Game 18 Open Thread - Royals (9-8) at A's (10-8)
by Freneau on Apr 19, 2008 3:30 PM EDT
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PrintKansas City Royals at Oakland Athletics, Apr 19, 2008 4:05 PM EDT
Gosh. Isn't it just so awkward that the A's keep winning? Weren't they supposed to be a monument to dead ideas, because a guy retired or something? Their GM isn't even a former Braves staffer and they don't have a new manager infusing them with attitude and they don't have Meche's grit and leadership and they don't have a single pitcher 15% as smart as Banny. I don't get it. Oh, and their payroll is $10-15 million dollars smaller than the Royals', depending on what numbers you want to believe.
Today the Royals look to avoid falling to .500 for the first time since Opening Day, and thankfully, Zack Greinke (0.75 ERA) will take the ball to start the game. After getting to 8-5 after a win over the Mariners, the Royals have scuffled a bit, falling flat last night in a thoroughly ugly performance. It's silly and irrational, but I'd like to see the team keep its head above water as long as possible, and a win today would buy another couple days of the Royals being above .500 and thus eligible for all kinds of random remarks during other team's games of the and those Royals have gotten off to a nice start variety.
The A's counter with Greg Smith, like another Louisianan, who will be making his third career start this afternoon. Of course, we all know that he was drafted by the A's in 2005 (6th round), and they don't know anything about evaluating players, so it's obvious he sucks. A 6th round draft pick contributing to your big league club three years later? Idiotic.
+++++++
Just a reminder, we're now exactly one week from Royals Review Fest (link)at the K. I'll be tailgating before the Royals-Jays game on Saturday night (free blankets!) and would love to meet anyone who'll be at the game. You can also look for us (me and my girlfriend) in section 304, where I'll have my Gload Will Explode! sign.
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inside stuff you just won’t get anywhere else – Greinke took his initial warm-up pitches throwing to the bullpen catcher, with Buck in his full catching gear standing in like a batter – helmet and all. Hadn’t seen that before.
That's awesome. Pretty damn weird. But awesome.
Excellent embedded reporting.
by stuckinstl12 on Apr 19, 2008 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions
Boom!!
That’s more like it.
"I've seen the future and it's much like the present only longer." - Dan Quisenberry
Fox's Blacking Out...
a game they’d never show. They’d show That 70’s Show reruns before this matchup.
But that's not why they black it out.
They black it out because they think that if the only game you can watch is the one they’re showing, you’ll watch their game instead of the one you want to watch.
They’re wrong, and it’s retarded, but there you go.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
Greinke strikes out the side?
Sweet
Finally coming back to the 'K'!!!! I'm going to be there 7/11/08, vs the SEA Mariners, of course!
by RoyalsFanInMarinerTown on Apr 19, 2008 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions
will there be photos of RR fest posted?
that would be interesting
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Second pitch of the game and zack breaks out the nasty curve
winning records follow good bullpens
Back to back K's to start the game
winning records follow good bullpens
Those pesky former Royals
winning records follow good bullpens
Strikesout the side
winning records follow good bullpens
Olivoooooooo with a bomb
winning records follow good bullpens
wow
i was just going to make a joke about how you can never give Olivo a second chance or he will punish you
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Olivo can hit lefties
winning records follow good bullpens
At least he's throwing a lot of pitches
winning records follow good bullpens
Greinke vs LIME an epic AB
winning records follow good bullpens
BFF alert
Zack vs. limE to lead off the inning
"I've seen the future and it's much like the present only longer." - Dan Quisenberry
And emil wins that one
winning records follow good bullpens
the A's should sign Mark Sweeney
and unleash the full power of the Sweeney Triumvirate
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Great explanation for the kids
as to why two-handed catching is a good thing.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
It's nice to have ryan on the radio today
Bob Davis when he’s with Steve Stewart (is that his name) is unbearable.
The Dirty Mac myspace.com/duffymcgeethree
Two handed catching is only a good thing for kids.
by stuckinstl12 on Apr 19, 2008 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions
Have they even hit a ball ahrd yet
winning records follow good bullpens
Now a four pitch walk to load the bases, wtf...
winning records follow good bullpens
ROYALS WIN!!
The Royals are 5-0 when hitting at least one home run in a game. 4-8 when they do not.
