A's Take Out Former Teammate
When the A's traded first baseman Gregory T Nojeim to CDT for cash considerations and a policy to be named later, the scribes were tough on team management. There was a lot of concern about what would happen in the clubhouse with his veteran leadership removed. GTN had been a driving force behind the A's "snack" budget, and a real good chemistry guy. Then when the A's stumbled to an 0-8 record, the same critics thought they were being proven correct. Indeed the loss of GTN early in the year rattled the team, particularly the Ass Manager.
Three wins later, the A's rolled into a matchup with GTN's Union Busters with a new chemistry. New players like Mattallee, Jojomojo, Booze Cruz, Kathleen, Steve-O, Kent, and Herr German were no longer rookies - having melded seamlessly with 2nd year players Berg, Caroline and Ian and three year stalwarts Ass Manager, Mitchell, Young William, Shin, Armenian Berrserker, Sneaky Pete and Rich. Even the interns played like seasoned vets. This team that has forged a new, post-Noj identity, finally had the chance to confront the past directly. A's 1, Past 0.
The game got off to a thrilling start off the field, as an energized A's squad burst through an A's banner to take their positions in the field. There may have been a few jitters, as Mitchell misplayed the first grounder to third, and then the UB's second hitter looped one down the line for a hit. They were starting to get a little confidence, when Mattallee stopped all their pipe dreams of an upset with a beautiful snare of a high liner up the middle. A line out to Mitchell and ground out later, and the UB's were done. The A's wold then remove all suspense in the bottom of the inning.
Mitchell led off with a double, then a Jojomojo double, then a Young William double, then a Mattallee double...sense a pattern. The inning was punctuated with a bases loaded moonshot from Rich, giving the A's an 8-0 lead after one. The UB's knew they were beat.
With the outcome never in doubt, the rest of the game kind of blurred by. There were a few notable plays - Kang displaying a cannon arm in an innning at shortstop, Caroline recording her first put-out on a fly ball to center, Sha-Ron recording her first at bat, Young William's ozone piercing homer, Berg showing his versatility by pitching AND catching. The story that was developing was a shutout, as the A's used six pitchers for six shutout innings going into the final frame. Mitchell brought in his usually reliable closer, Mitchell, and then things got interesting. After a leadoff triple and a popout, the A's were two outs away from a 15-0 victory. It would not happen. A seeing eye single knocked in the first run, but things still looked good. Then the hit barraage, singles, doubles, one error, a couple of homers...before it was all over the Union Busters had tallied 7. The A's won 15-7, but the UB's showed a lot of heart in the last inning rally, and Mitchell now has some serious unanswered questions about the back of the pen.
Now the A's need to avoid an emotional letdown as they take on the Fearless LEADers (5-2) tonight. The A's have never won games on back-to-back nights - no time like the present.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
So Long, Farewell, Auf Weidersehen Aziz!
Kang Leads A's in Victorious Sendoff for the Puma; 3rd Win in 4 Games
And then there were five. Only five players are left from opening day, 2005. Last night marked the end of the road for one of the few remaining members of the innaugural A's team, as Aziz "The Puma" Ahmad took the field one last time. Though his last at-bat was a linedrive out to the pitcher, the Puma will be remembered more for his wit, style and team-first attitude than for any single play. Having been through the trying first season, he had to be happy to see this year's squad start to show signs of life and give him the farewell present of a victory. The A's handled the Charitable Rollovers 12-6, picking up their third victory in a bittersweet game for players, coaches and fans.
Going into the game Mitchell spoke to the team about focusing on the first and third innings. The A's are being outscored 94-34 in those two innings, but last night they allowed no runs in the first and third, and picked up one of their own. The game was shaping up as a low scoring affair, with the A's holding a tenuous 2-1 lead going into the bottom of the fourth before the bats came to life.
The A's 4th was a triple barrage. Triples in softball usually mean something went wrong, but we'll take them. After J-Loeb singled (part of his 3 hit night featuring his patented, leaping two-handed backhand), JoJoMoJo crushed one over the outfielders glove. She had caught up with him on the basepaths about halfway to second. With the whole team yelling at J-Loeb to run, Joanne was behind him, screaming "Hustle!". J-Loeb was talked out of his plan to "catch his breath at third base", mostly by the fact that JoJoMoJo was about a foot behind him. In the end, she settled for a triple. Matt quickly followed that up with a double, then Fight Club tripled, then after an RBI groundout from Mrs. Szak, Steve tripled. Quite a show.
