HOFBL Season 2: Rockies @ Nationals (5/29) Tim Raines, Steve Rogers battle against struggling Rocks
Transcript
00:00:00And welcome in everybody, glad you're with us.
00:00:12The show brings you a matchup of division rivals.
00:00:15It's the Texas Rangers going up against the Oakland Athletics.
00:00:19John Shombie, Chris Singleton with you and singing the big bat in the lineup so far this
00:00:24year.
00:00:25Jimmy Fox, always exciting to see him in action and it seems like he consistently finds a
00:00:29way to impact the game.
00:00:31Yeah, Boogie, it's offensively at the plate, defensively when he's on the bases.
00:00:35And this guy's just a heads up player, but he's got so much talent and he makes the most
00:00:39of that.
00:00:40I believe it starts with his preparation because you never see him give away an at bat.
00:00:49All right, first pitch coming up and on the mound today, Charles Bender.
00:00:53And Chris, he's a guy that gets better when things get tough.
00:00:57Yes, batting average against is actually better when he's in a jam.
00:01:01So we'll see if he continues to dance his way out of danger.
00:01:07All right, ready to get underway.
00:01:09Now it's the shortstop, Michael Young.
00:01:11Texas, the shortstop, Michael Young.
00:01:16And the pitch, that misses and we're underway here this afternoon.
00:01:26First pitch, 107.
00:01:35Tapped softly on the ground.
00:01:39Throw over to Fox, one up, one down.
00:01:44And now we take a look at the Rangers lineup.
00:01:46All right, Ziggy, how about all the talent in this lineup?
00:01:50Well, in this day and age, if you can't slug and get on base, that OPS has to be at a certain
00:01:55level.
00:01:56If you're going to produce runs, give your pitchers an opportunity as they're facing
00:01:59tough offenses as well.
00:02:24And the first pitch misses for ball one.
00:02:27Well, he's so great about hitting the ball the other way, he gets those arms extended.
00:02:31So right there, just trying to straighten him up a little bit so he doesn't have as
00:02:35much outside plate coverage.
00:02:42Those scores just getting started, top of the first.
00:02:50And one and two.
00:02:51Clearly just sitting on a fastball right there and just ended up out in front of the slider.
00:02:55Hey, you can't fault him for his commitment.
00:02:57Now he's just going to have to battle the two strikes.
00:03:03One down, base is empty.
00:03:05That's ball two.
00:03:07Two ball, two strikes.
00:03:17Got him.
00:03:18Two gone.
00:03:21With that kind of velocity and elevated fastball, even if it's still in the strike zone, can
00:03:26be tough for hitters to get on top of.
00:03:28Josh Hamilton.
00:03:39Up next for the Rangers, Josh Hamilton.
00:03:46Well struck right field.
00:03:48That's back there.
00:03:50No.
00:03:55So he just clears the wall.
00:03:57His seventh home run of the season.
00:03:59And it gives him the lead in the first.
00:04:01It's one nothing.
00:04:14Lightning fast hands to be able to hit that velocity fastball on the inside part of the
00:04:18plate.
00:04:19In my experience, when you're looking out over the plate, allowing the ball to travel,
00:04:23it's pure reaction to hit a pitch in that location.
00:04:26That's a tremendous swing.
00:04:28And now it's going to be Rafael Palmeiro.
00:04:32First offering misses the mark.
00:04:49Just missed.
00:04:51Well, he gave up the home run earlier in this inning, not pitching as aggressively here.
00:04:56Two oh.
00:04:59And he'll win.
00:05:14Strike two.
00:05:16Well, it looks like he just got out of himself a little bit right there.
00:05:18He's looking for a ball in.
00:05:20And to attack that pitch looked like a half-hearted swing.
00:05:25That one misses.
00:05:27Ball three.
00:05:41And there's a foul ball.
00:05:45You can see he was trying to stay back long enough to handle the off-speed pitch, but
00:05:50just a little tardy on the fastball.
00:06:12Two outs.
00:06:14Down on strikes.
00:06:16And that'll do it.
00:06:18Rangers strike first on the solo job.
00:06:21It's an early 1-0 lead.
00:06:31Bottom of the first.
00:06:33And towing the slab in this one, Kevin Brown.
00:06:35What do you have on him?
00:06:37Well, you can see his whip is a little above the league average.
00:06:40Not bad, but I think in this one, he's going to need to control that a little bit better.
00:06:45Try to limit hitters from getting on base.
00:06:47Stay in that windup instead of the stretch.
00:06:49And when he does allow base runners, be able to throw a pitch.
00:06:53He's going to get a swing and miss.
00:06:55Get out of the inning so that a base hit doesn't do more damage and put his team behind the eight ball.
00:07:00And here it comes.
00:07:02Ricky Henderson takes a strike there as he stands at the plate now.
00:07:15Kicks and fires.
00:07:34And that's downstairs and outside.
00:07:37And if there's one man you want to keep off the base pass, it's this guy right here, Ricky Henderson.
00:07:42The undisputed stolen base king.
00:07:44And that one handled.
00:07:46Tosses to first.
00:07:48Going up on down.
00:07:51Batting second.
00:07:53And time now to check out the A's lineup.
00:07:55And no doubt a big factor in this series so far, Jimmy Fox.
00:07:59Yeah, Boog.
00:08:01Member of the 500 home run club.
00:08:03I mean, you know, I fell just short of that myself.
00:08:05But you know the story.
00:08:07It's an exclusive list.
00:08:09And, you know, of all the most feared hitters, I mean, this guy is right there.
00:08:13This guy is right there at the top.
00:08:15He loves going deep.
00:08:17He loves trotting around the bases.
00:08:19And you know what?
00:08:21I love watching him do it.
00:08:23He's got so much swag.
00:08:25Let's see if he's got something for us in this one.
00:08:27Eddie Collins stands in now.
00:08:29Looks at that one inside.
00:08:33And a 1-0.
00:08:35And another ball.
00:08:37Shingy Rickey's 1,406 career steals is a record that may stand forever.
00:08:43The active leader in career steals isn't even a quarter of the way to that number.
00:08:48Fly ball to right.
00:08:50Gonzalez brings it in.
00:08:52And there are two outs.
00:08:58Batting third.
00:09:00The first baseman, Jimmy.
00:09:02Striding to the plate now for Oakland.
00:09:04Jimmy Fox.
00:09:07He's not going to get cheated up there.
00:09:09No, he's not.
00:09:11He's looking to do damage with every swing he takes.
00:09:17First pitch doesn't find the zone.
00:09:28Just off the outside edge.
00:09:30To account to a guy like this at the plate, you've got to throw a pitcher's pitch.
00:09:34Don't just try to get a strike.
00:09:36You pay.
00:09:41The 2-0 is in for a strike.
00:09:53And that one just missed off the outside edge.
00:09:55That's what you want. It's a good miss.
00:09:57It comes to pitch.
00:09:59He swings and fouls one off.
00:10:19That one hammered center field.
00:10:21That's back there.
00:10:23That one hammered center field.
00:10:25That's back there.
