Game #87: A's 0, Angels 3 (updated)

July 7, 2006 | A's vs. Los Angeles/Anaheim

Lackey takes the high road

[See bottom of this blog entry for update. -wella]

Joker told me he was following the A's-Angels series more closely than the Giants-Dodgers because any possible flare-up between Angels starter John Lackey and our Jason Kendall would be exciting.

But no such thing happened.

Instead, Lackey proceeded to simultaneously frustrate and stun us with a one-hitter. I arrived in time at the Coliseum to see Mark Kotsay's double at the bottom of the 1st, but that was it. The A's batters couldn't do anything against Lackey after that.

His line:

	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	PC-ST	ERA
J Lackey (W, 7-5)	9.0	1	0	0	0	10	0	109-77	2.88

Anyone in the crowd hoping for another brawl got no such thing. Lackey struck out 10, matching his own career high. He shut out the A's and shut up the bloodthirsty.

* * *

Zito gave up two home runs, got no run support, and went 110 pitches over eight innings. Calero pitched the ninth.

Oh, and Zito did have an awesome out that was selected by Vince Cotroneo as the Blue Diamond Almonds' Nuttiest Play of the Day. Top of the 4th, two outs, Tim Salmon hits a 1-1 pitch that goes straight back to Zito.

But Zito, having just thrown the pitch, is somewhat turned around. His right arm is stretched out and the ball lands in his glove — BACKHANDED. Zito feels the ball in his glove and throws it to DJ at first, beating Salmon for the out.

They showed the play in DiamondVision four times, from three different angles, in slow motion. It was unbelievable. A comebacker caught backhanded.

* * *

The only other thing I'll take away from this game happened in the 3rd inning. Chone Figgins successfully stole second and DJ couldn't pick him off. Apparently Figgins did not stray more than three feet from the baseline.

A baseline is the direct route—a straight line— between two adjacent bases. The basepath is the region within three feet (0.9 meters) of the baseline. Baserunners are not required to run in this objective basepath, however; a baserunner may run wherever he wants when no play is being attempted on him. At the moment the defense begins to attempt a tag on him, his running baseline is established as a direct line from his current position to the base which he is trying for. The runner may not stray three feet away from this line in an attempt to avoid a tag; if he does, he is automatically out. [Wikipedia.com]

I learned something new!

Update 7/08/2006: Lately I've been wondering why I haven't heard from Al. He must be busy, I thought. Well, he's resurfaced and it's about time. Al is not just a reader; he's also an editor. My editor! I'm sharing this email he sent me...

Hi Wella,

For shame! Leaving early ... missing Thomas's home
run. Just another fair-weather, let's-beat-the-traffic
fan. Move to L.A.!! :)

On yesterday's blog:

1. Figgins did steal second base during the game, but
he didn't do it during the play you referenced. On
that play, he made it back to first safely.

2. You wrote that DJ couldn't pick off Figgins during
that play. Pick offs are performed by pitchers. What
DJ couldn't do is tag him out.

Minor things compared to leaving the game early.
Faugh!!! :)

I thought your mother taught you better after that
early blanket-folding episode.

Cheers,

Al

And I'm learning something new again and again. Thanks, Al!



(Game experience: Sec 124 Row 31 Seat 18 with Dave and his folks)

A's record: 45-41 | streak: L-1 | well-A-meter: 2