With the A's cruising, Cruz was again talking victory party, but the Charitable Rollovers refused to. They loaded the bases with noone out in the fifth. They scored a couple on RBI groundouts (and scarily high-arcing rainbow tosses from Shin to Ian) and were looking for more when Steve relayed a ball to Matt, who threw to Mitchell at third to pick up the final out of the inning to snuff the rally. It was the second time in the game the opponents got a runner nailed going to third.
With the score now a too close 8-6,the A's got some insurance. Mitchell picked up the weakest homerun of the season on a grounder to short. J-Loeb and JoJoMoJo had another meeting on the basepaths, this time with Matt chasing them along into a three-way bunch up. Matt settled for the two-rbi triple. Rich knocked him home to make the score a comfortable 12-6 going inot the final inning.
Mitchell again turned to his closer, Mitchell, and he picked up the save with a zero run seventh featuring one at bat with a whopping 11 strikes (still short of Mrs. Szak's 2006 franchise record).
All in all, a happy day on the field, sad day off it. Sha-Ron the Librarian led the cheers, Caroline got her first game action of the year, Johnny Catastrophe returned, Time Out Mary and Kathleen drank, and Spar-A-Pan-I continued "to do whatever you need me to do, Coach". But saying goodbye to a founding member of the A's was hard. Good luck in Cali, Puma.
And then there were five. Only five players are left from opening day, 2005. Last night marked the end of the road for one of the few remaining members of the innaugural A's team, as Aziz "The Puma" Ahmad took the field one last time. Though his last at-bat was a linedrive out to the pitcher, the Puma will be remembered more for his wit, style and team-first attitude than for any single play. Having been through the trying first season, he had to be happy to see this year's squad start to show signs of life and give him the farewell present of a victory. The A's handled the Charitable Rollovers 12-6, picking up their third victory in a bittersweet game for players, coaches and fans.
Going into the game Mitchell spoke to the team about focusing on the first and third innings. The A's are being outscored 94-34 in those two innings, but last night they allowed no runs in the first and third, and picked up one of their own. The game was shaping up as a low scoring affair, with the A's holding a tenuous 2-1 lead going into the bottom of the fourth before the bats came to life.
The A's 4th was a triple barrage. Triples in softball usually mean something went wrong, but we'll take them. After J-Loeb singled (part of his 3 hit night featuring his patented, leaping two-handed backhand), JoJoMoJo crushed one over the outfielders glove. She had caught up with him on the basepaths about halfway to second. With the whole team yelling at J-Loeb to run, Joanne was behind him, screaming "Hustle!". J-Loeb was talked out of his plan to "catch his breath at third base", mostly by the fact that JoJoMoJo was about a foot behind him. In the end, she settled for a triple. Matt quickly followed that up with a double, then Fight Club tripled, then after an RBI groundout from Mrs. Szak, Steve tripled. Quite a show.
With the A's cruising, Cruz was again talking victory party, but the Charitable Rollovers refused to. They loaded the bases with noone out in the fifth. They scored a couple on RBI groundouts (and scarily high-arcing rainbow tosses from Shin to Ian) and were looking for more when Steve relayed a ball to Matt, who threw to Mitchell at third to pick up the final out of the inning to snuff the rally. It was the second time in the game the opponents got a runner nailed going to third.
With the score now a too close 8-6,the A's got some insurance. Mitchell picked up the weakest homerun of the season on a grounder to short. J-Loeb and JoJoMoJo had another meeting on the basepaths, this time with Matt chasing them along into a three-way bunch up. Matt settled for the two-rbi triple. Rich knocked him home to make the score a comfortable 12-6 going inot the final inning.
Mitchell again turned to his closer, Mitchell, and he picked up the save with a zero run seventh featuring one at bat with a whopping 11 strikes (still short of Mrs. Szak's 2006 franchise record).
All in all, a happy day on the field, sad day off it. Sha-Ron the Librarian led the cheers, Caroline got her first game action of the year, Johnny Catastrophe returned, Time Out Mary and Kathleen drank, and Spar-A-Pan-I continued "to do whatever you need me to do, Coach". But saying goodbye to a founding member of the A's was hard. Good luck in Cali, Puma.