00:10:28Makes the catch up against the wall.
00:10:31We move to inning number two from Chi Park.
00:10:34It's the Rangers' one and the A's nothing.
00:10:40New inning getting started.
00:10:42Now the catcher for the Rangers, Pudge Rodriguez.
00:10:45And this is a guy that doesn't just impact the game defensively.
00:10:49They count on him to deliver offense.
00:10:51He's the first guy at the ballpark.
00:10:53He's got to study opposing hitters.
00:10:56He's got to get familiar with his starting pitcher for that night.
00:11:00And he's getting in the cage to take his swings.
00:11:03That's a whole lot and so many times goes unnoticed.
00:11:05That's a whole lot and so many times goes unnoticed.
00:11:20The 1-1.
00:11:22And that's in for a strike.
00:11:30And he deals.
00:11:32The punch out there.
00:11:35One out now.
00:11:37Really nice job of finishing the hitter off right there.
00:11:39Glove side command.
00:11:41Fastball firm to the outside corner.
00:11:43Tell you what.
00:11:45Very difficult to do anything with that pitch even if you do swing.
00:11:51Frank Howard stepping in for the Rangers.
00:11:58First pitch and that's in for a strike.
00:12:05Righty to the plate.
00:12:07And it's fouled away.
00:12:17Kick.
00:12:19And deals.
00:12:21And down on strikes he goes.
00:12:23That's out number two.
00:12:25And down on strikes he goes.
00:12:27That's out number two.
00:12:29And down on strikes he goes.
00:12:31And down on strikes he goes.
00:12:33That's out number two.
00:12:37Back to back strikeouts to start the frame.
00:12:39And that's now three in a row.
00:12:41Yeah he's really settling in and getting a feel for his pitches.
00:12:43Throwing them where he wants to right now.
00:12:45So we'll see how long he can keep this streak going.
00:12:49Now here is Juan Gonzalez.
00:12:53And first offering is fouled off.
00:13:03The pitch.
00:13:05Strike two.
00:13:07He's in a great spot right here.
00:13:09Ahead in the count 0-2.
00:13:11All four pitches in play right here partner.
00:13:25Next offering misses.
00:13:27It's a ball and two strikes.
00:13:29At the belt and fires.
00:13:31Cut on and miss.
00:13:33Struck him out.
00:13:35And that is that.
00:13:37Impeccable command in that one.
00:13:39Three batters.
00:13:41Three strikeouts.
00:13:43That's electric stuff out there on the mound.
00:13:59Here at Scheib Park.
00:14:01Here's a big power threat.
00:14:03Reggie Jackson.
00:14:05The right fielder.
00:14:07Reggie.
00:14:09Jackson.
00:14:13And a pitch.
00:14:17Popped up to the left.
00:14:19Into foul ground.
00:14:21Number 29.
00:14:23Should have this one.
00:14:25Makes the catch for the out.
00:14:27That was a pitch you got to crush.
00:14:29Unbelievable that he missed it right there.
00:14:31I'm telling you.
00:14:33He is going to be frustrated with himself until his next at bat.
00:14:37Mark McGuire.
00:14:39Up next for the A's.
00:14:41McGuire.
00:14:43Having more success against left handed pitching this season.
00:14:45As might be expected.
00:14:57And he swings and misses.
00:14:59And it's nothing and one.
00:15:05And the righty deals.
00:15:07And a foul ball.
00:15:21Going to now.
00:15:23And ball one.
00:15:25I don't think he was trying to miss by that much.
00:15:27In a 0-2 count.
00:15:29Just tried to overthrow that pitch.
00:15:39Righty delivers.
00:15:41Swings through that one.
00:15:43It's a strikeout.
00:15:45Two away now.
00:15:47Really good hard bite to that breaking ball for the strikeout right there.
00:15:49He was able to bury it down below the zone.
00:15:51And that's throwing the pitch with conviction.
00:15:53Good thing for the pitcher.
00:15:55He's not going to miss in the zone.
00:15:57And that's where you get hurt.
00:15:59Excellent execution with two strikes.
00:16:01That could be a big weapon for him in this start.
00:16:03Al Simmons.
00:16:05Up next for the A's.
00:16:07This guy has turned into a beast.
00:16:10The pitch.
00:16:12Swing and a miss.
00:16:14Strike one.
00:16:16Wow.
00:16:18Good luck catching up to that one.
00:16:26The pitch.
00:16:30On a line.
00:16:32Base hit.
00:16:34Swing and a miss.
00:16:36Strike one.
00:16:38On a line.
00:16:40Base hit.
00:16:42And that's going to get into the corner.
00:16:44Around first and hustling for second.
00:16:46In there safely.
00:16:48He needed that one.
00:16:50It's been a tough stretch to play lately.
00:16:52Against good pitchers, you've got to take advantage of the mistakes.
00:16:54That was right in his wheelhouse.
00:16:56And he didn't miss a stitch.
00:16:58Now the third baseman.
00:17:00Number six.
00:17:02Batting seven.
00:17:04The third baseman.
00:17:06Jeremy.
00:17:08And the first offering is not close.
00:17:28Looked like it was a little bit up.
00:17:30Runner at second.
00:17:32Two down.
00:17:38Next pitch.
00:17:40Misses way outside.
00:17:42Appears they're working around him with the base open.
00:17:44Singing.
00:17:46Well, you know these two old counts, Boo.
00:17:48They're just not what they used to be.
00:17:50And we sound like old guys when I say that.
00:17:52But, ultimately, this is a strategic game.
00:17:54And, you know,
00:17:56Ultimately, this is a strategic game.
00:17:58And you expect to see this type of approach
00:18:00by the pitcher in this situation.
00:18:02That one fouled off.
00:18:16And the right hander deals.
00:18:18And a swing and a miss there.
00:18:26Two outs.
00:18:28And one in scoring position.
00:18:34Got him.
00:18:36And that will end the inning.
00:18:38One left for Oakland.
00:18:40And it remains 1-0.
00:18:50Back here at the ballpark.
00:18:52Now it's the rookie DH.
00:18:54Maybe not an elite level switch hitter.
00:18:56But still a guy.
00:18:58Some contact.
00:19:00And just success as a hitter from both sides of the plate.
00:19:08And a pitch.
00:19:10Well, he doesn't get too big with the swing.
00:19:12He knows how to hit behind runners.
00:19:14And those are guys that can just smell that RBI.
00:19:16So, when you're talking about
00:19:18a consistent player like this
00:19:20that can give you good at-bats from each side of the plate.
00:19:22That's the guy that you're going to see many times coming up big.
00:19:341-1 now.
00:19:36And a foul ball.
00:19:38Next pitch inside.
00:19:40And the count is even.
00:19:422-2.
00:19:50And a pitch.
00:19:52And that's outside.
00:19:55Right-hander kicks.
00:19:57Deals.
00:19:59In the air.
00:20:01Pretty deep out to center field.
00:20:03Simmons.
00:20:05And a pitch.
00:20:07And that's outside.
00:20:19Right-hander kicks.
00:20:21Deals.
