EMERGING FROM THE DEPTHS

ENTER KENART MACHAHOWE

The more this season drags to a close the more we are concerned that Billy Beane and the front office are pulling more than strings. In fact, we are almost convinced that there are no strings. The bullpen phone is not actually connected wherever the A’s are and Rick Peterson, Terry Francona and Ken Macha all speak three different languages.

You explain Tuesday’s loss and last night’s embarrassment.

There are two schools of thought; Billy Beane is calling all the shots which is leading to a gross error of communication or Ken Macha is calling the shots which is a gross error of management.

Don’t get us wrong. We like Ken. He’s an affable guy. But, crap like Friday night and Tuesday has got to stop.

With the day off Thursday, the A’s enjoyed a brief moment of rest to recuperate and reload before the stretch drive comes to an end next week. With five full games on the Mariners and only needing to win four games to capture the AL West the A’s had a lot of room to maneuver. With their best pitcher on the mound and the start of a three games series, the AL West could have been done and over with by Sunday.

Mariners 6, A’s 1

The stretch drive has screeched to a halt.

The A’s last week called up six players from Sacramento, five position players and Keith Foulke clone - Jeremy Fikac. The A’s have yet to use any of the position players.

What they hell were they called up for? To force the laundry room attendant to wash uniforms that don’t get dirty? To test their commuting instincts? Just to make the parking lot administrator reconfigure his schematic?

Friday night’s contest was an immense opportunity for the A’s to get another full day of rest for a few of the regulars. By running out a lineup of :
Mike Edwards (CF)
Billy McMillon (LF)
Bobby Crosby (DH-SS)
Miguel Tejada (SS),
Graham Koonce (1B)
Jason Grabowski (RF)
Frank Menechino (3B)
Mark Johnson (C)
Esteban German (2B)

Ken Macha could have basically thumbed his nose at convention and the Mariners. Giving the bench players all a spot start puts less pressure on the individual and also makes for a lot of fun in the clubhouse. Imagine how deflating it would be to Seattle to gird up their loins (best sports phrase ever?) to try and keep their heads above water and heading to a do or die series by facing the Sacramento River Cats West. In addition, the extra day of rest would have been beneficial, not to mention a good sign that the organization doesn’t see them as second class citizenry.

Losing the opening game of this home stand wasn’t going to be the end of the pennant race, but by putting an ulterior lineup, it could have precluded the massive amount of air it sucked out of the Coliseum.

Ken Macha clearly has not had the A’s focused after his ridiculous bungling of Tuesday night’s game. How the hell is Erubiel Durazo thrown out stealing? Why was Chad Bradford used so early? Since when in this injury-riddled season has Jim Mecir earned the right to close out tight ballgames?

Ken Macha keeps touting his matchups, especially after they blow up in his face.Hey, KenArt MachaHowe, yah, over here;

YOU ARE LEADING BY FIVE GAMES, IT’S TIME TO LOOSEN UP THE REIGNS AND START LOOKING TO SHAKE THINGS UP BEFORE THE WHEELS FALL OFF.

Now, if the A’s had a bunch of 30 years old wash-outs for call ups, we wouldn’t dare suggest Macha fill out a lineup card similar to the one above. But, these call-ups just won the PCL championship. They destroyed PCL pitching for six months. Chances are they could take Seattle and Texas pitching for a few AB’s here and there. Further, the A’s matchups versus Ryan Franklin were ridiculous. A bunch of 0 for 15’s and 1 for 20’s in the lineup. Our best guess is that if Ken actually looked at the matchups, or even took them seriously he would have altered the line up. He didn’t. It seriously wounded a team that is already limping into the post season.

With Chris Singleton a question mark, Keith Foulke a question mark, the rotation a question mark, Jermaine Dye’s knees screaming and Eric Byrnes starting for the 10th consecutive game without a rest, Ken Macha is begging for double guessing.

Well, he’s going to get it.