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Bad Hosts
Hot A's Give Rude Welcome to New Squad; Win 20-13
Everyone remembers their first time. Last night the A's made the first game ever for Undefeated in Name an unpleasant experience that may affect all their future games with a 20-13 pounding that wasn''t as close as the score suggested. With an offense clicking on all cylinders, Mitchell experimented defensively, giving up a few runs in exchange for some valuable experience for his bench. What a nice luxury to have - what a deep A's squad.
Starting shorthanded as usual, on a beautiful field secured by short-straw drawing Steve-O, the A's got two quick outs, before allowing a little bit of a rally and giving up two runs. It was the only time they would trail all night. Kang, making a return from a 30 day suspension, singled home Mitchell, Mattallee doubled her home, and Steve-O capped the inning with a two run blast. The early runs put Katy Comics in line to pick up the pitching victory.
Shinouye came out of the pen and shutout the UIN team in the second, backed by some stellar defensive play. A hustling Mattallee was able to range from shortstop to snag a ball behind second base, then with all his momentum taking him the other way, flip the ball backwards where Jody Jail made a barehanded grab for the out at second. Fans are coming to expect at least one highlight reel play a game from the A's new fulltime shortstop. With a chance to put the game away in the bottom of the second, the A's responded. Ass Manager picked up a two out RBI, then Fight Club crushed the first of his two-homers on the day. It was part of what would become a team-record 5 homerun onslaught. The A's led 8-2. Booze Cruz began planning a postgame victory party. Not so fast...
The UIN's showed a little heart in the next two innings. They picked up 8 runs, and trailed by only two going in to the bottom of the fourth. Sensing their growing confidence, and knowing how dangerous it can be to let another team hang around, the A's drove a stake through their heart with a seven run fourth. Shinouye picked up his first homer of the year, immediately followed by Fight Club's second of the game. The fun didn't stop there. Jody reached, Mary legged out a single, Loftman got on base, Spar-a-pani hit a sac fly, Puma and Mitchell drove in runs (featuring a sprawling Puma crashed between second and third, scrambling back to the bag in time to keep the rally going), and the inning ended with the A's up 19-10.
Not taking any chances, Mitchell brought in his closer - Mitchell - and played his first line defense. No runs. Mattallee picked up a solo homer in the bottom of the fifth, and Mitchell stayed on to pitch the sixth. WIth one out and a runner on third, his six inning scoreless streak was on the line. Then a trash talking Cruz made a showstopping catch, sprinting backwards and catching a foul ball over her shoulder. Then she danced. Hips don't lie.
Mitchell's personal scoreless streak ended with two runs in the seventh, but it was all academic by that point. The A's could focus on welcoming Brendan "Honey throw" Banaszak back ("The Szak is Back from Iraq!"), splitting the mvp awards, and strategizing for tonight's matchup vs. ALEC.
Two in a row!
WP: Nelson (1-1)
S: Mitchell (1)
Everyone remembers their first time. Last night the A's made the first game ever for Undefeated in Name an unpleasant experience that may affect all their future games with a 20-13 pounding that wasn''t as close as the score suggested. With an offense clicking on all cylinders, Mitchell experimented defensively, giving up a few runs in exchange for some valuable experience for his bench. What a nice luxury to have - what a deep A's squad.
Starting shorthanded as usual, on a beautiful field secured by short-straw drawing Steve-O, the A's got two quick outs, before allowing a little bit of a rally and giving up two runs. It was the only time they would trail all night. Kang, making a return from a 30 day suspension, singled home Mitchell, Mattallee doubled her home, and Steve-O capped the inning with a two run blast. The early runs put Katy Comics in line to pick up the pitching victory.
Shinouye came out of the pen and shutout the UIN team in the second, backed by some stellar defensive play. A hustling Mattallee was able to range from shortstop to snag a ball behind second base, then with all his momentum taking him the other way, flip the ball backwards where Jody Jail made a barehanded grab for the out at second. Fans are coming to expect at least one highlight reel play a game from the A's new fulltime shortstop. With a chance to put the game away in the bottom of the second, the A's responded. Ass Manager picked up a two out RBI, then Fight Club crushed the first of his two-homers on the day. It was part of what would become a team-record 5 homerun onslaught. The A's led 8-2. Booze Cruz began planning a postgame victory party. Not so fast...
