cable and satellite TV, most markets had only the Big Three network affiliates. And the networks frowned on their local affils dumping “Days of Our Lives” for the town team’s afternoon contest.

Part of this is demographics. Baseball is considered the Old Geezer’s sport. When audiences for the major sports are broken out by demographics, only golf leads baseball as having a larger percentage of adults in its audience.

It’s this demographic that kills weekday daytime baseball TV. Most of those adults are actually working somewhere. But in the pre-Tivo era, that demographic was a deal-killer. Why broadcast a game when the target audience is at work? But Tivo (or more generically, the DVR) has changed the equation. Now fans can time-shift the broadcast. And advertisers can’t even claim to be given short shrift. A recent study shows that ad recall is not affected by DVR ownership. So in fact advertisers would benefit by having the weekday afternoon games broadcast and time-shifted.


Rupert Murdoch sucks, but of course I mean that in the nicest possible way. His Fox media empire has a lock on Bay Area sports programming. His obvious locus of power is FSN Bay Area, which periodically broadcasts Warriors, Sharks, Giants and A's games. In addition, he has KTVU, to sew up the rest of the Giants' schedule, and KICU, to monopolize the A's.

The problem is that none of these outlets broadcast the A's or any of the other teams consistently. The A's weren't on TV Tuesday, and it wasn't even like the game was an afternoon game. It started at 5 p.m. PST, when local baseball fans could slip into their favorite watering hole to catch a couple of innings before staggering home. (Considering the way the Rangers were treating Zito, maybe this was a blessing.) But that's not how I see.

Murdoch holds this stranglehold, thanks to Bud "Steroids, we don't got no stinkin' steroids" Selig, who presides over a broadcast policy that sells you a MLB Extra Innings subscription, entitling you to over 60 games a week, then blanks you out.

So Tuesday, Extra Innings subscribers like me could get the A's game... unless you live in the Bay Area in which case you got blacked out. I'm OK with the blackout as long as the game is broadcast on local TV. (I'd much rather watch the game with Ray Fosse than with Bert Blyleven, the Twins color guy who amuses himself by scribing digital circles around cherubic fans at the Metrodome.) But when Fox ignores the A's, I want to see them on Extra Innings. As an A's fan, I'd be better served by living in Pocatello.

Forbes just released its estimated value of baseball franchises for 2006, and the Yankees topped $1 billion. “George Steinbrenner” is a four-letter word in my dictionary, but he’s got this figured out. The Yankees broadcast every game. So do the Red Sox and Mets, who were runners-up to the Yankees in value.

Let’s hope the A’s and/or the Bay Area media get on the bandwagon. To all our benefit.

Al has been an A's fan since attending a 1972 World Series game at the Coliseum.

Game #22: A's 6, Rangers 4

April 26, 2006 | A's @ Texas

What a nailbiter! But the A's fought back. Kudos to Joe Kennedy despite giving me the jitters when he loaded the bases in the 10th. Let's go A's!

Hmm... I went back to review the scoring plays and the A's had three HRs in this game courtesy of Frank Thomas, Bobby "Weird Injuries" Crosby, and Dan Johnson (okay, we won't send you to Sacramento).

Meantime the Rangers had one HR, courtesy of Mench, and it was a grand slam. In the end, though, the A's win.

Makes me wonder if this is the vision that Billy Beane has been trying to make a reality -- a team that wins games by outhomering the opponent.

(Game experience: Monitored 10th inning on Gameday and Gamecast. (Gameday is better.) )

A's record: 10-12 | streak: W-1 | well-A-meter: 3

Game #21: A's 5, Rangers 6

April 25, 2006 | A's @ Texas

Part of me doesn't want to dwell on the A's too much. It's like being manic-depressive. Our fortunes rise and fall from one day to the next. We don't have any real streaks going one way or the other. And these one-run games can toy with my emotions!

"Bradley left the game in the middle of the fourth after jamming his right knee when he slid back to first on a pickoff attempt. Bradley is day-to-day with a slightly sprained knee." [espn.com]

One more thing: When Bradley hurt himself during the game, I found myself very, very concerned. An eye-opener for me as I didn't realize how much I like him.

I'll keep this short as I want to insert a Special Edition. Is everyone as pissed as Al is that the A's games aren't always on TV? More to come...

(Game experience: KYCY 1550 AM )

A's record: 9-12 | streak: L-1 | well-A-meter: 2

Game #20: A's 3, Rangers 2

April 24, 2006 | A's @ Texas

I barely followed this game because, oops, I forgot my radio and didn't charge my cell phone. The irony is, I'd marked this game on my calendar months ago. I thought that maybe I could plan to be in Arlington and attend a game or two of this series. As it was, I couldn't even get the frickin' score for more than half the game. It's a good thing we won or I'd be even more disgruntled than usual. Twelve LOB being good cause for disgruntlement.

Here's a question I would've never asked before on the grounds that Ken Macha knows infinitely more than I do about his roster. And yet tonight I ask, Why is Bobby Kielty with the Rivercats and not Dan Johnson? I mean, couldn't we send DJ down, platoon Kielty and Payton in LF, and station Swish at 1B? I know I'm not knowledgable enough about baseball to pose these types of headscratchers, yet I pose away.

The Swish lovefest continues. HR #9 for my boyfriend of this week. Credit Swish for getting the lead which we actually keep. Credit him for the catch that made the last out. I'll even credit him for inspiring Chavy to hit HR #8.

(Game experience: Saw the 1-0, Rangers score on Gameday. Same score when I checked in the 5th, just before my cell phone battery died. Heard the bottom of the 9th on KYCY 1550.)

A's record: 9-11 | streak: W-1 | well-A-meter: 3

Game #19: A's 3, Angels 4

April 23, 2006 | A's vs. Los Angeles

The A's lose this game and this series, but I tell myself it's only April.

Esteban Loaiza taken out after 3.2 IP because of back spasms. Has he been hurting this whole time? I wonder if this is an instance where a player plays through pain because he doesn't want to admit something's wrong. (Meantime Huston Street isn't back yet because trainer Larry Davis wants to be conservative. Fine by me.)