00:20:23Deep out to center field.
00:20:25Simmons.
00:20:27In position.
00:20:29He makes the grab.
00:20:31And there's one down.
00:20:33Batting 9.
00:20:35The second baseman.
00:20:37Alfonso Soriano.
00:20:39So, digging in.
00:20:41Alfonso Soriano.
00:20:433-7 in the series so far.
00:20:45First pitch.
00:20:47And he just misses.
00:20:57Now 1-1.
00:21:11The pitch.
00:21:13The pitch.
00:21:27Off the mark there.
00:21:293-1 now.
00:21:39Here comes the pitch.
00:21:43Check swing. Went around.
00:21:45Full count now.
00:21:57Got him looking.
00:21:592 out.
00:22:01So he gets the call.
00:22:03And picks up the strikeout looking.
00:22:05Sometimes with a good hitter at the plate,
00:22:07he'll be the one to get the benefit of the doubt
00:22:09if he lays off on a close pitch like that.
00:22:11Strike zone definitely expanded a little bit
00:22:13with two strikes.
00:22:15Michael Young stepping in for the Rangers.
00:22:17He's 0-1.
00:22:21Foul back our way and that's out of play.
00:22:23Next pitch.
00:22:39Next pitch is outside.
00:22:42Come on.
00:22:52On the ground.
00:22:54And that's a base hit.
00:22:56And that extends the inning.
00:23:04Just a cookie down the middle.
00:23:06Those are the ones you dream about.
00:23:08The ones in the cage you're just hoping you get in the ball game.
00:23:10Not a whole lot of velocity right on top of it.
00:23:12Man at first.
00:23:14Number 29 stepping in for the Rangers.
00:23:22And that one fouled off.
00:23:36The pitch.
00:23:38That's in there
00:23:40and the count is 0-2.
00:23:48And the pitch.
00:23:52Young
00:23:54off a first with two away.
00:23:56Pretty standard high 0-2
00:23:58fastball right there. If you're smart
00:24:00you'll look for something down in the zone
00:24:02but not too far. You don't want to chase that breaking ball
00:24:04in the dirt.
00:24:06Way upstairs.
00:24:14And here it comes.
00:24:16This one in the air right field.
00:24:18Jackson makes the catch
00:24:20and that'll do it.
00:24:22Rangers lead 1.
00:24:24They lead it 1-0.
00:24:36Leading off
00:24:38for the A
00:24:40the catcher
00:24:42Kyle McHale.
00:24:54The right hander back to work.
00:24:56And that one just misses
00:24:58a ball and no strikes.
00:25:06Left hand batter waits.
00:25:22Swing and a line drive
00:25:24base hit out of the center field.
00:25:30Good extension
00:25:32on that swing. Took the pitch
00:25:34on the outside part of the plate
00:25:36and drove it up the middle. He let it travel
00:25:38just enough.
00:25:44Next up for the A's Miguel Tejada.
00:25:50That one's in there 0-1.
00:26:00Runner at first with no outs here.
00:26:04Comes up empty
00:26:06on the swing. 0-2 now.
00:26:14Righty to the plate.
00:26:16Foul ball
00:26:18with two strikes.
00:26:20May see some movement over there
00:26:22at first base. Try to stay out
00:26:24of a double play here.
00:26:340-2
00:26:46Stays alive.
00:26:58The pitch
00:27:00and delivers outside.
00:27:02This is a guy that can be
00:27:04frustrating for pitchers because
00:27:06he fouls off so many pitches and grinds
00:27:08out the at bat. I'm sure there are some times
00:27:10where a pitcher would rather just give up a first pitch
00:27:12single than have to waste six or
00:27:14seven pitches on one hitter.
00:27:16Next one misses.
00:27:182-2. He never moved
00:27:20because he never had time to.
00:27:22With that kind of velocity
00:27:24you'd prefer that pitcher work away.
00:27:27High fly ball
00:27:29out to center field.
00:27:31Hamilton settles under this one.
00:27:33Brings it in
00:27:35and there's one down.
00:27:41Now batting, left fielder
00:27:43Ricky.
00:27:45Ricky Henderson up next
00:27:47for the A's. He is
00:27:49quite an athlete. I mean you look around
00:27:51the other sports, basketball, football
00:27:53you feel like he could thrive in one of those
00:27:55You feel like he could thrive in one of those sports too.
00:28:01In there
00:28:03and it's 0-1.
00:28:05I know you want to be patient as a hitter but
00:28:07you got to be ready to jump on the first
00:28:09thing straight and he got one right there
00:28:11but left the bat on his shoulder.
00:28:17Check on the runner. McCann
00:28:19back on a dive.
00:28:25Kicks and fires.
00:28:29In the dirt
00:28:31and an excellent job
00:28:33keeping it right there.
00:28:41Chases that one
00:28:43out of the zone
00:28:45and there are two down.
00:28:47He came out of his mechanics there
00:28:49typically likes to shoot the ball the other way
00:28:51but that time
00:28:53a little anxious.
00:29:01Eddie Collins
00:29:03up next for the A's.
00:29:09And first offering
00:29:11is fouled off.
00:29:23Two outs.
00:29:29In the air
00:29:31out towards right center.
00:29:33No trouble here
00:29:35puts it away for the out
00:29:37and that will end the inning.
00:29:39The A's strand one
00:29:41still behind by a count of 1-0.
00:29:49Start of the fourth
00:29:51Here's the center fielder Josh
00:29:53Hamilton.
00:29:55The center fielder
00:29:57Josh Hamilton.
00:30:04And a pitch.
00:30:06That one is upstairs.
00:30:14Kicks and deals.
00:30:16Two balls no strikes the count.
00:30:18It is a quick 1-2-3
00:30:20this time around. Last inning
00:30:22threw a lot of pitches.
00:30:342-0
00:30:36That one in
00:30:38there across the letters.
00:30:40I think he was sitting off speed right there
00:30:42because he just let the fastball go by.
00:30:44Swings
00:30:46and lines a base hit
00:30:48into left field.
00:30:52A swing like that
00:30:54can help you come out of this struggle.
00:30:56We saw the numbers coming into the ball game
00:30:58but all he's trying to do at this point
00:31:00is help his team win.
00:31:08Rafael Palmeiro
00:31:10stepping in for the Rangers.
00:31:14In there
00:31:16for strike one.
00:31:18He's pitching well but not throwing a ton of
00:31:20first pitch strikes.
00:31:22Usually doesn't work out for success
00:31:24but you can never predict baseball.
00:31:30The 0-1
00:31:33The 0-1
00:31:52Good eye right there.
00:31:54Wow that's a tough pitch to lay off.
00:32:00Hamilton
00:32:02completed first with nobody out.
00:32:08The next offering misses
00:32:10and the count is 2-2.
00:32:32And he deals
00:32:34and a foul ball
00:32:36he stays alive.
00:32:52Next offering is way
00:32:54upstairs.
00:33:02At the belt
00:33:04and fires.
00:33:06And a swing and a miss.
00:33:08Now there's one away.
