Cal v. San Diego Baseball Open Thread

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 2:29 PM PDT in Baseball Comment 96 comments

Ok, so we're new to SBN, but they seem pretty big on these open thread thingies. Anyway, with coverage of today's baseball game limited to just radio (KALX, 90.7 FM if you're anywhere near Berkeley), I thought it'd be worth it to give this thing a try. Basically, I'll be sorta liveblogging this thing in the comments section, and anyone else that is listening, watching from Long Beach, or just wants to chime in is welcome. I got nowhere to be, so if you're stuck at work, this is the place to be.

Inning and a half gone, no score. The Bears (the visitor) have gotten one man as far as second base in their two half innings, while Ross limited the Toreros to just a bunt single in the bottom of the first.

Edit: The Bears are down 1-0 through 6 innings, as Tyson Ross, who has looked sharp
all day, finally gives up an RBI double following a 2-out walk. As good as Ross has been, San Diego's Brian Matusz has been better, giving up just two hits and striking out seven through six innings.

Edit 2: San Diego has busted it open, scoring 4 times in the bottom of the 7th. Tyson Ross just tired out or something.

Edit 3: And it's official. San Diego defeats California 5-0 behind a complete game shutout from Brian Matusz (3 hits, 10 Ks). The Bears will try and extend their season tomorrow at 2pm against the loser of Long Beach State and Fresno State.

Edit 4: (Final edit, I swear) And the matchups are set. Cal vs. Long Beach State tomorrow at 2pm. Loser's season is over, while the winner still has a long road to go.

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selected quotes

from the cal athletics website

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 2:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

cal coach David Esquer

On switching around pitching staffs for the postseason

“Before you get into the tournament, you have to definitely look at matchups. I don’t think anyone in this tournament can afford to switch around their staffs…every team here is pitching their no. 1 guy. I think with all four teams here you have to go with your best right off the bat.”

Regarding if there is a true favorite in this regional

I really don’t think there can be (a favorite) to be honest with you. I think each one of these teams is capable (of winning). We’ll start out tomorrow and see if someone can build a hot streak and pitching will have a lot to do with it. When you break down each one of the teams, I don’t think there is another regional where all four teams are capable of coming out.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 2:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ross looks good in the bottom of the second

strikes out two in setting down the Toreros in order. it’s early, but i’m anticipating a pitcher’s duel here.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 2:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Unfortunately, Matusz is matching him

2 more strikeouts for the San Diego pitcher. 4 on the day through 3 innings. Would have been a 1-2-3 inning but for a hit batsman.

Still scoreless, heading to the bottom of the third.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 2:44 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

wow

Bears turn a double play on a hit and run. Hard hit grounder right at the second baseman, and the lead runner was the catcher, who are stereotypically slow. Still, nicely turned by the Bears.

No score through 3. This game is moving quickly.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 2:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

bears go down in the fourth

1 hit, 6 Ks for Matusz through 4. Not a whole lot going on, honestly. Offense is a lot more interesting to talk about…

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 3:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

well, there's some offense

san diego gets a one-out single, a bloop into left. only their second hit of the game.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 3:04 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

...and just like that...

...the runner is erased. caught trying to steal second. nice throw by tonneson.

Go Bears!

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 3:06 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

might have been a hit-and-run

as the batter swung through a pitch on the attempted steal.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 3:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

and now the CS is big

SD cleanup hitter singles. instead of 2-on, 1-out, it’s 1-on, 2-out. big momentum killer.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

and ross gets out of it

fly out. 2 hits, no damage done. 0-0 through 4.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Finally, some offense from our Bears

Blake Smith leads off the 5th with a double. Let’s go Bears!

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 3:11 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

there's the sacrafice

the bunt is successful. runner on third, one out. the DH, Mark Canha, is up.

i don’t care what Moneyball says, this the sort of game where 1 run might just win it for you. i like this play.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 3:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Your comment on the CS somewhat contradicts your

moneyball bashing. Damn you Joe Morgan!