Swisher hits another HR and now leads the A's with eight. I really like how he seems pleased sitting in the corner of the dugout afterwards. Not "pleased with himself" but just "pleased." I know Swish got a lot of flak from the A's during his rookie year for being talkative, for walking with a swagger, for not acting like a rookie. He's toned it down and this season, I think he's truly enjoying himself and having a good time. We should all be so mellow.

Chuckle of the day: Chavy slides to second on Frank Thomas's sac fly in the bottom of the 9th. Chavy breaks his belt and exchanges it for Ron Washington's.

(Game experience: Watched some of the game on FSNBA.)

A's record: 8-11 | streak: L-2 | well-A-meter: 2

Game #18: A's 4, Angels 5

April 22, 2006 | A's vs. Los Angeles

Despite the loss, this game was exciting enough to keep me in good spirits.

Who didn't marvel at Chavy's catch in the 2nd? This kind of play makes me glad I'm watching it on TV with all the slo-mo replays. Chavy and Kendall both run for the popup in the foul area. Chavy slows and looks away from the ball, ready to let Kendall get it, and yet still holds his arm out. Incredibly, the ball lands right in Chavy's glove. I can't read the expression on Kendall's face -- something like, "I said 'mine' already, but you just have to go out and get it." Stranger than fiction and more awe-inspiring than any of the TV commercials they've dreamed up for Eric Chavez.

Nick Swisher, my boyfriend of the week. I was fortunate enough to turn my attention to the TV when DJ got a hit (DJ GOT A HIT!) and loaded the bases. An Ellis strikeout later, Swish comes to bat and hits his first major league grand slam. Again with the basking in instant replay joyance. Again with the private handshake-leg kick Swisher shares with Milton Bradley. After the commercial break, the TV camera catches Swish, distinguished by his mop of dark brown hair and the angular facial hair designs on his jawline, looking dreamily at the field, possibly relishing the accomplishment. He's only 25. May this be the first of many grand slams in an eminent career.

Swisher brings the score to 5-4, Angels. He also makes a couple of outstanding catches in left field, swelling my chest with pride for him even further. And the score stays that way through the end of the game. Scot Shields was automatic for the Angels. Brad Halsey, looking like a high school student to me, relieves Dan Haren after 7.1 and meets expectations. Everyone tensely sits through the 9th because -- hey, it's A's vs. Angels in a one-run game and K-Rod coming to the mound. But Macha gets Frank Thomas to pinch hit for Kendall thus obliterating any possibility, no matter how slim, that another strange endgame is put into motion.

Dan Haren, I still love you, despite your second loss of the season.

Jeff Weaver, now with the Angels, gets the win. Every time I hear this guy's name, I think of the three-team trade that Billy Beane did in July 2002. Billy dealt Jeremy Bonderman to Detroit for Weaver, then traded Weaver to the Yankees for Ted Lilly. Over the course of a day, I think. You know how I feel about Bonderman, but I can't quite explain my disdain for Weaver. I'm being unfair about this, but I consider him to be a stack of poker chips or something.

I'm really psyched at how the A's and Angels rivalry has been developing over the last few years, particularly in the last couple of seasons. And there's one more game tomorrow! Part of me doesn't care who wins, even though the A's have dropped eight of the last 11. I just want to be wowed.

(Game experience: Watched key A's plays on FSNBA.)

A's record: 8-10 | streak: L-1 | well-A-meter: 3

Game #17: A's 5, Angels 3

April 21, 2006 | A's vs. Los Angeles

Definitely one to remember for a long time -- a game-ending batter's interference. Not even reliever Kiko Calero, who was on the mound at the time, had ever seen a game end with this type of play. But before we go into that, let's cover some other magic moments.

• Eric Chavez...home run #7. Steve and I had given up on Chavy ever having a breakout year. Leave him alone, Steve was wont to tell Chavy's detractors. He's a defensive third baseman! But now Chavy is finally getting off to a "fast start."
• Bobby Crosby...Mr. Glass, what did I tell you? On the one hand, Crosby's two-out double in the bottom of the 3rd brings about our first run. On the other hand, Scutaro replaces Crosby at short in the bottom of the 4th. DiamondVision later explains, "Bobby Crosby left the game with a strained right tricep." I can only shake my head.
• Milton Bradley...steals a base!
• John Lackey...seven walks?!? The Angels had a total of 10 walks in this game. Hey, I'm not complaining. The A's got four hits and five runs. I am not complaining.
• Vladimir Guerrero...0-4. Thanks for nothing, Vlad! Really. Thank you.
• Rich Harden...Perfect for the first three innings, then we enter the 4th and he starts giving up singles and a walk and I get anxious. Kendall even goes out to the mound to talk to him. But Harden prevails. He gets out of the inning and goes through eight. (Has a lot to do with our thinning bullpen, I suppose.) Later I hear on the radio Harden say he got himself through this whereas when he was younger and less mature, he wouldn't have been able to. Or something to that effect. Harden leaves the game after 8 IP and 111 pitches.
• Walk-off DP where Mathis strikes out and Kendall puts out pinch runner Quinlan at second...Here's how MLB.com's Mychael Urban described the 9th:
  

"Lefty Joe Kennedy took over to start the ninth inning and ran into a bit of bad luck when Erstad dumped a fly ball into right field that skipped past Milton Bradley and into the corner for a leadoff triple. Righty Kiko Calero came on to strike out pinch-hitter Tim Salmon and walk Casey Kotchman before striking out Jeff Mathis. Pinch-runner Robb Quinlan tried to steal second on the punchout pitch, but home plate umpire Lance Barksdale ruled that Mathis interfered with catcher Kendall's throw and called Quinlan out to end the game."

All I can tell you is that I saw Mathis strike out, then my eyes followed the ball thrown by Kendall to second. Quinlan slid in and I saw the umpire declare him safe. I jump on my feet to howl in protest, then I see the home plate umpire walking into the infield and pumping his fist to declare an out. Over the radio I hear the words "batter's interference" and the A's storm the field from the dugout. We fans are happy, if not a little stunned. I get the details from the radio and consult my baseball scoring guru afterwards. But as an A's fan said moments after the wacky, game-ending play resulting in an A's win, "We'll take it!"