00:33:14Pudge Rodriguez
00:33:16stepping in for the Rangers.
00:33:18Chris, baseball today
00:33:20so many strikeouts and they are
00:33:22available to pitchers
00:33:24but this is a guy that puts the bat
00:33:26on the ball and is kind of different
00:33:28from the players we've seen.
00:33:30He's got it and there's two away.
00:33:38The left fielder number nine
00:33:40Frank Howard.
00:33:42So two down now
00:33:44and here is Frank Howard
00:33:46caught looking his first time up.
00:33:56And out.
00:33:58And that's in there
00:34:00for strike one.
00:34:02Not every strike is a good
00:34:04strike for a hitter.
00:34:06I like the play discipline there.
00:34:120-1 now.
00:34:24And downstairs.
00:34:28Two balls
00:34:30two strikes to count
00:34:32with two outs.
00:34:40Throw to first
00:34:42and he dives back in safely.
00:34:48And he's
00:34:50down.
00:34:52And he dives back in safely.
00:35:02The pitch.
00:35:063-2
00:35:08two out, runner on first
00:35:10a lot of movement in the infield
00:35:12hitters got to stay focused on the pitch.
00:35:22Up the middle Tejada
00:35:24collects and that
00:35:26is that.
00:35:28One left for Texas but they're on top
00:35:301-0.
00:35:42Welcome back. Bottom of the inning
00:35:44and here's the first baseman
00:35:46Jimmy Fox.
00:35:48This guy makes great contact
00:35:50he's the best in the game at putting bat on ball.
00:35:52He's got such quick hands
00:35:54and he's gaining pitch recognition
00:35:56that keeps him square to the plate
00:35:58and there's a good chance that his bat stays in the zone
00:36:00a long time and that produces
00:36:02solid contact consistently.
00:36:12Righty delivers
00:36:14on the ground
00:36:16right side
00:36:18but he can't make the catch
00:36:20and he beats it, that's a hit
00:36:22great try there
00:36:24and that knock bumps his hitting streak into
00:36:26double digits Chris, he's hitting 10 straight.
00:36:28Yeah and on a nice
00:36:30trajectory, average going up
00:36:32OBP, everything
00:36:34he's doing at the plate right now
00:36:36just seems to be working.
00:36:40No outs, runner at first
00:36:42stepping in the long ball threat
00:36:44Reggie Jackson.
00:36:48Fouled off
00:36:50he was late.
00:37:00Nobody out, runner at first
00:37:06next offering
00:37:08way off the plate
00:37:18Fouled off, fouled
00:37:30and now it's 1 and 2
00:37:32got him
00:37:34and now 1 away
00:37:36Boog gets talked about a lot
00:37:38but a good high fastball
00:37:40in a two strike situation
00:37:42it's just become such a problem for hitters
00:37:44in more recent years
00:37:47With all of the emphasis by pitchers
00:37:49on developing that spin rate
00:37:51having a good grip on the baseball
00:37:53those high fastballs, they kind of look like
00:37:55to the hitter that they're rising
00:37:57even though they're not, but they're not decreasing
00:37:59in velocity and spin rate
00:38:01so very difficult to get the barrel on it.
00:38:03McGuire, the next to hit
00:38:05takes ball one
00:38:17The next pitch misses
00:38:19and that's ball two
00:38:21Well he looks more focused at the plate
00:38:23and working the count after that
00:38:25first at bat strikeout
00:38:312-0
00:38:33and that's a strike
00:38:35Good approach right there, you want to get something
00:38:37just a little higher that you can elevate
00:38:39stay out of that double play
00:38:412 and 1 now
00:38:43just missed
00:38:45He hasn't fallen behind in the count like this
00:38:47all day, he's in danger of walking
00:38:49his first batter right here
00:38:59and the 3-1
00:39:01there's the strike
00:39:09and the right hander deals
00:39:11swing and a miss, struck him out
00:39:132 gone now
00:39:15Well interesting, he's looking very
00:39:17comfortable out of the stretch after
00:39:19giving up the leadoff single, back to back strikeouts
00:39:21so they haven't been able to
00:39:23move that runner up, get him into scoring position
00:39:25and try to have a better chance of scoring
00:39:27I tell you, good job so far on the mound
00:39:29he just needs one more out
00:39:31Here we come
00:39:33Here we come
00:39:35Here we come
00:39:37Here we come
00:39:39Here we come
00:39:41And first offering is fouled off
00:39:43Looked like he got a little excited
00:39:45on that fastball, got to think to yourself
00:39:47you want to stay up the middle, that way
00:39:49if you're a little bit early, you hit it out of the ballpark
00:39:51if you're a little late, opposite field not
00:39:55Way inside, gets out of the way
00:40:01Here we come
00:40:09Now one pushed foul
00:40:15Fox
00:40:17leads off first with 2 down to the inning
00:40:23Swing and a miss, and he got him
00:40:25That's out number 3
00:40:271 left for Oakland
00:40:29Back on the trail here, 1-0
00:40:45Back here in Philadelphia
00:40:47Top 5, John Shobby with Chris Singleton
00:40:49And leading it off
00:40:51Juan Gonzalez
00:40:59Here we go
00:41:09Bender, back to work
00:41:11First pitch swinging
00:41:21Right hander kicks, deals
00:41:23That one is absolutely belted
00:41:25Way back there
00:41:27And out of here
00:41:31So he goes the opposite way
00:41:33with that one, his 13th
00:41:35home run of the season
00:41:37And they add a run, it's 2-0
00:41:51That's just a great feeling as a hitter
00:41:53You let the ball travel, tracked it pretty nicely
00:41:56He's almost beat there, but he gets
00:41:58the bat head in time
00:42:00And it's true enough to stay fair
00:42:02That's a good feeling when you can hit an
00:42:04opposite field home run, and he did it
00:42:06right there
00:42:08And here is number 23
00:42:10And he swings
00:42:12and misses at the initial offering
00:42:26The pitch
00:42:30And that one is lifted in the air
00:42:34And there's one down
00:42:40Up next for the Rangers
00:42:42The second baseman
00:42:44Alfonso Soriano
00:42:46Alfonso Soriano
00:42:48Stepping in for the Rangers
00:42:56First pitch
00:43:02And that's in for a strike
00:43:04Goodness, I think he just took the best pitch
00:43:06he's going to see in this at bat
00:43:08You don't get many like that in that location
00:43:10I don't know if you take that pitch against any pitcher
00:43:12out there on the mound
00:43:18Next offering is in
00:43:20for a strike
00:43:26Here comes a pitch
00:43:28Got him
00:43:30Down on strikes
00:43:32And he knew it
00:43:34Boog, I think even when you know
00:43:36he's got that pitch in his arsenal
00:43:38you're still going to have a hard time
00:43:40recognizing and reacting to it
00:43:42unless you've seen it several times
00:43:44And honestly, if you can hit that pitch
00:43:46I'm concerned because you probably can't
00:43:48hit anything else that he throws
00:43:50That one right there locked him up
00:43:52So the Rangers batting order turns over
00:43:54The batter will be the shortstop
00:43:56Michael Young, one for two
00:43:58In there and it's 0-1
00:44:14And a pitch
00:44:16That one ripped left field
00:44:18Back there
00:44:20Pulls it in
00:44:22on the warning track
00:44:24Rangers pick up a run here
00:44:26on the solo home run
00:44:28And it's 2-0
00:44:38We head to the
00:44:40bottom of the fifth, digging in for
00:44:42Oakland, number six
00:44:44When you talk about elite defensive
00:44:46third baseman, this guy is at the
00:44:48top of the list
00:44:52Stud, when you look at players like this
00:44:54you play that hot corner
00:44:56Gotta be pretty courageous over there
00:44:58with the way balls come off the bat
00:45:00That's the kind of guy that every year
00:45:02you expect to be in the All-Star game
00:45:04and have a gold glove, if not a platinum glove
00:45:06The pitch
00:45:08That misses the zone
00:45:10and it's 1-1
00:45:12So what are the skills you look for
00:45:14that make a really good
00:45:16defensive third baseman
00:45:18that elite?
