I was kind of afraid of this. A string of good performances, a hot opponent, due for a meltdown, and boom, in the fourth inning the floodgates finally opened and drowned the kid. Apparently you don't spell relief G-R-E-G-G, because he was just as bad.
Write this one off. I know I will. It's drinking in time in Oak Park.
Friday, August 26, 2005
Thursday, August 25, 2005
Opportunity Knocks, but No One's Home
After a while, you've got to figure it's hard to leave so many men on base without even one crossing the plate. But the Angels found a way tonight. Last night's timely hitting gave way to tonight's timely screwing up. Lackey was as good as he's been lately, but one mistake, and he paid for it.
Vlad really did get fucked in the fifth. Strike two was never in the same zip code as the strike zone. I probably mentioned this on a site or two, including Rob's earlier today, but I think the intentional walks to Vlad have messed him up a bit. He's not a Bonds type who is very patient. He can, at times, try to do too much. And when you're a free swinger like Vlad, and suddenly your opportunities to swing freely are limited, you can get overagressive. Of course, Vlad swings at everything and tries to hit a home run every time as it is, so I'm not sure how we'd be able to tell the difference.
Anyway, this was another "work until 9:00 pm" night, so my observations were limited once again. Someday soon I'll be able to leave the office before the sun goes all the way down.
Vlad really did get fucked in the fifth. Strike two was never in the same zip code as the strike zone. I probably mentioned this on a site or two, including Rob's earlier today, but I think the intentional walks to Vlad have messed him up a bit. He's not a Bonds type who is very patient. He can, at times, try to do too much. And when you're a free swinger like Vlad, and suddenly your opportunities to swing freely are limited, you can get overagressive. Of course, Vlad swings at everything and tries to hit a home run every time as it is, so I'm not sure how we'd be able to tell the difference.
Anyway, this was another "work until 9:00 pm" night, so my observations were limited once again. Someday soon I'll be able to leave the office before the sun goes all the way down.
Angels 3; Orioles 1
Just kind of followed this one on the computer, as I didn't get home from work until about 10:00. Not much to say, really. Great performance from Big Bart, some timely hitting, and just enough from Frankie to get the job done. Maybe he just needs to pitch to Javier Lopez all the time.
Mr. Strike Out vs. Rodrigo Lopez tonight, who was roughed up a bit in his last outing, but has dominated the Angels in his career (4-1, 1.99 ERA). It would be fantastic to start this road trip out with a sweep, especially since they're heading into three meetings with the red hot Devil Rays, and no, I'm not joking. They really are red hot.
Mr. Strike Out vs. Rodrigo Lopez tonight, who was roughed up a bit in his last outing, but has dominated the Angels in his career (4-1, 1.99 ERA). It would be fantastic to start this road trip out with a sweep, especially since they're heading into three meetings with the red hot Devil Rays, and no, I'm not joking. They really are red hot.
Tuesday, August 23, 2005
Angels 7; Orioles 6
So this is what is was like for the 1997 Mariners, a team whose bullpen singlehandedly (or, I guess, multihandedly) kept the Angels in the race for much of late summer. Wonder if Heathcliff Slocumb has cleared waivers.
Fine effort by Wash, going 7+ and getting out of trouble a few times. The starters continue to be excellent. That's a lot of consecutive quality starts. Too many for me to go back and look up. And once again, the bullpen was pretty crappy, this time with Kevin Gregg and Frankie combining to give up four in the ninth. Good thing they were up by five.
As the A's continue their slide, it becomes very important for the Angels to capitalize. High expectations, sure, but I think the Angels really need to take 3 of the next 5, if not 4. Of course, it was this stretch in 2002 that thrust the Angels toward the wild card while the A's were winning 20 in a row (the Angels went 18-2 in that stretch).
Juan Rivera is making his case for the every day DH if GA can play the field, and for the every day left fielder if GA can't. The good news is that such a move could force Erstad to center, instead of left field, as has been discussed. That's good news, because it means Kotchman for Finley as opposed to Kotchman for Rivera. It also means a much better fielder in center, even if Erstad has lost a step.
Big Bart on the mound tomorrow against Bedard, who got shelled in his last outing against the Angels. Let's hope that trend continues.
Fine effort by Wash, going 7+ and getting out of trouble a few times. The starters continue to be excellent. That's a lot of consecutive quality starts. Too many for me to go back and look up. And once again, the bullpen was pretty crappy, this time with Kevin Gregg and Frankie combining to give up four in the ninth. Good thing they were up by five.
As the A's continue their slide, it becomes very important for the Angels to capitalize. High expectations, sure, but I think the Angels really need to take 3 of the next 5, if not 4. Of course, it was this stretch in 2002 that thrust the Angels toward the wild card while the A's were winning 20 in a row (the Angels went 18-2 in that stretch).
Juan Rivera is making his case for the every day DH if GA can play the field, and for the every day left fielder if GA can't. The good news is that such a move could force Erstad to center, instead of left field, as has been discussed. That's good news, because it means Kotchman for Finley as opposed to Kotchman for Rivera. It also means a much better fielder in center, even if Erstad has lost a step.
Big Bart on the mound tomorrow against Bedard, who got shelled in his last outing against the Angels. Let's hope that trend continues.
Monday, August 22, 2005
Little League
Anyone who has been watching the Little League® World Series this year will likely hear some version of the following discussion in pretty much every single game:
My brother made the all-star team in 1981. At that time, sixteen kids were selected to the team. All sixteen got hats and snazzy nylon jackets with sewn lettering, which were worn in the July heat with a great deal of pride. After a couple weeks of practices, two players were cut and named alternates (my brother was one of them). 14 kids dressed for every game, putting on fancy uniforms with tackle twill lettering. Four years later I was selected to the team. Now, I wasn't all-world or anything, but I was pretty decent for a 12 year old. Once again, 16 players were selected and given their jackets at closing ceremonies. I'll never forget the moment. My knees buckled a little bit when my name was called, even though I was pretty sure I was going to make it (c'mon, my dad was a coach and my mom was the president - it was a foregone conclusion). I wasn't cut, but I didn't start, either. I knew my role.
We lasted only three games. We won the first game 3-2 in extra innings on a sac fly in the top of the 7th. In the bottom of the seventh, I went into right field, replacing the center fielder who had been pinch hit for in the top of the seventh. The other team (Alhambra National, I think) loaded the bases with no one out in the bottom of the seventh. The next batter hit one to me in right, I caught and gunned it to the plate (fired from the rocket attached to my right shoulder). The runner was called safe, and I was pretty upset. Seconds later, our pitcher stepped off the rubber, and appealed to the third base ump that the runner had left before I caught the ball. Amazingly, the ump called the runner out, we went back up 3-2, and won when our pitcher struck the next batter out. We were on cloud nine.
The next game, we lost 18-0 on a one hitter with 15 strike outs. I got to the plate once, walked, and went to second on a passed ball. It was the farthest anyone on our team advanced all day. The pitcher would later be drafted by the Angels and would play in their system for a while. And he was their #2. That team would later get screwed out of going to San Berdoo against Mexicali, who eventually played in the championship game.
But to bring this somewhere back near the point, I was the type of player this rule was aimed at. I was the kid who the men in Williamsport were so worried about. The only thing is, I didn't care. We were a collection of the best players from the five teams that made up Temple City National, and I knew that nine of them were better than me, or at least eight, but I'm not going to quibble about the ninth. When you sign your kid up for Little League®, you want him to play. You paid your money, and your kid paid his (or her) dues, and he (or she) deserves his (or her) three innings (the regular season rule). That's only fair. But all-stars is different. It's an add on. The league, and Little League®, didn't owe me anything. I'd already gotten everything I was promised. And I knew the team had the best chance to win when the best players were on the field. And you know what, 99% of the kids playing today know that too, and probably 80% of the parents.
"But Seitz", you say, "how can you be against a rule that simply ensures every kid gets a chance to play?" And I'd say "Haven't you been reading?" And you'd say "yeah, but you haven't done anything but pat yourself on the back for a couple of measley innings and a runner you failed to throw out!" And I'd say "Oh yeah, sorry about that."
Anyway, here's the point. This is a bad rule for three main reasons:
First, it's unnecessary. All-star teams don't carry kids that can't play just because they have a roster to fill out. Although most teams will enjoy as little success as mine did, you have to build a roster to go all the way. Hey, you never know. So generally, every kid on that roster can play. And over the course of the tournament, they're all going to get in. Look at me, I didn't start, but I played in all three games, and had a fairly significant role in one of them. There was no player on our team who did not play, and we dressed 14 guys, and only played three games. Circumstances dictated it, and we had a coach who wasn't a total asshole, although he did look pretty cool after our big loss when, in a fit of controlled anger, he bit the filter off his cigarette and spit it out before lighting up. I should note, he was the only coach who didn't have a kid on the team, which was for the best. His son was an 11 year old, and was a lock for the team the next year. So rule or no, over the long, or short, haul, everyone is going to play, and the kids who aren't playing know they probably shouldn't be playing.