(Game experience: Went to the game with Steve, Suzanne, and Michael. Steve and I are now 2-for-2 in games we've gone to together. I sat at Sec. 127 Row 11 Seat 5 which is in front of the bullpen mound. I've never sat this near to the A's bullpen before. Listened to KYCY 1550 AM during the game.)

BTW Kielty was sent down again in favor of RHP Chad Gaudin. I don't know how much longer Kielty will tolerate this. Billy Beane, what did Kielty do to deserve this?

A's record: 8-9 | streak: W-1 | well-A-meter: 3

Game #16: A's 3, Tigers 4

April 20, 2006 | A's vs. Detroit

I can't believe we lost this series to the Tigers. The Tigers! Hold on, there is no cause for alarm. Two games below .500 isn't so bad. It's only the third week into the season. I'm not going to hit the panic button. Yeah. Sure. That Zen approach toward losses I'd successfully adopted for the last few days is wearing off a bit.

• Zito has his second consecutive good start. I'm starting to think of this as Zito's last season with the A's. Let's enjoy him while he lasts.
• Zito balks. Having no visuals, I don't know exactly what happened. Dr. Dan suggests I take a poll to see if anyone knows exactly what a balk is...
• Kotsay hit a triple. Who once told me the triple was one of the most exciting events during a game? It really makes people get on their feet.
• The Tigers catch up in the top of the 9th and the game ends with Melhuse striking out. I guess Melhuse can't be the perfect go-to guy all the time.
  
• I have a soft spot for Jeremy Bonderman. I think he thinks Billy Beane was wrong to trade him to Detroit and now Jeremy is out to prove something every time he's in Oakland. I'm making this all up in my head, but I root for Jeremy Bonderman a little.
• Huston Street is injured. It's a pectoral muscle. Oh boy. It's supposed to heal quickly but Duchscherer closed today and... let's just say the baseball gods were merciful to me. I was nowhere near a computer, a radio, or my cell phone during the 9th inning of this game. Duke has been excellent thus far, but look at the size of his ERA today (click on this image capture from espn.com):

(Game experience: Brief glimpses of Gameday during game; caught up on espn.com after game was over.)

A's record: 7-9 | streak: L-2 | well-A-meter: 2

Game #15: A's 4, Tigers 11

April 19, 2006 | A's vs. Detroit

Mercifully I went out to dinner tonight and missed this mess.

• NOOO! Kenny Rogers?! Doesn't this guy have us by the balls?
• Nooo! I missed Kielty's return to the line-up...
• YES! Frank Thomas is back to hitting home runs.
• YES! Mark Ellis gets his first HR of the season. Good going!
• Uh... For a moment there, I wondered if Kendall was going to hit a HR. Ha ha! The ball hit the wall. It was a double. We score a run. It's 10-2, Tigers. Yipee.
• NOOO! Craig Monroe and Brandon Inge (I like to call him BInge or "binge"). Their names kept showing up on my cell phone. Not good.

(Game experience: Checked score on MLB.com and ESPN by connecting to Internet on my cell phone and heard the A's score runs 2-4 on car radio.)

A's record: 7-8 | streak: L-1 | well-A-meter: 2

Game #14: A's 4, Tigers 3

April 18, 2006 | A's vs. Detroit

Good game today for more reasons than one.

• Nick Swisher hit two homers. After he got the first one to bring us the 2-1 lead over the Tigers, I felt like he could do another one. I should've spoken up to GeneralChiang right then, but I didn't. So when Swish hit his second HR to break the 3-3 tie and give the A's the lead that we held on to, I couldn't convince GeneralChiang of my psychic powers.
• Saw Chris Shelton, the Tigers first baseman who's currently leading the AL with nine home runs. Unfortunately for Shelton and the two Detroit fans faithfully cheering in the seats to my left, he didn't hit any off of the A's tonight.
• Loaiza didn't suck. Six innings, six hits, three runs, three strikeouts. Better. But you're still not quite on my good side, Esteban. Keep working on it.
• I actually felt bad for the Tigers. Crowd of 16,000+ and not too many of their fans present. A losing record for the last few years. Then they go and commit two errors in tonight's game. Yeah, of course I want the A's to win, but this is like taking candy from a baby. I flashbacked to the first baseball games I ever attended, when I didn't know anything about the game, and I rooted for the visiting team just so they could have someone to clap for them. (Hmm, these were Giants games I'm talking about so already, back then, I was rooting against the Giants...)
• The espn.com play-by-play at the top of the 7th only says, "B Inge singled to center, C Monroe thrown out at third." And their box score only says, "Outfield Assist: M Kotsay (C Monroe at 3rd base)." But this is my version: Kotsay makes one of those amazing catches way out in center field, then he throws the ball all the way to Chavy at third, who tags Monroe trying to slide -- inning over. I couldn't help but jump to my feet and clap and shout as loudly as I can. Elation! "You never know what you're going to see at a ballgame," says GeneralChiang.
• I got to the game early enough to watch BP. Kielty was looking good; I miss his red hair. Haren was chatting and standing in the outfield, but occasionally going after a fly ball. I spent enough hours at the Oakland Coliseum (aka MacAfee Coliseum) today that GeneralChiang and I shared these observations:

1. They have vendors who sell Starbucks coffee out of these backpack containers. They pour the coffee through a handheld dispenser.
2. Now that the stadium has reduced seating to ~35,000 the vendors have less ground to cover which means higher vendor frequency. There's always something to purchase within the next couple of minutes.
3. The FusionStorm ad. What the heck is this product? I can't tell what it is. It sounds like something out of a comic book -- the phenomenon that enabled a superhero's powers, or the evil villain's device for ruling the world.

I got to the Coliseum so early, in fact, that I received the giveaway A's fleece blanket. Came in handy halfway through the game when I got cold.

(Game experience: Birthday present tix from GeneralChiang! We had pork sandwiches at the Plaza Club and sat at Sec. 214 Row 6. I was in Seat 2. )

A's record: 7-7 | streak: W-1 | well-A-meter: 3

Game #13: A's 3, Rangers 5

April 16, 2006 | A's vs. Texas

Heartbreaker.