00:45:20Boog, one of the things I think about immediately
00:45:22are just the feet
00:45:24Does he have good feet?
00:45:26Is he able to quickly react?
00:45:28And when you have good feet
00:45:30and you're able to quickly react
00:45:32to the ball
00:45:34and when you have good feet
00:45:36you've got soft hands
00:45:38and soft hand defenders are able to make
00:45:40tough plays look easy
00:45:42Rodriguez makes the catch
00:45:44one away
00:45:48The catcher number two
00:45:50Kyle
00:45:52Mishkin
00:45:54And now
00:45:56here's the A's catcher, number two
00:46:04When you're out
00:46:06it's a long way
00:46:12That one's
00:46:14in there, 0-1
00:46:16Well, we call that key-holey
00:46:18Even though it's right there and looks pretty good
00:46:20if he doesn't love it, he's not going to
00:46:22swing that early in the count
00:46:25And he's down 0-2
00:46:27as he swings through it
00:46:29Man, he was really tardy
00:46:31on that fastball
00:46:33Great job of setting him up
00:46:35by throwing the curveball
00:46:37add some velocity to it on the next pitch
00:46:39can't catch up
00:46:41Swings and misses
00:46:43picks up strikeout number seven
00:46:45Oh, really went aggressive in
00:46:47with that slider
00:46:49Good job
00:46:51And he's down 0-2
00:46:53Aggressive in with that slider
00:46:55Good two-strike pitch right there
00:46:57At worst case scenario, it's weak contact
00:46:59in play, exactly where he and the catcher
00:47:01wanted it
00:47:07Striding to the plate
00:47:09now for Oakland, Miguel Tejada
00:47:15First pitch, just misses
00:47:23And that one sliced foul
00:47:35The 1-1
00:47:39Out towards left center
00:47:41Howard on his way over
00:47:43makes the catch
00:47:45in and over
00:47:47Howard on his way over
00:47:49makes the catch
00:47:51in and over
00:47:53Nothing doing there for the A's
00:47:55They're still down, it's 2-0
00:48:05And welcome back
00:48:07Here's a speed threat, number 29
00:48:09He's someone that you might
00:48:11not describe as having elite level
00:48:13speed, but he can absolutely
00:48:15move and it is a factor in his game
00:48:19And the right-hander
00:48:21back to work
00:48:23That one outside, 1-0
00:48:25This guy's definitely a plus runner
00:48:27but what I love about him is that he goes
00:48:29all out every single time
00:48:31never takes a break, it's guys like that
00:48:33even though they don't have the elite speed
00:48:35the fact that they're consistent with it
00:48:37they make moves on the base paths
00:48:45Swing
00:48:47Swing
00:48:49Swing and a ball popped up
00:48:51No trouble here, puts it away
00:48:53for the out, and there's one down
00:48:57Now batting, the centerfielder
00:48:59Josh
00:49:01Hamilton
00:49:07And now the centerfielder
00:49:09Josh Hamilton, he had a big
00:49:11swing for these guys way back in the first inning
00:49:13Yeah, but he didn't waste any time in this one
00:49:15the solo shot really got his team going
00:49:17and he's looking for more right here
00:49:37The other way
00:49:39The other way
00:49:41And an automatic double
00:49:43as it hops the fence
00:49:45Well, there's something really nice about
00:49:47getting yourself an automatic double like that
00:49:49you get to stroll into second base
00:49:51without having to worry about a throw
00:49:53or getting your uniform dirty
00:49:55and now you're just looking for the next guy
00:49:57to kind of do the same thing, maybe put one in the gap
00:49:59so you can jog home as well
00:50:01Next up for Texas
00:50:03Rafael Palmeiro
00:50:05a guy who makes an impact not just at the plate
00:50:08but also in the field
00:50:10This one popped up, fouled ground
00:50:12first base side
00:50:14McCann makes the play, and there's two away
00:50:16Got the pitch that he wanted
00:50:18just a little bit quick, front shoulder open
00:50:20backside collapsed a little bit
00:50:22and the launch angle not where
00:50:24he needed it to be
00:50:26Here's the power hitting catcher, Pudge Rodriguez
00:50:28Pudge Rodriguez
00:50:36And the first pitch misses for ball one
00:50:38Oakland's bullpen has some movement
00:50:40Tim Hudson getting ready to go
00:50:42Stewart getting loose as well
00:50:54The pitch
00:50:56Now fly ball to right center
00:50:58Jackson settles underneath it
00:51:00squeezes it, and that's the inning
00:51:02Top of the order due up
00:51:04in the home half of the sixth
00:51:06It's the Rangers 2 and the A's
00:51:08nothing
00:51:18Here at Chey Park
00:51:20and now Ricky Henderson
00:51:22All these fans definitely want to get
00:51:24involved in the game
00:51:26All it's going to take is to get the lead off man
00:51:28or even a base runner on
00:51:30The pitch
00:51:32That misses
00:51:34Ball one
00:51:36It's good speed at the top of the order here
00:51:38You want to get it on, see if you can get a stolen base
00:51:40maybe get around the bases
00:51:42and pick up a run
00:51:46Next pitch
00:51:48Not close, up high
00:51:54Let's go
00:52:00Let's go, wait for the pitch
00:52:06And he hits a ground ball right side
00:52:10And a quick out number one
00:52:12He's doing a nice job of keeping the ball out of the air
00:52:14lets the defense work behind him
00:52:16with another ground ball
00:52:18Good execution
00:52:20Eddie Collins
00:52:22Up next for the A's
00:52:24This guy is one of the best athletes
00:52:26in the sport
00:52:36And that's in there for strike one
00:52:38It really looks like these hitters
00:52:40have been in between with their timing
00:52:42today, good fastball, excellent slider
00:52:44but they've not been able to
00:52:46commit to one velocity and stay
00:52:48there
00:52:50Slow roller, tosses to first
00:52:52and a couple of quick outs
00:52:54Good two seam action right there
00:52:56running away from the batter, rolled over it
00:52:58got the ground out
00:53:02And here is Jimmy Fox
00:53:04He's got the power, but great
00:53:06contact skills, one of the best contact
00:53:08hitters in the game
00:53:16Ground ball up the middle, dives and he can't
00:53:18hang on
00:53:20Fantastic effort, but that
00:53:22extends the inning
00:53:24Seems like he got exactly what he was looking for
00:53:26Off the bat, that one registered
00:53:28at 105 miles per hour
00:53:30That is smoking, and these days
00:53:32you hear it all the time, but the numbers just don't lie
00:53:34If you can drive a ball like that
00:53:36more often than not, you're picking up a knock
