One of the worst losing streaks in baseball this season ended on Wednesday when Lenny DiNardo pitched a gem of a game and shut down the Texas Rangers as the Oakland Athletics picked up their first win in 9 games, stopping an 8 game slide.
It took a combined effort from DiNardo, who pitched a strong 7 innings of 3 hit ball and Santiago Casilla who finished the Rangers off with 2 shutdown innings for the A’s to kick the losing skid. DiNardo has had an up and down season for Oakland but he has come up big for a spot starter/long relief guy. DiNardo is cruising along with a nice 2.51 ERA and is becoming very appealing in the eyes of opposing GM’s looking for a little pitching help for the stretch drive, as the A’s were virtually eliminated with their recent crash.
The Athletics got solid offensive support in the 6-0 game, helping them buck their losing skid. The A’s had scored only 20 runs over their 8 losses, and had not hit the 6 runs scored plateau since July 2nd against Toronto. The team has been offensively inept all season which has been crippling their solid pitching staff.
With another game against Texas than three vs. Baltimore before a trip to face division leader Los Angeles and Wild Card contender Seattle the A’s need to get their offense rolling and use today’s victory as a turning point. If not, expect Billy Beane to start the sale, auctioning players like DiNardo, fellow pitcher Joe Kennedy, Shannon Stewart and perhaps even Mike Piazza, if he’s back in time. Beane has never been overly hesitant to sell the old and bring in the new.
Showing posts with label Athletics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Athletics. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Great Expectations
The Oakland Athletics have Kurt Suzuki lined up to take over as the everyday catcher and they have been prepping him for this role for the past month or two. The Chicago Cubs, on the other hand, had their catcher of the future on Geovany Soto at the Major League level, but only allowed him 7 AB’s before dispatching him back to triple –A Iowa. Something seems a little off here.
Soto has been a dynamic force in the minor leagues with his bat and given the time in Chicago, he had the potential to be a nice piece of the puzzle for the Cubs this season and beyond. Instead, Chicago sent down the young stud and made the foolhardy deal to acquire Jason Kendall.
So while the Cubs paid next to nothing for him, they’re also getting next to nothing in return, at least on the offensive side of things. Kendall has been an utter failure as an offensive threat for the A’s this year and has never been the type of produce that the Cubs need. His offensive numbers are just brutal though and far below what he used to amass. Kendall is 33 years old and has brought in all of 2 home runs and 22 RBI in 292 AB’s. That is not a stat you as a GM want to see, and that doesn’t even include his .226 average.
Chicago, when they dealt away Michael Barrett for Rob Bowen, knew they were getting rid of a strong bat in Barrett but his clubhouse antics and fiery temper got him replaced. They paid for a calm demeanor and some veteran leadership and they did get some by acquiring Kendall.
Now, if only they can get Kendall to double his atrocious production thus far, they may be ok in Chicago.
Soto has been a dynamic force in the minor leagues with his bat and given the time in Chicago, he had the potential to be a nice piece of the puzzle for the Cubs this season and beyond. Instead, Chicago sent down the young stud and made the foolhardy deal to acquire Jason Kendall.
So while the Cubs paid next to nothing for him, they’re also getting next to nothing in return, at least on the offensive side of things. Kendall has been an utter failure as an offensive threat for the A’s this year and has never been the type of produce that the Cubs need. His offensive numbers are just brutal though and far below what he used to amass. Kendall is 33 years old and has brought in all of 2 home runs and 22 RBI in 292 AB’s. That is not a stat you as a GM want to see, and that doesn’t even include his .226 average.
Chicago, when they dealt away Michael Barrett for Rob Bowen, knew they were getting rid of a strong bat in Barrett but his clubhouse antics and fiery temper got him replaced. They paid for a calm demeanor and some veteran leadership and they did get some by acquiring Kendall.
Now, if only they can get Kendall to double his atrocious production thus far, they may be ok in Chicago.
Friday, July 13, 2007
Trade that should happen
Kansas City sends Emil Brown and David Riske to Oakland for 1B Daric Barton.
The A’s may balk at giving up Barton as he is MLB ready and will contend for a starting job in the infield next season, but this summer to get quality you have to give quality as it is a seller’s market.
Brought over in the Mark Mulder trade from St. Louis, Barton has been tearing things up in triple-A Sacramento with a .323 average and 6 homers and 49 RBI to go with a great walk to strikeout ratio of 44/38. Barton would get immediate playing time in Kansas City as Ryan Shealy hasn’t been the answer and is now on the DL. Barton would also form a great duo with Alex Gordon on the corners for years to come in K.C.