Blown Save
Zack needs to not mess around here
98mph on the first pitch
The Dirty Mac myspace.com/duffymcgeethree
Boo, I wanted the K
Whatever. He’s had to throw a lot of pitches for 2 innings though, esp considering he’s not even getting hit.
winning records follow good bullpens
88
88 was a curveball… unreal.
Finally coming back to the 'K'!!!! I'm going to be there 7/11/08, vs the SEA Mariners, of course!
by RoyalsFanInMarinerTown on Apr 19, 2008 4:47 PM EDT reply actions
How hillarious is it that Greinke and Emil were friends
just imagining a conversation between them makes me smile
You could make a comic strip outta this
winning records follow good bullpens
But then again, is it any surprise the 2 most immature members of the team were best friends?
winning records follow good bullpens
Teahen bunting???
Finally coming back to the 'K'!!!! I'm going to be there 7/11/08, vs the SEA Mariners, of course!
by RoyalsFanInMarinerTown on Apr 19, 2008 4:51 PM EDT reply actions
Something's rotten in Den(Kansas City)mark
Captain Fundamentals has a monstrously bad baserunning team. What is going on?
Zack has thrown about a billion pitches
But hopefully he can have a quick 5th and go out for the 6th.
winning records follow good bullpens
he hasn't labored though.
i think he’ll make it to the sixth at least.
Blown Save
He's pitching like a power pitcher today
Really not throwing the two seamer as much, though he started to break it out last inning. This had resulted in a higher pitch count, the bloop hits haven’t helped. He’s def pitched well though.
winning records follow good bullpens
This lineup is so much better with David in it
winning records follow good bullpens
is it really?
looks the same to me
Blown Save
it should be noted that all of the royals runs today have come on homers.
one more reason why we should sign barry bonds.
Blown Save
Teahan is slumping pretty hard
winning records follow good bullpens
Greinke right back in to a jam....
winning records follow good bullpens
Walking the guy ahead of Cust is such a bad idea
Esp when you’re not throwing gruondballs, at all
winning records follow good bullpens
Okay, now get lime to roll one over
winning records follow good bullpens
Emil freakin brown you gotta be kidding me
winning records follow good bullpens
I hate emil brown
And zack a little bit for giving up an RBI hit ahead 0-2
winning records follow good bullpens
callaspo would not have made that play
(i also have no idea what im talking about because i didn’t see the play.)
Blown Save
i saw the play
and callaspo woulda made the play.. and the plays yesterday in the 9th that pena screwed up
I love life. Life = Royals
Wow this is quickly turning into a disaster
winning records follow good bullpens
That's four misplays by Pena in two nights.
But no, we need his glove in there instead of Callaspo’s bat.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
winning records follow good bullpens
We should be out of this inning
winning records follow good bullpens
now woudl be the time to put in Nomo
Blown Save
NBA Playoffs Update
PHX 93, SA 93 – 15.1 4th Qtr (Suns ball)
Blown Save
Barbosa misses shot
Game moves to overtime.
Blown Save
Zack appears to be melting down
winning records follow good bullpens
Are we making sure Zack gets his 100 pitches or something?
I don’t get it
You can't triple stamp a double stamp
How the HELL do we still have the lead
Dear god that inning was a disaster
winning records follow good bullpens
the leadoff double was well-struck
and Brown’s single was clean
Otherwise, all the trouble was walks and grounders
The 2-2 pitch to Cust looked awfully good from here
(middle level, behind 1st)
MLB.com has it at 1.55 for what its worth
Blown Save
it will be 1.24, can't assume doubleplay - even though it would of been a DP
And only 1 run would of scored.
winning records follow good bullpens
Second run scored on an error
They make strange calls on ER in this situation.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
3 hits, an error, 2 walks, 3 runs
Thank you tony pena junior
winning records follow good bullpens
What was guillen's plan in that ab? 3 straight fastballs.
winning records follow good bullpens
guillen has now struck out 17 times this season
6 behind MLB leader Ryan Howard
Blown Save
How long has it been
since we’ve scored an insurance run past the third inning of a game?
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
Good to see our offense make a statement by comin' back
winning records follow good bullpens
how long before it is deemed okay to reconfigure this all-star lineup?
who believes this is the best batting order we can run out there every day?
