Have to give kudos to Don Mattingly, though….when the press tosses him the”chemistry” cop out, he tosses it right back, insisting that there’s no reason they can’t produce right now……

But yesterday, Buck managed beautifully, winning a game through tight bullpen management and focusing on the one guy he could over-leverage (Joyce) and effectively neutralizing him. Melvin, in contrast, watched as Mr. Anderson had matched Weaver result for result through six innings, following his pattern since his return from TJ of a dominant first 3 innings, and eroding control and velocity over the next 3. As I was following the game at work, I was saying to myself “pull him, he’s losing it” after 6. But his pitch count was 87, so Bob sent him out for the 7th. Why? The bullpen was rested, the Angels hadn’t really taxed them. Anderson had thrown 7 against Minnesota and Cleveland. But the Angels lineup is not Minnesota and Cleveland. The last two innings in particular had been stressful.

Sure enough, Hunter homered in the bottom of the 7th. Nothing from Bob. Rooted to his spot in the dugout.

What was he thinking? At 1-0, the game is still within reach. It’s not like the A’s have this massive lead in the Wild Card and are a Yankees-like juggernaut. Every game counts.

But no. He left the plainly toasted Mr. Anderson in to suffer the indignity of getting pummeled, much like Bobby Valentine’s horror show with Jon Lester for 11 earned runs earlier in the year. By the time the 7th was over, the score was 6-0. Even Scoscia had the sense to pull the returning-from-injury Weaver, who was astonishingly good, after 94 pitches. Why risk letting the A’s back in it?

Playing to win. I fear the A’s may get a lesson in how that’s done in the next 3 games.

Obviously, I love the win because it shows the AAA kids have some fight in them. But I would be very frustrated if I was a Phils fan.

I wouldn’t call the Orioles “just lucky” and there are lots of good things that could be said about them, but run differential and the record in one run ballgames would indicate that there is definitely some luck involved.

At any rate, time for the goldfish memory to take it’s course, and move on to the A’s series. Gonna be a tough fight and hopefully th BP still has enough gas if called upon in the next few nights. I’m not getting my hopes up just yet, but the thought of getting into a position where we could bring our brooms west with us would be fanfriggintastic.

LEEGGGOOOOO!!!!

22-32 against the Astros since 2004 before last night.

Denial — The Rays didn’t just get swept by the Orioles. The Rays aren’t 4 games back in the wild card. Put on a happy face so the little kiddos don’t worry about mommy.

Anger — The Rays score 6, count ‘em 6, lousy bleeping runs in 37 innings!! Or was it 35? Whatever! I’m too angry to do math right now. Wtf?! Bring me Derek Shelton’s head. I don’t care how good the pitching is, you can’t expect your pitchers to throw no-hitters every game.

Bargaining — I promise I will wear my lucky socks during every game here on out. I don’t care how hot it is or how bad they smell. They always win when I wear those socks. Sounds rational to me.

Depression — It’s over. This season is done. The Rays still have to play the Yankees, the White Sox, and these Orioles again. They also have to play the Red Sox, who would love to be the spoiler in our September collapse, and the Blue Jays, who always play the Rays tough. There’s no hope.

Acceptance — Ok, it was a devastating series, but if the Rays sweep the Yankees in the Bronx, hey, we’re right back in this thing…

GRRRR.