	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9		R	H	E
TEX (5 - 8)	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	4		5	9	1		Final
OAK (6 - 7)	0	0	0	0	0	1	0	2	0		3	9	1

It had to happen sometime. Street disappoints. And on his bobblehead day to boot!

Pitchers	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	PC-ST	ERA
D Haren	8.0	4	1	1	1	5	1	100-67	5.40
H Street (L, 1-1; B, 1)	0.2	5	4	4	0	0	1	27-15	9.64
J Kennedy	0.1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1-1	0.00

I was just saying the other day, one of these games Huston Street is going to implode. Actually, I don't think this is it just yet. I think Street could do worse -- sorry, had to put that out there! -- as amazing as he is, he isn't perfect and one of these days he's simply not going to be able to do the job. Was this the day? Today was tolerable. It's early enough in the season and there was nothing embarrassing about how the game was played.

I am terribly disappointed that Danny Haren, my favorite pitcher, had an awesome start that didn't result in a win. I read some quotes from Haren after the game and he was very gracious about not blaming Bradley for the Rangers' run in the 8th or Huston's losing the game. Dan Haren: a legend in the making.

Also of note:

• Jay Payton ejected! You know how rare it is for an A to get ejected from a game? The last time I recall was Mark Kotsay late in the season last year against the Angels, I think. Otherwise, I don't remember ever knowing about one of our players getting ejected. Where do I look this up?
• Chavy remains hot. Four hits and all three RBIs of the game.
• Adam Melhuse enters the game as a pinch hitter and gets on base on a walk. You know, I really like how dependable this guy is. Despite his infrequent starts or appearances in games, Melhuse delivers the goods. Thumbs up!

(Game experience: Listened to last half of the game on KYCY 1550 AM in my car.)

A's record: 6-7 | streak: L-1 | well-A-meter: 2

Game #12: A's 5, Rangers 4

April 15, 2006 | A's vs. Texas

Back-to-back-to-back bombs. Love the alliteration!

Top of the 6th inning, it looked like Harden was struggling. He only needed one more out to finish the inning, but he walks Young and Texeira, then gives up a HR to Nevin. Just like that, our 2-1 lead is lost with this three-run home run. Score is now 4-2, Rangers.

Bottom of the 6th, Vicente Padilla returns to the mound. First pitch to Chavy is a HR. First pitch to Thomas is another HR. First pitch to Bradley is yet another HR. Three pitches = three homers. The A's get the lead and hold on to it.

Swisher was actually the first A's player to hit a HR in this game. It was a two-run homer. On TV they showed him smiling in the dugout. After Bradley hit the last of the back-to-back-to-back HRs, he and Swisher did some fancy handshake and cheered at each other. Are these two friends? That makes me smile. :-)

Also of note: Interesting play in the 4th by the A's defense. Texeira is on second when Nevin hits the ball towards Scutaro who fields the ball and throws it to Chavy at third. Chavy tags Texeira out at third and Nevin gets the single on base on a fielder's choice*. This seemed to be a big deal for the radio announcers; Korach said something about Scutaro making a split second decision to get Texeira out at third (unexpected) instead of going for Nevin at first (expected). Next at-bat is a 3-6 DP and the inning is over. So Scutaro made the right decision then?

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	PC-ST	ERA
R Harden (W, 2-0)	7.0	3	4	4	5	8	1	107-63	3.66

Pitcher	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	PC-ST	ERA
V Padilla (L, 2-1)	5.0	8	5	5	1	4	4	90-56	4.76

*Thanks, al, for the correction!

(Game experience: Watched FSN-BA+ with audio turned down while listening to KYCY 1550 AM. Also practiced scoring.)

A's record: 6-6 | streak: W-1 | well-A-meter: 4

Game #11: A's 3, Rangers 6

April 14, 2006 | A's vs. Texas

Our fourth loss in a row. I'm sorry to say, I could kinda tell we were gonna lose this game sometime in the 2nd inning. You know, when Zito hit Phil Nevin, then walked Hank Blalock. Zito got Barajas with a K, then Brad Wilderson with a backwards K. But then he walked Derosa and now the bases are loaded. Jimenez hits the ball to Milton Bradley in right field -- I mean, to right field where Milton Bradley is. Jimenez gets a single and two runs score. There was something hapless about this inning, particularly with Zito throwing a lot of pitches. He's got to be solid in the early innings, otherwise I get this sinking feeling in my chest that tells me we're not going to win.

• At least I saw Frank Thomas hit a home run. His 450th career HR. "His BA is a lusty .181," says tanner boyle reading off DiamondVision during the game.
• At least we saw Milton Bradley hit his first home run with the A's.
• At least Dan Johnson snapped out of his non-hitting streak. He tied the A's franchise for starting a season with an 0-27, but DJ got a bloop single AND an RBI in the bottom of the 5th. His hit was a relief to everyone (especially himself, I'm sure). tanner boyle and I gave him a standing ovation for this. Later I find out the A's dugout gives him a standing O as well.
• At least Swisher is still hot. His SLG was .727 when he came up to bat in the 5th and got a double.
• And we were pleased to see Bobby Kielty's back from the minors! (Apparently Witasick's hurt his ankle and will be on the DL. Whatever. I'm not a Witasick fan.) Kielty's red hair, though shorter, is unmistakable.
  

tanner boyle suggested I present tonight's line-up with their batting averages. Herewith, courtesy of espn.com:

Hitters								AVG
M Ellis 2B								.167
M Kotsay CF								.300
B Crosby SS								.214
E Chavez 3B								.250
F Thomas DH								.182
M Bradley RF								.289
N Swisher LF								.343
J Kendall C								.231
D Johnson 1B								.034

(Game experience: Guest of tanner boyle who has SWEET season tickets on the second row behind the A's dugout. I was at Sec. 121 Row 6 Seat 12, close enough to see the individual hairs on Crosby's sprouting beard as he returns from the field, and at an angle providing a fantastic view of Huston Street's warm-up pitches in the bullpen -- you can see the ball slightly zig and zag on its way to the catcher's mitt.)

A's record: 5-6 | streak: L-4 | well-A-meter: 2

Special Edition: Meet the authors of "Game of Shadows"

Get out from under your rock. The steroids-in-baseball story will not go away. Last night I went to Cody’s bookstore in Berkeley to hear Game of Shadows authors and San Francisco Chronicle investigative reporters Mark Fainaru-Wada and Lance Williams talk about their work.