Check this out for a laugh. Earl Weaver on “team speed.”
http://users.rcn.com/pkatcher/audio/EarlWeaverTirade.mp3

by oaktownmario on May 30, 2008 3:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

hahah

that’s pretty fucking goddamn funny.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 3:45 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

dammit!!

canha dribbles a grounder to second. blake smith tries to come home, but gets gunned down at the plate.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 3:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

another grounder

and the Toreros are out of the inning.

still no score.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 3:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow

Even with the low scores, lots of stuff happening here. Caught stealings. Plays at the plate. And I’m writing a Trust Accounting!

FML

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on May 30, 2008 3:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

thankfully, not much to write about in the bottom of the 5th

2 more Ks for Ross. 1-2-3 inning, and we’re through 5.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 3:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

oaktownmario's comment

so would a coach ever have the balls to say

"We’re starting you in Game 2 Tyson"? That way Cal’s # 1 faces the other team’s # 2.

Obviously I don’t think anyone would do that because it would essentially tell the team that you think you’re going to lose. But from a pure statistical perspective, it seems like something to consider.

I don’t like this idea. Maybe in a seven-game series, where if you say, concede game 1 to get a better matchup for games 2 thru 4, you might get an advantage. In a double-elimination format, you really can’t afford to lose the first game. If the Bears lose today, they then have to win tomorrow, win two games on Sunday, and then win another game on Monday. No more margin of error, and Ross could only pitch one of those games.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 3:32 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Matusz strikes out Josh Satin

and in doing so, Matusz ties the school record for career strikeouts.

what a surprise, the Bears don’t score in the 6th either. wow, this game is going fast.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 3:34 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I am happy

that Ross has regained his early season form. We all know he has great talent, hopefully he can keep the Toreros down and we can eke out a run here or there. Matusz is too damn good, tho!!!! GO BEARS!

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on May 30, 2008 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ross gives up a two-out walk

yes, that’s right, in a game like this, a two-out walk merits a mention

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 3:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

crap!

the next hitter, Sean Nicol, hits a long double to center, nearly leaving the park. runner scores from1st. 1-0 San Diego.

The 2-out walk comes back to haunt the Bears! Damn you, Moneyball!

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 3:41 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know about you guys

but I’m “watching” the game on Gametracker and all the batters are swinging really weird. They’re not extending their arms and their bat isn’t staying in the hitting zone long enough to get good metal on the ball. I would say it looks like a good day for the pitchers, but they’re not even using their arms to throw the ball. Go figure.

by oaktownmario on May 30, 2008 3:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah, i've got gametracker open too

it’s not terribly descriptive, though. lots of fancy of graphics, not much info added.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Crap! RBI double

by oaktownmario on May 30, 2008 3:41 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I don't like this intentional walk this early in the game

by oaktownmario on May 30, 2008 3:42 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

i'm ok with it

you only need one out, sets up a force at every base.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

and it doesn't matter

foul-out to end the inning. 1-0 Toreros through 6.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 3:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

sigh

and the Bears do nothing in the 7th. At least San Diego needed some great defensive efforts to track down some well-hit balls. maybe those fall next inning?

maybe I’m a bear fan grasping at straws? hoping against hope?

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 3:51 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Are you there in person?

by oaktownmario on May 30, 2008 3:52 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

no

i’m just going off the radio broadcast. i can’t see anything, but the announcers are pretty good.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 3:53 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Damn, I feel Cal's going to need a walk and a home run

Cuz, Matusz is dealing. And college coaches don’t care too much about pitch counts.

by oaktownmario on May 30, 2008 3:52 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

leadoff double for San Diego

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 3:55 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

scratch that, it's an error

on the left fielder Cutler. the result is the same.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 3:55 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Did he just drop the ball?

by oaktownmario on May 30, 2008 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

they said it went off his glove. was pretty much over his head.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

and there's the predictable sacrafice

runner on third, one out.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can I just say

That this “Posts immediately popping up even without refresh and using Z to maneuver around them” thing is AWESOME!