00:53:38And you can feel this crowd
00:53:40waking up a bit here as the guys are starting
00:53:42to make some noise with their bats
00:53:44And now, Reggie Jackson
00:53:47First offering, misses the mark
00:54:05Swing and a miss
00:54:07He's trying to stay away from this lefty
00:54:09knowing that a lot of left handers
00:54:11like the ball down and in
00:54:17And a 1-1
00:54:19Way high
00:54:21Definitely a frustrating day
00:54:23for the offense, but
00:54:25when they look at it, this guy's had his best stuff
00:54:27painting the corners, working
00:54:29on the edges and changing speeds
00:54:31Just a difficult one, you tip your cap
00:54:37That one missed
00:54:39Well, these guys have had a
00:54:41hard time scoring in this one
00:54:43The guy out there on the mound wants to keep attacking
00:54:45Make sure that they don't get any confidence
00:54:51And a pitch
00:54:53Good plate appearance there
00:54:55Able to take the walk
00:54:57His ability to draw walks has been something
00:54:59that's been part of his career
00:55:01since day one
00:55:03And now, mark
00:55:05this guy with light tower power
00:55:15First pitch
00:55:17and that's in for a strike
00:55:19They always say it's the best pitch in baseball, strike one
00:55:21You get ahead on a good hitter as well
00:55:23Gives you a little bit more confidence to move through the at bat
00:55:31Righty to the plate
00:55:33That one lifted to left
00:55:37That's back there, and it's gone
00:55:39Home run
00:55:41Home run number 15
00:55:4315 on the year, and that's how they
00:55:45take the lead, it's 3-2
00:56:03Looks like this guy was looking out over the plate
00:56:05but he was ready to turn on the
00:56:07inside fastball, so direct
00:56:09to the pitch, absolutely
00:56:11Blasted out of his ballpark
00:56:17Two out, space is empty
00:56:19Al Simmons now at the plate
00:56:23First pitch, and he just
00:56:25misses
00:56:27Two down, nobody on
00:56:29There's a strike
00:56:31Action in the pen down there
00:56:33Martin Perez
00:56:35Getting loose out there
00:56:37Witt, warming up as well
00:56:39Two down, nobody on
00:56:41There's a strike
00:56:43Action in the pen down there
00:56:45Martin Perez
00:56:47Getting loose out there
00:56:49Witt, warming up as well
00:56:59Swings and misses
00:57:01And it's 1-2
00:57:09And a ball
00:57:11evens the count
00:57:33That hits the dirt
00:57:35and it's 3-2
00:57:39And the pitch
00:57:41The 3-2 is
00:57:43off the outside edge
00:57:45and that is ball four
00:57:47It's been a little bit of a shaky inning
00:57:49but he's still in a good spot to get out of this thing
00:57:51without giving up any more runs
00:57:53He's just got to turn the page
00:57:55and go after this next guy
00:58:03Sal Ironman
00:58:05stands in but two away
00:58:08stands in but two away
00:58:10as he takes a ball
00:58:20And the righty deals
00:58:22and a swing and a miss
00:58:24Really consistent release point
00:58:26He's been able to pitch up and down
00:58:28and have excellent command in both locations
00:58:30Two outs
00:58:34And a foul ball
00:58:46And a pitch
00:58:48And a swing and a miss
00:58:50And that's that
00:58:52But the big blow of the inning
00:58:54comes right here
00:58:56A 3-2
00:58:58And it comes right here
00:59:00A 3-run homer
00:59:02as the A's are on top
00:59:12Back here at the ballpark
00:59:14Now the left fielder Frank Howard
00:59:16A lot of times you're looking for a guy
00:59:18to get that tie and run on base
00:59:20but because of the power you want him to tie up the game
00:59:22with one swing here
00:59:24Bender
00:59:26back to work
00:59:28in for a strike
00:59:30Well after putting up a nice inning on offense
00:59:32got some runs across
00:59:34this is where you look for the starter to go out there
00:59:36have a shutdown inning
00:59:38don't give that other team any hope
00:59:40you just hope they didn't get through this inning
00:59:42get the bats back up there while they're hot
00:59:44Sneaks through, base hit
00:59:46and the leadoff man aboard
00:59:48Now batting
00:59:50Here comes the manager out of the dugout
00:59:52and he'll make a move to the bullpen
00:59:54Charles Bender
00:59:56done for the afternoon
00:59:58and as he heads for the dugout
01:00:00we'll take a quick break
01:00:02New arm on the mound when we get back
01:00:06Out of pitch now
01:00:08for Oakland, Tim Hudson
01:00:10trying to protect this lead
01:00:12Number 16
01:00:14Tim Hudson
01:00:18Music
01:00:26No outs, runner at first
01:00:28So next to hit for Texas
01:00:30Juan Gonzalez
01:00:32Good contact guy, good defender
01:00:34Now one out to right
01:00:36Jackson under it
01:00:38Puts it away for the out
01:00:40Well such a confidence boost
01:00:42for a reliever to come into the ballgame
01:00:44and get the first hitter he faces
01:00:46It makes everything slow down a little bit
01:00:48and then from there can really settle in
01:00:52With a single base runner
01:00:54because of all the power
01:00:56they are dangerous to tie this
01:00:58thing up or take the lead
01:01:12Number 23 in the box now
01:01:15Strike one
01:01:17One run game, one out, one on
01:01:23Oh right to the backstop
01:01:33The 1-1
01:01:35Swings and pulls a foul to the right side
01:01:45Left hand batter waits
01:01:49And the 1-2 misses to even the count
01:01:552-2 now
01:01:57That's out to center field
01:01:59Simmons
01:02:01Has this one sized up
01:02:03He's got it, 2 down
01:02:11Up next for the Rangers
01:02:13Alfonso Soriano
01:02:21Alfonso Soriano
01:02:23stepping in for the Rangers
01:02:25Right now they're looking
01:02:27for something, hit hard into the gaps
01:02:29give them an opportunity with two outs
01:02:31to score that run from first
01:02:33First pitch doesn't
01:02:35find the zone
01:02:43Howard
01:02:45The runner at first with two gone
01:02:51Foul ball there
01:03:03Kick San Dios
01:03:05Late that time and it's strike two
01:03:13Got him looking
01:03:15And that is that
01:03:17Rangers lead one
01:03:19They're down 3-2
01:03:29So out of the bullpen for the Rangers
01:03:31Martin Perez
01:03:33He's pitching on two days rest
01:03:35Martin Perez
01:03:43Set
01:03:45for the last half of the 7
01:03:47Digging in for Oakland number two
01:03:49He is
01:03:51at the top of the game
01:03:53in terms of defense at the catching spot
01:03:57And here it comes
01:03:59That's in for a strike
01:04:01It's so impressive because these guys
01:04:03have to do so much study and
01:04:05preparation for their pitchers
01:04:07for opposing hitters and really
01:04:09their number one job is to guide
01:04:11that staff through a ball game
01:04:13and so when you also
01:04:15can turn it up offensively
01:04:17and be a force there
01:04:19that is a win-win every manager's
01:04:21dream
01:04:23The wind of the pitch
01:04:25That's off the mark
01:04:27and it's 2-1
01:04:41Next pitch misses inside
01:04:433-1
01:04:53That clips the corner
01:05:07Next pitch is popped
01:05:09Next pitch is popped up
01:05:13Hauls it in and there's one away
01:05:15Good hard fastball up in the zone right there
01:05:17They look really good coming in
01:05:19but so hard to get on top of
01:05:21as a hitter
01:05:25Next up for the A's
01:05:27Miguel Tejada
01:05:29It's amazing we get a chance to talk
01:05:31to a lot of guys
01:05:33Managers on the other team as much as anyone
01:05:35And he gets to fly beneath the radar
01:05:37with the other more recognizable
01:05:39names in this lineup
01:05:47The 0-1 is outside
01:05:49and it's a ball and a strike
01:06:03A wide kick
01:06:05Kick the pitch
01:06:07And a count 1 and 2
01:06:15The wind of the pitch
01:06:19Up the middle
01:06:21Sneaks through, base hit
01:06:23So now back to the top of the order
01:06:27Well the last 10 games or so
01:06:29have been anything but fun at the plate
01:06:31for him so that one has to feel good
01:06:34Really nice job staying up the middle
01:06:36with his approach, he didn't try to do too much
01:06:38with the pitch, just shot it through the infield
01:06:42So the lineup flips over
01:06:44Ricky Henderson up next for the A's
01:06:50And the first pitch misses
01:06:52for ball 1
01:07:04And now the lefty
01:07:20Misses with the 2-0
01:07:22And he's fired 3 straight outside the strike zone
01:07:34The pitch
01:07:36In there at the knees
01:07:38And it's 3 and 1
01:07:46And he takes a strike
01:07:543 balls, 2 strikes
01:07:56The count, and he walked him
01:07:58So up next
01:08:00Eddie Collins
01:08:02The MO for him is contact
01:08:04The guy who's going to deliver average
01:08:06Not a ton of power
01:08:08He's looking to hit a line drive somewhere
01:08:10That's why it's a team
01:08:12And when you look at a lineup
01:08:14He's a great 2-hole hitter
01:08:16Or a guy that you can put at the bottom
01:08:18To help turn that lineup over
01:08:20And have some momentum for your top hitters
01:08:22Coming up to the plate
01:08:28Left hand hitter waits
01:08:30And the pitch is outside
01:08:32Ball 1
01:08:40The lefty ready
01:08:42And a 1-1
01:08:44Palmero slings to 2nd
01:08:46Back to the pitcher covering
01:08:48It's a double play
01:08:50Nicely done and that'll do it
01:08:52We look ahead to inning number 8
01:08:54It's the A's 3 and the Rangers 2
01:08:58Rollie Fingers
01:09:04Rollie Fingers
01:09:06On the pitch out of the pannier
01:09:08And he'll do his best to hang on to this lead
01:09:10Rollie
01:09:12Fingers
01:09:20Welcome back, we're at the top of the 8
01:09:22And now here is Michael Young
01:09:24The shortstop
01:09:26Michael Young
01:09:28The wind of the pitch
01:09:32That one inside
01:09:34Ball 1
01:09:36The Athletics have some bullpen action
01:09:38Dennis Eckersley up and throwing
01:09:44The 1-0
01:09:50Broken bat and it's popped up
01:09:52And he'll be safe at first
01:09:54It was a healthy cut
01:09:56But the same can't be said for the contact
01:09:58He got just enough of the ball to put it in play
01:10:00And that's all he needed
01:10:02Tough play for the defense
01:10:04On what was kind of a swinging bunt
01:10:06Up next for the Rangers, number 29
01:10:14First offering
01:10:16Misses the mark
01:10:18If you're a base runner, you've got to stay dialed in here
01:10:20Look for anything in the dirt
01:10:22And he'll do his best to get into scoring position
01:10:32The pitch
01:10:34And a swing and a miss
01:10:36No fair right there
01:10:38That slider didn't move to the very last moment
01:10:40Incredibly difficult to pick that up
01:10:42Just kind of have to tip your cap on that pit
01:10:46And he deals
01:10:48Swings through that
01:10:50This guy's got such a good sinker
01:10:52As a hitter, you've got to look up in the zone
01:10:54If you look down, you're going to be chasing stuff in the dirt
01:11:00At the belt and fires
01:11:02Swing and a miss
01:11:04Struck him out
01:11:06And that's the first out
01:11:08Well that's the money maker right there
01:11:10Two strikes, slider down and away
01:11:12From the same side thrower as the hitter
01:11:14It's just tough
01:11:16You're looking to protect with two strikes
01:11:18And he's off
01:11:22Here's the center fielder
01:11:24Josh Hamilton
01:11:30First pitch, not close
01:11:33Right-handed reliever
01:11:49When you get ahead in the count
01:11:51There's no doubt that the success rate goes up
01:11:53And that's what he's been doing
01:11:55It's made a big impact for him in recent games
01:12:03Rolled a short, could be two
01:12:05Off balance feed, there's one
01:12:07Not in time at first
01:12:09It's a fielder's choice
01:12:11Tough play right there
01:12:13Didn't really have enough time to set his feed
01:12:15And make a strong accurate throw
01:12:17Had to rush it, but he got it off
01:12:19And he got it there in time to get that out at second base
01:12:21Rafael Palmeiro
01:12:23Stepping in for the Rangers
01:12:25Known for his late inning heroics
01:12:27In there
01:12:29And it's 0-1
01:12:33Good eye
01:12:45Good eye on that spot
01:12:53Kicks and fires
01:12:55So a foul ball
01:12:57Makes it 1-2
01:13:03And a pitch
01:13:05And a swing and a miss
01:13:07Out number 3
01:13:13Sometimes he wears the emotion on the sleeve
01:13:15But that's okay
01:13:17As long as he's getting results
01:13:19And right there, thrilled with the punch out
01:13:21To get out of a jam
01:13:33Super clean
01:13:35Back here
01:13:37In Philadelphia, ready for the bottom
01:13:39Of the eighth, striding to the plate now
01:13:41For Oakland, Jimmy Fox
01:13:43Jimmy
01:13:45The pitch
01:13:47There's the strike
01:13:49Meanwhile, activity in the bullpen
01:13:51Francisco Cordero
01:13:53Up and loosening in the pen
01:13:55One
01:14:01And a pitch
01:14:03Towards first
01:14:07Tosses to the pitcher covering the bag
01:14:09One gone at the bottom of the eighth
01:14:11Up next for Oakland
01:14:13The right fielder