I asked them why they wrote this book. Fainaru-Wada said, “I was motivated by a good story and the truth. We wrote the book because we've been working on the story for two years for the Chronicle. We've been able to reveal a lot about what's going on in baseball, track and field, and football, and we felt we had more to say.” He said that Game of Shadows looks at the current athlete mentality of "Cheat or lose."

Critics have accused these Chronicle reporters of churning out this book to make a fast buck. That’s way off the mark. “Anybody who knows the book business knows you don't set out to write a book because you think you're going to get rich,” said Fainaru-Wada. In reality the two were approached with a proposal to write the book. For them (or almost any writer) it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The two of them took an unpaid six-month leave from the Chronicle to write the book.

Most of the critics of Game of Shadows come from people who refuse to read the book. For these critics -- mainly diehard Bonds fans or those weary of the steroids story -- the argument seems to center on whether Barry Bonds used steroids at all. I personally think we’ve already gone beyond that. Bonds told a grand jury he used the The Cream and The Clear, but he didn’t know they were steroids.

"There's a perception we went after Barry somehow,” said Fainaru-Wada. “We didn’t start the federal investigation. We didn’t give the drugs to Barry. We didn’t suggest he use them. Bonds happened to be at the center of the investigation because his personal trainer was indicted and later pled guilty to steroid distribution. His nutritionist was indicted and later pled guilty to steroid distribution. And Bonds is chasing baseball’s most hallowed record and he’s now part of an ongoing perjury investigation.”

I personally know some Giants fans who continue to support Bonds and, while I respect they're entitled to their point of view, it continues to astound me that they remain supportive. I've long withdrawn my approval of Jason Giambi, for instance.

Lance Williams, despite his role in exposing the clay feet of the biggest star in San Francisco baseball of the last 25 years, is understanding of the supportive Bonds fans.

“I get this because I grew up in Cincinnati," he said. "Pete Rose was the manager of the Reds, the entire world knew he had gambled on baseball, but all my relatives, all my wife's relatives, all my old friends who still live in Cincinnati knew that wasn't true. It's no different.”

Game #10: A's 2, Twins 8

April 13, 2006 | A's @ Minnesota

Maybe I should switch and become a football fan instead. I'm too emotional to be a baseball fan. There are too many games. Even the players pace themselves, they forget what happened the day before, they live one game at a time, one at-bat at a time, one pitch at a time. The law of averages comes into play throughout a 162-game season. So you simply can't put too much emotion into one game.

Those pesky Twins. I can't fault them. They simply played better ball. They put the ball into play, they got on base, they scored. What can you do?

• Blanton simply got lit up. He gave up 11 hits. I didn't see any visuals for this game so I wonder if it was like Haren's start the other day where no matter where the ball was hit, there wasn't an Athletic near enough to catch it.
• Witasick gave up a HR to Cuddyer. This is the first time the A's bullpen has given up a run since the season started.
• Dan Johnson struck out to end the game just like yesterday. He's 0-26 now. I can't imagine what kind of pressure it must've been. Though today wasn't as bad as yesterday. Overcoming a six-run deficit with two outs in the 9th is kinda unlikely.
• Crosby is a player who I never think of as clutch. I guess I better learn how to calculate stats or at least look them up on my own, but whenever he's at at the plate, runners are on base, and we really want him to do something, he can't.

(Game experience: My transistor radio doesn't have reception at the office. Sad. I checked Gameday when I could.)

A's record: 5-5 | streak: L-3 | well-A-meter: 2

Game #9: A's 5, Twins 6

April 12, 2006 | A's @ Minnesota

*sigh*

• So much for my fantasy that we'd win every series this season. I continue to be annoyed with and yet respectful of the Minnesota Twins. Perhaps they do have our number.
• What's up with Loaiza? I'm giving him one more chance, but right now every time I hear his name I see a $21M/3 year price tag next to his face. And it makes me grumpy, Esteban, it makes me grumpy. [Postscript: tanner boyle tells me $7M/yr is about right for Loaiza and to give him about three more starts. Oooookay.]
  
• What is this with getting a big lead and not holding onto it? The A's have done it for the second game in a row.
• Ooh! There was a pickoff at first base in this game. Duchscherer picks off Shannon Stewart in the 8th. I find these plays interesting in general because they're rather rare, they're a bonus out for the team on defense, and such an infuriation for the opposing team.
• Nick Swisher! Two HRs and a double. The guy generated four of the five A's runs today and he was the runner brought home from second with Melhuse's hit. I think people have made up their minds about Swisher and they don't think he's all that great. Perhaps "Moneyball" make us expect a lot from him. But I like him anyway.
• Dan Johnson is 0 for 23. He was the last out of the game (Twins closer Joe Nathan had a perfect 9th).
• This is our first "losing streak" this season. Two losses in a row. Let's win it tomorrow!
  

(Game experience: I listened to the early and the late innings on KYCY 1550 AM radio in the car and at home, missing many details and Mauer's sac fly. Caught up on this by reading the espn.com.)

A's record: 5-4 | streak: L-2 | well-A-meter: 2

Game #8: A's 6, Twins 7

April 11, 2006 | A's @ Minnesota

I don't know which was the more cringe-inducing television I watched today: the bottom of the 3rd inning of A's @ MIN, or Queen's "Somebody to Love" being mangled by Elliot Yamin. Shudder.

Dan Haren. Gosh, I love this guy. Not only did Haren replace Mark Mulder, he made me forget about him. I was completely sold when I saw Haren vs. Johan Santana in a true pitchers' duel at the Coliseum, August 12, 2005. Were you there? Both of them pitched the full nine innings, both gave up only three hits, Santana had more strikeouts, Haren served up soft grounders, but ultimately the biggest difference was Haren gave up the only run in the game. But he did hold his own against the then reigning Cy Young Award winner.

So Haren faced the Twins again today and I had high hopes. Also dark fears. The Twins make me nervous. I have some kind of post-traumatic stress syndrome from the 2002 playoffs. I don't want to talk about it.