If Oakland refuses on Barton, K.C. could also ask for Travis Buck or Michael Madsen but again, that is a steep price for the A’s to pay.
Oakland would get some immediate bullpen help as Riske has been a quality arm for the Royals from the pen’ all season. Emil Brown would bring some pop to a lineup that lacks it.
Overall, this trade works well for both teams and if Oakland doesn’t want to give up one of their upper-echelon prospects, I’m sure another team wouldn’t mind, as good strong bullpen help is near impossible to find at this time of year.
The A’s may balk at giving up Barton as he is MLB ready and will contend for a starting job in the infield next season, but this summer to get quality you have to give quality as it is a seller’s market.
Brought over in the Mark Mulder trade from St. Louis, Barton has been tearing things up in triple-A Sacramento with a .323 average and 6 homers and 49 RBI to go with a great walk to strikeout ratio of 44/38. Barton would get immediate playing time in Kansas City as Ryan Shealy hasn’t been the answer and is now on the DL. Barton would also form a great duo with Alex Gordon on the corners for years to come in K.C.
If Oakland refuses on Barton, K.C. could also ask for Travis Buck or Michael Madsen but again, that is a steep price for the A’s to pay.
Oakland would get some immediate bullpen help as Riske has been a quality arm for the Royals from the pen’ all season. Emil Brown would bring some pop to a lineup that lacks it.
Overall, this trade works well for both teams and if Oakland doesn’t want to give up one of their upper-echelon prospects, I’m sure another team wouldn’t mind, as good strong bullpen help is near impossible to find at this time of year.
Here We Go Again
Sadly, Oakland Athletics pitcher Rich Harden is approaching Mark Prior and Kerry Wood status when it comes to talent wasted on nagging injuries. With all three, it seems that they are never off of the disabled list, and for Harden, as of July 12, he’s back on, with yet another shoulder issue.
The A’s placed Harden on the disabled list for what seems like the thirtieth time this year, a move retroactive to July 8th. Harden has made all of four starts this season, the first three, and the best three, coming way back in April.
Three starts in April gave him a sterling 1.42 ERA, but a trip to the DL. Than, Harden got some work in June in three relief appearances, amassing four innings and lowering his ERA to 1.17. This relief work set him up to start on the 7th of this month against the Mariners, where he only worked 2.2 innings and apparently aggravated his injury.
The bad news for Harden is somewhat tempered by the fact that an MRI revealed no structural damage to his ailing shoulder, meaning that his odds of returning this year are high.
The only question is, how effective can he really be with such limited action since April? For the sake of the A’s and Manager Bob Geren, hopefully by mid-August there will be a regular slot for Harden in the rotation.
The A’s placed Harden on the disabled list for what seems like the thirtieth time this year, a move retroactive to July 8th. Harden has made all of four starts this season, the first three, and the best three, coming way back in April.
Three starts in April gave him a sterling 1.42 ERA, but a trip to the DL. Than, Harden got some work in June in three relief appearances, amassing four innings and lowering his ERA to 1.17. This relief work set him up to start on the 7th of this month against the Mariners, where he only worked 2.2 innings and apparently aggravated his injury.
The bad news for Harden is somewhat tempered by the fact that an MRI revealed no structural damage to his ailing shoulder, meaning that his odds of returning this year are high.
The only question is, how effective can he really be with such limited action since April? For the sake of the A’s and Manager Bob Geren, hopefully by mid-August there will be a regular slot for Harden in the rotation.
Tuesday, July 3, 2007
Hot as a Firecracker
Every now and again we’ll take a few seconds to give a shout out to someone who’s been red hot as of late, and today, the spotlight falls squarely on Shannon Stewart of the Oakland A’s.
Stewart has been on a tear for the past 9 games destroying pitchers confidence in every game. While the A’s have only posted a paltry 4-5 record during that span, its obviously not Stewart’s fault as he has gone 21 for 42 from the plate with 3 homers and 5 RBI, raising his average from .273 to .307 in the process. Not bad for a guy many baseball people had written off as washed-up coming into the year.
Stewart has been on a tear for the past 9 games destroying pitchers confidence in every game. While the A’s have only posted a paltry 4-5 record during that span, its obviously not Stewart’s fault as he has gone 21 for 42 from the plate with 3 homers and 5 RBI, raising his average from .273 to .307 in the process. Not bad for a guy many baseball people had written off as washed-up coming into the year.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Quality vs.?