The UIN's showed a little heart in the next two innings. They picked up 8 runs, and trailed by only two going in to the bottom of the fourth. Sensing their growing confidence, and knowing how dangerous it can be to let another team hang around, the A's drove a stake through their heart with a seven run fourth. Shinouye picked up his first homer of the year, immediately followed by Fight Club's second of the game. The fun didn't stop there. Jody reached, Mary legged out a single, Loftman got on base, Spar-a-pani hit a sac fly, Puma and Mitchell drove in runs (featuring a sprawling Puma crashed between second and third, scrambling back to the bag in time to keep the rally going), and the inning ended with the A's up 19-10.
Not taking any chances, Mitchell brought in his closer - Mitchell - and played his first line defense. No runs. Mattallee picked up a solo homer in the bottom of the fifth, and Mitchell stayed on to pitch the sixth. WIth one out and a runner on third, his six inning scoreless streak was on the line. Then a trash talking Cruz made a showstopping catch, sprinting backwards and catching a foul ball over her shoulder. Then she danced. Hips don't lie.
Mitchell's personal scoreless streak ended with two runs in the seventh, but it was all academic by that point. The A's could focus on welcoming Brendan "Honey throw" Banaszak back ("The Szak is Back from Iraq!"), splitting the mvp awards, and strategizing for tonight's matchup vs. ALEC.
Two in a row!
WP: Nelson (1-1)
S: Mitchell (1)
Saturday, July 7, 2007
Winner, winner, chicken dinner!
A's Prevail on Day of Action!
When the F'n A's began play three seasons ago, expectations were low. After all, the large majority of players had never played softball before. Several had never played any sport. A few had trouble with basic motor skills. That team struggled to a 1-20-1 season, but at least avoided the ignominy of losing every game, and proved the resiliency of the squad by maintaining tremendous turnout all season long in spite of the losses.
In 2006, the stakes were a bit higher. Manager Mitchell/Hungus had recruited a new player to work as his assistant, a handful of rookies showed promise, and the originals all had a year of experience under the belt. When that team stumbled out of the gates to a 1-10 start, there was real frustration - a sense that the team was underperforming, or was distracted by an everpresent film crew. After a majority of the A's returned froma team building/wedding retreat in Chicago, the team gelled, finished the season 5-5, won a playoff game and nearly snuck into the finals, losing 12-10. (Highlights of the season are available in the 38 minute feature "F'n Amazing: The 2006 1st F'n Amendments", available on DVD for $6.95)
This year, most outside observers looked at the A's and saw a team that might make a deep playoff run. Added to the roster were Herr German - an FBI assassin, Mattallee - a highly recruited shortstop out of Illinois, Jojomojo - a human tornado of athletic energy, and several others. All of the key players from 2006 were back. When the A's lost the opener, it stung, but they looked good. As losses two and three came in, there was mounting concern, but the scores were close and there were some good plays. Mitchell was faced with strange attendance - just when someone would show up and play well, they would disappear for four weeks. As the losses kept occurring, a piece of Mitchell the manager started to die. Though folks were still showing up in great numbers and having a good time, the joie de vivre around the team was definitely muted. Then last week, the ship that is the A's seemed to run aground completely. Facing a hot team desperate for revenge, the A's got humiliated in every facet of the game in a 33-7 loss to the One Hitters. This followed three straight last inning/one run losses - maybe the pressure of almost breaking throug but not quite finally caught up to them. After the loss, the F'n A's went to radio silence. Noone discussed the game. Noone even talked about the next game, as it was almost an afterthought due to the giant ACLU Day of Action rally requiring everyone's full attention. A funny thing happened when the team stopped fretting...
One struggle the A's have faced this year is a terribly inconsistent lineup. Over 30 people ave played, but few with regularity. While not everyone was available, for the first time all season Mitchell was able to field a lineup pretty much like he'd imagined in spring training. The Department of veterans affairs could have no idea what was about to be unleashed on them.
The A's were the road team, and with one down and runners on second and third in the first, they saw an opportunity wasted so many times before. This time, Young William came through, eschewing the long ball for the sure hit, knocking in two, and sparking a three run inning. When the A's sent out their defensive alignment, Mitchell felt somewhat confident, but a few key pieces were still missing. Mattallee was finally ensconced at short, Mitchell and Young William patrolled the left side of the outfield, Herr German and Habeas were on hand. It looked pretty solid, but Fight Club (who showed up in the 2nd)and Dilg and Berg were out of action. Then the unthinkable, hits and errors and runs, and the A's were down 4-3 and still hadn't recorded a single out. Things looked their bleakest as the number 5 hitter blasted one past Young William in center. He trotted the bases blissfully unaware of the fate about to befall him. Young William never gave up on the ball, and launched a laser beam to his cutoff, Mattallee. Mattallee smelled blood, and blistered a perfect strike home to Ian covering the plate. Ian's sure hands never moved, and the tag caught Mr. I-Thought-It-Was-A-Homer right in the jaw. One out! Though they still led, the Veterans never recovered. The inning ended with the score 4-3, but the A's had all the momentum and never looked back. This could easily become the season defining play - the momet that turned a game and a year around.
The A's didn't break though until the 4th inning, but something about the way the game was going never left any doubt how it would end. Mitchell and Ass Manager were reunited as the pitching battery and shutout the Vets over five innings. Mattallee made some sensational plays drawing ooh and ahs even from the opposition. Ian went 3 for 3. German played a shut down third, Sneaky Pete played all over, Habeas settled in at first, Fight Club held down left, Puma again did what was needed of him in the field and stroked the ball at the plate, Booze Cruz got a hit and boozed superbly (side note - the A's were out of beer by the 5th - great job A's!!!) Shinouye rediscovered his swing, and intern Loftman scored and looks to be this season's good luck charm. Everyone really turned in great performances, as the A's won 11-6.
Does this mark a turnaround? Mitchell sure thinks so - he has scheduled some additional games in the upcoming weeks to capitalize on the momentum. With games on the 10th, 16th, and 17th the A's have a chance to move up the standing in a hurry.
Next game: Tuesday June 10th vs. Undefeated in Name, 15th and Constitution
When the F'n A's began play three seasons ago, expectations were low. After all, the large majority of players had never played softball before. Several had never played any sport. A few had trouble with basic motor skills. That team struggled to a 1-20-1 season, but at least avoided the ignominy of losing every game, and proved the resiliency of the squad by maintaining tremendous turnout all season long in spite of the losses.
In 2006, the stakes were a bit higher. Manager Mitchell/Hungus had recruited a new player to work as his assistant, a handful of rookies showed promise, and the originals all had a year of experience under the belt. When that team stumbled out of the gates to a 1-10 start, there was real frustration - a sense that the team was underperforming, or was distracted by an everpresent film crew. After a majority of the A's returned froma team building/wedding retreat in Chicago, the team gelled, finished the season 5-5, won a playoff game and nearly snuck into the finals, losing 12-10. (Highlights of the season are available in the 38 minute feature "F'n Amazing: The 2006 1st F'n Amendments", available on DVD for $6.95)
This year, most outside observers looked at the A's and saw a team that might make a deep playoff run. Added to the roster were Herr German - an FBI assassin, Mattallee - a highly recruited shortstop out of Illinois, Jojomojo - a human tornado of athletic energy, and several others. All of the key players from 2006 were back. When the A's lost the opener, it stung, but they looked good. As losses two and three came in, there was mounting concern, but the scores were close and there were some good plays. Mitchell was faced with strange attendance - just when someone would show up and play well, they would disappear for four weeks. As the losses kept occurring, a piece of Mitchell the manager started to die. Though folks were still showing up in great numbers and having a good time, the joie de vivre around the team was definitely muted. Then last week, the ship that is the A's seemed to run aground completely. Facing a hot team desperate for revenge, the A's got humiliated in every facet of the game in a 33-7 loss to the One Hitters. This followed three straight last inning/one run losses - maybe the pressure of almost breaking throug but not quite finally caught up to them. After the loss, the F'n A's went to radio silence. Noone discussed the game. Noone even talked about the next game, as it was almost an afterthought due to the giant ACLU Day of Action rally requiring everyone's full attention. A funny thing happened when the team stopped fretting...
One struggle the A's have faced this year is a terribly inconsistent lineup. Over 30 people ave played, but few with regularity. While not everyone was available, for the first time all season Mitchell was able to field a lineup pretty much like he'd imagined in spring training. The Department of veterans affairs could have no idea what was about to be unleashed on them.
