Games 117-120: for the birds (still) ← FREE KRAUT!

Games 117-120: for the birds (still) 133

A’s and Orioles, at Camden Yards. It’s the rare four-game series that ends on a Monday, and the finale is a night game with travel cross-country to follow with a home game the next night on top of that.

If the A’s were actually in the playoff hunt, that might be worth being annoyed with.

133 thoughts on “Games 117-120: for the birds (still)

  1. James V. Aug 14,2015 5:00 pm

    Billy Butler + Mike Gallego = automatic outs

  2. Thunderbutt Aug 14,2015 5:13 pm

    What’s up with that dude’s glitter-helmet? Did I miss something?

    There is always a score.
  3. James V. Aug 14,2015 5:32 pm

    No words.

    • doctorK Aug 14,2015 5:39 pm || Up

      ‘MURICA FK YEAH

      • James V. Aug 14,2015 5:44 pm || Up

        I guess I’d rather see that than the truck flying two confederate flags a little east of Portland a couple weeks ago.

  4. Soaker Aug 14,2015 5:55 pm

    Mills is going to hand a one-run lead to Team Dynamite to start the 6th? OK, I know how this ends.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • Englishmajor Aug 14,2015 6:08 pm || Up

      At least Mills did most of the damage himself.

      • Soaker Aug 14,2015 6:41 pm || Up

        I was about to let Scribbles/Abad off the hook on the basis of the lousy defense…

        What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • Englishmajor Aug 14,2015 6:42 pm || Up

      And there it is.

    • Future Ed Aug 14,2015 7:40 pm || Up

      its his fault that 2 guys were thrown out at the plate

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
  5. Englishmajor Aug 14,2015 6:46 pm

    Some Blue Jays fan posted pictures on Twitter of his WE MAY NEVER LOSE AGAIN sign. I was trying to decide if I should tell him we’ve seen this movie…actually, we’ve been IN this movie… and it doesn’t end that way, when the Yankees took the lead.

  6. andeux Aug 14,2015 6:54 pm

    Dull
    Venditte

    TINSTAAFK
    • Soaker Aug 14,2015 6:59 pm || Up

      (looks at 40-man roster to see what it would take to get Dull on there)

      We still have Craig Gentry? WTF?

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  7. Englishmajor Aug 14,2015 7:13 pm

    TeAse, of course.

    • andeux Aug 14,2015 7:15 pm || Up

      Featuring a couple of Baltimore chops.

      TINSTAAFK
      • FreeSeatUpgrade Aug 14,2015 9:02 pm || Up

        Beats a couple of Baltimore cops.

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
        • andeux Aug 14,2015 9:06 pm || Up

          In FSU, a couple of Baltimore cops beat you.

          TINSTAAFK
  8. Englishmajor Aug 14,2015 7:21 pm

  9. James V. Aug 14,2015 7:23 pm

    Lots of pitches, but Tulo whiffs with runners on 2nd and 3rd, Jays lose by 1.

  10. Englishmajor Aug 14,2015 7:26 pm

    I am really liking Beth Mowins on the Raiders broadcast so far. Very confident.

    • Soaker Aug 14,2015 7:49 pm || Up

      She’s an NFL rookie but has done plenty of college games. Looking at the list, in her football work last year she mostly called PxP on Big Ten games for ESPN, plus one bottom of the barrel bowl game, the “Military Bowl”.

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  11. Soaker Aug 14,2015 7:34 pm

    We may not win the game, but we can try to make you wait until midnight to shoot off your fireworks.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  12. Future Ed Aug 14,2015 7:58 pm

    booooooooooooooo. booooooooooooooooooo

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  13. Future Ed Aug 14,2015 8:16 pm

    this buys us 2 more weeks of coco

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  14. Englishmajor Aug 14,2015 8:16 pm

    Every time I see Coco with a slightly off-balance swing or a grimace I wonder if I’m seeing him for the last time. And then he hits a double.

  15. James V. Aug 14,2015 8:20 pm

    Coco’s average has jumped from .096 to .139.

  16. Soaker Aug 14,2015 8:21 pm

    The problem here is that the A’s need to get at least 6 more outs to win this game, and after Pom Poms empties the tank they’re out of pitchers.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • andeux Aug 14,2015 8:29 pm || Up

      Ike Davis

      TINSTAAFK
      • Soaker Aug 14,2015 8:32 pm || Up

        “Say, Sonny, have you felt any spasms in your back today?”

        What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • Future Ed Aug 14,2015 8:31 pm || Up

      normally i worry about wearing out the bullpen in games like this, this season…meh

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • andeux Aug 14,2015 8:31 pm || Up

      Plus they might be forced to call up Venditte now.

      TINSTAAFK
      • Soaker Aug 14,2015 8:45 pm || Up

        They don’t need Mills, and now Pomeranz may be headed for the DL, so possibly two relievers coming up for tomorrow.

        What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
        • Future Ed Aug 14,2015 8:47 pm || Up

          with the injury I suspect leon is on his way back

          I have $5. No I don\'t.
  17. Future Ed Aug 14,2015 8:43 pm

    is vince going nuts over matt kemp and his cycle?

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  18. Future Ed Aug 14,2015 8:50 pm

    its cute that they still think they are in a race

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  19. James V. Aug 14,2015 8:54 pm

    Well, that was an A’s game.

    • Future Ed Aug 14,2015 8:56 pm || Up

      we all agree, baseball was played according to the rules of baseball tonight in Baltimore.

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
  20. Future Ed Aug 14,2015 8:58 pm

    seriously, brooks is gonna brooks. so not a terrible game. again.

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  21. FreeSeatUpgrade Aug 14,2015 9:04 pm

    From the box score this looks like it was an exciting game that I’m not sad I missed.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  22. Future Ed Aug 14,2015 9:37 pm

    i forgot about the terrible defense (canha and burns)

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  23. Glorious Mundy Aug 15,2015 8:38 am

    The A’s.

    LOL.

  24. Future Ed Aug 15,2015 9:32 am

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  25. Future Ed Aug 15,2015 9:34 am
    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  26. Future Ed Aug 15,2015 12:53 pm

    slusser zito musings which puts him against the dodgers

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  27. Future Ed Aug 15,2015 2:42 pm

    boooooooooooo!

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  28. Future Ed Aug 15,2015 4:32 pm

    sogard is bad at the backhanded flip

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  29. Thunderbutt Aug 15,2015 4:37 pm

    Aw… Sam looks so happy.

    There is always a score.
    • Future Ed Aug 15,2015 4:43 pm || Up

      oddly, Wm. Josh reddick doesn’t

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
  30. Future Ed Aug 15,2015 4:47 pm

    its not a bad play to go for a double there. it would take 3 hits to score butler from first and only one double to score him from 2nd.

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  31. Future Ed Aug 15,2015 4:52 pm

    hey mark!

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  32. Future Ed Aug 15,2015 5:09 pm

    Chris davis destroyed that baseball

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  33. Thunderbutt Aug 15,2015 5:15 pm

    Burns a genuine ROY candidate?

    There is always a score.
    • Future Ed Aug 15,2015 5:17 pm || Up

      maybe the year bailey won. not this year

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
  34. Future Ed Aug 15,2015 5:16 pm

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  35. andeux Aug 15,2015 5:22 pm

    Orioles fans booing all the walks, clearly not appreciating the significance of Butler being up next.

    TINSTAAFK
    • andeux Aug 15,2015 5:23 pm || Up

      Sigh.

      TINSTAAFK
      • Future Ed Aug 15,2015 5:25 pm || Up

        DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA. DFA.

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • oblique Aug 15,2015 5:30 pm || Up

        Don’t swing..don’t swing…don’t swing…dammit!

        • Future Ed Aug 15,2015 5:37 pm || Up

          the orioles played 13 innings last night. they haver one fresh reliever. we were one batter from getting to the bullpen, which would be great for the 4 game series.

          second pitch groundball

          I have $5. No I don\'t.
  36. Future Ed Aug 15,2015 5:39 pm

    I like that lawrie didn’t swing at that

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  37. Future Ed Aug 15,2015 5:46 pm

    orioles b TV crew isn’t that good

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • Future Ed Aug 15,2015 5:55 pm || Up

      “get a hustling davis”

      as davis jogs down the line…

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
  38. Future Ed Aug 15,2015 6:24 pm

    venditte?

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • Soaker Aug 15,2015 6:32 pm || Up

      Is formally inducted as a member of Team Dynamite.

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
      • Future Ed Aug 15,2015 6:34 pm || Up

        i say gotta tip your hat. down and away. one handed swing

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
        • andeux Aug 15,2015 6:47 pm || Up

          Had a bad feeling about that match-up.
          But still surprised he managed to hit it out on that particular swing.

          TINSTAAFK
        • Soaker Aug 15,2015 6:52 pm || Up

          OK, we’ll give him a one-time hall pass. I was out all day and just turned on Orioles radio for the last 1.5 innings, didn’t bother with the TV. What a beautiful, crystal-clear day around Tahoe, we haven’t had that much smoke this summer (as yet…) but it was sparkling today so obviously the smoke went elsewhere. Checked some news reports from the Bay Area…oh.

          What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
        • andeux Aug 16,2015 10:16 am || Up

          TINSTAAFK
  39. Future Ed Aug 15,2015 6:33 pm

    that was a pretty good pitch

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  40. FreeSeatUpgrade Aug 15,2015 6:46 pm

    The A’s are well on their way to going 0 for my vacation.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  41. Future Ed Aug 16,2015 8:54 am
    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  42. Future Ed Aug 16,2015 11:18 am

    i don’t think scoopes play was a mistake really. it avoided the double play and put a runner at third (aND SECOND). it also made the A’s make plays

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  43. Future Ed Aug 16,2015 11:23 am

    well then

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  44. mother pucker Aug 16,2015 11:27 am

    I think I have seen enough of Graveman at this point to say that if he is a member of the A’s rotation next season, then that is a serious issue. However, seems at least worth it this season to determine if he can at least have some success out of the bullpen, particularly given how awful the current options are.

  45. andeux Aug 16,2015 11:34 am

    It must be nice to have a team that can hit home runs.

    TINSTAAFK
  46. mother pucker Aug 16,2015 1:12 pm

    The Raiders are gonna need a little more than a safety to overcome those two Flacco TDs.

    • Future Ed Aug 16,2015 1:55 pm || Up

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • Bed Aug 16,2015 11:13 pm || Up

        Well, I learned three things from reading this thread.

        1. We’re doing series threads now.
        2. The A’s really suck
        3. Paula Poundstone is apparently still alive.

        But seriously, folks...
  47. Soaker Aug 16,2015 1:26 pm

    (wasn’t watching or listening to game, checks score)

    (oh god)

    This road trip has succeeded in one thing: running off the few remaining fans who were interested and allowing Butler to be putrid in privacy for the rest of the season. I’ll be tuned in Tuesday night because no-hitters are interesting even when it’s the other guy who throws one.

    What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • bear88 Aug 16,2015 1:59 pm || Up

      Rarely has a free agent acquisition been so roundly denounced by the fanbase, with the fanbase being 100 percent correct.

      It’s less dumb than trading a superstar under team control for years to the Blue Jays, but still just a deadly move.

      • James V. Aug 16,2015 2:01 pm || Up

        One year? Meh, whatever.

        Two years? Bad, don’t really see the point.

        Three years? What were you thinking, Beane?

      • Soaker Aug 16,2015 3:12 pm || Up

        There aren’t any good ways out of this. The best I can think of is: somebody in a hitter’s park thinks Butler is a low-risk acquisition in the offseason if they only have to pay $2 million/year. So the A’s get out of 20% of the remaining obligation. That would be quite a meeting for Beane: “See, John and Lew, we’ll be paying Butler $8 million each of the next two seasons to GIDP and K for the Tampa Bay Rays, but that’s better than paying him $10 million to GIDP and K as our regular DH.”

        Getting someone to take on most or all of Butler’s contract likely means getting a near-zero return for Reddick.

        What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
      • nevermoor Aug 17,2015 10:58 am || Up

        I dunno. We’ve been right about nearly all of his dumb moves recently. I’m not sure what the last contract was I liked, but either the first Coco extension (not this one, which was obviously playing with fire) or Chavez.

        "There's never enough time to do all the nothing you want"
        • vignette17 Aug 22,2015 12:25 pm || Up

          I loved the Brett Anderson extension. But true FA? That’s always been Beane’s weakness.

          I mean: Loaiza, Fuentes, Crisp (2x), Butler, Sheets, Chavez, Cespedes. By memory, that’s all the true FA with greater than $5M AAV that Beane has signed. Only Crisp (once) and Yo were remotely worth their contracts.

          • Future Ed Aug 22,2015 6:39 pm || Up

            i think punto needs an exception in there

            I have $5. No I don\'t.
  48. James V. Aug 16,2015 1:28 pm

    Ike Davis is pitching again.

  49. Future Ed Aug 16,2015 1:29 pm

    davis to the mound

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  50. James V. Aug 16,2015 1:40 pm

    Anyone watching that game can now say they saw a hitter pitching to a pitcher hitting (and walking him on four pitches) in an American League game.

  51. Future Ed Aug 16,2015 1:54 pm

    one heck of a tease

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  52. sslinger Aug 16,2015 2:26 pm

    We can’t even mock our team by calling them the Washington Generals any more.

  53. Glorious Mundy Aug 16,2015 5:16 pm

    Holy hell this team is shitty.

    • Soaker Aug 16,2015 6:05 pm || Up

      In my long experience of watching Oakland A’s baseball, a hallmark of the bad teams is that there’s usually a late-season trip to the Eastern time zone that gets me whistling the Colonel Bogey March.

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • doctorK Aug 16,2015 10:12 pm || Up

  54. 5Aces Aug 16,2015 5:57 pm

    I dont know what to do about the next 7 or so weeks. This should be a time to call up all manner of players in AAA and see if they can stick.

    But look at the team in AAA. Hell, almost all of the pitching staff has been here at some point. And other than a fun Zito reunion game there isnt much left there.

    And hitters, do I really want to see more of Gentry and Tall Nate?

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
    • andeux Aug 16,2015 7:28 pm || Up

      Smolinski deserves a shot at some regular playing time. I’d much rather see him (and/or more of Canha) than Butler any day.

      Sean Nolin just came off the DL. He looked like a pretty good prospect when we traded for him, so if he can stay healthy and get his pitch count up he could get at least a couple of starts before the end of the season.

      Ryan Dull. See if he can keep missing bats at a higher level.

      Joey Wendle hasn’t hit enough to make anyone think he’s a real prospect, but might as well give him Sogard’s playing time and a taste of major league pitching.

      That’s about it.

      TINSTAAFK
      • Future Ed Aug 16,2015 7:51 pm || Up

        ladendorff is no prospect but he’s back and I’d like to see him take over the sogard role

        I have $5. No I don\'t.
  55. Future Ed Aug 16,2015 8:29 pm

    LOL Angels of aneheim.

    i am now rooting for the royals to win 100 and get swept in the alds

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  56. Thunderbutt Aug 16,2015 9:55 pm

    They may never win again.

    There is always a score.
    • Future Ed Aug 16,2015 10:19 pm || Up

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
  57. Future Ed Aug 16,2015 10:18 pm
    I have $5. No I don\'t.
    • AV Aug 16,2015 10:19 pm || Up

      what about chuck D? i heard his posse’s got velocity.

      *i’m* AV. alex vause. put this loon in psych before she hurts someone.
      • 5Aces Aug 16,2015 10:35 pm || Up

        The one I want us to pick yup is the drummer. I hear he gets wicked.

        Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
    • 5Aces Aug 16,2015 10:34 pm || Up

      Thought I saw up to 93 on the stadium gun. But that could have been the last game.

      Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
  58. FreeSeatUpgrade Aug 16,2015 11:46 pm

    Wow, this has to be rock bottom, doesn’t it? I mean, they could lose every game the rest of the way and still not get this ugly. Right? Please?

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
  59. Future Ed Aug 17,2015 6:19 am

    today sonny will shut out the orioles, and we will start a 20 game win streak

    I have $5. No I don\'t.
  60. FreeSeatUpgrade Aug 17,2015 11:55 am

    I had never heard about this bas relief tribute to A’s baseball, on 9th Street in Berkeley, but I will be sure to check it out soon.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • sslinger Aug 17,2015 2:06 pm || Up

      Awesome, I will have to check that out as well.

  61. Englishmajor Aug 17,2015 4:21 pm

    I like the new guy.

  62. Englishmajor Aug 17,2015 5:13 pm

    I dislike the new errors.

  63. FreeSeatUpgrade Aug 17,2015 5:37 pm

    I’m glad that Bob still cares enough to get tossed. Or perhaps he just needs to hit his favorite crab cakes place before the plane leaves.

    "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • Future Ed Aug 17,2015 5:59 pm || Up

      what was the call? running in the baseline? I have seen much much worse not called.

      in fact, I cannot remember the last time I saw that called

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • Thunderbutt Aug 17,2015 8:42 pm || Up

        Yes. I think that’s why it was toss-worthy.

        There is always a score.
      • FreeSeatUpgrade Aug 17,2015 8:43 pm || Up

        If Fuld had been hit by the ball earlier in his run, while he was well inside the line, then the call would have been clearly correct and not worth an argument. But by the time he was hit he was more or less right on the line, a call which never gets made. Add it to the tally of 2015 screw jobs.

        Question: Is that call reviewable?

        "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
        • Future Ed Aug 17,2015 9:01 pm || Up

          doubtful. “in front of the umpire”

          sonny got squeezed on a couple too.

          ump show

          I have $5. No I don\'t.
  64. lenscrafters Aug 17,2015 6:45 pm

    Dang. So we don’t even get Sonny vs. Kershaw.

    • Future Ed Aug 17,2015 6:58 pm || Up

      its best to enjoy the perfect game

      I have $5. No I don\'t.
      • Soaker Aug 18,2015 12:11 pm || Up

        What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
  65. mother pucker Aug 17,2015 7:26 pm

    I realized that taking a 1/2 day at work in order to watch the A’s play in their first weekday day-game at Seattle since late June of 2012 was probably ill-advised upon purchasing the tickets in May, but holy shit, could they really come into it on 14 game losing streak?

  66. mother pucker Aug 17,2015 8:03 pm

    CY25, Johnson, Butler.

    That is some list.

    • ptbnl Aug 17,2015 8:59 pm || Up

      Looks like Beane’s management and playing careers will follow similar arcs – lots of early promise that spectacularly fails to deliver.

      If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
    • MikeV Aug 18,2015 8:15 am || Up

      (emil brown)

      And I have to say: mikev is one of my favorite people on here -slusser.

      Thanks, and go As.

  67. James V. Aug 17,2015 8:11 pm

    By my count, I’ve seen the A’s as the visiting team 20 times, and they’ve only won 5 of those games. I’m not expecting that to improve when I see them in Arizona at the end of the month.

  68. ptbnl Aug 17,2015 9:06 pm

    So we’ve long since called number of games won for the Warriors, right? The A’s are going to struggle to match their regular season total, let alone the playoff games.

    If this is His will, He's a son of a bitch.
  69. 5Aces Aug 17,2015 9:15 pm

    I dont feel this is his fault, but at what point does Melvin start getting some of this stink on him? It’s interesting that we have not heard Wash mentioned much at all since shortly after the hire. I could see people thinking we need someone new to “fire the boys up”.

    Camelot sure fell apart, didn't it? -Steve McCatty
    • FreeSeatUpgrade Aug 17,2015 9:43 pm || Up

      I gotta believe Melvin is safe. I certainly don’t blame him for any of this shit show. The current swoon maybe does not reflect great on him, but overall this roster sucks and that’s not on Bob. Unless Billy refuses even in his own private thoughts to accept any blame.

      "Kraut will get you through times of no money better than money will get you through times of no kraut."
    • James V. Aug 17,2015 9:47 pm || Up

      I honestly don’t know what else Melvin can do that he hasn’t already tried with this roster. Almost nobody in the bullpen is reliable, and that’s been the number one problem all season long.

    • Soaker Aug 18,2015 10:03 am || Up

      If there is anything festering, either on the players’ side or from the front office, 51-69 is about the point where “a source within the organization” will say something. I’ve seen no evidence of anything except for Reddick’s minor tiff, and to me that was Josh knowing he won’t be back in Oakland in 2016 and momentarily not caring what he said. Sometimes things can hide under the rug for quite a while, and there’s also the matter of this season following on the heels of the final 50 games of 2014. Nevertheless I would be very surprised if someone other than Melvin is giving the speech on the first day of spring training.

      What I discovered Blew. My. Mind. -- Pat Boone
    • bear88 Aug 18,2015 11:53 am || Up

      Melvin isn’t the perfect manager, but you give a manager a bad team with a horrendous bullpen, then trade away several of your better major league players, and this is what you get.

      Bad bullpens and terrible defense really do make a manager look bad. The bullpen part must be especially frustrating, because there is almost never a good option. Melvin is basically just bringing guys in and hoping for the best.

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