Anyway the A's start the game right by scoring four runs by the time we get to the top of the 3rd. Then we go to the bottom of the inning and it's single, double, single, single, single... I'm screaming, but Haren can't seem to hear me. The Twins' homers haven't even begun yet.

At this point I turn off the TV, eat dinner, and wash the dishes. I kinda know the game will end in a loss. It's the Twins, after all. Though maybe we're going to lose every first game, but ultimately win every series. Hmm... a 110-52 season wouldn't be bad.

I also noticed:
- Chavy has a multihomer game. Hey, it's only the second week of April and he's already getting hot? Oops! Did I say that out loud?
- Bobby "Laceration" Crosby hits his first HR of this season. And gets his first error.
- Kendall gets hit by a pitch. For the nth time. Sorry, but this makes me laugh every time it happens. Used to be I laughed every time Menechino got hit by a pitch. I laugh affectionately of course.
- In general, I shy away from the Twins, but their outfielder names get me. Torii Hunter. Shannon Stewart. Michael Cuddyer. Who makes this stuff up? Oh, right. Their parents.

A's record: 5-3 | streak: L-1 | well-A-meter: 2

Special Edition: Zito forum

[Wella's note: It's an off day today and a chance for us to chat. My web mentor Joker aka Gabe is interested in talking about the A's ace, Barry Zito. I should've posted this last week when Joker first turned it in; my bad. If you want to discuss or write about a baseball-related topic, email me.]

Is Oakland preparing to lose another Ace?
by Joker

It looks like Barry Zito might not make all 162 games with Oakland this year. I’m reading on newsday.com comments from Zito agreeing with former teammates Giambi and Damon that New York suits him.

Zito is looking at free agency at the end of this year but his trade might get accelerated if Oakland is not a playoff contender. He is thinking of either the Yankees or Mets. New York is New York for him (translation: Zito likes the Yankees but he can’t say that right now).

This could work out great for Billy Beane who is known to make unconventional moves and yet come out ahead (Moneyball is on my list to read soon).

I just found this unusual. I mean to get this kind of news out on the second game of the season? Man! Wait for at least a few weeks, don’t you agree?

Game #7: A's 6, Mariners 4

April 9, 2006 | A's @ Seattle

Oh my goodness... Like Harden, I was calm and confident through the first seven innings, but the last couple of innings slowly unraveled all the hard work he'd put in. I can only think that he must be disappointed.

Harden was amazing through seven, allowing only one hit and no walks. But he opens the 8th with a walk and a single. Macha takes him out. Fine. But after that, nothing goes by clockwork anymore. The Mariners start scoring.

The wacky part is, they get on base and/or advance because of a bobble, two walks, a HBP, a wild pitch, defensive indifference, and Huston Street throwing a tad too high to first (Swisher's able to get it, but the runner is safe and I'm having an anxiety attack back in California). Street finally gets the last out, but what was looking like a 6-0 victory instead ends 6-4. Yeah, I'm bitching about it. I wanted the shutdown.

I was looking forward to today's game because I wanted to see Harden pitch to Richie Sexson. Name jokes aside, I recall with deep fondness the June 21, 2005 game in Seattle that I watched on TV.

Harden was back from the DL and at one point in the game, he strikes out Richie Sexson. The inning is over. Sexson looks absolutely stunned and he watches Harden walk off the mound. Sexson turns to the umpire, then looks back at Harden again and the look on his face is a mix of incredulity and, may I say, admiration.

"He threw me a pitch tonight I've never seen before," marveled Seattle slugger Richie Sexson. "I'm sure it was a splitter, but it was wacky. It, like, knuckled up there, like a [Tim] Wakefield pitch.

"The umpire...was asking me, 'What was that?' I told him I didn't know."

Harden pitched extremely well this afternoon. In fact Sexson was 1-4 with three strikeouts and two of those Ks were courtesy of Harden.

team record: 5-2 | streak: W-3 | well-A-meter: 3

Game #6: A's 3, Mariners 0

April 8, 2006 | A's @ Seattle

With this one-hitter, the A's get their second consecutive shutout win and starter Barry Zito vindicates himself from the 47.25 ERA he set for himself on Opening Day. Here, let me save this screen for posterity.I caught Kotsay's HR and triple on FSNBA+. Because he was the "hero" of the game, Kotsay did a post-game interview with Glen Kuiper and Ray Fosse. I was surprised at how talkative he was and how rapidly he spoke. He's the kind of guy who can recall exact moments in a game. You know, inning, pitch count, what pitch the starter just gave, what's going through his own mind as he anticipates the next pitch, etc. But when Fosse asks him to comment on the make-up of the 2006 A's, Kotsay slips back into generics, not even naming names. Something about the nucleus being there, plus some additions, important thing is to be consistent, maintain, stay healthy, insert phrase here that's true for the A's or any of the other 29 teams.

I also saw Kendall's steal. Or was it a forced steal to avoid a pickoff? Whatever, he was successful at getting to second without being tagged. [Hey, guys, go ahead and correct me if I say anything incorrect or downright stupid. Just add lots of smileys when you do so; I've been sensitive these last couple of weeks.]

And of course I had to sit still and watch Huston Street's 9th inning. Richie Sexson, who I still like a lot, almost hit a home run but it went foul. He struck out to end the game. Sorry, Richie! Tonight belongs to the A's.

I also like this Jamie Moyer guy. I'll skip all the cliche comments about his pitch speeds and instead say this: I really admire that this guy is 43 and still a successful starting pitcher in the major leagues and there isn't suspicion of steroid use clouding him. Keep up the good work, Mr. Moyer. Live long and prosper.

Not really game-related: Huston Street is growing a beard. Hmm. Is this to counter the A's "Goatee" commercial where he's the punchline? Chavy also has a full beard. Isn't that something...

A's record: 4-2 | streak: W-2 | well-a-meter: 5
The well-a-meter rating encapsulates my daily sentiments towards the A's.
1 = the season's over!
2 = c'mon guys you can do it!
3 = all good
4 = i love the A's!
5 = world series, here we come!

Game #5: A's 5, Mariners 0

April 7, 2006 | A's @ Seattle

Good golly! How I wish I was there! Shutout win with thrills galore. Where to begin?