In August
when this lineup is scoring 8 runs a game and TPJ and Jose are hitting .380, you’ll look back on this and be embarrassed.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
Weee, leadoff basehit
winning records follow good bullpens
NOTE: MLB.com changes Greinke's ERA to 1.24
Blown Save
Really not a bad start for Greinke, he pretty much made every pitch he had to
Just couldn’t get the double play turned…
winning records follow good bullpens
NBA Playoffs Update
PHX 104, SA 101 – 12.6 in OT (SA Ball)
Blown Save
They're using the John Calipari strategy
Which is my new favorite strategy :)
Blown Save
Tim Duncan (!) hits three-pointer with 3.0 seconds left in OT
First three-pointer of the season for Duncan.
Blown Save
But it isn't like Duncan sucks.
He had forever to set up his shot too.
Blown Save
No, Amare has yet to be suspended for protecting his teammate yet.
Once that happens, then you can give them the series.
Blown Save
Oh, he threw a strike all right
winning records follow good bullpens
I swear to god if emil burns us again,I will break something
winning records follow good bullpens
...that bounces off Guillen's head
Blown Save
Okay, one mroe out please.
winning records follow good bullpens
So much for the lead.
winning records follow good bullpens
God this series is turning into a total nightmare
winning records follow good bullpens
Why are we always snakebitten with these...
...looping hits and seeing-eye singles? Especially in April?
God, this team is frustrating sometimes.
It's got to be hard on a pitching staff when you're never allowed to let a run score.
It’s like a defense in football that is always on the field in a tight game.
Blown Save
I think this is a really important game to win
Mainly because it’s going to really suck if we don’t.
winning records follow good bullpens
We were up 4-0 after, what? Three innings?
We should win this game. It would be a heartbreaking loss if we didn’t. Then again, nothing new for the Royals.
by Royals Nation on Apr 19, 2008 6:16 PM EDT up reply actions
Considering we have absolutely no momentum, and our offense has showed zero ability to come back
Other than opening day, I’m guessing this is going to fall into the heartbreaking loss category. NYRoyal would bristle at my negativity,
winning records follow good bullpens
why oh why do I waste my life following this team?
so I can feel like I’m on top of the world when they are 8-5?
We're up to 6 k's!
winning records follow good bullpens
This team would win the division if...
...Barry Bonds were on this team. I know no one wants to hear that, but its true.
Blown Save
I want to hear it....
....but our front office doesn’t.
by Royals Nation on Apr 19, 2008 6:18 PM EDT up reply actions
A Bonds Lineup
DeJesus (or Gathright)
Teahen
Bonds
Butler
Gordon
Guillen
Grudz (or Callaspo)
Buck
Pena
Blown Save
Man, you can just feel this game...
....slipping away from us. It’s like a bad storybook. Seeing-eye singles, little loopers. Olivo strikes out the following ending. It’s like I know exactly how this will end.
Callapso better bat here
winning records follow good bullpens
Yeah, the stellar defense which is the reason we're currently losing
winning records follow good bullpens
Goddammit WHY ISNT CALLAPSO HITTING
winning records follow good bullpens
Actually, never mind!
....and the radio goes out. Um, what the….?
by Royals Nation on Apr 19, 2008 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions
BUCK WAS GOING ON THAT PITCH WTF
winning records follow good bullpens
Lined into a double play. Nice F'ing Job
winning records follow good bullpens
The connection was lost.
Oh, well….it’s back, now.
by Royals Nation on Apr 19, 2008 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Our win expectancy now down to 40%
winning records follow good bullpens
So when do we lock-up Pena with a long term deal?
I’m thinking that something modeled after the deal that Longoria got would be great for both sides.
I actually don't know if Hillman alone has cost them any games thus far
....but moves like these will add up over the course of the season. Overly aggressive baserunning, not bringing in your best relievers…
by Royals Nation on Apr 19, 2008 6:28 PM EDT up reply actions
If Hillman always brought in his best relievers with this team...
... they would be dead. The Royals don’t play non-close games.
Blown Save
I think it's possible he's failed to win games we could have salvaged
But I don’t think he’s “cost” us games, if that distinction makes any sense.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
NBA Playoffs Update
PHX 112, SA 115 – 19.5 left in 2nd OT
Blown Save
Steve Nash hits three-pointer with 15 seconds left...
... Ginobili hits lay up with 2 seconds left.
SA wins 117-115/2OT
Blown Save
The strikeout swinging
Just to keep us Royals fans interested and listening….only to eventually slap us in the face once again with a go-ahead hit of some sort.