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on May 30, 2008 3:57 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

i really like it too

thank you, SBN!

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 4:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What's going on, my gametracker is frozen?!!

by oaktownmario on May 30, 2008 3:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

RBI double

crap crap crap

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 3:59 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

and ANOTHER RBI double

3-0 San Diego. The wheels have just fallen off.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 3:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great! Just fucking great!!@

by oaktownmario on May 30, 2008 3:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ross is done and so are the bears for today.

Here’s to beating the drunk bulldogs!

by oaktownmario on May 30, 2008 4:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

seriously

i don’t know why ross is still pitching. maybe now is the point where you concede this game, and try not to waste your better relievers here.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 4:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

:(!

Can Marshawn pitch?

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on May 30, 2008 4:01 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

He did throw out the first pitch at an A's game this year i think.

by oaktownmario on May 30, 2008 4:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

was it a strike?

what kind of breaking stuff does he have?

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 4:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Let's just say his teeth looked better than his pitch

and he was decked out in A’s gear.

by oaktownmario on May 30, 2008 4:07 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

...and a 2-out single

drives in another run. 4-0. time to start drinking.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 4:03 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Should have pulled him after the 3rd run

by oaktownmario on May 30, 2008 4:04 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

i agree

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 4:05 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

So, basically

you gotta Go Bears!

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on May 30, 2008 4:04 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

2 on, 2 out

SD has the audacity to try and bunt for a hit with 2 outs…and it works. runners on 1st and 2nd.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 4:06 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

and another infield hit

bases loaded. san diego has batted around this inning. ugh.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 4:08 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

What's with all these freaking infield hits??

reliever anyone????

by oaktownmario on May 30, 2008 4:08 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

finally a pitching change

at least two runs two late. 5-0 San Diego.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 4:09 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

they scored on a Hit By Pitch, by the way

alex rollin coming in to pitch.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 4:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

HBP???? R u serious??

by oaktownmario on May 30, 2008 4:10 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

i know

ross was in way too long. joe ayoob might have done a better job.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 4:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

woah

Let’s not say things we can’t take back now.

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on May 30, 2008 4:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

While we're sulking in this loss

how much success should we expect from Esquer in the Tedford era, in a sport no one cares too much about and doesn’t bring in $$$.

Shouldn’t he be doing better? Hasn’t he been here for a while with nothing big to show for it? Thoughts?

by oaktownmario on May 30, 2008 4:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

this is his 6th year, i think

and yeah, he’s going to have to do something big relatively soon. this year was a good first step, getting back to the postseason. his job is in no immediate danger

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 4:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

that said

i’d like to see the Bears do better than .500 in the Pac-10. After their stellar non-conference performance, it was a bit disappointing to play out the conference schedule like they did.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 4:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

speaking of no one caring much about Cal baseball

there are schools where fans do care about the baseball team; college baseball could be a revenue sport, or at least less of a revenue drain. Cal has definitely been mired in mediocrity for a while. if the Bears could start making the postseason regularly and contending for the Pac-10 title, Cal baseball certainly has potential to build a fanbase. that’s where I think Esquer should eventually get Cal baseball.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Matusz is still dealing

he just struck out his 9th batter on the day.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 4:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I guess we should keep in mind Matusz is likely a top three pick

and could very well be the # 1 pick of the draft. His strikeout #s are ridiculous.

by oaktownmario on May 30, 2008 4:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

yeah, no shame in losing to Matusz

this was definitely a tough matchup for the Bears.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 4:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

nothing doing in the 8th for the Bears

just 3 outs to go. Matusz might finish them off by himself.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 4:24 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Twist

did you catch all the transactions by the A’s today?

Ziegler, Calero, Buck and Carlos Gonzalez to the big club. Two Sweeneys to the DL, Devine to the DL and Dinardo to AAA.

Lots of discussion on AN.

by oaktownmario on May 30, 2008 4:26 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

carlos gonzalez, eh?

quick! to the fantasy baseball transactions page!