• Joe Blanton's excellent outing: 8 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 SO, 0 HR, 98 pitches-68 strikes, 0.00 ERA. How Joey is underestimated. The best start we've seen thus far comes from our #5 pitcher. Joey's the first A's starter to get a W this season, by the way. Harden and Haren each got a no decision while Zito and Loaiza each racked up a loss.
  
• And he did it against teenage phenom Felix Hernandez. I heard on 1550 AM that Seattle is going to take care of Felix, make sure he stays in the big leagues for at least 10 years. I'm glad they said that. For me, really young athletes like Felix belong to the sport, not only the team that develops him. Please keep this young man healthy, don't overuse or abuse him, and let's all enjoy watching him pitch for the next decade or more. So Felix gave up a run and exited the game after five innings and 100 pitches.
• Milton Bradley...! You saw it, I only heard it on the radio. Top of the 6th, two outs, bases loaded with Kendall on first, Bradley on second, and Thomas on third. Swisher singles to center and Thomas practically walks home. Bradley's expected to follow, but he misses touching third base. He doubles back, but Kendall's about there. Bradley gets tagged. As Macha said afterwards, "I'm glad he went back and touched it, otherwise, we wouldn't have scored the run we did."
• Duchscherer has pitched a total of four innings in three games and his ERA remains at 0.00.

Game #4: A's 2, Mariners 6

April 6, 2006 | A's @ Seattle

What happened? It seemed like every time I looked on Fox Sports, the Mariners were getting on base. This game had its own share of moments, including:

• Scutaro's triple to start off the game (he scores on Kotsay's groundout)
• a rare Melhuse start! He caught 10% of the games in '05.
• an attempted suicide squeeze by the Mariners
• Jay Witasick escaping death or a head injury or at the very least a really bad headache
• Chavy's second HR of the season and the last time the A's score in this game
• Scutaro's game-ending strikeout <-- what an unusual combination of words this is

Loiaza disappoints (nine hits?!), but I'll give him a second chance.

I'm not upset with the loss, not quite. I like the Mariners. I'm appreciative they took 2 of 3 from the Angels in their first series of the season. I know that somehow, no matter how well the Mariners may be thriving, the A's have their number. I like Ichiro and his peculiar mannerisms when he comes up to bat. I like Richie Sexson despite his unfortunate name. I like the look of Safeco Field even though I've never been inside. I like Seattle. I like salmon. I even like Starbucks.

And we have three more games in this series. I'm confident.

Special Edition: "Page Refresh"

[Wella's note: As promised, I'm providing a forum for my friends to write in Oakland Athletics Journal. If you have an original baseball-related article for publication in this Special Edition space, email it to me. ]

Page Refresh
by GeneralChiang

Based on my limited experience playing organized softball in Alameda, I can tell you that nothing intimidates a pitcher more than a large, athletic, African-American hitter with power. That's why I was so glad the A's landed future Hall Of Fame designated hitter Frank Thomas in the offseason. “The Big Hurt” has always been a favorite player of mine for his mastery of the strike zone (no easy feat for a 6' 5” hitter). I look for Thomas to bring back the Oh crap! Look who's up with men on base factor that was last seen when Jason Giambi anchored the A’s offense in 2001.

Frank Thomas' arrival has triggered memories of another Oakland designated hitter, Mitchell Page. As a rookie in 1977, Mitchell Page led the Athletics in batting average (.307), stolen bases (42), runs scored (85), and RBIs (75). He also clubbed 21 home runs, just one behind third baseman Wayne Gross who was the A's All-Star Game representative that year. At the end of the 1977 season, Page finished as the runner-up to Baltimore's Eddie Murray for American League Rookie of the Year.

The 1977 version of the Oakland A's was a team in transition. Only two years removed from their last Western Division title in 1975, the A's roster saw enormous turnover due to the introduction of free agency. A roster of All-Stars like Sal Bando, Joe Rudi, Rollie Fingers, Phil Gardner, Ken Holtzman, Catfish Hunter, and Reggie Jackson seemed to have evaporated overnight. The team had some young talent (Mike Norris, Tony Armas, Steve McCatty) that wouldn't blossom until the arrival of Billy Martin as manager three years later. The most memorable feature of the A's in 1977 was Mitchell Page's outstanding rookie season. Nicknamed “The Rage”, the talented rookie provided the slight glimmer of hope to the team's fan base which was accustomed to winning World Series.

My most lasting memory of Mitchell Page was the intimidating way he conducted himself. “The Rage” would silently step into the batter’s box and stare down the pitcher with a vengeful glare, like Clint Eastwood in an Italian western. His frightening presence at the plate caused pitchers to often pitch around him, even though he was a notorious free swinger. “The Rage” was, quite simply, one mean-looking S.O.B.

Greatness, unfortunately, eluded Mitchell Page. His offensive numbers would gradually decline each of the following years. By 1981, with manager Billy Martin totally remaking the A's into a contender, Mitchell Page lost his DH job to former New York Yankee Cliff Johnson. Page stayed with the A's until 1983 and ended his career as a Pittsburgh Pirate in 1984.

Mitchell Page is currently the batting instructor for the Washington Nationals. But I will always remember his intimidating presence that gave flavor and identity to a young, overlooked team in Oakland.

GeneralChiang has been following the Bay Area sporting scene since he was six years old.

Game #3: A's 9, Yankees 4

April 5, 2006 | A's vs. New York

Steve and I are finally at a game together after a long while. You see, Steve has this thing where, if he goes to two games in a row with the same person/s and the A's lose both times, he finds someone else to go with. Last year Steve and I went to two games within the first two weeks of April. The A's lost each time. "Bye, Wella! See ya next year!" Tonight's victory over the Yankees is a good sign for superstitious types like us.

We sat in Section 110 Row 27 Seats 6 & 7 which meant we were surrounded by Yankees fans. You know, I've come to begrudgingly respect the Yankees in the last couple of years, but their fans are simply obnoxious. This evening they were particularly arrant. A couple of rows ahead of us, a young woman carried a DV camera with built-in microphone and videotaped the Yankees fans on her row as Matsui homered in the 2nd inning. I know for a fact that you need prior permission to bring a video camera into a major league stadium; this woman had some kind of pass dangling from her neck. What was this about? I don't know. I certainly wasn't going to ask.