The A's were the road team, and with one down and runners on second and third in the first, they saw an opportunity wasted so many times before. This time, Young William came through, eschewing the long ball for the sure hit, knocking in two, and sparking a three run inning. When the A's sent out their defensive alignment, Mitchell felt somewhat confident, but a few key pieces were still missing. Mattallee was finally ensconced at short, Mitchell and Young William patrolled the left side of the outfield, Herr German and Habeas were on hand. It looked pretty solid, but Fight Club (who showed up in the 2nd)and Dilg and Berg were out of action. Then the unthinkable, hits and errors and runs, and the A's were down 4-3 and still hadn't recorded a single out. Things looked their bleakest as the number 5 hitter blasted one past Young William in center. He trotted the bases blissfully unaware of the fate about to befall him. Young William never gave up on the ball, and launched a laser beam to his cutoff, Mattallee. Mattallee smelled blood, and blistered a perfect strike home to Ian covering the plate. Ian's sure hands never moved, and the tag caught Mr. I-Thought-It-Was-A-Homer right in the jaw. One out! Though they still led, the Veterans never recovered. The inning ended with the score 4-3, but the A's had all the momentum and never looked back. This could easily become the season defining play - the momet that turned a game and a year around.
The A's didn't break though until the 4th inning, but something about the way the game was going never left any doubt how it would end. Mitchell and Ass Manager were reunited as the pitching battery and shutout the Vets over five innings. Mattallee made some sensational plays drawing ooh and ahs even from the opposition. Ian went 3 for 3. German played a shut down third, Sneaky Pete played all over, Habeas settled in at first, Fight Club held down left, Puma again did what was needed of him in the field and stroked the ball at the plate, Booze Cruz got a hit and boozed superbly (side note - the A's were out of beer by the 5th - great job A's!!!) Shinouye rediscovered his swing, and intern Loftman scored and looks to be this season's good luck charm. Everyone really turned in great performances, as the A's won 11-6.
Does this mark a turnaround? Mitchell sure thinks so - he has scheduled some additional games in the upcoming weeks to capitalize on the momentum. With games on the 10th, 16th, and 17th the A's have a chance to move up the standing in a hurry.
Next game: Tuesday June 10th vs. Undefeated in Name, 15th and Constitution
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Rally gives rise to hope
The A's made a furious last at bat rally Tuesday in search of their first win, but in the end fell a couple feet short. Katy Nelson, the potential tying run, was tagged out as she came to the plate in a close call that had A's fans' hearts in their throats. The fact that the A's cames so close was nothing short of shocking.
The A's, as usual, came out sloppy, giving up a huge 7 runs in the top of the first. Determined to make a game of it, they answered back quickly with 4 of their own highlighted by the Puma's first homerun of the season. Unfortunately, the defense stayed porous, giving up 4 more runs in the second, and four in the third. Down 15-5, the A's battled back once more. They sent 10 batters to the plate (including Ian who went 4 for 4) and scored five on the strength of back to back homeruns from Matt and Charlie. The three homers are encouraging, as the team had only two all season coming into the game.
In the 4th, the A's made a defensive shift, and sent the nauseous Charlie Mitchell in to play shortstop, and put rookie ace Katy on the mound. The A's gave up no runs, and looked prime to get back in the game. Then the bats went quiet, and the A's were shutout. Undeterred, the A's gave up only one in the fifth, but still couldn't score. Still fighting, the A's gave up none in the sixth, with Mitchell making all three putouts, but still couldn't score. Heads hung a little bit when the Grunley Way opened the 7th with a solo homer, though the extra run seemed to mean little as the lead was 18-10.
Then the A's made their stand. Mitchell exhorted Ass Manager and Futo Maki to be table setters. The set a formal dinner, both reaching base to get us to the top of the order. Then the hit parade continued. Double by Berg, 18-11. Then one out. Single by Lane, 18-12. Single by Young William, 18-14. Single by Matt, 18-15. Single by Charlie, 18-16. Single by Katy. Sac fly from Sparapani, 18-17, two outs. Single by Ian, Katy moves to third. Sneaky Pete came up with A's nation holding its collective breath. She grounded to the pitcher, hope lost. Wait She's bobbling it! Katy is steaming home from third. The pitcher picks it up and throws home, with the catcher just tagging Katy before she crosses the plate. A's lose 18-17.
It was a heck of a rally, and the first reason for optimism all season. The A's try to break in to the win column against old foe Pew's Your Daddy. Pew is sitting in second place, while the A's are down around 50th. An upset sure would be sweet.