The wheels fell off early for Andy Pettitte on Sunday as he allowed 8 runs in just 1.2 innings. The score was 8-0 after 2 innings and that was essentially it for the reeling Yankees.
They were able to squeeze 5 runs out of MLB ERA leader Dan Haren, which was 2 more than his previous high of 3 runs allowed in one game. However, it was too little too late as Pettitte had long since ruined the Yankees chances, fulfilling many baseball writers prophecy that Pettitte would start to struggle. Yes, its only 1 start but it is not a good omen for the Yankees that their most dependable starter of the season got rocked for 8 runs by a fairly mediocre offense.
The Yankees are quite lucky that the Blue Jays and the Red Sox had tough series themselves over the weekend, limiting the damage the Yankees losing run has done.
It wasn’t the game that that Athletics wanted either as their pitcher, Dan Haren was nowhere near his normal standards, allowing the 5 Yankee runs to cross. The bright spot for both teams came from their respective bullpens. Santiago Casilla continued his solid play for the A’s going 2 innings of scoreless baseball, lowering his ERA to 0.51 in 17.2 innings. Meanwhile, Ron Villone was solid as he relieved for Pettitte and proceeded to do everything he could to keep his team in it. Struggling Scott Proctor also put up a good effort so nice work by both men.
They were able to squeeze 5 runs out of MLB ERA leader Dan Haren, which was 2 more than his previous high of 3 runs allowed in one game. However, it was too little too late as Pettitte had long since ruined the Yankees chances, fulfilling many baseball writers prophecy that Pettitte would start to struggle. Yes, its only 1 start but it is not a good omen for the Yankees that their most dependable starter of the season got rocked for 8 runs by a fairly mediocre offense.
The Yankees are quite lucky that the Blue Jays and the Red Sox had tough series themselves over the weekend, limiting the damage the Yankees losing run has done.
It wasn’t the game that that Athletics wanted either as their pitcher, Dan Haren was nowhere near his normal standards, allowing the 5 Yankee runs to cross. The bright spot for both teams came from their respective bullpens. Santiago Casilla continued his solid play for the A’s going 2 innings of scoreless baseball, lowering his ERA to 0.51 in 17.2 innings. Meanwhile, Ron Villone was solid as he relieved for Pettitte and proceeded to do everything he could to keep his team in it. Struggling Scott Proctor also put up a good effort so nice work by both men.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
1 Hitter
This just in; the return of the Rocket has not revitalized the New York Yankees, nor has any other individual’s presence on their roster. Heck, the likely AL MVP is on the team and they are still flailing.
The Oakland Athletics led by Chad Gaudin and Rich Harden shut them down on Saturday allowing only 1 hit for the entire game. The A’s, meanwhile, hammered Kei Igawa and the rest of the Yanks pitching staff for 7 runs, easily tying the series at one game a piece.
Chad Gaudin has been sensational all year, keeping up with the ERA leaders throughout the season and posting quality start after quality start. He has had some tougher outings as of late but against a tough lineup like the Yankees, this was encouraging for Gaudin, and at only $400,000 he’s quite the bargain. Speaking of encouraging, if Rich Harden can translate his current stuff into starting form for the second half, this A’s team could be deadly on the mound. Who knows, maybe he should stay at the back end of the bullpen?
And finally, in case you were unaware, Scott Proctor is terrible. Especially over the past week. In the past 4 games, Proctor has ponied up a 12.56 ERA since June 22 in 4 games going 0-2, allowing 10 hits and 3 walks, while giving up 6 runs and striking out no one. Now that, is a recipe for success.
The Oakland Athletics led by Chad Gaudin and Rich Harden shut them down on Saturday allowing only 1 hit for the entire game. The A’s, meanwhile, hammered Kei Igawa and the rest of the Yanks pitching staff for 7 runs, easily tying the series at one game a piece.
Chad Gaudin has been sensational all year, keeping up with the ERA leaders throughout the season and posting quality start after quality start. He has had some tougher outings as of late but against a tough lineup like the Yankees, this was encouraging for Gaudin, and at only $400,000 he’s quite the bargain. Speaking of encouraging, if Rich Harden can translate his current stuff into starting form for the second half, this A’s team could be deadly on the mound. Who knows, maybe he should stay at the back end of the bullpen?
And finally, in case you were unaware, Scott Proctor is terrible. Especially over the past week. In the past 4 games, Proctor has ponied up a 12.56 ERA since June 22 in 4 games going 0-2, allowing 10 hits and 3 walks, while giving up 6 runs and striking out no one. Now that, is a recipe for success.
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