01:14:15Reggie
01:14:17Jackson
01:14:19Here's the Oakland cleanup hitter, Reggie Jackson
01:14:25One
01:14:33That one hammered left field
01:14:35That ball's carrying
01:14:37And it's off the wall
01:14:39Howard throws to second
01:14:41And he's got a double
01:14:45Put a pretty good swing on that one
01:14:47As he drove it out to deep left
01:14:49Didn't quite have the right combination
01:14:51Of launch angle and exit velocity
01:14:53You're never going to be disappointed
01:14:55With extra bases
01:14:59One down
01:15:01Mark McGuire
01:15:03Up next for the A's
01:15:05The designated hitter
01:15:07Next pitch downstairs
01:15:09And that's ball one
01:15:11One
01:15:23Runner leads away at second
01:15:25Swings and misses
01:15:27And it's a ball and a strike
01:15:29One run game
01:15:31The A's looking for some insurance
01:15:37In the dirt
01:15:39One
01:15:43So a wild pitch allows
01:15:45The runner to advance
01:15:53Kicks and deals
01:15:55Swing and a miss
01:15:57It's two and two
01:16:03And a pitch
01:16:05And now it's filled up
01:16:07Here's the sac fly situation
01:16:09And he's got to make sure he gets the ball out over the plate
01:16:11And get those arms extended
01:16:13They're trying to crowd him with the infield in
01:16:15It'll be a big pick off if he can push a run across
01:16:23Out to short
01:16:25That's a base hit as a run scores
01:16:28One
01:16:38There's nothing cheap about the way he got that one through the infield
01:16:40That was ripped
01:16:42Caught out in front
01:16:44And didn't get under it like he would have liked
01:16:46But definitely put a good swing on it
01:16:50Al Simmons
01:16:52Digs in now
01:16:54The center fielder
01:16:56First pitch doesn't find the zone
01:17:10And here it comes
01:17:12They say it went
01:17:26And that one fouled off
01:17:38And a one-two
01:17:40Stays alive
01:17:46McGuire leads off first with one away
01:17:48Tapped in front of the play
01:17:52To first
01:17:54That's it out
01:18:00The third baseman
01:18:02Number six
01:18:04Jeremy
01:18:06Ironman
01:18:10Here's the third baseman
01:18:12Number six
01:18:14Sing you talk about a guy that has all the
01:18:16Sing you talk about a guy that has all the skills
01:18:18The range is really good
01:18:20But the arm just stands out
01:18:22And he makes all the plays
01:18:28That one's in there
01:18:30Oh and one
01:18:32And because of that big power arm
01:18:34He's able to play a little bit deeper
01:18:36Make throws from the outfield grass
01:18:38All the way across the diamond
01:18:40And still get a pretty good runner
01:18:42That's impressive
01:18:46Oh
01:18:48Oh
01:18:50Oh and two now
01:18:52And look out
01:18:54As that one ran in and got him
01:18:56He had two strikes on him
01:18:58And he hit him
01:19:00You always say how important it is to have a good feel
01:19:02For the game
01:19:04I say after the game you step into the box
01:19:06I'll throw some fastballs at you
01:19:08No actually I think we're good Chris
01:19:12Mickey McCann
01:19:14He's got two away as he takes a ball
01:19:32Next offering is in for a strike
01:19:34Two outs
01:19:36Couple of base runners at first and second
01:19:38Next offering upstairs
01:19:54And there's a ball
01:19:57And there's a ball
01:20:11The 3-1
01:20:13And that's ball four
01:20:15You get a walk
01:20:17And you get a walk
01:20:19Everyone gets a walk boo
01:20:21Digging in for Oakland
01:20:23Miguel Tejada
01:20:25This kid is so special
01:20:27He's a shortstop by trade
01:20:29And big time power
01:20:36In there for strike one
01:20:38Seems like from day one
01:20:40His strike zone
01:20:42And plate discipline
01:20:44Looked like he'd been in the league for six years already
01:20:46Next pitch misses
01:20:48And one and one
01:20:55Now a screamer
01:20:57Into the outfield
01:20:59Pulls it down
01:21:01And he makes the catch
01:21:03And that is that
01:21:25So they bring on the veteran
01:21:27Dennis Eckersley
01:21:29Hasn't pitched in the last three days
01:21:31Dennis
01:21:33Eckersley
01:21:41Here at Chey Park
01:21:43And now the catcher comes up to him
01:21:45Pudge Rodriguez
01:21:49The wind and the pitch
01:21:51In the air right field
01:21:53That takes care of Rodriguez
01:21:55One up one down
01:22:01Frank Howard
01:22:03Frank Howard
01:22:05Getting ready to hit
01:22:07He's kind of an outlier
01:22:09Especially when guys are consciously
01:22:11Sacrificing contact
01:22:13To deliver power
01:22:17Swings through that one
01:22:19Yeah his swing is so good
01:22:21It's in the zone a long time
01:22:23He gets the barrel to it a lot
01:22:25And that produces more base hits
01:22:29Now the 0-1
01:22:41And he dodges
01:22:43That fastball
01:22:45One of the things that's interesting
01:22:47You really don't worry
01:22:49About swing and miss from an offensive standpoint anymore
01:22:51So when you see somebody
01:22:53Who contacts the ball like this
01:22:55Do you think of that as plus value
01:22:57Absolutely
01:22:59If he's doing damage now
01:23:01If he's rolling over and grounding out
01:23:03Then it's a different story
01:23:05But yeah if he can put the ball in the gaps or over the fence
01:23:07100%
01:23:17And he chases
01:23:19That one
01:23:21And he's down on strikes
01:23:23For the second time today
01:23:25So the bullpen doing a nice job
01:23:27Backing up the effort from their starter
01:23:29Yeah we've seen some pretty excellent pitch in
01:23:31Out of this staff so far
01:23:33I mean they've come in ready to do their job
01:23:35And get out
01:23:37They've been pretty tough to get to in this one
01:23:39One Gonzalez
01:23:41Stepping in for the Rangers
01:23:45On the ground the first
01:23:47Fox handles
01:23:49Throw to first
01:23:51And ball game
01:23:53And the A's bounce back
01:23:55From consecutive losses
01:23:57To take game three of the series
01:23:59Well this was a tightly played game
01:24:01Got a little of everything
01:24:03Some timely hitting
01:24:05Runs on the board
01:24:08Key pitching and defense in certain spots
01:24:10Definitely a fun one to watch
01:24:37Here now is our final line score this afternoon
01:24:39First for the
01:24:41Victorians Athletics
01:24:43And second
01:24:45For the
01:24:47A's
01:24:49And the A's
01:24:51And the A's
01:24:53And the A's
01:24:55And the A's
01:24:57And the A's
01:24:59And the A's
01:25:01And the A's
01:25:03And the A's
01:25:05First for the
01:25:07Victorians Athletics