jsc1973

Ballgame. Back in first place.

He wasn't pitching well at the time of the trade, or after he left, and he didn't pitch well in 2010, either. We needed someone to help us right away, and Masterson clearly wasn't able to do that. We gave up a guy who was two seasons away from contributing, and in return got a season and a half of Victor Martinez, and then Matt Barnes and Henry Owens with the compensation picks when he left. I can live with it.

I didn't have a problem with him running for Papi, and running for A-Gon is defensible in a situation such as that. I just don't believe you should ever voluntarily take your best player out of the game for a small, short-term advantage. Francona did it, it didn't work out, but the Red Sox won anyway. As far as I'm concerned, as long as the team wins, he doesn't need to explain anything.

I'm sure if Lackey doesn't start getting people out, Ace will get it back no matter who's making $18 million.

Bard won't be available tomorrow, either. Tito won't pitch him three times in five days. I hope Lackey is well-rested from his time off. At least Oakland burned their bullpen worse than we did.

Drew!!!!!!!!!!!! Oakland, f*** you and your pussy walks!

Chickenshit again...sigh.

Lowrie has to get a hit sometime, doesn't he?

No, just an advocate for making supposed major league baseball pitchers pitch like men, not pussies. That's got to be it for Ace. He's thrown over 70 pitches. Someone please win this thing!

And I've always said they should give a hitter the option of declining a walk. Intentional walks are chickenshit. When the rules were first drawn up, the walk was supposed to be a penalty for the pitcher, not an escape hatch by which he could avoid facing the other team's best hitters.

The A's deserve to get beat for being chickens. Come on Sutton!

Another good inning from Ace. Somebody get him the win.

Lowrie's just having a crap day. Got to hold them in the 13th, Salty's up second next time around.