These Yankees fans and their kindred in the vicinity organized themselves very well in chanting "Let's go Yankees!" By contrast, A's fans are quiet. I dunno. I think it's a Bay Area thing. We play it cool. We're not gonna get that crazy. It's only sports.

Or so I told myself when the Yankees had 4 runs and we had zip at the top of the third. Steve and I chat. My attention drifts away from the game. . .

Then, at the bottom of the 4th, the bases are loaded and Milton Bradley comes up. "Come on, Bradley, make me love you," I say quietly from my seat. I don't shout; he need not hear me. Milton knows what I need. He singles, two runs score, and Milton Bradley is officially an Oakland Athletic in my eyes.

Other memorable moments:

• Bases loaded and my man Milton draws a walk and the score is tied, 4-4.
  
• The guys sitting to my left weren't boisterous, but they were all in navy blue. They silently leave in the bottom of the 8th when Thomas doubles and the score is 9-4, A's. "Thanks for coming," Steve says.
• The photographable Yankees fans in front of me are subdued when the A's tie, take the lead, then pile it on. To her credit, the camera-toting woman continues to videotape their sullen reactions. Meantime the rest of us A's fans are on our feet, high-fiving one another.
  

While I toy with the idea that my choice of T-shirt or my seat assignment can influence the team's losing a game, I truly don't believe that my clapping or cheering any louder will make Haren throw a strike or Chavy hit a homer. Really, I don't. I cheer only because I'm happy or excited. If the A's win, it's because they played well. If they lose, it's because I sat in that godforsaken bleacher section or wore my Crosby shirt too many games in a row. Tonight, Oakland played way better than the Yankees. And Steve and I plan to go to another game again soon.

Postscript: "tanner boyle" was also at this game. He has fantastico seats right behind the A's dugout and after the game, emailed me,"After Bradley scored in the eighth, he was walking back to the dug out and right outside the dugout he let out a short scream that kind of caught me off guard. Just a short blast of fire from Milton Bradley. He was pumped up and he wanted that run bad. ...[W]e were kind of shocked by his display (we never hear anything from the players) but then we agreed that the A's, since we have been paying attention, have never had a player who played with that kind of passion/anger. You can tell he wants to win VERY badly. Exciting stuff."

Game #2: A's 4, Yankees 3

April 4, 2006 | A's vs. New York

I didn't attend this game. I didn't watch it on TV. I didn't listen to all of it on the radio.

However, I caught some of the best parts of it here and there. I was still at home and watching Action 36 at the top of the 1st and with runners on second and third, Harden strikes out Sheffield, A-Rod, and Giambi. I'm clapping and cheering by myself in my room. "What a familiar sound," I think.

On 1550 AM on my car radio, those darned Yankees are ahead, 1-0. I arrive at my destination just when A-Rod gets tagged by DJ in a base running blunder. I don't quite get what happened. I need visuals! I miss Bill King.

In a café with my transistor radio, I tune in just as the game ends when Scutaro singles, Bradley scores, and we win 4-3 in the bottom of the 9th on a rainy night.

Apparently I missed a great game. I'm kicking myself. But we make our choices about which games to attend. We decide based on our own availability and the swag from promotions or the promise of fireworks. We decide out of convenience or opportunity. Every now and then, we decide based on the match-up. Tonight was a close game, replete with home runs and errors, each team taking and losing a lead in turn. The kind of game I wish I was at in person to emerge hoarse, exhausted, and fulfilled.

Some thoughts:

• Harden is back!
• Scutaro's walk-off single tonight makes for his seventh game-ending at-bat in three seasons with the A's. He's so clutch. Even though I'm told there's no such thing.
• Street's first win of the year. Hmm… let's let Street rack up saves, okay? I like our starters to collect wins. But then we wouldn't have these great nailbiters, would we?
• Scutaro started at SS because Crosby is hurt. Again. Happened last night in the 3rd inning when Robinson Cano stepped on his hand. Bobby, Bobby, Bobby. Mr. Glass. Anthony would argue something about Crosby being the kind of player who gives his all, hence the injuries, etc. But I still nickname Crosby after the easily injured Samuel L. Jackson character in Unbreakable.

Postscript: A-Rod's baserunning blunder is described in greater detail in the last three grafs of this San Jose Mercury News article.

Opening Day: A's 2, Yankees 15

April 3, 2006 | A's vs. New York

I've been looking forward to Opening Day since October of last year.

To top it off, I go in expecting a pitchers' duel. Lefty vs. lefty. NL Cy Young Award winner of 2002 vs. AL Cy Young Award winner of 2002. HOF lock-in vs. um, John Mayer wannabe. It's Randy Johnson vs. Barry Zito.

This ought to be good. I wish for a tense game that the A's win 1-0 in the bottom of the 9th. I know this wish well, as I've had it before and met disappointment. Tonight is no different. It's a blowout: the Yankees take it, 15-2.

So after spending the morning IM-ing one another with "I can't wait!" and "I'm so excited!" I meet Kyle, Celeste, and Marisa at section 247. I hadn't even digested my Philly cheesesteak and already Zito walks four, gives up a grand slam, brings the score to 7-0 Yankees, and we're still at no outs in the top of the 2nd inning.

I've had this nightmare before. It was on September 8, 2004 -- Pedro Martinez against our own Tim Hudson. Huddy gave up four walks and went through the entire Red Sox line-up in the first inning of a game we eventually lost, 8-3. It turned out to be Huddy's worst outing of his career.

Tonight was Zito's shortest outing of his career. Probably the longest inning and a-third of my life!

Well... at least I got to the Coliseum early enough for the pre-game festivities. At least I got to enjoy the Bill King tribute, to see Chavy get his fifth Gold Glove, and Huston Street acclaimed as Rookie of the Year 2005. At least I finally got to experience what it's like to sit at a baseball game with a light drizzle falling on my baseball cap. Kyle cheered me up with this piece of logic: this is probably the most meaningless game of our season.

Postscript:
- This game marks Zito's first loss for the season. Zito's ERA is a staggering 47.25!
- This game marks Crosby's first injury for the season. He's not placed on DL, instead he'll miss a week.