being influenced by pressure is a very immature trait, and most players with even 1+ years of playing time don’t feel it. players don’t get though the minors and 500 innings of pro ball with bright lights syndrome. the only real pressure any of them feel is their career shortening, and their paychecks disappearing. wins mean shockingly little when they aren’t valued in dollars.

But Braves, thanks again for not allowing us to lose ground in the wildcard race! My irrational hopes live on.

Got a link? Love to see it. Things getting a little weird out your way? If the birds are behaving strangely too, might be a seismic warning.

The Feesh climbed to the strange attractor and they’re sitting on it now like a bunch of Ali Babas on a magic carpet. Tonight Clay Hensley, who vectored the DC (Debt Ceiling) mantis to Logan Morrison, who brought it fame and ignominy upon himself, tests the theory of evolution against yet another form of superstition to see if the Feesh’s gills can function above water as a precursor to their fins evolving back into legs.

And speaking of Ali Baba, I’d like to wish all of my friends of the Islamic faith, met and unmet, a serene and happy Ramadan. As salaam aleikum.

When it happened last night the A’s announcers were silent for a second. I imagined them (Ray Fosse and Glenn Kuiper) with their mute buttons on:

GK: What the hell do we say about this? They look like 10 year olds.
RF: Did you see that Bourdain show about Cuba? Their 10 year olds are much better than these guys.
GK: Damn it. You saw that memo from Wolff-no criticising.
RF: Ok, we just explain how it happened. Like ‘Dragnet”. Just the facts.
GK: Alright, kick me if I start sounding disgusted.

True, 3 of 4 infielders are playing positions they hadn’t played in Spring training. But still.

And it’s not like the King needed any help. Although it did seem like he got bored towards the end of his shift. He kept falling behind, running up his pitch count. Sizemore’s HR was what you’d expect: pulled down the line about 340 feet. It’s about the only place an average MLB hitter can put one out in Safeco.

In five starts this year against the A’s the King is 3-0 with 5 ER in 30 IP. No wonder he’s bored.

But it was worth it to see fake Ichiro interfere with a ball in play. That made for two laughs in the game.

The Beaver Men still need a legit closer, as Rauch looked hardly dominant trying to close out matters. Dude’s got some world class ink but he needs about 3 more mph on his fast ball to really make an impact as a closer, not skin art.

Colby Rasmus continues to look lost as a hitter. Sporting a .100 BA he was at least steady in center field. In fact, if I’m not mistaken, he caught all 3 of the outs in the ninth.

As for Ricky Romero: There are some who say “that boy is our only hope”. But I reply “no there is another”: One C. Villanueva (6-2) goes against one J. Shields (9-9). He’s got his work cut out for himself but if he can hold off the Hated Rays (spits) the Beaver Men will need to get past Shileds who’s been just a little shaky of late; 1-5 with a 5.35 ERA over his last six starts, and got just shelled in his last outing with 10 runs and 12 hits over four innings. I’m hoping this isn’t his ‘bounce back’ game.

wait, did I just defend KK?

(last night’s game notwithstanding)

I don’t know. Not having the benefit of watching Pence play everyday, I don’t know what his style is yet. I just hope this guy doesn’t try to hot dog it in the field.

Good. being maddening to someone is a sign of progress.

Did anyone see Hunter Pence’s outfield slide to catch a ball hit to him in the 9th? Did anyone else out there think the slide was excessive and unnecessary to make the catch?

One final comment if I may. Regardless of how it shakes out for the remainder of this season. If both Hughes and Nova continue to improve, I think one thing we can all agree on is that Hughes has a higher ceiling potential the 2012 starting rotation (with CC of course) looks very promising and not nearly as dire as it appeared at the start of the 2011 season.