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 4:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah. Everyone on AN is all excited like he's the next coming of Willie Mays or

something. They even affectionately call him CarGon.

I'll believe it when i see him mash.

by oaktownmario on May 30, 2008 4:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ziegler!

I’m so happy for that guy. Of the 4 players leaving the team (even if only temporarily), I think Devine is the biggest loss. Sweeney and Hurt on DL will allow Cust to DH, praise be to Marshawn. Is Buck gonna be LF?

If Calero is fully healthy and regains his form, I think he can be at the same level as Devine. I wish Jairo! would come back soon. Oh, how I miss Jairo!

So, I think this is a net increase in talent, overall. Esp. if Buck can be the hitter we hope for.

And I haven’t even talked about CGon yet. Could be huge. Any word on De Los Santos’ health? Doesn’t he have an injury problem?

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on May 30, 2008 4:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

De Los Santos is done for two years.

“Ligament replacement surgery” aka “Tommy John.” 18 months is the normal return time.

Jairo’s injury scares me b/c at first the doctor in Cleveland diagnosed it as a Tommy Johgn issue. Now he’s out for a moth. But I do miss Jairago Garsilla.

by oaktownmario on May 30, 2008 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Month, not moth

by oaktownmario on May 30, 2008 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah, i was gonna say

Jairo for a moth seems like a terrible trade. Billy Beane got taken!

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 4:38 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

2-4 hitters in the 9th

Cutler, Cooper, Satin are the Bears last hope

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 4:33 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

whiff!

and cutler Ks, Matusz 10th on the day

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 4:34 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

hey, some offense

david cooper with a solid single. some action in the torero bullpen

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 4:36 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

...and Josh Satin flies out

Brett Jackson is the Bears’ last hope.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 4:36 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

and it's over

bring on Fresno!

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 4:38 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

2pm tomorrow

A must-win, loser-goes-home game.

Bears get the loser of Long Beach State – Fresno State, who play later tonight.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 4:40 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

Do you know if the corn nation will stream it?

by oaktownmario on May 30, 2008 4:40 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

i do not

twist, you want to email him and find out?

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 4:43 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just did

When we hear anything, we’ll pass it along.

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on May 30, 2008 4:47 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

87 comments

Wow what a record. Congrats guys

I used to be RR at the Cal Golden Blogs

by royrules22 on May 30, 2008 5:31 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

I was

told, so you guys know, that I should receive updates throughout the weekend for the online coverage.

My understanding is that anything CSTV/College Sports TV does should be free throughout the NCAA tourney.

Go Big Red Nebraska!
Our Cobs Are Bigger Than Yours!
Corn Nation!

by corn blight on May 30, 2008 6:39 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the update

But are your cobs bigger than ours? I’ve got a pretty fucking huge cob, afterall.

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on May 30, 2008 7:03 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is why the NCAA screwed the Bears over

First of all, the Bears should have been a #2 seed. Second, you don’t match the top 3 seed with a team (San Diego) that should have been a #1 seed. Third, you don’t match Cal with a pitcher like Matusz. The Bears got the shaft, courtesy of the NCAA who has made screwing west coast teams a habit for two decades.

by ryebreadraz on May 30, 2008 10:15 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs

Regional Seeding

My guess is that the NCAA might have thought they were doing Cal a favor by not sending them to some far-flung regional in the midwest or whereever. I guess Cal athletics saves a bit on travel costs, although if Cal loses tomorrow, they’ll end up saving a lot more on travel costs…

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on May 30, 2008 10:23 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

It would be nice to get a good draw,

but at some point you have to beat the better teams to advance. Who cares that they played a tough team or a tough pitcher? They needed to win. Period. And I would venture to guess that none of the Long Beach teams will even make it to the Final Four. Bottom line: I’m sure Cal wasn’t thinking pre-game that they wished they had played Rider . . .

by oaktownmario on May 30, 2008 10:25 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs