A’s Drop Finale to Yankees 4-0
It was a terrible series, and probably has erased any hope of a October run for the A’s, but we really just did not look up to task this week in New York. The final nail was driven into the coffin as the A’s could not seem to get it together in the game today.
The game was close till Dallas Braden came out with in the 6th with heat related cramps and then the game got a little out of reach and by the Bottom of the 7th it was 4-0 and all hope was lost. Now it was not that the lead was so large, but that the A’s were just attrocious at the plate tonight. Click here for the box score, or the more for the wrap.
I’ll Fight You Nyjer Morgan
Well this is unrelated to the A’s, and I will have commentary on our game today which is clearly looking bleak down 4-0 in the bottom of the 7th, but I had to comment on the Marlins-Nationals brawl and the character of Mr. Morgan.
Morgan was thrown at, twice, last night, and deservedly so. He has been a headcase all year, but to plow the pitcher and get out at home when a slide would win the game for your team showcases idiocy, a lack of class and a lack of caring about the game. For this reason, I say I will fight you Nyjer Morgan.
A’s stomped by Yankees 11-5
I had an eerie feeling after the A’s 3 run top of the first, and unfortunately I was spot on. The A’s just could not keep the Yankee’s off the scoreboard as the pitching was uncharacteristically bad.
For the first time all season Trevor Cahill let up more than 7 hits in a game, and he was saddled with 8 earned runs over just 4 innings of work. Making matters worse, Texas won last night as well to drop us to 8 1/2 games back again. Click here for the box score, or the more for a wrap.
Dear Ben Sheets, Come Onnnn
Now I will be the first one to defend Ben Sheets performance this year and I have done so on many occasions. He may not have pitched very well for us, going 4-9 over 20 games with a 4.53 ERA, but he was a great dugout presence. He was often seen pushing younger pitchers, and he never lost his competitive spirit, which is a whole lot coming from a guy who is really struggling.
Now is $10 million worth all that? No, not a chance, and for that I feel like Sheets owes us. Now by all of my observation, which is cursory at best, it appears that Sheets is a good guy. Unlike Matt Holliday, who endured his stint in Oakland like a disgruntled 8 year old at a Birthday Party they had to go to, Sheets actually seemed to care about this team. For that reason I say Ben, why don’t you do us a favor, and come out next year at league minimum. (more…)
Braden Kills It
If it wasn’t for El perfecto, last night would have been Braden’s best start of the year, and you know what, it was a scorcher. While the line lacked K’s, it also lacked hits, coming in at 9 IP, 4 Hits, 1 K, 0 bb and 0 er. Braden became the first pitcher to shut out Texas in Arlington this year and it was a beauty.
The offense did their job too, with Daric Barton providing the impetus behind all of the A’s runs including a home run for the second straight night, and Kurt Suzuki finally snapping out of it and going 4 for 5. Click here for the box score or the more for the break down.