The A's, as usual, came out sloppy, giving up a huge 7 runs in the top of the first. Determined to make a game of it, they answered back quickly with 4 of their own highlighted by the Puma's first homerun of the season. Unfortunately, the defense stayed porous, giving up 4 more runs in the second, and four in the third. Down 15-5, the A's battled back once more. They sent 10 batters to the plate (including Ian who went 4 for 4) and scored five on the strength of back to back homeruns from Matt and Charlie. The three homers are encouraging, as the team had only two all season coming into the game.
In the 4th, the A's made a defensive shift, and sent the nauseous Charlie Mitchell in to play shortstop, and put rookie ace Katy on the mound. The A's gave up no runs, and looked prime to get back in the game. Then the bats went quiet, and the A's were shutout. Undeterred, the A's gave up only one in the fifth, but still couldn't score. Still fighting, the A's gave up none in the sixth, with Mitchell making all three putouts, but still couldn't score. Heads hung a little bit when the Grunley Way opened the 7th with a solo homer, though the extra run seemed to mean little as the lead was 18-10.
Then the A's made their stand. Mitchell exhorted Ass Manager and Futo Maki to be table setters. The set a formal dinner, both reaching base to get us to the top of the order. Then the hit parade continued. Double by Berg, 18-11. Then one out. Single by Lane, 18-12. Single by Young William, 18-14. Single by Matt, 18-15. Single by Charlie, 18-16. Single by Katy. Sac fly from Sparapani, 18-17, two outs. Single by Ian, Katy moves to third. Sneaky Pete came up with A's nation holding its collective breath. She grounded to the pitcher, hope lost. Wait She's bobbling it! Katy is steaming home from third. The pitcher picks it up and throws home, with the catcher just tagging Katy before she crosses the plate. A's lose 18-17.
It was a heck of a rally, and the first reason for optimism all season. The A's try to break in to the win column against old foe Pew's Your Daddy. Pew is sitting in second place, while the A's are down around 50th. An upset sure would be sweet.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Maybe we are perennial doormats
The A's lead late, but handed away a game to the Freedom Tiklers 17-11. Leading 10-8 with two outs in the sixth, the A's crumbled, and gave up six runs. In the bottom of the sixth, with the A's still very much alive at 14-10, the meat of the order went down 1-2-3. Another loss.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Charles to the A's: 5:20
Good day, A's (and A's fans)
Suddenly, quietly, the team has stumbled to an 0-3 start. Significantly, it seems almost noone has noticed. Maybe the losses are rolling off of our shoulders because of an inner confidence that things will turn around quickly because we have a talented roster of player/drinkers. That's what I'd like to believe. Unfortunately I have reason to believe there is another reason with some of our number. It has come to my attention that several A's were telling next weeks opponent that "we know we're gonna lose". They went so far as to challenge the other team to alternative, post-game competitions, in lieu of giving it a real shot on the field. It is sickening, disturbing, maddening.
A's, we've made it halfway up the mountain. We can't turn around and do somersaults back down, no matter how awesome and fun that sounds.
Next week marks the return of All-Star centerfielder Young William. Kang gets back from overseas. Rookie Mattallee is ready to erupt and the rest of the team is showing signs of life. Our bats won't slump all year. We need to shake this demon, of feeling like loveable losers. We're loveable winners.
So, please cleanse your minds of these negative thoughts. Think win! Think beer! Think A's!
Coach
Suddenly, quietly, the team has stumbled to an 0-3 start. Significantly, it seems almost noone has noticed. Maybe the losses are rolling off of our shoulders because of an inner confidence that things will turn around quickly because we have a talented roster of player/drinkers. That's what I'd like to believe. Unfortunately I have reason to believe there is another reason with some of our number. It has come to my attention that several A's were telling next weeks opponent that "we know we're gonna lose". They went so far as to challenge the other team to alternative, post-game competitions, in lieu of giving it a real shot on the field. It is sickening, disturbing, maddening.
A's, we've made it halfway up the mountain. We can't turn around and do somersaults back down, no matter how awesome and fun that sounds.
Next week marks the return of All-Star centerfielder Young William. Kang gets back from overseas. Rookie Mattallee is ready to erupt and the rest of the team is showing signs of life. Our bats won't slump all year. We need to shake this demon, of feeling like loveable losers. We're loveable winners.
So, please cleanse your minds of these negative thoughts. Think win! Think beer! Think A's!
Coach
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