Chris Bassitt takes on Mason Saunders in Game 1. Sauders has not had a good season for a while. He ahs not been good in 2 starts this year. I say Ray doesn’t wait until he comes to the plate before he slags Billy Burns for misplaying Sauders’ pop up into a double. I had the front row seats for that game. It sucked.
Luzardo v Zac (correct spelling, like my dad does) Gallen. Gallen wnt 7 last year, 3 hits one run, 8 Ks 1 BB in the game in AZ where the A’s lost on a walk off. I think he is being activated for tomorrow’s game.
Meanwhile Tim LoCastro has not been caught stealing in his ML career so far and has bested Tim Rains at that. Of Course, this is his 5th season comapred to Rains’s 2 halves.
I messed this one up, see next comment
here is the boxscore
Now Kaval is talking about paying the players in cryptocurrency too. I just wish they were more willing to pay them in any kind of currency.
Dave Kaval’s secret war on cash
You just. Blew. My. Mind.
ASVD
Rebranding as a tech company to raise capital is a time honored strategy for struggling businesses.
I’m thinking it’s a pivot to financial fraud as a business model.
Worth a try.
Oakland Blockchainz.com Corp.
CSN+ tonight
Wait, this is the Giants. WTF is the A’s game?
819 on comcast, for some reason
Found it, thanks.
Shooty thinks we’ll be just fine so long as we don’t let Stephen Vogt beat us.
Ranked:
Zac
Zach
Zack
Zaq
Our AA pitching staff this year has a Zac, a Zach, and a Zack. All short for Zachary.
MadBum at this point reminds me of Diekman.
Can’t really call it a high wire act, but that was not a great inning
He wasn’t hitting his spots, but they never even hit it out of the infield.
No Glen, the players didn’t say no to the universal DH.
He also seemed to genuinely not understand why so many guys like Reddick and Cespedes and Matt Kemp don’t have jobs right now.
Cool rules
This inning went from promising to depressing in two pitches.
Screw NL rules, kthx.
We lost the CSN audio feed!! This is glorious. Feels like youre at the game.
Jed!
Also what the hell is the rule on the helmet interference play?
its nothing. He didn’t do it on purpose.
That may be but does the rule absolve players of any responsibility to control their bats helmets, batting gloves sliding mittens lucky rabbits feet or vials of coke? Can any of these impediments wreak whatever havoc they may by “random” chance with no obligation by the bearer to control them?
I am leaning towards wanting to ban shoulder guards that aren’t affixed to the batters arms.
Soaker’s not here, man.
As best as I can tell, runner interference is covered by 5.09(b)(3) which says the runner is out when
So as Ed says, no penalty if it is unintentional and a thrown ball.
Equipment is considered to be part of the player, and there are rules about a fielder’s detached equipment, but I don’t see anything about a runner’s.
With our luck in situations like that I fully expected that Ramon would be called out on some obscure interference interpretation.
Definitely
I have to say that what felt “fair” to me would have been to send the runner back to second.
But apparently that isn’t what the rules say.
The runner would have been on second anyway if Bumgarner had Played the Game the Right Way and backed up the plate.
I was very much enjoying seeing the red ass not back up bases and make awful throws to catch runners. That is the type of stuff he would have chewed someone out for when he could pitch.
Phew, got past Vogt’s first AB.
Just dropping in to say that NL baseball is a FKing joke.
So yeah..we woke up.
We really pushed this new stealing third thing a little too far. Good thing Bumgarner was so hapless.
Well, that’s just NL ball for you. Gotta put the game in motion.
Already done with Andrus.
I’m not going to call it a high wire act, but it hasn’t been good
Random Linda Ronstadt reference from the graphics person there with “Hasten Down The Wind” for Chapman’s homer.
Have the A’s ever gotten Calhoun out? I say no.
Vince uses into the shift for balls that are hit where the defenders are and where the defenders aren’t
That way he’s always right.
If he could only speak to convey information, the dead air time would be soul crushing.