Hmmm....I was going to post that
10 seconds before, but there’s a slight lag. The go-ahead single. Shit. I’m done. Happy commenting, fellas. I’m out of here. This team is pretty effing frustrating.
by Royals Nation on Apr 19, 2008 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions
i didn't realize it was an early start game today
oops. I’m currently dressed up for a murder mystery dinner…set in the 50s in Kansas City. Does this mean that I’m rooting for the Kansas City As?
just in case you wanted to see…I’m rather proud of my hair
Boyfriend of the Year 2008: It's gonna be big!
by loyal2theroyals on Apr 19, 2008 6:34 PM EDT reply actions
I will try very very hard
and will be cursing Charlie Finley the entire time ;)
Boyfriend of the Year 2008: It's gonna be big!
by loyal2theroyals on Apr 19, 2008 7:05 PM EDT up reply actions
I think
if we fall below 500 tomorrow, we will not see it again this year. I hope I am wrong but….....
Great running catch by Teahen, and he hung on after hitting the wall. DDJ does that last inning and it’s a different game.
that really stinks
i was hoping to talk to people and keep myself occupied for the next hour or so ;[
Boyfriend of the Year 2008: It's gonna be big!
by loyal2theroyals on Apr 19, 2008 6:45 PM EDT up reply actions
SWEET!
Huston Street is in! He has to be the most over-rated reliever in baseball.
Blown Save
wow...
three pitches. that was not good.
Blown Save
That was only the second time Butler has seen Street.
He struck out looking the first time he saw him too. I guess that means he’s not seeing the ball well, but I don’t know. It could be that Butler is 22 years-old and feels like he needs to win every close game by himself.
Blown Save
Backbreaking cough up the lead losses, and losing streaks
I feel like I am watching a team of Royals past. I fear .500 will not be sniffed again by the 08 Royals with a loss today. Maybe Hochevar can stop the bleeding, but… it’s like deja vu. How many times have we seen this.
winning records follow good bullpens
Before this season...
... I think most people would feel that the Royals would have slightly over-achieved if they finished .500. I think what is upsetting is that we are not hitting the ball much better than last year and are wasting great pitching performances.
Blown Save
I just hope we can recover if we get swept tomorrow.
4 game losing streaks = BAD. Esp since Greinke and Bannister got semi roughed up. Remember, last year Greinke started out great then rapidly disentigrated – can he avoid that fate this year? I don’t know.
winning records follow good bullpens
This team still has a shot to be the second fastest to 10 wins
since 1996. Only the 2003 team got to 10 wins faster. This team did lose 90+ games last year. They are still learning how to win.
Blown Save
He hasn't had much work.
Remember, Riske started last year with a terrible ERA before being a key guy for the remaining five months. I think we need to give the guy a little more time.
Blown Save
i am not worried yet...
although generally japanese pitchers look absolutely dominant their first time through the league, then drop off … so… not good
My concern
...is that he was bad in the spring as well…and has no track record as far as an ability to get big league hitters out.
Obviously there is no choice given the contract we gave him but to give him some more time, but I’m wondering if Omaha might be the place for him to work things out.
by cookierojas73 on Apr 19, 2008 7:11 PM EDT up reply actions
I think he'll be fine.
He’s only pitched 6 innings this season and does not have a defined role yet. He’ll be okay.
Blown Save
Guillen in April = Career Worst Month
April: .256 /.301/ .403 ( .704)
22 HR, 79 RBI, 32 BB, 119 K
Blown Save
Corollary:
A team that looks this bad has never had a record that looked this good.
Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.
Bit of an over-reaction...
... but I understand the feeling.
Blown Save
Good time for a two-run homer from Buck...
Blown Save
i would love a buck homer right now
Boyfriend of the Year 2008: It's gonna be big!
by loyal2theroyals on Apr 19, 2008 7:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Please tell me Callaspo is hitting...
Blown Save
If German is pitch running for Buck...
...who is going to play catcher???
Blown Save
German is the emergency catcher
Hillman said that during the first week
I like this lineup
I like Olivio over Gload. Still need something from Pena. At least get to his weight in BA.
We would have won if we had Bonds...
Blown Save
GO TAMPA BAY!!!
We’d still only be a 1.5 back if Chicago loses. Its not the end of the world.
Blown Save
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