Athletics -- 7/9/03
July 09, 2003
::FIC Local Spin::
So the A’s end up with four all-stars, and a possibility for a fifth. The mass number of write-in votes Eric Byrnes received reportedly broke the previous record of votes cast for a write-in candidate. Thus, the much beloved Byrnes found himself on the 32nd man final vote ballot. Endeared to Byrnesie by his all-out hustle and fearless style of play, A’s fans found themselves awake at 4 AM casting ballot after ballot and forming moral support groups in the form of AIM chatrooms. But their valiant effort was to no avail. Byrnes finished third in the voting – ahead of the detested Jason Giambi. But even this was too good to be true as Giambi was named to the all-star team anway in place of injured Mike Sweeney.
People argue that Ramon Hernandez is an undeserving all-star. Comparing his numbers to Jason Varitek’s, you will see that Varitek has undoubtedly the better numbers. However, considering the success of the A’s young pitching staff with Ramon Hernandez at the plate, major league baseball players must have believed the difference in offense was countered more than sufficiently by Hernandez’s tremendous game-calling skills.
Barry Zito has been struggling lately. Here is a good article that gives a reason to his struggles.
::Latest Team Info::
Nearing the end of the A’s season-high thirteen game homestand, the A’s are currently at 4-5. Considering the A’s have one of the best home records in baseball, this is somewhat of a cause for alarm. The second half will be played mostly on the road, and we know all about the A’s road woes. The A’s must take advantage of the Devil Rays and the Orioles. These two teams are not to be taken lightly as the A’s saw on Tuesday night when the Devil Rays pounded 15 hits off 2002 Cy Young Winner Barry Zito and 19 hits total. The Devil Rays played aggressive baseball including two double steals in as many days , leaving the A’s dazed on defense. However, Dave McCarty’s A’s debut was definitely something to talk about as he smoked two doubles and drove in the go-ahead run with a sac fly.
::Injuries::
Jermaine Dye is hurt AGAIN. He separated his shoulder trying to knock the ball loose from Angels’ catcher Molina’s glove. He’ll be out 3-6 weeks and surgery has not yet been ruled out.
::On the Farm::
Duchscherer, Justin (8-2) : 2.96 ERA, 15 GS, 97.1 IP, 97 H, 32 ER, 6 HR, 9 BB, 72 K, 2 WP, .257 BAA
Harden, Rich (9-4): 3.18 ERA, 14 GS, 87.2 IP, 72 H, 31 ER, 6 HR, 1 HB, 35 BB, 91 K, 5 WP, .228 BAA
Harville, Chad (2-4): 1.93 ERA, 39 G, 13 SV, 46.2 IP, 33 H, 10 ER, 10 ER, 2 HR, 18 BB, 41 K, 3 WP, .193 BAA
::Quick View::
Add:
Terrence Long – picking it up and will get much more playing time with Dye hurt again
Watch:
Dave McCarty – this is just his first game with the A’s so we can’t read too much into it, but maybe he’ll turn out like Byrnes. Keep an eye on him.
Adam Piatt – he’s finally doing things. He will get more playing time with Dye hurt again.