Second, it can lead to stupid results. A year or two ago, a game in District 18 (our district, which included teams from El Monte, Alhambra, Temple City, Rosemead, South Pasadena, San Gabriel, etc.) ended in forfeit when one team beat another through the slaughter rule (which didn't exist when I played). The only problem was the game ended much sooner than the victors expected, and they couldn't get everyone in the game before it ended. That's a violation of the rule, and the much better team went home with a loss on a technicality. Rules are rules. Even dumb ones.
Finally, the rule actually limits opportunity. I know, that sounds funny, but I'd bet nationwide, you could probably count on one hand the number of teams that still dress 14 kids. That's two kids in the western San Gabriel Valley who don't get to make the team anymore. And I'm guessing it's a hell of a lot more kids across the country. What coach wants to have to worry about getting five extra kids into every game? Three is tough enough as it is.
So to sum up, the "everyone plays" rule as it relates to tournament play 1) is unneccessary, 2) makes for stupid games, and 3) actually limits kids opporunities to play. So ultimately, it sucks, which is why I will cringe and yell at the screen everytime I hear the ass-kissing anouncers tell me what a great rule it is.
PBP Guy: Jones comes into play left field, which will count for his three defensive outs. he also needs one plate appearance under Little League® rules.Well, I'm here to tell you that they're wrong. First, a little background. My dad has been involved in Little League® baseball since before my brother was old enough to play (he's four years older than me). He coached my brother's teams, did three one year terms as league president (my mother also did one of her own, and when she wasn't president, she was the league's official scorer), and managed a couple of my teams. He still serves on the district staff, and spends virtually the entire month of July at various Little League® fields monitoring the tournaments of champions and all star tournaments, the latter of which, at the 11-12 year old level, is what leads eventually to Williamsport. So I've been around Little League® for a long, long time.
Color Guy: And that's a great rule. All the kids get a chance to play. It's really all about the kids having fun, and you come here to play, not to sit on the bench.
My brother made the all-star team in 1981. At that time, sixteen kids were selected to the team. All sixteen got hats and snazzy nylon jackets with sewn lettering, which were worn in the July heat with a great deal of pride. After a couple weeks of practices, two players were cut and named alternates (my brother was one of them). 14 kids dressed for every game, putting on fancy uniforms with tackle twill lettering. Four years later I was selected to the team. Now, I wasn't all-world or anything, but I was pretty decent for a 12 year old. Once again, 16 players were selected and given their jackets at closing ceremonies. I'll never forget the moment. My knees buckled a little bit when my name was called, even though I was pretty sure I was going to make it (c'mon, my dad was a coach and my mom was the president - it was a foregone conclusion). I wasn't cut, but I didn't start, either. I knew my role.
We lasted only three games. We won the first game 3-2 in extra innings on a sac fly in the top of the 7th. In the bottom of the seventh, I went into right field, replacing the center fielder who had been pinch hit for in the top of the seventh. The other team (Alhambra National, I think) loaded the bases with no one out in the bottom of the seventh. The next batter hit one to me in right, I caught and gunned it to the plate (fired from the rocket attached to my right shoulder). The runner was called safe, and I was pretty upset. Seconds later, our pitcher stepped off the rubber, and appealed to the third base ump that the runner had left before I caught the ball. Amazingly, the ump called the runner out, we went back up 3-2, and won when our pitcher struck the next batter out. We were on cloud nine.
The next game, we lost 18-0 on a one hitter with 15 strike outs. I got to the plate once, walked, and went to second on a passed ball. It was the farthest anyone on our team advanced all day. The pitcher would later be drafted by the Angels and would play in their system for a while. And he was their #2. That team would later get screwed out of going to San Berdoo against Mexicali, who eventually played in the championship game.
But to bring this somewhere back near the point, I was the type of player this rule was aimed at. I was the kid who the men in Williamsport were so worried about. The only thing is, I didn't care. We were a collection of the best players from the five teams that made up Temple City National, and I knew that nine of them were better than me, or at least eight, but I'm not going to quibble about the ninth. When you sign your kid up for Little League®, you want him to play. You paid your money, and your kid paid his (or her) dues, and he (or she) deserves his (or her) three innings (the regular season rule). That's only fair. But all-stars is different. It's an add on. The league, and Little League®, didn't owe me anything. I'd already gotten everything I was promised. And I knew the team had the best chance to win when the best players were on the field. And you know what, 99% of the kids playing today know that too, and probably 80% of the parents.