Vogt is not having fun behind the plate tonight. Hit by a helmet, got the worse end of a collision, and that crossup could’ve concussed him.
Good first AB, Diekman. Moved the runner up.
When Andrus took third it allowed Diekman to swing away 1-2, which he didn’t seem happy about.
It just occurred to me that Diekman is a surprise Rickey, despite what his baseball reference page thinks
At first I thought Bob could have avoided having Diekman hit with a double switch. (Yeah, NL ball is dumb, but it is the game we are playing tonight.)
Then I figured he didn’t want to lose any of the first five hitters.
But now Olson is out of the game anyway.
did olson come out before diekman came in?
No. But he was hit before Diekman came in.
Heh, this insurance rally will keep our save-less streak going.
Somehow the only save for either team in an A’s game this season came in a game that finished 9-1.
Sweet Lou!
Not last place!
Felt something in his shoulder-went out for like 3 more innings. That always ends well.
Progress toward normalcy: the hotel has re-started the full self-serve breakfast (you-make-em waffles, vat of scrambled eggs, etc.). First time I’ve seen that since early March 2020. When I got here last week it was just the to-go bag. Granted Ron DeSantis is calling the shots here, not Gavin Newsom, and the differences are visible, though surprisingly mask compliance still looks pretty good.
Flight home tomorrow, first Pfizer shot scheduled on Thursday.
Or, you could put it in play matt
so 2 of the three lefty first base players can’t play today
Does Andrus always wear an elbow pad on the arm facing away from the pitcher?
noticed that yesterday
It’d be nice if a pitcher with Luzardo’s stuff could figure out how to not give up back breaking homers.
This is an emerson problem. His pitch selection and sequencing seems like could be adjusted to stop getting lost in ABs
Just more awful pitching this inning. Not sure if it’s a coaching problem or his own lack of pitching acumen (probably both), but this is hard to watch.
A’s coaches and front office folks have said numerous times that Luzardo is smart, wise beyond his years, knows how to pitch, etc. I wonder if a subtext is that he may believe he knows the right pitch better than any coach or catcher might suggest.
I think I made a comment along these lines some time last year: while it’s hard to know from the outside exactly how good or bad a coach is, it sure doesn’t seem like Emerson adds much value. In particular, Luzardo and Montas both have dominant stuff, but have only occasionally gotten the results to match it.
It’s also worth noting that we’ve been going with pretty inexperienced catchers in recent years. Murphy, Garcia, Allen, Heim have all played less than a full season worth of games. Phegley had been around for a few years, but mostly as a backup. While I’m not exactly eager to bring back Lucroy, I do wonder if having a more experienced catcher calling pitches himself, rather than constantly looking toward the bench, might help.
In the little bit I heard on the radio, Tom Candiotti’s comment was “when the pitcher has this little command of his stuff, neither he nor the catcher has anything to turn to”.
Is Jason Kendall still available?
Sarris is questioning the stuff too.
Off day tomorrow and all, but I’m not sure about burning Weems with a pinch hitter there with two out no one on. Lot of innings left to eat.
Also burned Tom as a pitcher.
Our best pitcher, in fact.
OK I’m on the Guerra bandwagon.
Good God, y’all, I want to see him 7, 8, 9 from now on
That’s his W today. I don’t care.
guerra, ¿para qué sirve?
absolutamente nada.
jej
there is a start!
anybody see where the A’s fall on the vaccine?
FSU might be interested to know that I’m in the shopping/dining complex at Gulfstream Park. Flight of beers in front of me (hotel is a short stumble across US 1), A’s game on bar TV with progress being made on score, Florida weather great in April.
I’m a fan of the Gulfstream track announcer Pete Aiello. Calls a great race and has some flair, especially when it’s another win for LUIS! Saez.
They must have had a Coliseum-sized parking lot here. I’d guess as live attendance declined they didn’t need that and filled much of the lot with stores and restaurants.
I hope my trip to GGF tomorrow goes as well.
Bet the Wong horse.