"But Seitz", you say, "how can you be against a rule that simply ensures every kid gets a chance to play?" And I'd say "Haven't you been reading?" And you'd say "yeah, but you haven't done anything but pat yourself on the back for a couple of measley innings and a runner you failed to throw out!" And I'd say "Oh yeah, sorry about that."
Anyway, here's the point. This is a bad rule for three main reasons:
First, it's unnecessary. All-star teams don't carry kids that can't play just because they have a roster to fill out. Although most teams will enjoy as little success as mine did, you have to build a roster to go all the way. Hey, you never know. So generally, every kid on that roster can play. And over the course of the tournament, they're all going to get in. Look at me, I didn't start, but I played in all three games, and had a fairly significant role in one of them. There was no player on our team who did not play, and we dressed 14 guys, and only played three games. Circumstances dictated it, and we had a coach who wasn't a total asshole, although he did look pretty cool after our big loss when, in a fit of controlled anger, he bit the filter off his cigarette and spit it out before lighting up. I should note, he was the only coach who didn't have a kid on the team, which was for the best. His son was an 11 year old, and was a lock for the team the next year. So rule or no, over the long, or short, haul, everyone is going to play, and the kids who aren't playing know they probably shouldn't be playing.
Second, it can lead to stupid results. A year or two ago, a game in District 18 (our district, which included teams from El Monte, Alhambra, Temple City, Rosemead, South Pasadena, San Gabriel, etc.) ended in forfeit when one team beat another through the slaughter rule (which didn't exist when I played). The only problem was the game ended much sooner than the victors expected, and they couldn't get everyone in the game before it ended. That's a violation of the rule, and the much better team went home with a loss on a technicality. Rules are rules. Even dumb ones.
Finally, the rule actually limits opportunity. I know, that sounds funny, but I'd bet nationwide, you could probably count on one hand the number of teams that still dress 14 kids. That's two kids in the western San Gabriel Valley who don't get to make the team anymore. And I'm guessing it's a hell of a lot more kids across the country. What coach wants to have to worry about getting five extra kids into every game? Three is tough enough as it is.
So to sum up, the "everyone plays" rule as it relates to tournament play 1) is unneccessary, 2) makes for stupid games, and 3) actually limits kids opporunities to play. So ultimately, it sucks, which is why I will cringe and yell at the screen everytime I hear the ass-kissing anouncers tell me what a great rule it is.
Sunday, August 21, 2005
Another reason to hate lawyers
Just kidding, of course. As a member of the bar myself, I don't blame the lawyers. I blame the descendants of Fred Astaire (there's something I don't write everyday). I just thought this was kind of a weird story. A few months ago I wrote about seeing Ivy at the Double Door with a band called Astaire. Well, tonight I was messing around with Rhapsody a little bit and noticed a band in my library that I'd never heard of. Some band called Blondfire. This isn't completely off the wall, as there are a number of bands in my library that I've probably listened to maybe once (like some crazy assed band called Ken Layne and the Corvids). But I had no memory of adding this band at any time, and I'm usually not listening to Rhapsody when I'm drunk, which would have been the most logical explanation.
So I clicked on their EP, and turns out that Astaire was short-lived, as brother and sister team Bruce and Erica Driscoll had to change their name due to legal threats from the estate of the late Fred Astaire. Apparently huge throngs of people were showing up at their concerts expecting to see the corpse of the late dancer magically go into the old soft shoe. Alright, that's obviously a lie, but seriously, this is pretty stupid. What if their last names were Astaire? Or what if they had just changed their name to "A Stair"?
Anyway, not that this is a big deal or anything, and I know this happens with some regularity, but this is the first time I've ever seen a band play under one name, only to have them be forced to change to something else.
So I clicked on their EP, and turns out that Astaire was short-lived, as brother and sister team Bruce and Erica Driscoll had to change their name due to legal threats from the estate of the late Fred Astaire. Apparently huge throngs of people were showing up at their concerts expecting to see the corpse of the late dancer magically go into the old soft shoe. Alright, that's obviously a lie, but seriously, this is pretty stupid. What if their last names were Astaire? Or what if they had just changed their name to "A Stair"?
Anyway, not that this is a big deal or anything, and I know this happens with some regularity, but this is the first time I've ever seen a band play under one name, only to have them be forced to change to something else.
Red Sox 5; Angels 1
Well, that was fairly predictable. It was a Steve Finley game, so the Angels started with one foot in the whole to begin with. Byrd was strong for his first 100 pitches, then wore a little bit in the 8th. As has happened so many times this season, just when it looks like an Angels pitcher is going to escape a jam, he can't get the third out, this time ending with a back breaking three run homer to Edgar Renteria.
Papelbon was impressive, but quite frankly, it looked more like a return of the crappy Angels offense had more to do with his success than great pitching. Take nothing away from him ,though. It was a fine performance.
The Angels end the week no worse than 1 game up on the A's, losing at most a half game while going up against one of the league's best teams. Six games coming up against crappy teams, and a chance to make some hay.
Papelbon was impressive, but quite frankly, it looked more like a return of the crappy Angels offense had more to do with his success than great pitching. Take nothing away from him ,though. It was a fine performance.
The Angels end the week no worse than 1 game up on the A's, losing at most a half game while going up against one of the league's best teams. Six games coming up against crappy teams, and a chance to make some hay.
Saturday, August 20, 2005
Angels 4; Red Sox 2
Typical scratching out of enough runs to win, so I'm not going to talk about the offense. No, what I'm going to talk about today is a comment made by a certain regular poster and fellow blogger, who just happens to be a Sox fan. Here's one of his gems from about a week ago:
7.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 k, W
Consider the experiment a success. I'm certainly not the genius that the Fatman is, but it looks to me like the kid can pitch a little bit. In case he's still not convinced, Santana's got a 4.62 ERA, which includes an eye-popping 2.89 since the all-star break. Not bad for a fifth starter. Guess how many starters the Red Sox have with numbers that good since the break. Or even, try and guess how many they have with ERA's below 4.00 since the break. If you guess a big fat (no pun intended) ZERO, you'd be right (not including Papplewhateverhisnameis, who has two starts in that time).
Then again, we are talking about the guy who thinks that being third in the AL in strike outs isn't good enough to be considered a strike out pitcher.
So to sum up, send Escobar to the pen where he's most needed. If Byrd or Washburn go down, he's ready to start. It's really a no-brainer at this point.
You're tied for first with 47 to play and you wanna see if a 22-yo can pitch? You're nuts. You don't have the luxury of experimenting right now, Sietz.Intentional misspelling of my name notwithstanding, let's take a look at his line today against the vaunted Red Sox offense:
7.2 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 5 k, W
Consider the experiment a success. I'm certainly not the genius that the Fatman is, but it looks to me like the kid can pitch a little bit. In case he's still not convinced, Santana's got a 4.62 ERA, which includes an eye-popping 2.89 since the all-star break. Not bad for a fifth starter. Guess how many starters the Red Sox have with numbers that good since the break. Or even, try and guess how many they have with ERA's below 4.00 since the break. If you guess a big fat (no pun intended) ZERO, you'd be right (not including Papplewhateverhisnameis, who has two starts in that time).
Then again, we are talking about the guy who thinks that being third in the AL in strike outs isn't good enough to be considered a strike out pitcher.
So to sum up, send Escobar to the pen where he's most needed. If Byrd or Washburn go down, he's ready to start. It's really a no-brainer at this point.
Shirking my resonsibility
No recap last night, for numerous reasons. Let me mark them off:
- Game ended late
- Missed the first five innings because I was at the Yankees/White Sox game
- I had to get up early to play Cog Hill today (shot 79, thank you very much)
- Didn't want to post at 1:00 am on a Friday night/Saturday morning and look like a loser who's at home, awake, alone at 1:00 am on a Friday night/Saturday morning
Friday, August 19, 2005
Wow, that was kind of out of nowhere
I was at work until about 10:00, so I had to catch the Kotchman home run on the computer, but I was home in time for the first big inning. The first homer by Rivera asbsolutely crushed.
Fell asleep on the couch again right about the time that Bartolo was giving up singles to pretty much everyone in a Sox jersey, so I missed the late fireworks, but thanks to DVR technology, I was able to rewind and catch Rivera's second home run. Bartolo looked pretty sharp until the one inning where they caught up to him, but by that time, the game wasn't in a lot of doubt. Can't really comment on the relievers, because, ya know, sleep, but from the play by play, it looked like Donnelly did OK, and other than the homer to Mueller, Jones did alright.
Enjoy this one, folks, because it's the rare win with Finley in the lineup. This was a big one to get. Of course, they're all big now, but this is the last night without an A's win for awhile. Worst case scenario, the Angels go through a tough stretch, the A's go through an easy stretch, and they come out the other end more or less tied. Best case scenario, the A's get humiliated by the Royals, they all quit in shame, and the franchise disbands. Hey, a guy can dream.
Fell asleep on the couch again right about the time that Bartolo was giving up singles to pretty much everyone in a Sox jersey, so I missed the late fireworks, but thanks to DVR technology, I was able to rewind and catch Rivera's second home run. Bartolo looked pretty sharp until the one inning where they caught up to him, but by that time, the game wasn't in a lot of doubt. Can't really comment on the relievers, because, ya know, sleep, but from the play by play, it looked like Donnelly did OK, and other than the homer to Mueller, Jones did alright.
Enjoy this one, folks, because it's the rare win with Finley in the lineup. This was a big one to get. Of course, they're all big now, but this is the last night without an A's win for awhile. Worst case scenario, the Angels go through a tough stretch, the A's go through an easy stretch, and they come out the other end more or less tied. Best case scenario, the A's get humiliated by the Royals, they all quit in shame, and the franchise disbands. Hey, a guy can dream.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Sorry
First, there wasn't really much to recap. Second, I fell asleep in about the fifth inning and didn't wake up until the bottom of the ninth. Then fell asleep again, and woke up on the couch at about 3:00 am.
I hate my job.
I hate my job.
Tuesday, August 16, 2005
This is getting ridiculous
Well, it's probably too late, but something has to be done about this bullpen. I've alread brought it up once, but now I'm will to say forget just moving Escobar to the bullpen. They need to not only send him there, but they need to make him the closer while they're at it. Nine blown saves by the bullpen in the last 18 games. This bullpen really sucks right now. Frankie needs to be DL'd or something. Just shut him down for a week. Make up a dead relative so they can put him on bereavement leave.
Hey, what a shocker, but Finley fucked up in a tight spot again.
Ugh. Like I've said, if and when they miss the playoffs, they'll remember this one. How many great efforts can they get from rookies, only to have the pen screw it up?
Hey, what a shocker, but Finley fucked up in a tight spot again.
Ugh. Like I've said, if and when they miss the playoffs, they'll remember this one. How many great efforts can they get from rookies, only to have the pen screw it up?
Speaking of the LA Times
This is just about the cruelest headline I've ever seen.
Finley Gets Released; Lakers Weigh Options.
It really isn't fair to Angels fans to tease us with such a tantalizing first three words, only to leave us crushed when we realize the headline is referring to Michael Finley. Just think how bad this would have been in the days before the internet and sportscenter.
Finley Gets Released; Lakers Weigh Options.
It really isn't fair to Angels fans to tease us with such a tantalizing first three words, only to leave us crushed when we realize the headline is referring to Michael Finley. Just think how bad this would have been in the days before the internet and sportscenter.
Only a year and a half too late
The L.A. Times is reporting that with Anderson's injury, Finley sucking, and Kotchman not quite sucking as badly as Finley, Erstad might be returned to centerfield. FINALLY!
Oh, and Joe Saunders makes his debut tonight. I'm hoping for the best, but I think it goes without saying that starting rookies back to back, one making his major league debut, in the middle of a penant race isn't exactly ideal. Go get 'em, Joe.
Oh, and Joe Saunders makes his debut tonight. I'm hoping for the best, but I think it goes without saying that starting rookies back to back, one making his major league debut, in the middle of a penant race isn't exactly ideal. Go get 'em, Joe.
Angels 5; Blue Jays 4
This is getting ridiculous. Three straight extra innings games against this team. The next two games better not go this late. Some of us have to get up and go to work in the morning, and these games that go until 1:00 am are tough. One more reason to move back to the West Coast.
Vlad got Venturaed in the second inning, but a timely error, a theme of the evening, was enough to get him home. Maicer unleased a Glaus in the fifth, and Orlando Hudson would bring the run home with a double to tie the game. A third error, this time by starter Chacin, would later lead to another Angel run. Scioscia finally made the move that probably would have garnered a couple more wins over the last couple of weeks by running the starter out there for the seventh (which I admit I was hoping for), and they promptly gave the lead away. A nice relay from the OC was all that kept the deficit at one. Figgins speed was enough to get the tying run in, as he was able to beat out a double play on a weak grounder to short with Ztu on third. Some anxious moments from the bullpen (surprise, I know), got the Angels into the 11th, where Erstad pre-empted the inevitable walk to Vlad by driving home OC with a walk off single before Guerrero had a chance to bat.
With the A's loss, the Angels now lead by two. It's important to win these next couple before taking on the Red Sox, at which time the A's will be slaughtering the Royals. And with that, I need to get some sleep.
Congrats to the mighty Mick on winning his second major. Too bad for I forgot to set the DVR to record it.
Vlad got Venturaed in the second inning, but a timely error, a theme of the evening, was enough to get him home. Maicer unleased a Glaus in the fifth, and Orlando Hudson would bring the run home with a double to tie the game. A third error, this time by starter Chacin, would later lead to another Angel run. Scioscia finally made the move that probably would have garnered a couple more wins over the last couple of weeks by running the starter out there for the seventh (which I admit I was hoping for), and they promptly gave the lead away. A nice relay from the OC was all that kept the deficit at one. Figgins speed was enough to get the tying run in, as he was able to beat out a double play on a weak grounder to short with Ztu on third. Some anxious moments from the bullpen (surprise, I know), got the Angels into the 11th, where Erstad pre-empted the inevitable walk to Vlad by driving home OC with a walk off single before Guerrero had a chance to bat.
With the A's loss, the Angels now lead by two. It's important to win these next couple before taking on the Red Sox, at which time the A's will be slaughtering the Royals. And with that, I need to get some sleep.
Congrats to the mighty Mick on winning his second major. Too bad for I forgot to set the DVR to record it.
Monday, August 15, 2005
Simply awesome
This is just about the greatest thing I've ever read. Do yourself a favor and go read it if you already haven't. If you have, read it again.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Angels 7; Mariners 6
Didn't see most of it, except for rolling through the version on my DVR where I pretty much just watched the homers and the important plays. It was a nice, cool day here for a change, so I hit the links again.
Kotch absolutely hammered one, but it was really an awful pitch, so it deserved to be hammered. Ditto for Vlad's homer. And Bengie didn't cheat on his, as he hit it to one of the deepest parts of the park. I don't know what the hell happened to Donnelly. At least Bengie had an excuse, as he had just been hit in the hand, but Donnelly seemed to catch the Sax/Sasser disease there on the throw to first base. I was just surprised to see that it was scored an error. That's a really tough play for a major leaguer to make, ya know. Fortunately Erstad came through, and Frankie had one of his sharper appearances of late. With Oakland losing, the one game lead is back for now, but this figures to be a pretty tough week for the Angels. At least they've picked up some momentum, and while they can't make up for the debacle against Seattle in the last series, they did as much as they could.
As for the golf, not great, but encouraging. 83 from the black tees at Pine Meadow (7100+ yards). Didn't putt all that well, but hit the irons a little better, and I'm still hammering the new driver. I joined a couple on the seventh hole. Husband and wife, probably late 30s or so. She was pretty cute, but he was kind of a dick at first. He wasn't that good, but acted like he was a lot better, getting pissed off when he inevitably hit really bad shots. Now, I don't really care what type of people I play with. I don't care if they're good or not. If I did, I would never play with Ty (and I know he's reading this). But seriously, if you're not good, don't act like you are and you're just having a bad day. I've seen enough golfers out there that I can tell. Around 15 or 16, he started to mellow out a bit. Dude could really use some lessons. He's not old, and he's a big enough guy that he should be hitting the ball relatively far, but he'd tee off 40 yards in front of me, and I'd still be 50 yards by him in the fairway, and I'm not a really long hitter. I'm not short, but I'm not a monster. Anyway, the point is, I learned about 15 years ago that getting really pissed off on the golf course doesn't do anybody any good. No use crying over spilt milk. That's my free advice to all of you.
Next week, Cog Hill again, and maybe Kemper Lakes on Sunday if I can work out the timing. Expensive weekend.
Kotch absolutely hammered one, but it was really an awful pitch, so it deserved to be hammered. Ditto for Vlad's homer. And Bengie didn't cheat on his, as he hit it to one of the deepest parts of the park. I don't know what the hell happened to Donnelly. At least Bengie had an excuse, as he had just been hit in the hand, but Donnelly seemed to catch the Sax/Sasser disease there on the throw to first base. I was just surprised to see that it was scored an error. That's a really tough play for a major leaguer to make, ya know. Fortunately Erstad came through, and Frankie had one of his sharper appearances of late. With Oakland losing, the one game lead is back for now, but this figures to be a pretty tough week for the Angels. At least they've picked up some momentum, and while they can't make up for the debacle against Seattle in the last series, they did as much as they could.
As for the golf, not great, but encouraging. 83 from the black tees at Pine Meadow (7100+ yards). Didn't putt all that well, but hit the irons a little better, and I'm still hammering the new driver. I joined a couple on the seventh hole. Husband and wife, probably late 30s or so. She was pretty cute, but he was kind of a dick at first. He wasn't that good, but acted like he was a lot better, getting pissed off when he inevitably hit really bad shots. Now, I don't really care what type of people I play with. I don't care if they're good or not. If I did, I would never play with Ty (and I know he's reading this). But seriously, if you're not good, don't act like you are and you're just having a bad day. I've seen enough golfers out there that I can tell. Around 15 or 16, he started to mellow out a bit. Dude could really use some lessons. He's not old, and he's a big enough guy that he should be hitting the ball relatively far, but he'd tee off 40 yards in front of me, and I'd still be 50 yards by him in the fairway, and I'm not a really long hitter. I'm not short, but I'm not a monster. Anyway, the point is, I learned about 15 years ago that getting really pissed off on the golf course doesn't do anybody any good. No use crying over spilt milk. That's my free advice to all of you.
Next week, Cog Hill again, and maybe Kemper Lakes on Sunday if I can work out the timing. Expensive weekend.
Saturday, August 13, 2005
Still at work
Listened to most of it, until it got out of hand. At that point I stopped paying attention and started listening to the stuff you see on the right sidebar.
Nice job of picking up for some mistakes early, as Cabrera committed the cardinal sin of getting picked off with one out, a man on third, and Vlad at the plate. They still got two runs out of the inning, no thanks to O-Cab.
Figgins powered up for a homer and three more hits. Need those guys at the top of the lineup to get on base, especially with Vlad red hot and Anderson not completely sucking at the moment. It looks like Oakland's going to win again, so we do all this again tomorrow, when I might be golfing if it's not raining. But maybe not.
Nice job of picking up for some mistakes early, as Cabrera committed the cardinal sin of getting picked off with one out, a man on third, and Vlad at the plate. They still got two runs out of the inning, no thanks to O-Cab.
Figgins powered up for a homer and three more hits. Need those guys at the top of the lineup to get on base, especially with Vlad red hot and Anderson not completely sucking at the moment. It looks like Oakland's going to win again, so we do all this again tomorrow, when I might be golfing if it's not raining. But maybe not.
About last night
Sorry for the lack of recap, but I was pretty dead tired, and the game ended late in the Midwest. Today, I'm in the office again, so I don't mind taking a few minutes to catch up. Wash actually looked pretty good for the most part, except for the chuck into right field. Forgive the brief rant, but I think it's pretty pathetic that the bunt by Bloomquist was scored a hit. There is a trend in MLB that I'm not happy with. It seems that every botched play that isn't so routine that a junior high school level fielder could make it with ease is scored a hit nowadays. These are MAJOR LEAGUE baseball players. Are our expectations of their defensive abilities that low that we give hits on plays that would have been sure outs had the fielder simply made a decent throw, or simply held on to the ball. Cabrera's boot the other night was an error. It hit him in the freaking glove. But not in today's MLB. He had to bend over for it a little, so that makes it a really tough play, and subsequently a hit.
Anyway, you could tell Wash was a little anxious in the early going. He wanted no part of Sexon in the second inning, and you could see why when he pitched to Beltre, who hammered one out. Timely offense, and Vlad being Vlad, helped erase some of those mistakes, and Brendan Donnelly, fresh off one of the worst performances of his Angels career, stranded two runner on second and third with nobody out to preserve the tie when the game was still in doubt. A little help from that other Santana lifted the Angels back into a tie for first. So it's on, guys. Either play like this the rest of the season, or watch the A's celebrate their advancement toward first round elimination again.
Anyway, you could tell Wash was a little anxious in the early going. He wanted no part of Sexon in the second inning, and you could see why when he pitched to Beltre, who hammered one out. Timely offense, and Vlad being Vlad, helped erase some of those mistakes, and Brendan Donnelly, fresh off one of the worst performances of his Angels career, stranded two runner on second and third with nobody out to preserve the tie when the game was still in doubt. A little help from that other Santana lifted the Angels back into a tie for first. So it's on, guys. Either play like this the rest of the season, or watch the A's celebrate their advancement toward first round elimination again.
Friday, August 12, 2005
Humor Me
Santana's ERA over the last two months is 3.43. When Escobar comes back, what happens? Here's my suggestion, and feel free to disagree with me in the comments section, but I say Kelvim goes to the bullpen for the rest of the season, and we ride Santana in the rotation. If they make the playoffs, they'll cut the rotation to four anyway. Escobar has the bullpen experience from Toronto, and Santana really doesn't. Honestly, with Santana pitching well for a fifth starter, and the other guys pitching pretty well (assuming a healthy Washburn), doesn't this make the most sense? I realize that the Angels won't do it, because they don't like doing things that make sense (see: Kennedy hitting ninth; Finley hitting anywhere; etc.), but to me, I think this is the best possible use of their pitching resources. Plus, if he's only needed for one or two innings at a time, it may allow Escobar to come back a little sooner (no need to build up the stamina).
Who's with me?
Who's with me?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)