I get jab 2 Thursday, dental appointments and A’s games to follow.
waiting my two weeks. I have softened my stance
Just got my second shot!
go ohio!
We are behind CA in fraction of people with at least one shot; slightly ahead in fraction of people who are fully vaccinated (per nytimes)
Going for my #1 in 20 minutes. Marin has virtually limitless appointments.
because they can’t get people to sign up?
Well, probably because the whole county is 65+ so us schlubs waiting until now are the dregs of the county.
Place was actually pretty busy (and very well run) when I went, though.
JED!!!
JED!!!!
oh my
Jeeeeeeeeeddddddd
The FK was the point of reviewing that?
Or that.
@GM That was like a college football review, somebody thought there was a 1 percent chance of fan interference so we’ll check. (This is a big reason why college football games run 4 hours.)
I seem to have arrived at this watering hole at just the right time.
Clean shaven Romo alert.
Not as unsettling as clean shaven Rougned Odor, but still disorienting.
1-2-3 Romo inning alert! (savor that rarity)
Marking this date on the calendar…
That looked like an out…
WE FINALLY JOBBED THE OTHER GUYS!!!!!11
I am enjoying the Arizona bullpen quite a bit.
Uh oh, a Save Situation impends.
cLOUser time
Sweet!!!!
Hey guys and gals of FK, I left a real mess in your hands. Thanks so much for cleaning it up!
I completely forgot I had this game going on a muted TV in another room, happened to walk in just in time to silently watch the Lou save via game-winning double play. So yay!
Don’t look now, but Ramon is on pace to steal 108 bags this season.
Rickey is not impressed.
“Rickey would have 108 by the break.” Click.
Cut him in half…
Jesus Christ, Erick
My beloved mechanic unexpectedly closed his shop with a piece of paper taped to the door :(
Anyone got a favorite mechanic in Berkeley they’d care to recommend for my Subaru?
Yes! Art’s Automotive is my neighborhood shop, San Pablo at Russell. They only work on Japanese cars, have been taking care of my fleet for 10 years (since I hung up my oil-stained coveralls), and are well-regarded per reviews. I have always found them to be honest and to deliver quality work.
When we used to have a Volvo we took it to Ackerman’s Volvo, further up San Pablo near Allston. Funny shop, owned by a mousy guy who’s hobby is obviously classic Volvos, who employs two of the burliest Swedes I have ever met. I have since seen that he now services both Volvos and Subarus. Was a little pricey back when we went there but impeccable work.
You’re the 2nd person to recommend Art’s! I think I’ve found my new shop. Thank you!!!
I’ll be your 3rd.
That’s good to know. I used to use Berkeley Auto Service, practically next door to Art’s, for our VW’s. Roger was really good but just flipping through reviews it seems like there’s been an ownership change. And BAS referred me once to Panel Craft across the street for some body work and they were good.
Just made an appointment! Yay!
The strategic genius of Tony LaRussa, as told via TLR Baseball for the 1993 Sega Genesis.
I remember LOVING the PC version of this game.
LOLLAA
Jeez, did a wing of the team hotel collapse or something?
Seems to be Covid related, something about “health and safety protocols.”
I was hoping it was because their feelings were hurt.
LOL
The organization made a point of stopping in Houston between Florida and Oakland for a team vax party. They wouldn’t have gotten the second shot yet if it was the two-dose. I have a hard time imagining anybody in MLB refusing the vaccine (although doubtless there are a few); seems like a really good way to piss off your teammates.
A bunch of Mets players said they weren’t sure if they would get the vaccine.
And Andrelton Simmons said he wouldn’t getting it … and is now on the covid list.
But I think the Astros said all 5 of those players had gotten their first shot.
As much as my arm hurts 2 days later, and how they say you can feel pretty crappy after #2, I was wondering about how teams would decide on when to vaccinate.
I could not lift my arm the day after #1. That would definitely seem like a problem for a baseball player.
If only there were J&J one shots close to the A’s
Ken Arneson said the Coliseum has switched back to Pfizer.
They’re really getting the business from the Hinch and the Tigers.
Sweep!
Somehow I missed that Sam Fuld is a GM now.
Same record as the Yankees now.
Pedro Martinez reminiscing about the perfect game he took into the 10th inning, only to give up a hit to Bip Roberts on a changeup, which he regrets greatly.
Expos at Padres, 6/3/1995, fewer than 10K in the Jack Murphy Stadium stands.
On another subject, Carlos Rodon is pitching quite well right now.
Move your foot, batter!
He got a called strike three on a pitch that was closer to hitting the next batter than it was to the strike zone.
Yeah that was a condolence call.
That chase slider from a lefty on 0-2 has marred more than one clean sheet. I feel like Barry Zito blew several gems that way.
Great call by Benetti on that one. Strike three called on a pitch…near the inside corner.
it was funny. such a good booth
What makes Doncic buzzer beater even greater is that it was only possible because Grayson Allen missed both free throws.
I know nothing about the story but your comment pleased me greatly.
Google it. It was one of the more unbelievable ends to a game I have ever seen. Grizzlies were up by 2 with 2.2 seconds to go and Allen (90% FT shooter) on the line for two. Win probability for the Grizzlies was at 98.7%
In wrestling parlance the Cincinnati basketball team has always been the heels, between Bob Huggins and the nastiness vs Xavier. Now they get to be Heels in a good way!
I’m glad we found a happy medium on shorts size.
Xavier had (has) it coming
Hal the hot dog economist
Time to defend your corner, Stomper.
Great read! Appreciation for his late hot dog mentor, extensive array of premium condiments, unacknowledged irony of a hot dog vendor studying the carbon economics of vegetarians. But mostly it really really made me want to get back inside the Coliseum ASAP.
Seriously can’t wait for second shot to hit.
After months of telling myself that I couldn’t wait to get out and do stuff again, maybe as soon as 1 week after shot #1, now that the reality of that is getting nearer I find myself more ambivalent. Part of it is knowing that covid is still out there and that the vaccines are not 100%, so everything will still be masked and distanced and weird and possibly even a little worrisome at times, and part of it is just my natural introversion (and laziness) that makes staying home on the couch always an attractive option.
Today I am moving back in the direction of maybe wanting to leave the house some time, and eyeing the May 20 game (thursday afternoon against the *s, 15 days after my second shot) as a possible first game back.
After the Hawai’i travel over the winter with the empty airplanes and the knowledge that people traveling over there needed a negative test to avoid quarantine, this last trip to Florida was jarring. Three of the four flights were 90%-100% full and the in-airport experience was pretty close to pre-pandemic crowded normal. It looked like bars/restaurants were making at least an attempt to hold capacity to 50% but I could tell there were some where the restaurant treated 50% as, generously, a “round number”…and that’s where the customers are routinely unmasked.
If I survived all that unscathed, I did get my first shot today, with the second scheduled on May 7.
It really is remarkable how cavalier so much of the country is. We drove to the Tetons, and like 70% of the people there were unmasked. Even packed in at Old Faithful.
We might be up for that date if not a little sooner. Today marks two weeks from my J&J, ms. s gets her second in a little more than a week. And we love a weekday day game. I’m still holding off on any indoor seating though.
I hear you completely on that. Late-May seems likely for us too (but not a school-day game). Or maybe we just rip the bandaid off and pull the Disneyland trigger.
Happy Jackie Robinson Day! I was told by NYT that him breaking THE COLOR BARRIER just didn’t grab them enough as the theme and that the colors I spanned over the barrier seemed random to them, and weren’t long enough (5-7 letters). Then of course a few days before #42D they publish a baseball puzzle with the revealer INSIDE BASEBALL, and use ASTRO, TWIN and ANGEL as hidden words. Not random teams at all. And extremely long entries. So, FK them. Rant over.
Did you tell them to eat your shortz?
timely submission guidelines
LOL
Seattle in first place.
Negative run differential is the new moneyball.